One can always forget the season records when it comes to Carbon-Emery football and this season was no exception as a big crowd from both schools flocked to the Dino field last Friday night for an exciting game from start to finish. In a hard-hitting contest, the Emery High Spartans came out on top by the score of 34-24.
The game started off with the Spartans seemingly in control of the game. They took the opening kickoff, returned it to the 45-yard line and then marched into the end zone after a 15 play drive. Ashton Dieli scored from a yard out for the first points of the night. After a bad snap on the point after try, Emery led 6-0.
Emery’s defense then forced a punt and the Spartans moved the ball from their 27-yard line to the Carbon 24-yard line before the drive stalled and Carbon got the ball back. After Carbon’s next drive was halted at the Emery 30-yard line, the Spartans scored on a 70-yard pass play from Zach Jorgensen to Tyler Olsen. The pass for a two-point conversion was no good and the Spartans led 12-0.
After controlling most of the first half, the Spartans turned the ball over on their next four possessions and Carbon was able to put 17 points on the scoreboard to take the lead going into halftime.
Emery kicked off to start the second half and forced a Dino punt. Starting their first drive of the second half at the Emery 38-yard line, Emery put together a 12-play drive and scored on a 15-yard pass from Jorgensen to Bryce Dugmore. Olsen scored on the point after attempt and the Spartans were back on top 20-17.
Carbon’s next drive ended with an interception by Emery safety Austin Allred at the Carbon 26-yard line. Emery ran five plays with Olsen scoring a touchdown on a five-yard run. TJ Lacock kicked the extra point and Emery now led 27-17.
Carbon returned the kickoff to their 34-yard line, drove down field to the Emery 24-yard line and then scored on a pass play to narrow the gap one more time.
After returning the Carbon kick to their 35-yard line, the Spartans put together a 16-play drive and scored for the third straight time of the second half. Despite being penalized twice, the Spartans never quit and picked up first down after first down before scoring on a 1-yard run by senior fullback Matt Mecham. Lacock again kicked the extra point. Emery led 34-24.
After the Dinos started the next drive at their 33 yard line, the drive ended at midfield when Emery’s Dugmore intercepted a Carbon pass and returned it down field it what turned out to be the final play of the game.
On the return that probably gained 20 to 30 yards, a fight ensued between two players and after two officials attempted to break up the fight, one was slightly shaken-up and the officials ended the game.
The Emery Spartans retained the blue and gold “Coal Bucket” for another year. This “trophy” is retained for the year following the rival game by the winner of the game.
Emery’s offense was effective in moving the ball as they gained 384 yards in the game with 289 of those coming on the ground. Olsen gained 116 yards on 19 carries and did score a touchdown on the ground. Mecham gained 87 yards on 23 carries and also scored a touchdown. Dieli gained 70 yards on 14 carries and Dieli also scored a touchdown.
Jorgensen completed three of six pass attempts for 95 yards and 2 touchdowns. Olsen caught one for that 70-yard touchdown, Dugmore caught one for a 15-yard touchdown and Kolton Butler caught one for 10 yards on the final drive of the game to give the Spartans a first down on a fourth down play.
Mecham and Allred finished the game with 10 tackles each to lead the defensive effort. Mecham finished his season leading 3A in tackles with a per game average of 13.3 tackles per game. Mecham was second in the state in any classification.
Mo Derrick and Jordan Johnson each had 6 tackles as did Evan Swenson. All three are linebackers. Dugmore had 5 tackles and Olsen and Andrew Gilson finished with 4 tackles.
Emery football finishes season with a win over Carbon Dinos
"Emery Spartans celebrate after their win against Carbon."