The Emery Spartans opened the 2019 football season with a 20-7 loss to the Millard Eagles Friday night in Castle Dale.

Holding a 7-6 lead at the end of the first half, the Spartans were unable to find the end zone in the final two quarters. The game remained a one score contest until Millard crossed the goal line in the final minute of the fourth quarter.

“We had missed opportunities. Dropped passes, pre-snap penalties and missed reads,” said head coach Jon Faimalo following the loss. “I told the kids we have to get better in things like that and we’ll be ok.”

Senior Jaymes Bowman scored the lone Emery touchdown on the first offensive play from scrimmage. Starting in Millard territory, Bowman took a jet sweep 44-yards for a score. He also converted the extra point, giving Emery a 7-0 lead.

Forcing three punts and three turnovers during the first six Millard possessions of the game, the Emery defense set the early tempo throughout the first half. As a team the Spartans recorded four turnovers, including a late interception from Stockton Jensen.

The game remained 7-0 until the final play of the first half. Millard senior quarterback Brooks Meyers lobbed a desperation heave from 36-yards out and found receiver Sam Marshall. A missed extra point allowed Emery to keep a one-point advantage at the break.

Millard captured the lead for good as Meyers connected with running back Austin Burraston on a 10-yard third down completion. Burraston also found the end zone on a 15-yard run to close out the game in the fourth quarter.

Trailing by six throughout the fourth quarter, the Spartans had three opportunities to take the lead. The most prominent drive fell short as Emery turned the ball over on downs on the Millard 30-yard line with eight minutes remaining in the contest.

The Spartans will now shift their attention to Friday’s contest against the North Sanpete Hawks, the runner up in last year’s 3A State Championship contest. Friday the Hawks defeated the Grantsville Cowboys in a 7-6 defensive battle.

“I told the kids it doesn’t get any easier from here,” said Faimalo. “North Sanpete is the next one and we have to get our focus on that.”

Live coverage of Friday’s contest will begin at 6:20 on KOAL 107.3 FM and 750 AM with the Landon’s Diesel Service Pre-Game Show. The game will also be streamed live at castlecountryradio.com.

Listen to coach Jon Faimalo’s post game interview below: