Wolves end year with victory

On a perfect fall night for football, Green River made it very clear from the get-go -- they were not going to leave the field without their first victory of the season.

The Wolves scored twice within 12 seconds early in the first quarter last Friday night on their way to a 42-20 victory in their regular season finale against Worland.

Following a botched Warrior kickoff on the first play of the game, Green River quickly pushed the ball down the field and scored with 9:39 remaining in the first quarter on a seven-yard touchdown by junior quarterback Tyler Vendetti. The touchdown was set up by a 27-yard reception from Vendetti to senior Tanner Trumble, and another long run by Vendetti.

Worland fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Green River's Gage Hunt would return it 22 yards for another Green River touchdown. The point after by Trumble pushed the Wolves lead to 14-0 with 9:27 left in the opening frame.

Green River head coach Don Maggi said his team was able to get some things clicking offensively on their first drive and was able to get the momentum early.

"It built some confidence in our kids and it kept rolling from there," Maggi said.

After stopping a long Worland drive on fourth down, Green River would once again find the end zone on their second offensive possession of the game when Vendetti found Trumble, this time connecting on a 47-yard touchdown with 11:51 left in the second quarter to push the lead to 21-0.

Trumble said coming out strong and taking a big lead meant everything to Green River. He added if Worland would have stayed in the game early, it could have been a much different score.

"It was really important," he said.

The Wolves would quickly get the ball back following a defensive stop and once again was led by the combination of Vendetti to Trumble.

One play following setting the all time Green River single season reception mark with 43, Trumble caught a 7-yard fade from Vendetti for a touchdown which pushed the lead to 28-0 with 6:22 left in the half.

After the game, Trumble was excited about the record, but shared the accolades with his fellow Wolves.

"It was an unbelievable feeling, but I couldn't have done it without my team," he said.

Worland would finally get on the scoreboard with 2:26 left on a one-yard down touchdown run on fourth and goal. Green River was however able to stop a two-point conversion attempt to keep the score 28-6.

The Wolves were able to erase any momentum gained by the visiting Warriors, and answered the score and ended the half with a one-yard touchdown run by 6'3" 280 pound offensive lineman Hayden Love. The senior standout had been inserted into the Green River backfield on the previous play. The score put the Wolves up 35 to 6 with just 19 seconds left in the half. Love said that they had been working on the play in practice and it was a great experience to score the touchdown.

The start of the second half was more of the same for the Wolves. On their first possession of the third quarter following a Worland fumble recovery by Andy Martinz, Green River scored on another 7-yard touchdown, this time when Vendetti hooked up with Jacob Olsen for for the touchdown with 8:43 left in the third to balloon the lead to 42-6.

Worland would show signs of life when they scored two touchdowns, including a one-yard run with one second left in the game to cut the lead to 42-20.

Green River finished the season 1-7 and 1-5 in 3A West play.

With a wealth of returning talent coming back next season, Maggi said it was great for the young guys to go out with a win.

Following the game, he told his team he appreciated their hard work and the way they stayed positive throughout the season.

"Their ability to keep working even when things were not going well says a lot about their character and that's going to make them successful people down the road," Maggi said. "Life isn't about instant gratification, it's about keep working and if you do that, good things will come to you."