Wolves football season ends with loss to Cody

In a close contest that was in doubt up until the last minute of the game the powerful 6-1 Cody Broncs came into Green River and in a defense-dominated game defeated the 2-5 Wolves who played hard and had a chance up to the end, to take the No. 2 seed into the State playoffs.

The Wolves came up short though, and their season ended with a 17-10 loss.

The Broncs only offensive touchdown of the game did not come until 9:30 in the forth quarter as the Wolves defense gave up 200 yards on the ground, but played aggressive defense, forced Cody to commit six turnovers with five fumbles and one interception.

Green River got the ball to start the game and were three plays and out on offense, but Cody fumbled the punt and the Wolves alert defense recovered the ball. Junior quarterback Jacob Fuss ran for 8 yards on first down, followed by a 5-yard run by junior Gabe Burdette before Fuss hooked up with senior wide receiver Isaac Ruiz on a 39-yard touchdown pass and the Wolves took the early lead.

Cody then took over the ball and mounted a 67-yard drive to the Wolves 1-yard line where the Cody fumbled the ball on a quarterback sneak and Green River recovered the ball to stop Cody's drive.

The Wolves then started a drive of their own, which included a pass completion from Fuss to senior Korbin Serrano, followed by an 11-yard run by Fuss. But on the next play, Green River fumbled and Cody recovered to stop the Wolves drive.

Green River's defense rose to the occasion with stops by seniors Sedden Sanders, Payton Tucker, Riese Allison and junior J.D. Renfro among others with senior Thomas Harvey making the final stop on a big tackle for a 5-yard loss.

Unfortunately, on the Wolves first offensive play Cody intercepted the ball, took it in for a touchdown and with the P.A.T. kick, the score was tied 7-7.

Green River then mounted a drive with the big plays coming on runs by Fuss and Burdette and a pass completion from Fuss to sophomore Dylan Taylor, but Cody's defense came up with a big sack and the Wolves had to punt the ball.

Cody ran nine plays, which ended in a 32-yard field goal and a 10-7 lead. Green River's offense was again stopped on three and out with the ensuing punt to Cody fumbled and recovered by Ruiz.

The Wolves then ran five plays, but Cody's defense once again played solid and forced the Wolves to punt once more.

Cody's first pass was intercepted by junior Seth White and the Wolves were back in business, but Green River couldn't do anything. Cody got the ball back and took a knee to end the first half with Cody holding a slim 10-7 lead.

Cody took over and seven plays later had to punt to the Wolves, who mounted a long drive, but were eventually stopped and forced to punt. Cody was three and out on an excellent defensive stand by the Wolves, who then took the ball down the field, but their drive ended with a missed 27 yard field goal.

Cody started its next offensive series, but on the second play the Wolves forced a fumble, which was recovered by Harvey.

Green River drove the ball and this time junior kicker Orin Watts was good on a 34-yard field goal to tie the score at 10-10.

The Wolves couldn't get a drive going and had to punt to Cody.

The Broncs went to the pass where they completed four for 44 yards before they ran for 15 yards for their lone offensive touchdown and a 17-10 lead.

The Wolves again went three and out as Cody played some tough defense. Cody then took more than 6 minutes off the clock with a sustained drive, but Green River's defense forced another fumble.

The Wolves took over with 2 minutes remaining and drove 30 yards, but Cody's defense stiffened and time ran out with Cody prevailing in a hard fought contest, 17-10.

With the win, Cody gained the No. 2 spot in the playoffs finishing the regular season at 7-1, while the Wolves will miss the playoffs falling to 2-6.

Coach Marty Wrage noted that the Wolves' player roster is young with only 14 seniors on their 95-player roster.

If players hit the weights hard throughout the year and during the summer, stay active in other sports and develop their athletic abilities, the program could have a bright future.

"This group worked hard and will do well in the future," Wrage said. "This team continued to improve through the season."