Spartan football endures whirlwind season

The season might have started promising, but six consecutive losses and the resignation of its head coach have sent Murray High’s football team into a tailspin.

The Spartans (1-6 overall, 0-3 region), who had defeated Cyprus in their season opener, posted just 58 points in their next six games while allowing the opposition 197. The margin is even more staggering in Region 7 play, as Murray has lost its first three games by a combined score of 126-16.

Dan Aragon, who had coached the team for four and a half seasons, abruptly resigned Sept. 21 amid alleged parent and player discontent with the program. Keeko Georgelas, Aragon’s predecessor at Murray, was named interim coach. The Spartans had gone 8-34 under Aragon’s tenure.

Since the season-opener, Murray has lost to Granger (21-7), Taylorsville (28-23), Roy (22-12), Skyline (45-0), Olympus (41-10) and Westlake (40-6). The Spartans had games remaining on the schedule against Herriman (Oct. 7), Hillcrest (Oct. 14) and Bonneville (Oct. 19).

On a much more positive note, the Murray football program kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month with its second annual “Pink Game” on Sept. 30 against Westlake to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Last year’s event raised $5,000 toward breast cancer research. Murray players wore pink jerseys and the field was decorated in pink to create awareness for the disease. Players’ family members and friends who are breast cancer survivors were honored at halftime.

Standout running back Christian Jensen, coming off a 1,000-yard season, has found little room to roam thus far. Jensen has rushed for 431 yards through seven games with three touchdowns. However, he has been active in the passing game, where he has 12 catches for 100 yards and two more scores. Justin Adams has rushed for 111 yards and thrown for 517 with two touchdowns and six interceptions.

Adams has distributed the ball evenly among Murray’s receivers. Kevin Hales has nine catches for 115 yards, Rayce Bryan has six catches for 92 yards, Spencer Prestwich has nine catches for 61 yards, and Nick Smart has 11 catches for 74 yards to lead the Spartans.

Murray trailed Taylorsville 20-7 at halftime before rallying in the second half. Jensen had a pair of touchdown receptions from Adams and also ran for a score. Murray’s defense also posted a safety. Jensen (117 total yards) and Adams (134) each had good offensive games, but it wasn’t enough.

Things appeared optimistic against Roy, as the teams were tied 6-6 at halftime. However, the Royals took a 22-6 lead into the fourth quarter and prevailed. Jensen, who finished with 104 total yards, ran for two touchdowns and Adams threw for 91.

The Spartans simply could not get anything going against Skyline in what turned out to be Aragon’s final game at the helm. Murray trailed 35-0 after just one quarter and 42-0 at halftime. Jensen managed only 34 yards rushing and Adams threw for 104 yards.

Murray’s assistant coaches directed the team against Olympus, but the result was the same. The Titans led 21-0 after one quarter and 28-7 at halftime. Derrick Sanders ran for a touchdown and Joshua Nelson booted a 26-yard field goal. Adams threw for 141 yards and Jensen rushed for 68.

Despite having come into the game with just one win, Westlake appeared dominant against Murray. The Thunder led 27-0 at halftime and 40-0 in the fourth quarter before Murray scored.

Sanders has led the defensive effort this season with 50 tackles. Austin Novak has 36 tackles and Court Adams 33, while Prestwich has 29 tackles and two interceptions and Hales has 29 tackles and three sacks. Dallas Howard has also come up big with 24 tackles and 2.5 sacks.