| Kade Jones, 4, tries to grab the pass between the two defenders. |
In a game reminiscent of the start of this season rather than coming at the tail end like it did, the Emery High Spartan football regular season came to an end with a game that did not meet expectations of fans, players or coaches. Union High School came to Castle Dale last Wednesday night to play a football game and then left with a convincing win over the hometown team. The final score was 35-6.
Despite the fact that Emery did not tackle well, did not block well and in fact were exhorted by the coaching staff all night to get into the game; despite the fact that Union, according to their radio people, played their best game of the season, our Emery Spartans were in this game for three quarters. The Spartans only trailed 13-6 at the end of the third period and the Spartans had an opportunity to actually lead at his point.
In the second period, Emery returned a Cougar kick-off to their 32-yard line. In an 11-play drive, the Spartans got the ball to the Union six-yard line before the drive stalled and Emery gave the ball back to the Cougars on downs as they failed to get a first down. Big plays in the series were a 13-yard pass from Dempsey Jeffs to Dave Justice and two runs by Justice that went for 15 yards and nine yards.
Union did not score until the Spartans handed over a golden opportunity. Midway through the second quarter, a fumbled snap by the punter led to Union tackling the Emery punter at the Spartan five-yard line and Union then scored on a five-yard run by their tailback.
Emery’s good drive came on the next series after the Cougar touchdown. After the Spartans failed to score, Union got the ball at their six-yard line and drove the length of the field in seven plays to score their second touchdown.
Emery’s third quarter touchdown came on their second series of the half. A punt return gave Emery the ball on their own 35-yard line. A 12-play drive ensued and the drive culminated with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Jeffs to Ryne Jones. Big plays in the series included an 18-yard run by Jeffs, a 12-yard run by Justice and a third down pass play of 13 yards from Jeffs to Mike Jones.
In the first half, Ryne Jones and Jordan Gee each intercepted a Union pass to end drives of the Cougars. Besides the fumbled snap, Emery also had a fumble recovered by Union in each of the halves and Emery threw two interceptions.
Union scored on their last three drives of the game to give the Cougars the victory that appeared bigger than what it really was.
Emery will travel north to play the second seed from region 11 on the last weekend of the month. It appears that the game will either be in Tremonton or Logan, depending the outcome of this week’s game between Bear River and Logan High Schools. Emery will travel to the second place region finisher and that will be the loser of this game.