Broncos cruise past Summit Academy 48-6 in first 2A football matchup of the season

by Rhett Sifford
Sports Editor
The San Juan High School football team cruised to an easy 48-6 win over Summit Academy this past Friday, September 6 in the team’s first meeting with a 2A opponent this season.
It could have been much worse for the Bears if the entire second half hadn’t been played with a running clock and if the Broncos had kept their starters in the game.
San Juan continues to have a new player step up in a big way every week. This time it was running back and linebacker Jagger Nieves.
The junior ran for two touchdowns, caught another, and completed a 44-yard halfback pass that set up another. Plus, he led the defense with 11 tackles in the win.
The Broncos scored three touchdowns in the first quarter and three more in the second. Tripp Palmer only missed one of his six point-after tries when the snap was low and the kick was blocked.
Speaking of Tripp Palmer, he collected another beautiful pick-six in the win, appearing out of nowhere to snag a Cash Whitman pass in the flat. He saw nothing but green grass ahead as he returned it 76 yards to the house.
Junior Nache Young also grabbed an interception in the first half, the first of his varsity career.
Senior quarterback Jaiten Knight, in his first year as a varsity starter, continues to come into his own. He completed 15 of his 18 passing attempts against Summit Academy for 191 yards and two touchdowns. He led the team with 58 yards rushing.
But the big key for Knight has been his decision making. After a shaky start against Grantsville in week one, he’s gotten better every game.
Now he’s making the correct decision on most plays, tucking the ball and running when a pass isn’t open or threading the needle when it’s there. And he’s become purposefully aggressive in his running game, also a big improvement from week one.
Of course, he has an excellent supporting cast as well. Jagger Nieves was the second-leading rusher in the win over the Bears, with 41 yards and the two TDs. He also had 50 receiving yards and a TD.
Always a beast, JD Palmer was steady and strong yet again, collecting 34 rushing yards and a touchdown. Jake Ivins scored a very rare rushing touchdown in the third quarter when the team couldn’t get him into the end zone the traditional way.
After he caught a 42-yard pass, Summit Academy managed to tackle him on the two yard line, preventing a long touchdown. Knight handed him the ball on the next play and he ran it in.
Predictably, Ivins did most of his damage in the receiving department, with 66 yards on six catches. He has been a very noticeable addition since returning from injury two games ago.
Javin Montella was the leading receiver against the Bears, with 74 yards on three catches. His beautiful diving catch in the first quarter gave San Juan their first touchdown of the game.
The guys who deserve most of the credit, and hardly ever get it, are the big hog mollies – the fellas on the line.
They’re the ones in the trenches night in and night out, constantly embroiled in tough battles and wreaking havoc with the opponents’ offense or opening up big holes on offense, helping the star players look good.
Before the Broncos’ junior varsity squad and ultimately the third- and fourth-stringers took over in the second half this past Friday, San Juan had held Summit Academy to a paltry 79 yards of total offense (unofficially).
San Juan Head Coach Barkley Christensen spoke highly of his players after the game. “What’s scary about this team is that we’re still fixing little mistakes everywhere and they’re just getting better and better,” he explained.
“I’m so proud of these guys because they give 100 percent effort every game,” he continued. “You can coach the mistakes, but you can’t coach that effort.”
He added again how proud he was of the entire team effort, and gave special “shout-outs” to the scout team members, the offensive linemen, and the defense.
The battle continues this Friday, September 13 when a small miracle occurs. For the first time in two seasons the Broncos will play back-to-back games on their home turf.
Judge Memorial is paying a visit to Blanding and it’s been a tough start to the season for the Bulldogs. They opened with three blowout losses to Union, Ogden, and Juan Diego (who San Juan beat a couple weeks ago).
They did pick up their first win of the season this past Friday against Gunnison Valley, and they’ll be looking to keep that momentum alive against the Broncos.
Senior quarterback Adrian Palmer is averaging 127 passing yards a game. He has seven touchdown passes in his first four games, but also 11 interceptions.
Senior running back Texas Wilde is averaging 86 yards a game and over seven yards per carry. He has four rushing touchdowns on the season.
Junior wide receiver King Long is averaging 21 yards per catch and 73 yards per game with four touchdown catches so far. Head Coach Jeff Kaufusi is in his first year.
It’s another 2A crossover with the kickoff set for 7 p.m. Catch all the action live on Redrock 92 and StreamUtah.Live with the pregame beginning at 6:30.