Faced with the difficult task of opening region play on the road against No. 2 South Summit, the Emery Spartans fell just short of the upset win falling 42-27 Friday night in Kamas.

Carrying a 21-12 lead into half time, the Spartans allowed 23 unanswered points in the third quarter. Trailing by two scores entering the fourth, the deficit was too much to overcome as Emery slipped to 2-4 on the season.

Sophomore Dane Sitterud led a potent Emery rushing attack as he finished with 83 yards on 21 carries. Sitterud also found the end zone on the first Emery drive of the game, scoring on a three-yard run to cap an efficient start.

Senior quarterback Ryker Jensen rushed for two touchdowns and 24 yards, while also throwing for 154 yards on nine completions and another score. The chunk of the yardage came late in the second quarter as Jensen connected with Colton Jeffs on a 74-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline.

Emery proved to be a game opponent for the unbeaten Wildcats. The first three drives of the second half were halted by costly penalties. Creating extra possessions for South Summit, the Spartans also gave up an interception that was returned for a touchdown in the third period.

After a sluggish first half South Summit quarterback Kyler Sudweeks found his rhythm as he threw two third quarter touchdown passes. For the game he accumulated four scores, three threw the air and one on the ground.

Entering Friday’s game ranked No. 5 in the UHSAA RPI, the Spartans still managed to climb one spot, even in defeat, to No. 4 due to strength of schedule. The win for South Summit moved them to the top of the rankings, passing unbeaten Beaver for the top spot.

Emery will have another opportunity to record its first region win on Friday with a home contest against the Judge Memorial Bulldogs in Castle Dale. With four games remaining on the regular season slate, three will be played at home.