Sep. 30 featured the first matchup between the Emery Spartans and the Providence Hall Patriots. That matchup ended with a 21-14 Spartan win in a game that Emery led for just the final 17 seconds. Oct. 28 was the second time these two teams squared off this season, and once again ended in a close game. Emery survived a furious Patriots comeback to win 36-31 and advance to the UHSAA 2A State Semifinals.
Both defenses began the game on a mission as both offenses failed to generate and sustain good offensive drives. The first quarter ended scoreless, and the game began in similar fashion to the Sep. 30 game.
Three minutes into the second quarter, Robin Limutau scored from 15 yards out to give Providence Hall a 7-0 lead after a 98-yard drive. Just 30 seconds later, after a 60-yard kickoff return by Emery junior Matt Olsen, junior quarterback Wade Stilson found Olsen for a 35-yard touchdown pass to even the score at 7-7.
On the ensuing Providence Hall drive, Olsen continued his hot start with a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown to give the Spartans a 14-7 lead.
With four minutes left in the second quarter, the Patriots responded with a Matheus Silva 20-yard field goal to cut the Emery lead to 14-10. Just 30 seconds later, Wade Stilson found Mason Stilson wide open for a 50-yard touchdown pass to extend Emery’s lead to 21-10.
The second quarter saw a combined 45 points as Robin Limutau scored his second touchdown of the night, from one yard out, to make the score 21-17 in Emery’s favor. Providence Hall would have another chance to put points on the board before the half. Ridic Potter, however, had other plans for Emery as he intercepted Providence Hall quarterback Tu’i Fonua for a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown.
The first half ended with a 28-17 Spartan lead after four combined touchdowns in the final four minutes of the second quarter.
Emery tried to put the game away early in the third quarter as Wade Stilson rumbled his way to a one-yard touchdown run and gave Emery a 17 point lead. Just two minutes later, Emery’s defense forced a safety to make the score 36-17 in favor of Emery.
Providence Hall’s defense held Emery scoreless for the remainder of the game, while the offense scored two second-half touchdowns to bring the score with five points.
Emery’s defense held Providence Hall scoreless in the final 10:30 of the fourth quarter to secure the 36-31 win.
Wade Stilson finished the game 19-26 for 217 yards and three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing). Dane Sitterud ended with 33 yards on 11 carries while Matt Olsen led the Spartan receivers with 82 yards and one touchdown on five receptions. Creek Sharp also finished with 36 yards on three catches.
