Despite holding a seven-point lead at the end of the first quarter the Emery Spartans dipped to 0-4 on the season with a 35-14 loss to the Manti Templars on the road Friday night.

Once again the Spartans struggled to find consistency on offense, finishing with 233 total yards for the contest. Defensively Emery allowed 360, but also managed to force three turnovers, the most this season.

After multiple defensive stops in the opening quarter the Spartans were the first on the scoreboard as Kyson Stilson connected with Rance Jensen on a screen. Jensen used several moves to get out in the open field, scoring from 53-yards out on the longest scoring play of the year for the team.

Entering the second quarter trailing by seven, the Templars unleashed a flurry of offense that included 35 unanswered points. The offensive push was led by running back Lance Fowles who tallied 97 yards and three touchdowns off of 11 carries.

Emery quarterback Kyson Stilson had his best game statistically of the season completing nine of 22 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns. The second touchdown of the night came on a long pass to Easton Gordon late in the fourth quarter.

Friday’s loss wraps up the non-league portion of the schedule for Emery. Still in search of its first win, the Spartans join Carbon and North Sanpete as the only 3A teams win-less entering region play.

Emery will return to the field Friday for the region opener against Judge Memorial. Friday will be the first of three straight home contests, which marks the final home stand of the season.