After 10 weeks of high school football action, playoff time has finally arrived. Teams across the state, including the Carbon Dinos waited with baited breath to see who they would be matched with in the postseason. For Carbon, that draw would take them to Draper to take on the Juan Diego Soaring Eagles in a first-round showdown. Juan Diego would grab an early lead and wouldn’t look back as they cruised to a 31-0 victory.
Before the game, Castle Country Radio spoke with Dinos’ Head Coach Bradon Rushton. Speaking on the atmosphere that comes with the playoffs and how it has affected the team, Rushton stated,” It’s got to be business as usual … The biggest thing is trying to maintain stability as you move into the playoffs and not give in to the hype of it all and just go out, relax, and play a good, solid football game.”
Juan Diego Head Coach Danny Larsen shared a similar sentiment pregame.” It has been business as usual. It’s a little bit surprising for me, we had a down year last year so I thought coming into this week, we’d have lots of nerves. None of the kids have done that … They’re just focused on what they need to do.”
The opening drive of the game would showcase this ‘business as usual’ mentality, with the Soaring Eagles receiving the kick and immediately returning it to the 40-yard line. Taking advantage of this, Juan Diego would methodically beat down the Dino defense before getting the ball into the red zone. It was here where senior running back Roman Rossano would power his way into the end zone on a six-yard scamper to take an early lead. A successful extra point raised that advantage to 7-0.
Forcing a quick three and out from Carbon, the Soaring Eagles would again start their drive near midfield. They would march the ball 24 yards downfield before stalling out near the 25-yard line. A stout defensive stand from the Dinos would force Juan Diego to settle for a field goal, which senior kicker Bryson Newport would power through to make it a 10-0 ballgame.
The Soaring Eagles’ run game would continue to dominate. After forcing another defensive stop, Juan Diego would again rumble and tumble down the field courtesy of Rossano and fellow senior back Corbin Buckley. Buckley would break free from the grasp of the Carbon defense and race 26 yards to the house to build on the already daunting Soaring Eagle lead. Another converted PAT raised the score to 17-0.
Juan Diego would score once more before the end of the half, this time with a bulk of the team’s yards coming through the air courtesy of senior quarterback Hayden Menzenen. The senior would get his lone touchdown of the game with only three seconds left in the first half. Searching for one more touchdown before the break, Menzen would drop back, step into the pocket, and deliver a 19-yard dime to the corner of the end zone where junior receiver Braylon Fail would pull in a toe-tapping reception to cushion the lead for the soaring Eagles. The point after was successful and Juan Diego took a 24-0 lead into the half.
The second half would be dominated by defense, with both teams struggling to put points on the board. The lone score of the second half came at the start of the fourth quarter, where Buckley would juke and jive as he danced across the goal line for a two-yard score. Newport would convert the kick and complete his perfect day on extra point attempts to make the final score 31-0.
With the loss, the Dinos end the season with a final record of 3-8. Juan Diego advances in the playoffs where they will face the Richfield Wildcats in Richfield on Friday, Nov. 1.
Castle Country Radio would like to congratulate Carbon on their excellent season and wish the seniors of the team good luck in their future endeavors.