On a beautiful night in Green River, the Wolves, second ranked in 3A, took on the Evanston Red Devils, who were fresh off a big road victory over Powell the previous week.
The homecoming game for the Wolves was competitive down to the final minutes in the renewal of an old rivalry with Evanston dropping down to 3A this year.
The Wolves started on defense and on the second offensive play by Evanston, took an intercepted from Cole White.
The Wolves’ offense looked sharp on several big plays, including receptions from quarterback Chance Hofer to receivers Devin Love for 13 yards and Cole White for 10 yards. Candon Croft then ripped off an 11-yard run, but the Evanston defense came up with several big plays for losses. After a 10-yard run by Hofer, the Wolves’ offense stalled inside the 5-yard line and they had to settle for a field goal from Erik Gwaltney, putting the Wolves up early 3-0.
Evanston’s offense took over and despite several big runs, the Wolves’ defense eventually held Evanston to a field goal attempt that was missed.
Green River’s offense was clicking on all cylinders as Hofer connected on an 11-yard pass to Gavin Heiser and after a 5-yard off sides penalty against Evanston, Hofer rolled out and found Anthony Mitchell for a 14-yard pass completion.
Evanston then blitzed and caused an incomplete pass, with Hofer overthrowing Heiser on the next play. Evanston again pressured Hofer, but he was able to complete an 8-yard pass to Croft. Another incomplete pass and a penalty against Green River stalled the drive, but a 20-yard pass completion to Mitchell was followed by a 20-yard run by Hofer for the score and with the PAT kick, the Wolves were up 10-0 with less than 2 minutes left in the first quarter, having gone 80 yards in eight plays.
The Wolves’ defense made a quick stop on Evanston’s offense. The quarter ended with the Wolves in good position up 10-0, after some big defensive stops by Anthony Mitchell, Chance Anderson and Issaac Ungaro.
Evanston’s defense then took back the momentum as they stopped the Wolves on the next series and blocked a punt and went on a 10-play, 40-yard drive to narrow the score to 10-7.
Green River took over and after a couple of good runs by Hofer. Love made two big catches and runs but the Wolves offense stalled and Green River had to punt again.
Green River’s defense led by Anderson, Johnson, Rubalcaba, Love and others stopped Evanston, going into halftime with a slim 10-7 lead.
Green River got the ball to start the second half, but could go nowhere and had to punt. Evanston went on an extended 17-play drive to score and go up 13-10 after the PAT was blocked by Anderson. Evanston’s junior running back, Tyus Cornia, led the Red Devils on a three touchdown scoring spree in the second half. Evanston also got a key interception late in the game by their leading defensive player, Rylie Griggs, who took it in for a score and Evanston was up late 27-17.
The Wolves kept fighting and came back with their strong passing game, culminating in two big pass plays to Love, who led the Wolves with nine catches on the night, followed by a touchdown throw to Mitchell, to make it 27-24, but the Wolves on-side kick was recovered by Evanston to seal the victory.
The Wolves will hit the road next week to play the always tough Powell Panthers looking for a road win which will help them earn a playoff spot and a higher seeding.
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