2018 stock photo by Dusty Butler.
The Spartans are just a week away from their first game of the 2019-20 season. They will welcome Millard into town to kick off head coach Jon Faimalo’s fifth year at the helm.
Emery lost six seniors from last year, including starting players at key positions such as quarterback and running back. The Spartans have not yet declared who will start at the quarterback spot against Millard. There has been a true quarterback competition all summer that could continue throughout the preseason. There will also be many sophomores and juniors that will have a chance to start for the Spartans as they will supply a fairly young team.
It might be tough for Emery in the early going as it has a difficult preseason schedule and will be hoping to break in the new starters as quickly as possible. As far as the regular season goes, region is up for grabs and everyone has a shot at the title, according to coach Faimalo.
“Region is up in the air, [every team] is in the same boat,” he said.
Faimalo expects his offense, which features good skill players, to be able to move the ball well. He is hoping that it can limit mistakes and that his players won’t “shoot themselves in the foot.” If the Spartans can gain experience quickly in the early games, especially on the defensive side of the ball, they could be right in the thick of the region title race as the season winds down.
The game, slated for Aug. 16, will be streamed live on ETV Channel 10 and on etvnews.com/livesports.