Looking to enter the win column for the first time this season, the Emery Spartans made the long trip down I-70 to take on the Beaver Beavers. Falling behind 7-6 early in the second quarter, Beaver would score on the ensuing kickoff, beginning an avalanche of 43 unanswered points as the Beavers routed the Spartans 49-7.
Beaver would fire the first volley, scoring on a 36-yard run by senior back Dub Pender, who bullied his way into the promised land. A muffed snap on the point after attempt blocked the Beavers from adding an extra point to their total, ending quarter one with a 6-0 lead.
Emery would respond with a 75-yard touchdown march of their own, methodically working downfield and whittling down the Beaver defense. Ajay Thomas capped off the drive with a 14-yard dime to Garrett Conover, setting up the Spartans’ lone score of the game. A successful kick from Jadin Atwood gave Emery a narrow 7-6 advantage.
Beaver responded with an 85-yard kickoff return touchdown courtesy of Noah Wolff to quickly retake the lead. The Beavers would convert on a two-point attempt and overtake the Spartans 14-7.
This return kicked off a second-quarter barrage that saw Beaver score twice more before the halftime break. First was an eight-yard scamper by quarterback Davin Orton; the other came by air, with Orton connecting with Pender on a 51-yard strike to the end zone. As both teams entered the locker room, it was all Beaver, 28-7.
The Beavers continued to lay it on in the third frame, kicking things off with an 88-yard sprint to the goal by Pender. Wolff again found the back of the end zone, this time by way of a 36-yard dime courtesy of Orton. Heading into the fourth quarter, Beaver held a daunting 42-7 lead.
Both teams remained silent until the final three minutes of the contest, when Beaver again scored to hammer the final nail in the coffin. Junior Emmet Lurth would power his way through the Spartan defense on a seven-yard dash for a touchdown. With another successful PAT, Beaver claimed victory over Emery 49-7.
Leading the way offensively for the Spartans was Thomas, who stuffed the stat sheet with 98 passing yards, 88 rushing yards and a passing touchdown.
The loss sends Emery to 0-2 in the young season. Up next for the Spartans is their home-opener against the Judge Memorial Catholic Bulldogs. Judge (0-3) is coming off a 49-6 defeat to Juan Diego.
Pregame coverage for the contest begins at 6:30 p.m. with the Landon’s Diesel Service Pregame show, followed by kickoff at 7 p.m. Live coverage of the game is hosted on KOAL 107.3 FM and 750 AM, with a video stream available on YouTube at Castle Country Radio – Emery.