| Isaac Bawden deflects the pass in the junior varsity game. |
The Emery Spartan Football team took its 3-1 pre-season record to Delta last Friday night hoping to start region play with a victory but were disappointed as the Rabbits took advantage of six Emery penalties and four Emery turnovers to defeat the Emery team 27-14.
Coach Jim Jones’ squad got off to a great start by engineering a 12 play drive for a 1st quarter touchdown on a Bowie Jeffs to Brandon Hansen 20 yard touchdown pass followed by Jake Jensen’s successful point after to take a 7-0 lead.
Delta answered with a 14 play drive of its own to tie the score at 7 each. Emery’s next possession saw the Spartans gain three first downs and gain 51 yards but losing the ball on a fumble and Delta quickly struck paydirt after a 65 yard run-the longest gain by either team. Neither team scored again in the first half so Delta led at half time 14-7.
Emery held Delta to three plays with tough defense to start the 2nd half, but threw a tipped ball interception on its first play to give Delta possession on the Emery 22. Three plays later, Delta scored on a 15 yard run to take a 21-7 lead.
Emery was forced to punt and Matt Stucki recovered a Delta fumble but Emery’s next two possessions resulted in a fumble lost and then an interception.
After the interception, Delta took advantage of a short field and scored to go up 27-7, but Emery answered with its best drive of the season as it marched 90 yards to score on a Jason Parrish 5 yard run followed by another point after by Jensen.
On a positive note, Emery out gained Delta in total offense 271 to 252. Jeffs was impressive in his first start at quarterback completing 14 of 25 passes for 117 yards and showing ability to scramble.
Josh Sharp rushed for 60 yards, Kadin Wilson, 60, and Jason Parrish, 37 yards. Five Emery receivers caught passes with Brandon Hansen and Seth Powell each catching 5 for 44 and 56 yards respectively.
Jake Jensen was solid kicking off and his 2 for 2 point after attempts was the best performance of the year for an Emery kicker.
Emery County Progress defensive Player of the Game is Garrett Swenson, Offensive player is Kadin Wilson, Lineman is Mike Truman and Special Team Player is Matt Stucki.
Coach Jim Jones’ Spartans now eagerly await their Homecoming opponent, Lehi this Friday night at 7 p.m. In JV and sophomore action on Thursday both teams were defeated by the Rabbits.