Anna Hands Emerson First Loss of Season in 42–21 Win

Anna, Texas — Two unbeaten teams entered Coyote Stadium Friday night. Only one left that way.

Anna handed Frisco Emerson its first loss of the season with a 42–21 victory, moving the Coyotes to 4–0 behind explosive plays on offense, defense and special teams.

Anna scored touchdowns in all three phases of the game and led 28–0 midway through the second quarter before carrying a 35–13 advantage into halftime.

Senior quarterback Zephyr Kreye accounted for two touchdowns, Juelz Carter rushed for two more, and Marvel Essien produced perhaps the most complete performance of the night with an interception and a 70-yard punt-return touchdown.

Carter Mundine added a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the third quarter, while Anna’s defense twice stopped Emerson inside the 10-yard line during the second half.

By the time the final seconds expired, Anna had protected its perfect start while dropping Emerson to 3–1.

Coyotes strike first

Anna’s opening possession reached the Emerson 25-yard line before eventually stalling, forcing the Coyotes to punt.

Emerson couldn’t capitalize.

After forcing an Emerson punt, Anna took over at its own 39 and quickly found the end zone. Carter broke free for a 46-yard rushing touchdown with roughly five minutes remaining in the first quarter. Desmar Marroquin’s extra point gave Anna a 7–0 lead.

The Coyotes’ defense immediately created another opportunity.

Essien intercepted an Emerson pass and returned possession to Anna at the Mavericks’ 9-yard line. Three plays later, Kreye scored on a 1-yard quarterback run.

Marroquin again converted the extra point, and Anna led 14–0.

Emerson drove into Anna territory late in the quarter, reaching the 21-yard line before the drive unraveled. The Mavericks eventually faced fourth down from the 40 and punted, pinning Anna at its own 10.

It took the Coyotes one play to travel the remaining 90 yards.

Kreye connected with Cor’Mond Houston for a 90-yard touchdown on Anna’s first offensive snap of the second quarter, stretching the lead to 21–0.

Essien makes his mark

Emerson’s next possession again ended with a punt.

This time, Essien didn’t give the Anna offense a chance to take the field.

The senior returned the punt 70 yards for a touchdown, adding a special-teams score to the interception he had already recorded defensively. Marroquin’s fourth extra point made it 28–0.

Emerson finally broke through late in the first half.

After intercepting an Anna pass near its own 10-yard line, the Mavericks moved downfield and scored on a 55-yard touchdown pass and converted the extra point to cut Anna’s advantage to 28–7.

The Coyotes answered almost immediately.

Anna drove into Emerson territory before Carter broke loose for his second touchdown of the night, this time from 35 yards out. Marroquin’s kick restored a four-touchdown advantage at 35–7.

Emerson needed only one play to respond, scoring on a 75-yard touchdown pass. The ensuing extra point was missed, leaving Anna ahead 35–13.

The Coyotes drove to the Emerson 25 in the closing seconds but couldn’t add another score before halftime.

Mundine takes one back

Anna’s defense provided the first points of the second half.

Emerson received the opening kickoff and moved near midfield before Mundine intercepted a pass and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown.

The pick-six was Anna’s second defensive takeaway of the night and its second non-offensive touchdown. Marroquin remained perfect on extra points, pushing the lead to 42–13.

Emerson answered with a touchdown drive and successful two-point conversion, cutting the deficit to 42–21 with about eight minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Those would be the final points of the night.

Anna’s offense went quiet during the second half, but its defense repeatedly kept Emerson from getting any closer.

The Mavericks drove to the Anna 8-yard line midway through the third quarter before facing fourth down. Anna held, forcing a turnover on downs.

A fumble later gave Emerson another opportunity, this time at the Anna 25. The Mavericks advanced all the way to the 2-yard line before the third quarter expired.

Again, Anna refused to give up the touchdown.

Emerson was pushed backward after the quarter break and eventually faced fourth down from the 10. The Coyotes held for their second goal-line stand of the half, taking possession with roughly 10 minutes remaining.

Defense closes it out

Neither team scored during the fourth quarter.

Emerson received one more possession with about seven minutes remaining, but Anna’s defense forced another punt after a sack helped stall the drive.

The Coyotes then moved from their own 38 to the Emerson 21, draining several minutes from the clock before turning the ball over on downs after the two-minute warning.

Emerson’s final possession went nowhere, and the Mavericks faced fourth down from their own 27 as the remaining seconds expired.

The final score of 42–21 reflected a game Anna had controlled since the opening quarter.

Carter supplied two explosive rushing touchdowns. Kreye scored once on the ground and delivered the night’s longest offensive play with his 90-yard touchdown pass to Houston.

But two of Anna’s six touchdowns came without the offense touching the field.

Essien’s 70-yard punt return and Mundine’s 60-yard pick-six helped turn a strong performance into a comfortable victory, while Essien’s first-quarter interception set up another touchdown from just nine yards out.

Anna has now opened the season with four consecutive victories, following wins over Colleyville Heritage, Brock and Frisco Panther Creek.

Emerson arrived in Anna unbeaten. The Mavericks left with their first loss.

The Coyotes remain perfect at 4–0.

The Anna Progress appreciates Colton Roper (@shots_by_ropier) for allowing us to use his photography from Friday night’s game. We thank him for helping us bring Anna Coyotes football coverage to our readers.