In a game that saw an ejection and well over 20 penalties along with the game being halted late in the fourth because of an injury to an official trying to break up a fight, the Emery Spartans got their first win of the season in a back-and-forth game against Carbon Friday night, 34-24.
Emery tailback Ashton Dieli scored from a yard out on the Spartans’ first offensive possession. Quarterback Zach Jorgenson then made it 12-0 early in the second quarter, connecting with Tyler Olsen on a 70-yard touchdown pass to put the Dinos in an early hole.
Things changed quickly for Carbon in the second as they forced three consecutive Emery turnovers en route to 17 unanswered points to take a 17-12 halftime lead. Jarod Lessar scored on a three-yard TD run to get Carbon on the board. Lessar then hooked up with Garrett Blanc from 14 yards out on a throw and catch to extend the Dino lead. In perhaps the game’s most exciting moment, Carbon placekicker Andrew Gagnon connected on a 40-yard field goal at the end of the first half to extend the Carbon lead 20-12.
To answer Carbon, the Spartans scored 15 unanswered points in the third quarter to come roaring back to take the lead. The teams then traded touchdowns in the fourth to round out the scoring on senior night for Carbon.
Carbon has not beaten Emery since an October 19, 2000 game in which the Dinos pounded the Spartans 42-13.
It was the final game of the season for both teams, with each being eliminated from playoff contention weeks before. Emery finished the season with an overall record of 1-8, including a 1-4 mark in 3A North Play. After winning its first three games of the season, the Carbon Dinos finished the season on a seven-game losing streak and ended with a 3-7 record with a 0-5 record in region action.
Watch highlights of the game below:
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