A new era for Carbon High football got underway on Friday, Aug. 15, as the Dinos started the season under first-year head coach Nick Milovich – the third Carbon coach in as many years. Facing the American Leadership Academy Eagles, a hot start gave the Dinos the cushion they needed to survive a late ALA comeback and escape with a 34-31 victory.
ALA opened the contest within near midfield courtesy of a kick-return by senior Kael Worthen. A potent rushing attack by the Eagles helped push ALA to the goal line, where junior back Mason Ober was able to punch the ball in for a score just one and a half minutes into the game. After converting on the extra point, the Eagles took an early 7-0 lead.
Back-and-forth struggle would see both teams unable to move the ball. Carbon was eventually able to string together an extended drive, which came to its conclusion when senior Maddux Wilson took a handoff from junior Dexter Packard on a reverse, resulting in a Dino touchdown. Junior kicker Tayger Timothy was able to put the ball through the uprights to tie the game at seven apiece.
Carbon’s defense would force a quick three-and-out from ALA. The Dinos would capitalize on this momentum, with junior quarterback Kayden Dunn slinging a 43-yard pass downfield to senior Trace Crespin for another Dino score. Timothy’s kick would again be true as Carbon claimed a 14-7 advantage.
The Dinos would score once more in the first half, with Dunn connecting on another pass, this time to Wilson in the corner of the end zone for a toe-tapping touchdown by the senior. Another successful PAT raised Carbon’s lead to 21-7 entering the halftime break.
Receiving the ball to open the second half, the Dinos methodically worked downfield, capping off the drive with another Dunn delivering another touchdown pass to Wilson for a 20-yard score. However, Carbon would miss the point after, holding the score at 27-7.
Looking for an answer, ALA turned to Ober, who was able to score three unanswered touchdowns. Weaving and winding up the field, Ober seemed unstoppable, pounding the ball down the Dino’s throat. However, a missed extra point and two failed two-point conversions stifled the Eagles’ comeback, setting the score at 27-25.
With time ticking down, Carbon looked to end the Eagles’ run, pushing the ball downfield and eventually finding their way to the 15-yard line. Seeking to end their scoring drought, Dunn took the snap, dropped back, and delivered a dart to Timothy on a slant route, setting the junior up with a clear path to the end zone.
Timothy would continue his scoring explosion by converting on the point after, building the Dinos’ advantage to 34-31.
A late score by senior quarterback Nico Marble would prove too little, too late as Carbon recovered an onside kick attempt and assumed the victory formation to secure the 34-31 win.
“I was so thrilled,” said Coach Millovich following the game. “Kayden Dunn played lights out. I’m so proud of him. Getting thrown into the fire after Carter (Branch) hurt his leg, and having a week and a half of preparation. We had two new running backs, Brodee Collins and Jordan Nicholas. And of course Dexter (Packard) ran lights out … I was very pleased; it was an incredible team effort all around.”
Looking at the stat sheet, Dunn finished with 194 passing yards and four touchdowns. Wilson was close behind, totaling 83 receiving yards and 22 rushing yards. He closed with three total touchdowns, two receiving and one rushing. Timothy ended with 15 receiving yards and a touchdown.
On the ground, it was Packared who led the way, finishing with 126 rushing yards.
With the win, the Dinos open the season with a 1-0 record. They look to defend this undefeated mark on Friday, Aug. 22, against the Grand Red Devils in Moab. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. with the Landon’s Diesel Service pregame show setting the stage at 6:30 p.m. That game can be streamed online on YouTube at Castle Country Radio- Carbon.