Trailing by two points for much of the fourth quarter, the Carbon Dinos were unable to complete a double-digit second half comeback in a 14-12 road loss Friday night to the Cottonwood Colts.

Down 14-0 at half time, the Dinos scored one touchdown in the third quarter and another in the fourth. The difference in the game proved to be two missed PATs for Carbon, one an extra point, the second a failed two-point conversion.

Junior quarterback Keaton Rich completed 13-of-27 passes for 183 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions to lead the Carbon offense. Throughout the game Rich averaged 14 yards per completion and connected with five separate receivers.

McKaden Whiteleather hauled in five passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. Orlando Vasquez added three catches for 48 yards and Davin Moss caught three passes for 31 yards.

While Carbon was effective through the air, the team added a consistent running attack as they combined for 82 yards on 26 carries. Rich led the way with 52 yards, while Cooper Schade chipped in with 17.

Cottonwood started fast by scoring the game’s first touchdown in the opening quarter as Brock Simpson found Roman Caywood for a 34-yard touchdown. The game remained 7-0 at the end of the opening quarter.

The Colts extended their lead to two scores as Jordan Lerett crossed the goal line on a 15-yard run with 6:49 to play in the second quarter. Cottonwood entered the break holding a 14-0 advantage.

Faced with a two-score deficit, the Carbon defense played lights out football over the final 24 minutes of game action.

As a team the Dinos forced two interceptions and kept the Colts out of the end zone for the final two quarters. The surge on defense allowed the offense to gain rhythm and put the team in position for a victory.

Rich delivered a nine-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Schade with 8:43 remaining in the third period. A missed PAT prevented Carbon from chipping deeper into the lead, running the score to 14-6.

Whiteleather added the second Carbon score with 11:01 to play in the contest on a 28-yard touchdown throw from Rich. Carbon’s attempt to tie the game fell short on a failed two-point try.

The Dinos had one more chance to potentially win the game. The team’s attempted 47-yard field goal was blocked, leading to the Cottonwood victory.

Now 0-2 on the season, the Dinos will return home on Friday, Aug. 28 to play host to Duchesne. The two teams battled to an 11-0 final in 2019, which ended in Duchesne’s favor.

Live coverage of Fridays will air on KRPX 95.3 The Peak beginning at 6:30 p.m.. Kick-off will follow shortly after at 7:00.