Chance Anderson misses a tackle on Star Valley player Joseph Swanson during the 3A championship game in Laramie afternoon Friday. The Wolves lost to the Braves 31-15.
The road to War Memorial Stadium in Laramie was a long one for Green River High School's football team, but it didn't end with a state title.
The Wolves fell 31-15 to the Star Valley Braves Friday afternoon in a contest where Green River was out matched early on. Green River would remain scoreless throughout much of the game, posting 15 points in the final quarter off of two touchdowns, an extra point and a two-point conversion.
The Braves came out in force at the start of the game, quickly scoring 17 unanswered points during the first half. Star Valley received the kickoff at the start of the game and were shut down in their first drive by a strong Green River defensive line, which held off the Braves during a critical third-down play on Green River's 20-yard line. However, Green River's offense wasn't able to capitalize and was forced to punt the ball back to Star Valley. Keanu Hill punted six times throughout the game, totaling 237 yards, the longest of which was 50 yards. One punt from Hill ended perfectly, on Star Valley's 1-yard line.
Star Valley would capitalize on their second possession, quickly scoring a touchdown and extra point with 1:53 remaining in the first quarter. Green River's struggles continued into the second quarter as the team was unable to put together a scoring drive. Star Valley's continued pressure resulted in a second touchdown and field goal during the quarter, widening the gap between the two teams to 17 points. The Wolves' defense did prevent a Star Valley touchdown during the second quarter when Chance Hofer intercepted the ball in the end zone, ending a Star Valley drive deep in the Wolves' territory.
During the third quarter, the Wolves continued to have difficulties scoring, with Star Valley posting more unanswered points to the scoreboard and ending the quarter with a 31-0 lead over Green River. At the start of the fourth quarter however, the Wolves' offense finally found the Star Valley end zone after a 5-yard run from Tyler Vendetti gave Green River its first score of the game at 9:50 left in the quarter. A following extra point from Hofer was good and following a short, unsuccessful Star Valley possession, was able to score a second time off of a 51-yard pass from Vendetti to Kalen Kester. The team followed up with a two-point conversion pass from Vendetti to Jacob Olsen.
However, this would prove too little, too late for the Wolves and ultimately, the state championship remained out of reach.
Green River was out matched in total net rushing yards, as Green River posted 58 yards to Star Valley's 412 yards.
Green River posted 190 total passing yards to Star Valley's 70, but Green River's 248 total offensive yards was less than half the Star Valley squad's 484.
Star Valley also had more possession time than Green River, with the Braves' 28:31 to the Wolves' 19.29.
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