| Davey Cox carries the ball amid a swarm of defenders in a goal line push. Cox had the Dinos only score. |
After a convincing win against Altamont last week, the Dinos were charged up and ready to play. But Grantsville also came determined to win and in the end, squeaked out a 10-7 victory over the determined Dinos.
The Cowboys scored first on a drive that almost was shut down by the Carbon defense. With one last chance, Grantsville stuffed the ball over the end zone and they used that momentum to quickly convert for another two.
Finding themselves down 8-0, the Carbon offense went to work. They marched down the field and when it looked like they would be stopped, broke open a good run that set them up for a first and goal situation. Despite the team’s troubles in the red zone, this time they made good and Davey Cox carried the ball over on a three yard run. Jake Malone split the uprights for the extra point.
With over five minutes left on the clock in the first quarter, it was looking like this might be a high scoring affair. But then defense took over for both teams. Each team looked like it might break the game open, but each time the defense stood their ground and made sure no points went up on the board.
Into the third quarter, the game remained at an impasse until late in the period a high snap by Cox went over Jake Knighton’s head and into the end zone on a fourth down play for the Dinos. A safety was called and the only score for either team was the two points Carbon gave Grantsville.
Down by three, Carbon’s defense ratcheted it up a notch. Grantsville broke an open field run down to the five and it looked like they would add to their total. But the Dinos were not ready to fold and forced a fumble. Tyler Bean recovered for the Dinos.
Now the game was in the hands of the offense and they gave it their all as they marched back up the field. Minutes ticking off the clock. Malone attempted a 42 yard field goal, but it was short of the uprights and with five seconds left on the clock, the Cowboys took possession and let the clock run out.
| Dino Quarterback Brandon Branch drops back for a pass in the third quarter during Carbon’s 10-7 loss. |
Even though Malone was devastated by the miss, Coach Tiller knew he had nothing to hang his head about. “It took a lot of courage to attempt that kick with the pressure he was under. He went up and booted the ball squarely, falling a bit short and to the right. If it was under the same circumstances I would call his number again in a heart beat.”
As far as the rest of the game, Tiller was pleased with the effort of the team. His defense played well against a Cowboy offense that was always overloading the sides and creating mismatches. The offense moved the ball very well, but again fell victim to mental errors and penalties when it counted.
“Three times we were in the red zone and came away with nothing” he observed. “We just have to do better.” But in the end he sees improvement in each game as his team continues to respond and form a tight cohesive unit. “We will be able to match up well in region play.” he predicts. “Attitudes are great and right now, we are just beating ourselves. We can change that.”
The home game next week against Snow has been canceled and it will be considered a bye week for the team. The JV squad will travel to Snow on Friday and take on the JV at the middle school at 4:00.
Next up for the Dinos is Emery. The homecoming game will kick off at 7 p.m. K-Jazz Television has picked the game for their broadcast that night.
“This isn’t about Carbon” said Tiller. “It is to put the focus on both communities, Carbon and Emery, and help the healing process begin.”