Wolves win Homecoming game

Green River Wolves football team defeated the Torrington Trailblazers, 14-7, for its first win of season.

On a windy, rainy and chilly game at Wolves Stadium before a large homecoming crowd junior Jachob Fuss started his first game as quarterback for the Wolves. He led the Wolves on offense to their first win of the season. Fuss was backed by strong running from fellow junior Gabe Burdette and a host of big play performances on offense led by senior Tayler Jensen who scored both of the Wolves touchdowns.

The excellent team defense was again led by seniors Payton Tucker, Seddon Sanders, Riese Allison and Thomas Harvey.

The Wolves Seth White took the opening kickoff back 24 yards to give the Wolves good field position to start the game. The Wolves moved the ball on the ground, with Burdette picking up 20 yards on the drive on five carries and a pass completion to senior Isaac Ruiz for 12 yards, but the drive stalled and Green River had to punt.

On Torrington's first drive the Wolves defense dominated with Burdette getting a sack on first down to set the tone and Torrington was three plays and out and had to punt it back to the Wolves.

The Wolves started the drive with a completed pass, but it was fumbled and Torrington got the ball right back. The Wolves defense again came up with some big stops led by a big tackle for a loss by Thomas Harvey and Torrington again was stopped on three plays and Torrington punted the ball back to the Wolves.

The Wolves next series of plays included a couple of dropped passes that were on target and off-setting penalties along with a 15-yard pass completion from Fuss to White, but once again the drive stalled and after a short punt, Torrington had the ball again.

The Wolves defense stepped up and shut down Torrington's offense in three plays and the Wolves got the ball back. Burdette picked up 14 yards on two, run plays. After a 10-yard holding penalty, Fuss completed a 31-yard pass to Allison for a big gain. On the next play, Taylor Jensen took the ball in from 9 yards out for Green River's first touchdown of the game and after the P.A.T. kick by Orin Watts was good the Wolves led 7-0.

Torrington and Green River both played tough defense on the next few series of downs. Fuss completed several big passes, among them completions of 22 and 17 yards to Dylan Taylor and Burdette broke free on a 22-yard run but penalties, dropped passes and a sack prevented the Wolves from scoring the rest of the half.

Torrington got the ball for the final drive before halftime and with great field position got three runs of 7, 9 and 6 yards. Aided by a 15-yard personal foul penalty against the Wolves, tied the score going into halftime at 7-7.

The next few series of plays for both teams went to the defenses with a lot of short runs, incomplete passes, penalties and fumbles frustrating both offenses.

After a short punt by Torrington, Green River's offense got fired up with by a 22-yard run by Burdette followed by a 5-yard gain by the junior. Tayler Jensen then got a big block from Tito Mena for a 13-yard run. After Burdette was stopped for no gain, Fuss connected with Jensen for his second touchdown of the game on a 27-yard pass completion. The P.A.T. kick was made the Wolves was good and they had a 14-7 lead.

The defense again rose to the occasion with big plays by Tucker, Harvey, Renfro, Jensen and company finishing Torrington's last chance with a quarterback sack and the Wolves were able to take a knee and run out the clock for their first win of the year.

For their efforts, Jensen, who had both scores was named offensive player of the game. Defensive player of the game went to Allison and Tucker who led the team in tackles. Special teams player of the week was Kyonee Arellano, best blocks went to Harvey and Thomas and best tackles were Burdette and Tucker. Coach Wrage noted that the 4-0 Star Valley Braves, Green River's next opponent, in another home game this week returns a lot of veterans and looks to be the favorite each week.

"Our guys will work hard and prepare all week for this conference game," Wrage said.