Spartans on the road lose to Wildcats

By GARY ARRINGTON Sports writer

Mistakes on the football field did in the Emery Spartan football team last week as what probably would have been a good defensive ball game turned instead into region loss. Emery traveled to Richfield to play the undefeated and ranked Wildcats in region 12 action and Emery came home with a 22-7 loss. Although a Wildcat interception and four lost Spartan fumbles were the chief cause in the loss, questionable calls by the referees also had their place early in the game.
On Richfield’s first scoring drive, the Wildcats were aided by four different penalties on Emery. Two of those penalties came on fourth down plays in which Emery stopped their opponent. Both penalties allowed the drive to continue and the Wildcats eventually scored.
Richfield scored four times in the game, once on a safety and three times on touchdowns. Richfield also scored those four times in the game when they started their possession on the Emery side of the field rather than their own. The two other scoring drives for Richfield came when they recovered Emery fumbles at the Emery 16 yard line and the Emery 17 yard line.
Emery’s scoring drive came in the fourth quarter. Starting on their own 41-yard line after a Richfield punt that had been returned well by Quinn Montgomery. An 11 yard run by Colton Fasselin started off the series. Jade Fielder then ran the ball 16 yards to the 32-yard line. Cody Jones then hooked up with Nick Stoddard for a 15-yard pass play. Emery was assisted by a penalty and then Fasselin picked up four more yards to move Emery to the four-yard line. Emery scored on a quarterback sneak by Jones. Montgomery kicked the extra point.
Emery gained 101 yards rushing in the game led by Fielder’s 46 yards on 12 carries. Cox managed 27 yards on seven carries and Fasselin gained 28 yards on three carries. Emery completed six passes in the game for 54 yards. Stoddard caught three of those passes for 29 yards, Kashe Potter caught two passes for 20 yards and Cox had the other reception for 5 yards. Richfield gained 172 yards throughout the game.
On defense, Emery had one interception by Potter and linebacker Clay Collard caused a fumble but Richfield recovered. Nathan Mecham led Emery on the defensive side of the ball. Mecham was in on 22 tackles throughout the game. Defensive end Jacob Tuttle was in on 19 tackles. Collard also finished the game in double figures with 11 tackles.
Emery now will host Manti this Friday night at Spartan field at 7 p.m. It appears that all six region teams are fairly equal and that winning every game is important but winning home region games is a must.