The Hive Sports

Featured image courtesy San Juan Football Facebook Page

by Saylor Perkins

The San Juan Broncos continued their winning streak at Quarterfinals on Friday night with a 54-7 win over the South Sevier Rams. Winning the game puts the Broncos up against the Emery Spartans in the Semifinals this coming weekend in Cedar City.

“The run last year was huge for us,” Coach Brakley Christensen said in an interview with Rhett Sifford. “We know what it takes now.”

While the bye week gave the Broncos extra time to prepare for Quarterfinals, they have already proven in the past that time isn’t an issue. The game against the Grand Country Red Devils was a good example of that. 

“It feels like it’s been an eternity since we’ve played a game,” Coach Christensen said. “These kids hated it because they couldn’t play…we’ve been itching to get out here and it’s super exciting to be back.”

Let the Game Begin

The Broncos proved their excitement with a solid start in the Quarterfinal game. Zack Conway received the opening kickoff and ran 91 yards to score a touchdown in the first 17 seconds of the game.  

“Zack is just blowing the doors off of teams,” One of last year’s seniors, Jensen Grover, said. “And running the ball like a beast.”

Garrett Young, Jerzey Nieves, Collin Baker, and Tyler Pehrson, each scored an additional touchdown for their team. Of the 8 total touchdowns scored by the Broncos, 4 of those were scored by Conway. 

Conway continued to give an excellent performance for his team throughout the night by running 214 of the 454 total yards in the game. Parker Snyder was close behind Conway with 194 yards for the Broncos. 

“The running game was really working for you guys tonight,” Sifford said in the post-game interview with Coach Christensen. “Zach had an outstanding night tonight.”

Stepping up to the Challenge

With the loss of last year’s 20 graduating seniors and this year’s injured players, the Broncos have felt a major absence. This, however, has not deterred the team as players have stepped up to fill each of the empty spaces.

“There has been growth from all over the board,” Grover said.” I could go across the lines and say how every kid has stepped up to the challenge.” 

The Broncos have worked hard to secure their win in the Quarterfinals, and they will continue to work hard with Semifinals right around the corner. With this win they are one step closer to bringing back home another State Championship title. 

“I’m super excited to see them bring another championship banner,” Grover said. “… they have all the skill and talent to get it done…you have to just take it one game at a time.” 

A Tribute to Dexton Obray

Although an exciting win for the Broncos, there was a sobering atmosphere about Friday night’s game. The Rams arrived with heavy hearts, feeling the absence of their recently passed teammate, Dexton Obray. Thoughts and prayers go out to the Rams, their community, and especially to the Obray family. 

“Dexton was a bright young man with infectious energy and positively impacted the lives of all around him.” ….. Robert Lovell said in a radio tribute to Dexton Obray. “He’ll be greatly missed by so many and we want to send our condolences to his family and all who loved and associated with him.”