Emery football defeats Richfield 21-6

By GARY ARRINGTON Sports writer

“It was homecoming and it was a win, a region win.” said Coach Jimmy Jones after last Friday night’s football victory. Neither the coaching staff nor the players were happy with everything during the game but the team won in the Spartan’s region opener and that was the most important thing.
Coach Jones went on, “Good job guys, good win. The first half was fantastic and the second half was OK. I would like to have scored more but we still won.” Emery defeated Richfield 21-6 with all the scoring for both teams coming in the first half of play.
After Emery stalled on their opening possession of the ballgame, the Spartans punted to the Richfield 11-yard line where the Wildcats took over. On Richfield’s fifth play, a bad exchange between the center and the quarterback resulted in a fumble with Tanner Procarione recovering for the Spartans. On Emery’s first play, Taylor Cox went to the left and scored on a 17-yard run. Brian Clark added the extra point and Emery led 7-0.
Richfield’s next possession saw them march down the field from their own 38-yard line to Emery’s 11-yard line in 15 plays before the Spartan defense stiffened and prevented them from picking up another first down. Emery took possession at their own 11-yard line and would score for the second time in the ball game after an eight-play drive. The score would come on a 13-yard pass play from Derek Tuttle to Tanner Procarione. On the first play of the drive, Cox picked up another 51 yards rushing only to see most of it called back due to a late hit that occurred way behind the action. Cox did have a 34-yard run in the drive and JT Noyes had an 18-yard run as Emery ran effectively in the game.
Richfield scored their lone touchdown of the game after they got the ball back. With seven rushing plays and a single pass play that was incomplete, Richfield marched 75 yards for the score, as the Spartans could not stop the big running back of the Wildcats. Even when hit by several tacklers he kept on going. The extra point was no good and Emery led 14-6.
Emery’s next possession was penalty plagued by both teams. Emery lost 20 yards to penalties while picking up 35 yards on penalties. The rest of the first half only saw three penalties called but this drive had six total by the two teams. The second half had only five penalties called in it. Emery started at their own 17-yard line and six penalties and nine plays later would score for the third time in the ball game.
Noyes had a 22-yard run and fullback Corey Hansen had an 11-yard run for the big plays in the drive until Tuttle and Procarione hooked up again for another touchdown. With Clark’s third straight PAT, Emery led 21-6.
It was a whole different type of game in the second half. Out of 12 total possessions, the longest drive was for 45 yards by either team and that came on Richfield’s final possession. The average drive of the half was 13 yards by both teams.
Richfield had the ball six times. Their first drive ended when Emery cornerback Dusty Jensen intercepted a pass. Richfield’s third drive ended when linebacker Derrick Allred stripped the ball from the Wildcat running back and Allred had the fumble recovery. Richfield’s fifth drive ended with an interception by Emery linebacker Nick Stoddard. Richfield’s last drive ended when Emery cornerback Kashe Potter caused a fumble and Noyes recovered.
Richfield’s fourth possession ended strangely. The Wildcat drive stalled and they punted. Emery’s back fumbled the punt and Richfield recovered with the Richfield player running toward a touchdown when Potter again caused a fumble with a hard hit and Allred recovered his second fumble of the game. Richfield lost the ball five times in the game and Emery lost the ball twice.
This is a short week for the Spartan football team. They travel to Manti this Wednesday night for another region game.