| Brandon Branch moves in for the tackle as the Uintah running back plunges toward the line of scrimage. Carbon lost the contest 36-6. |
As the coaching staff watched the films of Friday’s loss to Uintah to see what went wrong, they spotted it as the team ran onto the field. After an emotional win last week, the team seemed simply flat and uninspired. “I think they were drained, and I take that responsibility for not having them ready to play.” stated Coach Tiller as he summed up the game. “We have had a lot of distractions and they were a bit over confident, thinking they would come out and hit Uintah and they would lay down. It didn’t happen.”
Instead Uintah scored early and often as they took their first three possessions in for touch downs. In the second quarter it looked as though maybe the Dinos could turn the tide as Matt Salas snatched an interception and ran 28 yards for a Carbon touchdown. It would be the only score of the night for the Dinos.
Brandon Branch led the offense for Carbon. The Dinos moved the ball well. Andrew Jackson made six carries for 135 yards and Davie Cox had 10 carries and just over 100 yards as the bright spot for the Dino offense. Branch didn’t help his cause with four fumbles on the night. Again, penalties plagued the team as they neared the red zone. For example, in the fourth quarter as the Dinos were mounting another drive down the field and a block in the back call set them back a whooping 25 yards. They ended up punting and giving Uintah possession on the 40.
But what bothered the coaches most was the play of the special team unit. They allowed four kick off returns that resulted in touchdowns for Uintah. Several more returns resulted in great field position for the opposition so that the defensive line was constantly working from a disadvantage.
The bus ride home was unusually quiet and the team was stung by the loss. “Usually you have to get after the kids to quiet down after a loss, but not this time,” Coach Tiller acknowledged. “I was looking to see their reaction and I could see they were hurting. They are not rolling over and quitting.”
He went on to say, ” I want everyone to know that I take responsibility for not getting them ready for this game. Call it inexperience or over confidence, I just wish we could step back and play this one again. I give Uintah credit, they out played and out coached us.” Tiller also wants people to understand that they will be ready for this Friday’s contest.
Practice will be physical and hard as they prepare to take on Altamont for the first home game of the season. “I truly predict the kids will respond and bounce back from this loss,” he added. “We are struggling with a small squad of boys. Many have to play both sides and it is taking its toll as the game goes on. But that will not be an excuse for us. These kids have a lot of heart.”
Kick off for the Friday match-up is at 7:00 at the Carbon High football field.