Festivity was in the air as the Carbon Dinos celebrated homecoming all through the week of Friday, Oct. 4. Capping off the celebration was the annual homecoming game, where the Dinos would welcome the North Sanpete Hawks for a 3a South showdown. Unfortunately, the Dinos would be outgunned, giving up 26 points in the fourth quarter and falling to the Hawks 36-7.
Offense would be at a premium throughout the first half, with the sole points coming with 9:32 left in the second quarter when North Sanpete’s sophomore quarterback Isiah Wright would throw a bubble screen to freshman Kasch Wilden. Wilden faked right and cut left, slicing up the Dino’s defense and waltzing into the end zone. A successful PAT from junior kicker Rafael Contreras led the Hawks to a 7-0 advantage going into halftime.
An early turnover from Carbon in the third quarter set North Sanpete up deep in Dino territory. But a strong defensive stand would force the Hawks to settle for a 31-yard field goal, which Contreras would hit with ease, making it 10-0.
The Dinos would answer back on the ensuing drive, starting at their 20-yard line and marching downfield. This crusade to the end zone would be capped off when senior running back Anthony Wilson would bully his way through a host of North Sanpete defenders and into the promised land. Senior kicker Luke Brady would nail the extra point cut into the Hawks lead 10-7.
The fourth quarter is when North Sanpete would come alive, starting with 10:43 left in the game, Wright would connect with senior receiver Gage Oldroyd on a four-yard slant to the middle of the end zone. Contreras would convert the PAT and increase the Hawks lead to 17-7.
North Sanpete would add to this lead when after a drive stalled, they called in Contreras to attempt the field goal from 37 yards out. Tuning out the crowd and setting his sights on the goal posts, Contreras would power the ball through the uprights for three, giving the Hawks a 20-7 advantage.
Back-and-forth punts would eventually end up with the Dinos pinned on their own one-yard line. North Sanpete would take advantage of this and bring down senior quarterback Stockton Kennedy in the end zone, resulting in a safety. 22-7 Hawks.
A squib kick on the ensuing kickoff would be taken to the 12-yard line by North Sanpete. One play later the Hawks would score when senior running back Jayden Reyes would get the edge on a jet sweep and cross the goal line for another North Sanpete score. Contreras would again score the point after and lift the Hawks lead to 29-7.
The scoring barrage would come to an end after sophomore quarterback Carter Branch would be picked off by junior linebacker Maddox Madsen. Madsen would take the interception and return it 33 yards to the house. Contreras would complete his perfect day with extra points and help the Hawks finish the game 36-7.
For the Dinos, Kennedy finished the game with 103 passing yards. Offensively, Carbon’s biggest weapon was Wilson, who ended the night with 22 receiving yards, 86 rushing yards and a touchdown.
The Dinos (3-5, 0-3 region), set their sights on Senior Night, which will be held next week on Friday, Oct. 11. They will be squaring off against the Juab Wasps (4-4, 2-1 region), who are coming off a 34-14 win over Canyon View. Live play-by-play coverage will be on KRPX 95.3 the Peak starting at 6:30 p.m. with the Landon’s Diesel pregame show and kickoff at 7 p.m.