The Emery Spartans battled last week to earn a place in tonight’s UHSAA 2A State semifinal round against the undefeated San Juan Broncos. Emery entered the game after a 36-31 win, last week, over the Providence Hall Patriots. Also last week, San Juan continued their season-long dominance with a 54-7 victory over the South Sevier Rams.
Tonight’s contest was expected to be a tightly contested, low-scoring game. Just 40 seconds into the game, however, fans discovered the complete opposite.
After the Spartan defense forced a quick Bronco drive to start the game, Junior quarterback Wade Stilson found fellow junior Creek Sharp for a 56-yard touchdown to give Emery an early 7-0 lead.
San Juan answered, as good teams do, with 20 straight points to take a 20-7 lead with 7:01 still left to play in the first quarter. Stilson and the Spartans finally put an end to the Bronco scoring run as Stilson connected with Sharp for a second time, this time from 47 yards out. Emery quickly cut the deficit to 20-14.
San Juan scored just 10 seconds later, on a 65-yard touchdown pass and extended their lead to 28-14. Stilson and the Spartans found the endzone for the third time in the first quarter, with 1:55 remaining, as Stilson found Koalton Curtis for a 70 yard touchdown. The chaotic first quarter finally ended after a combined 49 points, 28-21 in favor of the Broncos.
San Juan and Emery continued to trade touchdowns throughout the second quarter. Stilson recorded two more touchdowns, one rushing and one passing, to take the Spartans, down 43-35, into the half.
Scoring stalled in the second half as both defenses decided to hold the opposing teams scoreless in the third quarter.
Stilson ran one yard, into the endzone, to bring the Spartans within two as 10:09 remained in the game. A failed two-point conversion kept the score at 43-41 as the Spartans tried to mount a comeback.
San Juan tried to close the door on the Spartans with two late touchdowns. With just 1:46 left in the fourth quarter, Emery took possession of the football down 56-41. The Spartans marched down the field and scored to make it 56-48 with 22 seconds left. The comeback, unfortunately, would end there as San Juab would recover Emery’s onside kick. Emery’s season ended, in heartbreaking fashion, with a 56-48 loss to San Juan in the 2A semifinals.
Wade Stilson finished the game 31-55 with 482 passing yards, seven touchdowns (five passing and two rushing). Stilson also tossed three interceptions. Creek Sharp led all receivers with 175 yards on nine catches and two touchdowns. Matt Olsen contributed 163 yards on 13 receptions and a touchdown. Koalton Curtis also tallied 102 yards on five catches and two touchdowns. Dane Sitterud led the Spartans on the ground after 20 carries for 55 yards.