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Miners boot cowboys

Jen Watkins, Of the Record staff

It was another easy victory for the Park City High School varsity football team as the Miners crushed the Grantsville Cowboys 57-28 at Dozier Field Oct. 30 in the first round of the state playoffs. But it gave the coaches a chance to see how the Miners will handle the pressure going into a tough game against Delta on Nov. 6.

"It was an interesting game," coach Brandon Matich said. "I don’t think we played real passionate football like we have been."

Matich said the Miners made several key mistakes in the Cowboys’ game like roughing the kicker, dropping the ball after a punt and letting the Cowboy’s offense get outside of the perimeter.

"We score quickly, which is abnormal," he said. "That puts our defense in a difficult position and our defense has got to learn to respond. They spend a lot of time on the field."

Miners’ running back Dylan Chynoweth scored two touchdowns early in the first quarter and Kennan Ward kicked the extra points. The Cowboys came back with a touchdown after a 65-yard pass to wide receiver Tyson Hutchins. Miners’ running back Blake Thorne caught a 41-yard pass on the return. On the next play, wide receiver Brian Schettler dove for a catch as the Cowboys attempted an interception. The first quarter ended 14-6.

Park City quarterback Erik Walker was able to score immediately in the second quarter on a 22-yard run and Ward made the extra point. Chynowth scored another touchdown on a 35-yard run and the Miners scored a two-point conversion when running back Robert Cashel caught a 3-yard pass from Schettler.

The Miners then fumbled the ball on a punt and the Cowboys recovered but were unable to gain any significant yards. The Miners got the ball back on downs and a 14-yard pass to Schettler brought them to the 10-yard line. Chynoweth ran the ball in for a touchdown and the Ward made the extra point, leaving the score 36-6 at the half.

In the third quarter, Thorne caught a 61-yard pass from Walker and Walker ran in for a touchdown on the next play. Ward again made the extra point. The Cowboys made their first long gain after a pass and scored a second touchdown.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys made another touchdown but failed at a two-point conversion. Walker followed that with a 56-yard run for another Miners’ touchdown and Ward made the extra point. Running back Bryce Delnort made the final touchdown for the Miners and Ward made the extra point.

Unwilling to give up, the Cowboys’ Hutchins scored another touchdown with just minutes left in the game. A pass to tight end Dalen Erickson gave the Cowboys a two-point conversion to end the game 57-28.

"We just didn’t play very well defensively," Matich said after the game. "We can do better."

The Miners will face Delta at Dozier Field this Friday at 4 p.m. The Miners defeated Delta 41-17 in the regular season in a surprise victory. It was the first time the Miners had defeated Delta at Delta. Delta has been in the playoffs for nearly 36 consecutive years.

"It’s difficult to beat a team twice in one season," Matich said. "They felt like they were embarrassed on their home field. We have a lot of respect for Delta. They’ve won several state championships; we’ve yet to win one. We’re going to give this thing all we’ve got but we know we’re in for a dogfight. We’re a better team now then we were in week three, but so are they."

MINERS SCORING SUMMARY

Passing

Erik Walker 3 completions, 6 attempts, 45 yards

Brian Schettler 1 completion, 1 attempt, 3 yards

Rushing

Dylan Chynoweth 13 carries, 133 yards

Erik Walker 5 carries, 126 yards

Bryce Delnort 5 carries, 36 yards

Receiving

Brian Schettler 3 receptions, 45 yards

Robert Cashel 1 reception, 3 yards


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