Spartan Football Returns

Vallyn Bernard

Winter weights, summer camps, practices, and finally two a days are now all behind the Emery Spartans’ football team. The 2007 football season begins this Friday on the Spartans’ battlefield against Duchesne. The Spartans opened last year against the eventual state champion Duchesne team and were soundly defeated. This year’s Spartan team has the makings of a whole new story.

Teamwork, hard work and discipline are the battle cries of the men wearing black and gold this go round. With 20 seniors, eight returning starters, 20 juniors, and 20 sophomores Coach Jones is “conservatively” optimistic this season.

Coach Jones said, “I am very pleased with how hard this team has prepared this year.” Returning last year to the head coaching position after some R&R, Coach Jones stepped right in the middle of it as he got back into the saddle. With the taste of popcorn out of his mouth, and a good plug of gridiron to chew on, Coach Jones, along with the rest of his staff, is chomping at the bit to hear pads hitting.

Senior quarterback Dempsey Jeffs will be pulling the trigger again this year with senior Cyal Christmas, at a lean mean 290 pounds snapping the ball to him. Some of the other seniors coming back this season are: Wade Bohn, OT, Nico Ricchetti, G, Blake Mortensen, OT, Mike Jones, FB, Ryne Jones, HB, Cody Allen, HB, Jordan Gee, WB, and Skyler Jergensen, SE. Chance Arriotti, FB, Gatlan Huntington, QB, and Colby Snow, WB are a few of the juniors expected to make some major contributions to this year’s team. All in all this team of Spartans has some experience, and above all discipline under their pads.

Helping Coach Jones this year will be Todd Jeffs, defensive coordinator, Mark Justice, special teams, Dean Stilson, JV coach with Kent Jorgensen assisting, Gary Arrington, sophomore coach with Kade Jones and Dave Justice assisting, along with all the parents and arm chair quarterbacks in the stands.

Just so we’re all on the same page here, I visited with Coach Jones during one of his practices, and his focus was everywhere except on me. He talked about his goals, dreams, running the double wing, pride in his players, and how pleased he is with his staff. He mentioned many names, and I only have a sprinkling of them here. The one thing I did get from Coach Jones was his absolute dedication to his players and staff. Are we as dedicated?

There’s all kinds of talk about Emery going to 2A because we’re not big enough. Emery can’t compete with the bigger 3A schools anymore. Hog wash. A couple years ago the Spartans were giant killers beating Lehi in a standing room only Spartan Center for the Region 8 Basketball Championship. Last year the Lady Spartans won the 3A State Basketball Championship. Excuse me; did the Spartans beat schools that were bigger than them? Duh. This is not a team of fighting animals, but Spartans, one of the greatest warrior races to ever exist. Every football player that walks out onto the field straps his helmet on the same way. It all boils down in the end to who has worked harder, and wants it the most. These young men have worked hard, and deserve our respect and support. The battle flags will be flying this Friday, will you be there flying yours? I will.