Wolves dominate Wolverines at home

The Green River Wolves took on Riverton and played their first game in front of a large home crowd at Wolves Stadium, ending the GRHS Hall of Fame game with a dominating 56-21 victory.

This time, the Wolves faced a stronger opponent in the Wolverines, but the team were no match for the Wolves as Green River dominated on offense and defense from the opening kick.

The team had two goals going into the game, according to head coach Don Maggi. One was to win the game and get better each week. Maggi was pleased with accomplishing the first goal with a convincing win and felt that they did get a little better, executing things better from what they learned during their game in Lander two weeks ago.

The game started with an electrifying 80-yard kickoff return by junior Anthony Johnson, but the play was nullified by a holding penalty and instead of a touchdown Green River got the ball to start the game on their 7-yard line. The Wolves mounted a 16-play drive, which included short runs by Candon Croft, Kyle Ivie, and Chance Hofer, along with five pass completions to Gavin Heiser, Devin Love and Anthony Mitchell before Hofer connected with fellow senior Cole White and scored the first touchdown of the game. In the drive, the Wolves had to overcome two penalties, the first of many that night. Eric Gwaltney for the second week in a row was perfect on the night with the first of his seven PAT kicks.

On the ensuing kickoff, Riverton returned the ball 59 yards to gain great field position. Green River's defense established itself right away with pressure and the break up of a pass on first down. Green River then gave up a short,2-yard run with Anthony Mitchell on the tackle, then on third down Riverton tried another pass, which was broken up by Anthony Johnson. Riverton then declined the chance to punt on forth down. Their pass was once again incomplete and the ball was quickly turned back to the Wolves.

The Wolves held the ball for 11 plays on this drive. Croft, running hard, ripped two runs of eight and five yards to start the drive. After an incompletion, Hofer found Cole White on a nine-yard completion followed by another nine-yard pass complete to Love. After an offsides penalty, the third of the quarter on the Wolves, Hofer passed to Gavin Heiser. Two more passes fell incomplete, before Hofer hooked up for the second time with Love, this time for 23 yards. Hofer then rolled out and dodged several Wolverines before taking the ball in for the Wolves second touchdown of the quarter on an impressive 11-yard run. The PAT was good and the Wolves were up 14-0 with just over a minute and a half to the end of the quarter.

Riverton took over on offense, but was not able to mount an offense due to the aggressive team defense led by a host of upperclassmen. Riverton on forth down faked a punt and picked up a first down with their quarterback Treyton Paxton, but he paid the price as hard-hitting Chance Andersen put a big hit on him that caused him to go out of the game. When he returned, Paxton may not have fully recovered from the big hit as he threw an interception to Anthony Johnson to turn the ball back to the Wolves high-powered offense. Croft took the ball for 19 yards, running over Wolverine defenders in the process. Love then ran to the corner of the end zone and came up with a big catch over a Riverton defender, with a beautifully placed pass from Hofer and took the Wolves up 21-0 after Erik Gwaltney's extra point kick.

The Wolverines got the ball back, down 21-0, and marched down the field with the help of a 50-yard pass play. Paxton, who had already suffered several big hits, took the ball in from one yard out to give Riverton some hope with its first touchdown of the night with less than 2 minutes until halftime.

Hofer, who played a masterful game, led the Wolves down the field with strong running from Croft before Hofer passed to Heiser. Heiser faked two defenders with some slick moves to take the ball into the end zone and after the PAT the Wolves' 21-point lead returned at the half.

At the start of the second half, Riverton received the ball and went three and out as the Wolves continued their strong, swarming team defense highlighted by an outstanding interception and 65-yard return by Heiser, the Wolves third interception of the game, ending at the three-yard line. Ivie then scored and following the PAT, the score was 35-7.

Riverton got the ball and once more, the Wolves shut the Wolverines down. Strong running by Green River's Hofer and Croft, with a 14-yard reception by Cole White, ended with a Hofer to Love touchdown pass to make it 42-7 with Gwaltney's field goal kick.

The Wolves stopped another Riverton drive, with the Wolves' offense turning to run plays, with Croft, Ivie and freshman James King running the ball. King scored for the Wolves, taking the score to 49-7.

There were numerous penalties throughout the game, especially in the third quarter, but Riverton eventually scored another touchdown. The Wolves started subbing in their younger players as the game was out of reach for the Wolverines.

Hofer received a well-earned rest and Maggi brought in back-up junior Dallin Serrano, who led the Wolves' next drive. The drive ended very quickly on a 69-yard run from Ivie for the Wolves' eighth touchdown for their high-powered offense. With Gwaltney's eighth successful PAT kick, Green River's lead extended to 42 points before Riverton scored a third time off of Green River's younger subs.

Throughout the game, Maggi was pleased with the performance of his offensive line, made up of four seniors, with Ty Sturlaugson at center, John Makie and Chance Anderson at guards, Justin Rublacaba and Gwaltney at tackles and on the outside the lone junior, Anthony Mitchell at tight end. All of those players are new players at these starting positions, according to Maggi. All five of last year's starters were seniors.

The Wolves did nothing but strengthen their No. 2 3A ranking and will travel next week to take on the Worland Warriors. Maggi expects Worland to run an option offense, which is not common and difficult to prepare for, but feels that Green River's offense should match up well.

Time will be spent in practice this week preparing for the option and correcting mistakes made through penalties and in the team's kick return game.