The Carbon High School Dinos made the trip up to Ogden to take on the Ogden High School Tigers on Friday, Aug. 30. Both teams entered the game looking to advance to 3-0 on the season, but a stout Tigers defense held the Dinos in check handing them their first loss of the season 31-14.

Ogden, who elected to receive the opening kickoff, would get to work quickly on the opening drive of the game. Qorking their way downfield on a drive that was capped off by a 13-yard outside rush by senior running back Cy Arnold. A successful extra point gave the Tigers an early 7-0 lead.

On the ensuing drive, Carbon would move the ball within Ogden’s 20-yard line, but a bend-not-break mentality from the Tigers would force the Dinos to attempt a field goal. But disaster struck when the snap went over the holder’s head and was recovered by Ogden around the 50-yard line. Taking advantage of this field position, the Tigers would again score, and again it was Arnold rushing it in; this time on a 16-yard run to the outside. Another successful extra-point attempt would have Ogden entering the second quarter up 14-0.

Ogden’s defense would again get a stop, giving their offense another opportunity to score. This time around, however, it was Carbon’s turn to embody the bend-don’t-break mentality. A strong stand in the red zone resulted in the Tigers settling for a field goal and keeping it a manageable 17-0 deficit.

Another defensive stand from Ogden set them up midfield with time running out in the half. Dropping back to throw a screen pass, senior quarterback Vinscent Apodaca targeted sophomore receiver Synic Harvey, but what neither of them expected was junior defensive end Maddux Wilson ripping the ball away and running 67 yards to the house for a pick-six. Entering halftime the Dinos were only down 17-7.

Ogden’s defense would come up big again, forcing a three-and-out against Carbon and returning the ensuing punt around the Dino’s 30-yard line. With the short field position, Ogden would again find the back of the end zone when senior running back Kale Flint powered his way on a three-yard run for another Tiger touchdown. Following the PAT, Ogden’s advantage was raised to 24-7.

Ogden would strike again in the third quarter, this time through the air when Apodaca would connect with sophomore receiver Jack Thompson on a six-yard pass in the corner of the end zone. Senior kicker Kye Jensen would cap off his perfect day on the extra point, going a perfect four-for-four on PAT attempts and giving the Tigers a 31-14 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Carbon would score once more before the end of the game when senior quarterback Stockton Kennedy found junior wide receiver Trace Crespin in the end zone on a four-yard pass. Senior kicker Luke Brady connected on the extra point making it 31-14.

After this touchdown both offenses would stall in the remaining seven minutes, giving Ogden the win and handing Carbon their first loss of the season.

Now sitting at 2-1 on the season, the Dinos now return home to take on the Union High School Cougars on Friday, Sept. 6. The Cougars are coming off a 34-14 loss to Uintah and sit at 1-2 on the season. For live play-by-play coverage tune into KRPX 95.3 the Peak or the Castle Country Radio app with pregame starting at 6:30 p.m. and kickoff at 7 p.m.