With a 41-7 victory over the Carbon Dinos last Friday night in Castle Dale, the Emery Spartans claimed the “Coal Bucket” trophy for the 18th time in 20 football meetings between the two schools. Emery joined with Juan Diego and Delta in picking up lopsided region victories.
Juan Diego and Delta are both ranked by the two Salt Lake City newspapers in the top four in 3-A this season. Both schools are undefeated through six ball games. North Sanpete, Carbon and Salem Hills are schools going the opposite direction as those three schools have yet to pick up a victory this season. Emery is 3-3 on the season.
In the ball game, Emery received the opening kick-off and returned it to their own 28-yard line. After Chance Ariotti picked up four yards on a run up the middle, Colby Snow took the hand-off and broke through the line for a 68-yard run and a touchdown. Vern Kofford kicked the extra point. Emery led 7-0.
Carbon then put together what turned out to be their only scoring drive of the night as they also marched 72 yards and scored on a one yard run by their quarterback Blake Najera. The point after kick was good and the score was tied 7-7.
Emery returned the next kick-off to the 28-yard line. After two runs left it third and 10 for the Spartans, quarterback Gatlan Huntington hit tight end Cameron Hansen with a 40-yard pass to keep Emery’s drive alive. JT Noyes then picked up 21 yards on the ground for another first down. Ariotti then ran the ball for five yards, seven yards and finally two yards for the touchdown. Kofford missed the kick left and Emery led 13-7.
After forcing Carbon to punt on their next drive, The Dino punter kicked one to the Emery one yard line where it died. Emery picked up four first downs before they fumbled the ball and gave it back to Carbon at their 44-yard line.
After holding Carbon to a minus four yards, Emery blocked the Carbon punt and Emery got the ball at the Carbon 32-yard line. Huntington completed a 20-yard pass to Snow, Snow picked up another eight yards on the ground and then Ariotti scored his second touchdown of the night on a four yard run. Kofford’s kick was good and Emery led 20-7 midway through the second quarter.
Emery would score on their next drive as well. Starting at the Carbon 43-yard line, Huntington threw a perfect pass to wide receiver Tanner Procarione for a 43-yard touchdown. Kofford kicked another extra point and Emery led at the half 27-7.
In the second half, Emery’s defense limited Carbon to 71 yards of offense. Emery would score two more times in the second half.
On Emery’s first drive, Huntington hit Hansen for a 28-yard touchdown and on Emery’s last drive, Dalton Judd ran left and scored on a 21-yard run.
Ariotti finished the game with 13 carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns. Snow finished the game with 117 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown. Noyes finished the game with 81 yards on eight carries. Noyes had runs of 65 yards and 30 yards called back by penalties. Huntington completed six of 10 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Hansen caught three passes for 72 yards, Snow caught two for 36 yards and Procarione had the one for 43 yards and a touchdown.
Emery now hosts Juan Diego this Friday night as the Spartans look forward to taking on one of the best teams in the state. Game time is 7 p.m.
Spartans win “Coal Bucket” trophy with win
"Colby Snow scores the first touchdown of the games. "