Broncos end Spartan season at San Juan

By GARY ARRINGTON Sports Writer

San Juan decisively defeated Emery by a final score of 56-13, in the quarterfinal game of the 2-A state playoffs in Blanding on Oct. 26.
It was a crazy day for playoffs. Grand High edged Millard to make the semi-finals, as did South Summit over Richfield. Manti beat Beaver as expected. This week’s games are Manti vs. Grand and San Juan vs. South Summit. After last week’s games predictions are Manti and San Juan in the finals the following week.
San Juan’s offense was unstoppable in this game as they scored on eight straight drives before the Spartans finally had a defensive stop. In addition, the Broncos returned a punt for a touchdown also.
Emery, on the other hand, scored once in the first half and then again midway through the fourth quarter. In the second quarter, Emery quarterback Spencer Labrum completed a pass to Otis Addison to advance the Spartans from their 35-yard line to the Bronco 28-yard line. Addison then ran the ball for another seven yards. After an incomplete pass and a false-start penalty, Labrum completed another pass to Addison for another first down. Addison then scored Emery’s first touchdown on a 9-yard run after San Juan had picked up a penalty.
Emery’s final touchdown came on an 88-yard drive. Emery put together a 14 play drive that culminated in a touchdown on a pass completion from Labrum to David Dyer.
In the game, Emery had 14 first downs to San Juan’s 20. Emery had 211 yards of total offense while the Broncos amassed 368 yards. Emery had 117 yards of passing compared to 56 yards for San Juan. San Juan finished with 312 yards on the ground while the Spartans gained only 94 yards.
Emery turned over the ball once on a fumble and once on an interception. Emery punted four times in the game while the Broncos never did.
Individual stats for Emery saw Dyer gain 34 yards in six carries, Cory Cox gained 23 yards in six carries, Addison gained 18 yards in six carries and Tanner Lake gained nine yards in three carries.
Labrum completed 12 of 21 passes for 117 yards. Bailey Faimalo finished with four receptions for 38 yards, Dyer had three catches for 18 yards, Addison had two catches for 46 yards and Cox had two catches for six yards. Jared Shakespaere and Zach West led the team with seven tackles each. Emery finished the season with a 7-4 record. Bailey Faimalo, currently leads the state of Utah in interceptions with eight.