Broncos conclude football regular season on a nine-game win streak

The San Juan High School football team cruised to a 67-0 win over Grand County this past Friday, October 15 on their home turf to close out the 2021 regular season with their ninth straight win.

The release of the final 2A RPI standings the following morning revealed that San Juan retained the top spot in the state.

They’ll enjoy a bye week in the first round of the state tournament and will host either #8 Millard or #9 South Sevier in the quarterfinals next weekend, October 29 or 30.

The game against Grand was never in question. The Broncos put up 32 points in the first quarter, scoring on almost every play they ran.

They added three touchdowns in the second quarter, including one by their junior varsity personnel, to hold a commanding 53-0 lead at halftime.

With running clock rules in effect for the second half, the JV squad added a couple more touchdowns to close out the victory.

Senior quarterback Jace Palmer completed seven of his ten passing attempts for 79 yards while he was in the game, including four touchdown passes. He also had a rushing TD in the game.

In relief of Palmer, sophomore Parker Snyder had his best game of the season, also completing seven of ten passes on the night for 59 yards and his first passing touchdown of the season.

Five different receivers caught touchdowns in the game, including Cooper Black, Landon Black, Ladd Ivins, Jerzy Nieves, and Austin Pemberton (his first).

Ten Broncos ran the ball against Grand, collecting 298 yards on the night. Like the receivers, four different running backs scored four TDs: Jensen Grover, Zach Conway, Jace Palmer, and Bronson Snyder.

The San Juan defense was obviously stingy while earning their second shutout in a row. Unofficially they allowed just 101 yards on the night – 92 passing and nine rushing. The varsity defense held the Red Devils to 76 yards passing and -4 yards rushing in the first half.

Sophomore Trace Bennett led the way with seven tackles on the night. Magnum Nielson had six. Cadin McPherson, Calvin McFarland, and Zach Conway all had four apiece.  Tyler Winn and Taydan Mark both got sacks in the win.

The Broncos forced six Red Devil turnovers on the night. Garrett Young and Collin Baker both got interceptions. Ladd Ivins, Zach Conway, Magnum Nielson, and Tyler Winn all had a fumble recovery each.

Conway’s was pretty impressive since it resulted in a 35-yard return for a touchdown in the third quarter, San Juan’s third defensive touchdown of the season.

Following the game, Bronco Head Coach Barkley Christensen said, “It was a good win and it’s nice to have a bye week to get some of our guys rested and healthy. We’re peaking at the right time to make a run in the playoffs.”

It remains to be seen whether the off week will help or hurt San Juan in 2021. Coach Christensen pointed out that his teams are 0-2 following a bye. But he said he doesn’t mind it this year with some of his players being banged up.

He explained that can be good if coaches and players use it the right way. This week, they plan on going back to basics and focusing on fundamentals.

They’ll prepare for both possible quarterfinal opponents this week, then focus on their actual foe when they know who they’ll play next week.

One thing’s for sure: if they didn’t already, San Juan will definitely have a target on their backs as the team to beat in the 2A Utah state football tournament.