The Emery High Spartan football team took their 2011 record to 4-1 last week with a convincing 37-0 win over American Leadership Academy in a region game at Emery High School.
The Emery Spartans play in a very competitive region, the 2-A North region, and every game in big when it comes to placement in the state tournament that follows the regular season. Four of the top five teams in 2-A football are from this region.
Emery’s three starting running backs had an outstanding game last week as each surpassed 100 yards rushing. Junior fullback Cory Cox led the way with 112 yards on 18 rushes and scored a touchdown. Senior back Jesse Winn gained 104 yards on 14 attempts and Jesse scored two touchdowns. Sophomore back Dominic Rondinelli gained 104 yards on 13 attempts and scored a touchdown.
The ALA Eagles received the opening kickoff at their own 26-yard line and failed to pick up a first down. On the punt attempt, a bad snap and a tackle by Jesse Winn on the punter gave Emery the ball at the ALA 20-yard line. Cox would score the touchdown on Emery’s sixth play of the drive on a 9-yard run. On the extra point try, Emery would add a two point conversion to make the score 8-0.
Emery would tackle the Eagle ball carrier in the end zone for a safety later in the quarter and the Spartan led after the first period 10-0.
In the second quarter, Emery would add another touchdown, as Winn would score on a two yard run. The kick was wide right and Emery led at the half 16-0.
In the third quarter, Emery would add two more touchdowns. With ALA kicking off, Emery’s Jake Bell received the kickoff inside the Emery 15-yard line. The Spartan kickoff team did a good job of blocking the Eagles and Bell scored after a good run. On the point after attempt, Emery faked the kick and holder Bailey Faimalo would loft a pass into the right corner that Jesse Winn hauled in and Emery led 24-0.
After the Spartan defense did their job, Emery got the ball back due to an interception and Emery would score on the drive. Winn added his second touchdown of the night, this time a 7-yard run. Cory Cox kicked the extra point. Emery led 31-0 after the third quarter.
Emery added a final touchdown in the fourth quarter to get to the final score of 37-0. Rondinelli scored on a 13-yard run as the Spartans finished off their region opponent.
The Emery defense did a good job throughout the game of keeping the Eagle offense in check. Emery came up with three interceptions in the game and also recovered an Eagle fumble. The Spartan defense was also responsible for the safety in the first quarter plus the loss on the punt. The first interception was by linebacker Cory Cox, the second by cornerback Bailey Faimalo and the final by safety Jake Bell. Faimalo recovered the fumble for the Spartans.
Linebacker Brett Sorensen led the way for Emery with six tackles with linebacker Winn being in on five tackles. Emery had fewer tackles in this game because ALA was a passing team and had many incomplete passes, as the Emery pass coverage was pretty good throughout the game. ALA was five for 22 in passing in the second half of the game as the Eagle quarterback could not connect due to pass coverage or to pressure from the rushers.
Emery will travel to undefeated Millard this Friday for a key match up in region play. Game time is 7 p.m.
Emery football wins big over ALA on Friday
"Dominic Rondinelli tries for the pass which is just out of his reach."