Green River dominates Jackson 55-7

Following head coach Don Maggi and his staff's goals for improving each week, the Wolves put it all together Friday night on both sides of the ball as their offense rolled to another impressive performance.

The Wolves scored 55 points while the hard-hitting, swarming defense held the Jackson Broncs to only 69 yards in total offense for the game.

A packed house on homecoming night was not disappointed as Green River got the ball to start the game and marched right down the field aided by a 21-yard run by junior quarterback Chance Hofer, a 29 yard pass from Hofer to senior receiver Taylor Thornton and runs of 6, 18 and 3 yards for the touchdown by senior running back Drew Wilson. The offensive line opened up big holes for the runs and provided protection for the passing game from the start.

On Jackson's first offensive series, they lost 4 yards in three plays as they were stopped for a one yard gain on a run on first down by Wolves defensive tackle Gabe Bunderman.

Jackson had a 5-yard penalty for an illegal shift and two incomplete passes later, they had to punt the ball back to Green River.

With Green River pressuring the punter, he got of only a 16-yard punt. The Wolves wasted no time as a pass was completed to junior receiver Cole White for 14 yards. Then Drew Wilson took it in on a short run for his second touchdown of the game increasing the Wolves' lead to 14.

Jackson fared no better on their second offensive series, with big stops by Blake Waite, Chance Andersen, Nick Boldt and William Harvey.

A swarming, hard-hitting defense stopped Jackson once again with minimal gains and they had to punt again. Green River took over and in just two pass plays, a 15-yarder to White and then a 65-yard pass reception from Hofer to junior wide receiver Devan White scored again.

The teams both ran a short series of downs on offense but were unable to move the ball until Green River got the ball back early in the second quarter and scored again on a spectacular 75-yard touchdown run by junior running back Candon Croft, who showed that not only does he have the power to run over opponents but he also has the speed to out run them.

The Wolves were up 28-0.

Once again the Wolves defense slammed the door on Jackson with a three and out performance and Green River was relentless on offense as they got a 25-yard pass from Hofer to Love, followed by a 4-yard run for a touchdown by the state's leading scorer,Wilson, in his forth touchdown of the game.

Wilson's touchdown gave the Wolves a commanding 35-0 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Green River had their only defensive letdown of the game as Jackson's 6'1" 230 lbs. running back showed some excellent speed outrunning the entire Wolves special team for a 95-yard kickoff return and what turned out to be Jackson's only score of the game to make the score 35-7.

The next offensive series Green River started out deep in their own territory, on the 7-yard line, after they were assessed a clipping penalty. They wasted no time in getting the score back as senior running back James Bunderman sprinted 93 yards for yet another big play, putting the Wolves up 42-7.

Once again the Green River defense stopped Jackson and just before halftime the Wolves scored again with the big plays being two pass catches by Cole White for 16 and 13 yards before Hofer took it in on a one yard quarterback sneak. The PAT was blocked with the half time score being 48-7.

In the first half, Green River ended with 440 yards of total offense for a dominating performance while Green River's swift, hard hitting defense held Jackson to just 60 yards and the one big kickoff return of 95 yards.

In the second half, Green River's defense continued to limit Jackson's offense with starters Chance Andersen and Chase Stoeger coming up with some big plays, including an interception by Stoeger, while the offense moved the ball but was unable to score until late in the fourth quarter. Sophomore running back A.J. Vergara broke loose on a 50-yard touchdown run for the final score of the game for either team ending the scoring at 55-7.

Green River's younger players got lots of playing time as most of the starters were replaced early and able to be rested for next weeks big showdown in Afton with Star Valley who lost a close one to Powell on the road. With the win and Star Valley's loss the Wolves will go into the game with a big target on their backs as they are undefeated.

However, Star Valley remains ranked first in the 3A West and despite the dominating win by Green River and the unblemished record, the Wolves dropped to number three in the conference. They should need no further motivation to compete against the defending state champs Friday night in Afton.