Broncos get big win over state champs

The San Juan Bronco football team grabbed a big 35-33 win over the defending 3A champions from Summit Academy on August 23 in Blanding.

The statement win in the first home game of the season comes one week after a heartbreaking triple overtime loss to the Delta Rabbits on August 16.

It was a thrilling game  with a number of momentum shifts – all setting up a remarkable fourth quarter.

The Broncos held on to a narrow 28-27 lead going into the last quarter when they went on a 90-yard drive that ate up more than nine minutes on the clock.

Much of the drive came on the legs of running back Kian Conway, who rushed 34 times in the game for 132 yards.

Randall Flavel caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Shaw Nielson on fourth and long for the score. The extra point gave the Broncos an eight-point lead, 35-27.

Summit Academy then proceeded to drive down the field and score with just over a minute remaining. The two-point conversion fell incomplete and the Broncos secured the big win.

Bronco Coach Barkley Christensen is ecstatic with the win.  “They fell behind but kept fighting,” said Christensen. “This is a great win for the program. The community is excited and supportive.”

Christensen said that the Broncos responded well to the game-one loss to Delta. “They played sound, disciplined, assignment-based football.  They are playing hard.”

He praised a host of Broncos, including quarterback Nielson, who rushed for 142 yards before he was hurt in the fourth quarter. “Shaw came back on the field and threw the game-winning touchdown pass on an injured leg,” said Christensen.

Defensively, Christensen said Porter Ivins had an amazing game with 14 tackles.  He also praised an interception by Ladd Ivins, and the play of linebacker Elijah Lee.  

“Elijah plays both sides of the ball and never comes off field,” said Christensen. “He played awesome.”

The Broncos travel to Bayfield, CO this week for a road game against the always-tough Wolverines. Kickoff is Friday at 7 p.m.