San Juan Broncos fall to Delta in three overtimes

It took three full overtime periods before the outcome was decided on August 16 when the San Juan Broncos opened the 2019 football season against the Delta Rabbits.

“There were about ten plays that, if the ball bounced the other way, we would have won,” said third-year Bronco head coach Barkley Christensen.

“It was a fun game…until the last play.  It sucks that there has to be a loser in a game like that.

“Overall, the kids played hard and I was very proud of their effort.”

San Juan jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first half.  But in the second half, Delta battled back to make it a dogfight. Regulation ended with the score tied 22-22.

Neither team scored in the first overtime, both teams scored in the second overtime, and Delta scored the decisive points on a one-yard run in the third overtime.

An injury to Isaac Jacobs on the next-to-last play of the third overtime stopped play for about 15 minutes while emergency crews responded.

Christensen said that Jacobs is ok and will be in action this week.

“I was happy with the offense and am excited to see what they can do as the season progresses,” said Christensen.  “They really started rolling in the second half after some slow spots in the first half.”

“The defense was awesome, particularly in the first half,” said Christensen.  “We had two bad drives to open the second half, but settled in after that.”

A host of Broncos had good games in the first game of the new season.  Christensen stated that Isaac Jacobs had a great game on both the offensive and defensive squads.

Porter Ivins had 14 catches with three touchdowns and 120 receiving yards.

Christensen added that Shaw Nielson had a good first game as quarterback for the Broncos. Nielson completed 26 of 50 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns. He added 44 rushing yards. Kian Conway ran the ball for 58  yards and also had 57 receiving yards.

Ryan Imlay recorded three sacks on the Rabbits’ quarterback.

Randy Flavel had three sacks, five hurries, and 12 tackles.

Jensen Grover added 13 tackles.

On Friday, the Broncos host the defending 3A champions from Summit Academy in a game set to kickoff at 7 p.m.

“We need a complete game from both units,” said Christensen, and added that he is excited to see how the Broncos do against the Bears.