The Emery Spartans delivered a statement with dominant 41-7 region win over the Providence Hall Patriots Friday night in Castle Dale.
A highly anticipated game between the No. 5 Spartans and the No. 6 Patriots quickly turned one-sided as the Emery defense set the tone early with multiple turnovers.
“Defensively we a turnover, that was huge, we get a short field and score and then just kept rolling,” said head coach Jon Faimalo. “I feel like we are starting to find an identity in all aspects of the game. It’s nice to have that type of comfort and to get some kids back from injury. It was just good.”
Friday’s win moves Emery to 2-1 in 2A North play and 4-4 overall. Providence Hall was previously unbeaten in league play, but now shares an identical in both region and overall.
“If you would have told me we would be 4-4 at the beginning of the year, with the injuries we’ve had, I’d take it,” Faimalo said. “We’ve had to rely on some kids to step up, and to their credit they have. It’s nice to see these kids settle in and find their position.”
Emery’s defense once again set the tone early as Colton Jeffs recorded his second interception in as many weeks. The return set the Spartans up inside the Providence Hall 40 yard line. Emery capitalized off the turnover as Jace Curtis scored his first touchdown of the season on a six-yard run.
The second Emery possession ended in similar fashion as the offense once again set up inside the Providence Hall 40 following a 60 yard punt return from Sean Rodgers. The drive ended with a five yard touchdown run from Tyler Stilson to make it 14-0 at the end of the open quarter.
The Spartans continued to soar defensively as Treg Miller recorded the team’s second interception midway through the second quarter. The return set Emery up at the Providence Hall 37 yard line. Moments later Curtis reached the end zone again, this time on an 18 yard run untouched to open up a 21-0 lead.
Emery’s defense continued to create offense in the first half. Faced with a fourth and one from the 40, Maddex Christman recovered a fumble to set the Spartans up at the 39. The very next play Ryker Jensen connected with Miller for a 39 yard touchdown pass to increase the lead to 28-0 with 3:26 to play in the second quarter.
A quick three-and-out for the Patriots gave the Spartans plenty of time to add another score. Faced with fourth and six from the 40-yard line, Emery extended the drive with a successful fake punt. Moments later Jensen capped off the drive with a one yard touchdown on a quarterback keeper to extend the lead to 34-0 at the break.
The Spartans put the mercy rule in play with 3:45 remaining in the third quarter as Tyler Stilson scored for the second time as he reached on a one-yard run to increase the lead to 41-0.
Following last week’s blowout Emery has now outscored its opponents 97-14 on the new field.
Emery will now shift its attention to the final road game of the season next Friday against American Leadership Academy. ALA is currently 0-3 in 2A North play and 1-6 overall.