The Wolves played a cold, wet game at home last week against the Powell Panthers. Water beads on Russell Ferrell's helmet as he watches from the sidelines.
On a miserable, windy and rain-soaked night, the Green River Wolves recorded their first shutout in 77 straight games to move their record to 4-0 and remain undefeated on the year against the always tough Powell Panthers.
With a torrential downpour occurring during a good portion of the game, Green River had a tough time handling the ball as there were numerous high snaps and a number of fumbles. The Wolves were able to recover themselves on all but two of the occasions. The slippery ball and field however caused both teams to settle in to a defensive battle.
While there was the occasional big play on the part of the Wolves offense in the first quarter, Green River's defense was strong from the first snap, with big defensive tackle, senior Gabe Bunderman, showing a little attitude, according to coach Maggi. He led the team with 15 total tackles, 10 assisted, four on his own and one for a loss. The first quarter ended with no score, but just before the quarter ended, Chance Andersen pressured the punter and Cole White came up with his first of two big defensive plays, recovering the fumbled punt to give Green River the ball on Powell's 30 yard line to start the second quarter.
With fourth and 1 yard to go for the first down, the Wolves went for it and got the first down. Quarterback Chance Hofer then took off on an 18-yard run, ending with a touchdown, then kicked the extra point to put Green River up 7-0.
The teams went back and forth when pressure by Blake Waite caused the Panthers' quarterback to rush his throw, which was intercepted by White for his second big play of the first half. The Wolves took over and marched down the field, with a big pass play from Hofer to Taylor Thornton for 24 yards, but they were stopped by Powell and attempted a field goal which was no good. Neither team was able to move the ball much the rest of the half, with the Wolves going into to half time leading 7-0 and holding Powell to 1 yard of total offense and one first down in the first half, while getting 92 yards in offense with five first downs themselves.
The Panthers started the second half with a heavy dose of handing the ball to their talented running back and former Green River football player, the speedy T.J. Abrham. Abrham had a few short runs but the defense made several tackles for losses. This same pattern was repeated throughout the third quarter until Green River's defense, on a big hit by Blake Waite on Abrham, resulted in a fumble recovered by Malik Kalivas. The Wolves then mounted a drive, starting with a 23-yard run by Drew Wilson followed by and 8-yard run by Canden Croft, followed another run by Wilson of 6 yards and eventually culminating in Wilson taking the ball in from 2 yards out for a 14-0 Wolves lead.
That was the end of the scoring as the defenses took over on the rain soaked field. Powell's offense on the night managed only 36 yards on 35 rushing plays, had two forced fumbles, one interception and a total of six first downs for the entire game with three of those coming on penalties for the Wolves. It was an excellent performance by the entire defensive unit, recording their first shutout in the last 77 games.
On offense the Wolves moved the ball well despite the terrible conditions with 204 yards in total offense for a strong performance on both sides of the ball against a good football team.
After the game head Coach Don Maggi, said the game was won in the trenches, giving credit to his lineman on both sides of the ball, as well as noting that there was gang tackling throughout the game to contain the Panthers strong running game.
Maggi said "the kids did a great job" and sees the team building confidence, while remaining humble and continuing to improve with each game.
Next up will be the home coming game with the 1-4 Jackson Broncs, Friday at 7 p.m.
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