The Emery Spartans started fast but could not keep pace with the high-tempo San Juan Broncos in a 61-20 loss Friday night in Castle Dale.
Ranked No. 1 for the first time since the inception of the RPI, the Spartans were looking to avenge last season’s lone region loss. The No. 2 ranked Broncos proved they are still the team to beat in the 2A classification with a near flawless performance.
Hayden Abrams gave the Spartans an immediate boost, returning the opening kickoff 79 yards to the San Juan 10-yardline. Three plays later Emery had the first touchdown of the game as Treven Gilbert found Abrams in the corner of the endzone for a five-yard touchdown pass, just 25 seconds into the game.
San Juan wasted no time responding, erasing the Emery lead on the ensuing kickoff as Jagger Nieves went 90 yards untouched for an electric score.
The scoring settled for a moment as both defenses gathered multiple stops. The Spartans captured the lead again as Gilbert connected with Abrams a second time on a 33-yard touchdown pass off a receiver screen with 3:01 to play in the first quarter.
San Juan’s offense found its rhythm on a tempo drive that resulted in a 17-yard touchdown run from Nieves with just over a minute left in the quarter. The two teams entered the second tied 14-14.
The Broncos unleashed an explosive second quarter, posting 34 unanswered points to take a commanding 48-14 lead into the break. The impressive offensive output was an all-around effort as Nieves scored three touchdowns, Javin Montella caught a 39-yard score, and JD Palmer rushed for a five-yard touchdown.
Friday’s win for San Juan gives the Broncos a clear path to the 2A South title and the No. 1 seed in the upcoming state tournament. The set back dropped Emery to No. 2 in the latest rankings, just ahead of No. 3 Layton Christian.
Emery will now enter a bye week and prepare for the final three games of the regular season. The Spartans will next return to the field on Friday, Oct. 4 on the road against the South Sevier Rams. The final home game will follow on Oct. 10 against the Grand Red Devils.