The Carbon and Emery rivalry added another chapter on the football field as the two teams combined for a thrilling season opener that ended in favor of Emery 28-16 Friday night in Price.
Capitalizing on opportunities early in the game, the Spartans captured a 14-0 advantage in the first quarter. Carbon answered by scoring 16 unanswered over the next two quarters to hold a two-point lead in the fourth. The final 12 minutes belonged to Emery as they closed out the game on another 14-0 run to solidify the victory.
“The kids gutted it out and pulled off what we needed them to,” said Emery head coach Jon Faimalo following the win. “Defensively I thought we played well. They got a little bit of momentum and that can carry you a long ways and it did for those guys in the third quarter.”
It took less than two minutes for the Spartans to register the first score of the game. Carbon’s opening possession ended with a blocked punt deep in its own territory that was eventually recovered by Koalton Curtis in the end zone for a touchdown. The Spartans extended the lead to 14 as Ryker Jensen capped off an efficient drive with a quarterback sneak inside the three yard line.
While the Spartans seemed in control of the game the Dinos refused to quit. The first points of the season came for Carbon as a drive stalled out inside the Emery five yard line. Zach Chappell easily converted a 23-yard field goal. The score remained 14-3 heading into the third quarter where the Dinos erupted.
The momentum of the game started to turn as Carbon thwarted a successful Emery drive with an interception in the corner of the end zone. The Dinos quickly made the Spartans pay with an 80-yard drive that ended with senior Davin Moss scoring on a 29-yard run.
Carbon’s defense delivered another successful stand on the ensuing drive. Once again the offense put together a drive and captured the lead for the first time as Keaton Rich scored on a 31-yard quarterback keeper. Chappell’s point after missed left, keeping the Carbon lead at 16-14.
“Our kids just didn’t quit and our defense started hitting a little more,” said Carbon coach Phil Howa. “We took the challenge. Our kids got a little shell shocked. Last year it happened and our kids shutdown, this year that didn’t happen.”
The game once again took a turn as Emery battled from behind in the fourth quarter to take the lead for good. Sophomore Dane Sitterud became the main offensive weapon, putting the ground attack on his shoulders and scoring the go-ahead touchdown from 21-yards out.
Back in control on the scoreboard, the Spartan’s defense forced a three-and-out from Carbon on the ensuing drive. Deep in their own territory, the Dinos elected to punt, but a miss handled snap resulted in Emery taking over at the Carbon six-yard line.
The final blow came from Jensen who walked into the end zone with a quarterback keeper around the left side of the line.
“I think tonight was a great test to see just what we’re made of,” said Faimalo. “The difference of atmosphere on the sideline was night and day from the third and fourth quarter. We tried to tell the kids not to give up and something will happen.”
The final team statistics were nearly even in every major category. Only 11 yards separated the two teams in total yards, while both committed two turnovers. The difference turned out to be plays made on special teams, which heavily benefited the Spartans.
Jensen completed 13-of-24 attempts for 150 yards to lead the Emery offense. On the ground senior Josh Olsen averaged over five yards a carry as he finished with 86 yards on 15 attempts.
Rich was the most potent weapon for Carbon as he accumulated 168 yards through the air and another 126 on the ground. Fellow senior Will Carmichael gathered 114 yards as he hauled in seven catches.
The Dinos will now shift focus to a week two home game against Cottonwood on Friday, Aug. 20. The Spartans will open the home portion of the schedule with a game against North Sanpete.