Unable to rebound from a slow first quarter start, the Emery Spartans suffered their first region loss of the season in a 34-19 setback to the Morgan Trojans Friday evening on the road.
It took only seconds for the Trojans to capture the lead as Austin Francis took the opening kick 93-yards for a touchdown. Holding a 6-0 lead Morgan managed to strike again moments later as Francis reached the end zone again, this time on a five yard run.
The Trojans opened their largest lead of the game in the early part of the second quarter as Conley Breshears capped another efficient drive with a 15-yard run. Following a successful point after, Morgan held a comfortable 20-0 lead.
Emery finally got on the scoreboard in the middle of the second quarter as Zac Jorgensen hit Kolton Butler in stride for a 37-yard touchdown pass down the sideline. Following a missed PAT the Spartans entered the break trailing 20-6.
Morgan’s defense set the tempo early in the second half, preventing the Emery offense from chopping the lead down to one possession. After a defensive stop the Trojans marched down the field and scored another touchdown as Francis crossed the goal line on an 11-yard run.
Trailing once again by three scores the Spartans wasted little time answering the Morgan touchdown. Using trickery Easton Gordon fired a 47-yard touchdown to Butler on a half back pass. The score slowed Morgan’s momentum, and after a defensive stop gave the Emery the chance to trim the lead to a single score.
After marching the ball down the length of the field, the Spartans had second down inside the five yard line. Following three straight in-completions, Morgan took over on downs and scored in a relatively short period of the time to ice the game.
Friday’s loss dips the Spartans to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in region play. After an 0-2 start the Trojans have won four straight games, including two wins in league action.
Looking to get back on the winning track the Spartans will play host to the Union Cougars, who are still in search of their first league win. Friday’s football contest will wrap up homecoming week for the Spartans.