Broncos advance to semis with 77-2 obliteration of Judge Memorial

by David Boyle
News Director
The San Juan High School football team earned a dominant 77-2 quarterfinal win over Judge Memorial on Halloween. It was all treats for the Broncos who are on to the state semifinals on November 8.
San Juan opened the game kicking to Judge who picked up one first down put saw the drive stall after five plays and punted to the Broncos.
San Juan’s first drive started at the 28 yard line and lasted just one play with the San Juan line giving Jagger Nieves ten yards of green grass before the senior before running past some arm tackles for a quick 72 yard touchdown. Nieves added the two-point conversion rush as well to make the score 8-0 with 10 minutes remaining in the first quarter.
A deep kick by the Broncos started the Bulldogs next drive at the 11 yard line, after a pass-interference penalty the Broncos pushed the Bulldogs back forcing a punt after four plays from scrimmage giving San Juan the ball at their own 37 yard line.
The next Bronco drive took five plays and 63 yards all through the air including a 32 yard pass from quarterback Beau Yeomans to receiver Cole Duke in the middle of the drive. The drive was capped by a 26-yard touchdown pass from Yeomans to Tripp Palmer. The Broncos added the two-point conversion with a pass to George McNaughtan to make the score 16-0 with 6:26 remaining in the first quarter.
San Juan’s defense once again was stalwart, giving up just two yards on three plays to force a punt.
San Juan set up their next drive on their own 39 yard line. San Juan had a couple penalties on the drive but took six plays to score with big plays including Nieves rushing for twenty yards twice, a 15 yard catch by Duke and the drive capped with a six-yard touchdown run from Nieves.
Cash Palmer added the two point conversion on a direct snap to make the score 24-0 with 3:30 remaining in the first quarter.
Judge’s offense saw some of its first success of the game picking up two first downs but the Broncos’ pressure helped force a fumble which Jonas Jeppesen recovered for a 34-yard return and defensive touchdown for the Broncos.
A penalty after the touchdown put the San Juan offense extra point attempt at the 19 yard line. The extra yards were no issue for the Broncos though with Yeomans finding Tripp Palmer for the 19-yard two-point conversion. The score gave San Juan a 32-0 lead with 30 seconds left in the first quarter.
San Juan’s defense took just two plays to once again add points for the Broncos with Max Stearns grabbing an interception and returning it 23 yards for another defensive touchdown.
Duke added the point after kick to make the score 39-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Judge picked up a first down on the ground on their next drive but the four play drive ended with points once again for San Juan. 
McNaughtan was able to scoop up a fumbled ball for a 20-yard touchdown return. Another penalty after the touchdown made for a 35-yard point after kick attempt which was short leaving the score 45-0 with 10:30 remaining in the first half.
After scoring three drives in a row San Juan’s defense simply held the Bulldogs to negative four yards on the drive forcing a punt.
San Juan’s next drive started at the Judge 48 yard line. San Juan’s offensive drive took six plays and looked in trouble with San Juan facing a fourth and nine at the 34 yard line.
On that play though the Broncos dialed up a pass from Yeomans to Nieves for the 34-yard touchdown. The point after try was no good making the score 51-0 with 7:00 left in the first half.
San Juan’s defense again had a short stint on the field forcing a punt after three plays to give the Broncos the ball right at mid-field.
After some penalties the Broncos went down the field in three big chunk plays through the air capped off with a 20 yard touchdown pass from Yeomans to Nieves. Duke added the point after kick to make the score 58-0 with 3:30 left in the half.
The Broncos once again spent just three plays on defense before forcing a punt giving the Broncos the ball at the Judge 34 yard line.
After a 24 yard pass to Nache Young, Jayce Raisor added the 10 yard touchdown run on a two play drive. The point after kick was no good making the score 64-0 which is how the half ended.
With the mercy rule running clock active the second half went much quicker. The Broncos recovered an onside kick attempt to open the third quarter and give San Juan the ball at the 50 yard line. Mostly second stringers took the field for the Broncos in the second half but the offense kept humming. The Broncos four play drive was capped by a 39-yard touchdown run by Raisor. Duke added the point after kick to make the score 71-0 with 8:30 left in the third quarter.
San Juan’s defense was once again only on the field for one play with Raisor recovering a fumble to give San Juan the ball at the Judge 32 yard line.
A holding penalty and short runs helped stall the Bronco drive with San Juan punting to the Judge 10 yard line. Judge picked up one first down before the quarter ended.
The Broncos defense once again forced a turnover with Raisor intercepting a pass for an 11 yard return to set up the San Juan offense at the 11 yard line. The Broncos added their final points on a 10 yard touchdown run by Thomas Hardin to make the score 77-0 with 8 minutes remaining in the game.
After the San Juan defense forced a punt the Bulldogs were able to pin the Broncos at the five yard line. San Juan’s underclassmen were unable to get out of the shadow of the endzone with Judge making the tackle in the endzone for the safety and their lone points of the game as the final score favored San Juan 77-2.
San Juan finished the game with 219 pass yards and 223 rushing yards.
Yeomans led San Juan through the air throwing for 219 yards completing 11 passes on 14 attempts for three touchdowns.
Duke led the team with four catches for 80 yards. Nieves had two catches for 54 yards and two touchdowns. Tripp Palmer had two catches for 31 yards and one touchdown. Young had one catch for 21 yards while McNaughtan had a catch for 18 yards and Miken Keith had one catch for 15 yards.
On the ground Nieves led the team with 147 yards on seven carries including two touchdowns.
Raisor ran the ball four times for 53 yards and two touchdowns while Hardin had five carries for 25 yards and one touchdown.
Defensively McNaughtan and Jeppesen each had a fumble recovery while Stearns had an interception with Raisor recording both an interception and fumble recovery.
Stearns led the team with nine tackles in the game, while Raisor had five. Tyler Jacobsen, Pearce Holliday, McNaughtan, Jeppesen, and Hardin all recorded four tackles.
San Juan is on to the state semifinals. The #1 Broncos face the #4 Summit Academy Bears on Saturday, November 8. The game kicks off at 10 a.m. at Southern Utah University in Cedar City.
Join Redrock 92 Radio for all the action live, beginning with the pregame at 9:30.