Wolves take loss after offensive battle

Green River hosted the Worland Warriors on Hall of Fame night before a large home crowd, but were unable to secure a win in the high-scoring game.

The Warriors came into Wolves Stadium with the largest contingent of players in the school's history, which included a number of experienced seniors on the roster.

The Warriors appeared to have the advantage in team speed while the Wolves had the size advantage. Green River's coach Kevin Cuthbertson said Worland had a very athletic team and ran the RPO (run, pass, option offense) better than any high school team he ever coached against.

The Wolves displayed their own powerful offense Friday night as they accumulated nearly 500 yards in total offense. Key to the performance was the outstanding run and pass blocking by the offensive line made up of Austyn Maser, Kyler Bartlett, Landon Sheffield, Tanner Moseley and Deylin Miller, a line averaging almost 240 pounds per man.

In the passing game, junior quarterback Caleb Lake threw for 250 yards, mostly to his big play receivers Dylan Taylor and Hayden Roberts, with the big play on the night coming in the Wolves first possession -- an 80 yard pass completion and run by Taylor.

The running game was just as potent with junior Bracken Miller powering his way thru Worland's defense for 177 of Green River's impressive total of 195 yards rushing on the night. The Wolves and Warriors had the exact same total of points for three quarters, playing even the whole way, but Worland's scoring burst in the first quarter gave them a 21-7 advantage which the Wolves were never able to overcome.

The Warriors won the toss, but deferred and Green River elected to receive. The Wolves ran the ball with Bracken Miller and Roberts, then later quarterback Caleb Lake rolled out a pass and found Roberts wide open. Roberts took it in for the first score of the game with Abner Ibarra kicking the extra point, the Wolves had taken a quick 7-0 lead.

Worland wasted no time when they returned the kickoff to the 37-yard line and ran the ball twice for good gains, then completed a pass. Their quarterback made good on a big scramble play, taking the ball in and with their kick good, tied the score 7-7.

On their next offensive series, the Wolves ran the ball three times, but were stopped short of a first down by the Warriors' defense, forcing a punt. Worland started their offensive series with good field position close to midfield and with an 11-yard run and a couple of completed passes they were able to run the ball in for their second score of the game, opening a 14-7 lead.

Green River's offense was again shut down by the Worland defense in three plays and the Wolves punted the ball back to Worland. The Warriors, showing their speed, completed four passes in a row -- the last one to a wide open receiver who took the ball in and earning Worland a 21-7 lead.

The Wolves then mounted a long drive with big plays by Lake, Bracken Miller, Roberts, with their senior wide receiver Dylan Taylor catching a pass and taking it in for a touchdown to start the second quarter, closing the gap for the Wolves 21-14.

Worland again wasted no time and just four plays later their quarterback rolled out and scored on a 7-yard run to extend their lead to 27-14 after the P.A.T was blocked by Taylor.

Both offenses were clicking as Green River again had passes completed from Lake to Taylor and then the Wolves big power back Miller carried the ball three times, capping with a 38-yard run before he took the ball into the endzone behind excellent blocking from the offense, putting the Wolves within six points of the Warriors.

The offensive shootout continued as Worland completed a couple of big passes before a short run took the ball in for another score and once again Taylor blocked the extra point try and the score was 33-21.

On the next series, the Wolves pass was intercepted, but Warriors were stopped short of a first down. They were able to score on a field goal to extend their lead to 36-21 to end the high scoring first half.

In the second half the Wolves outscored Worland by one point in the third quarter 7-6, with both teams playing even in the forth quarter each scoring 7 points.

Worland got the ball to start the second half and mounted a long drive, but the defense led by Jacob Schieve, Tayor, Connor Todd and Alex Atkinson, forced the Warriors to make a failed field goal attempt. The Wolves took over with a couple of pass completions before Bracken Miller's hard running scored his second touchdown on the night. With Ibarra's kick good, the Wolves had closed the score to 36-28.

Worland then took over and mounted a quick scoring drive of their own, mixing the pass and run to extend their lead to 42-28 to end the third quarter.

Green River then took the ball on a short drive, but Worland was able to stop them and got the ball back. Good defense by Tanner Mosely, Gabe Finley and Jacob Schieve stopped the Warriors once more and the Wolves got the ball back and completed some excellent passes, along with strong running again from Bracken Miller, which let the Wolves score again, closing Worland's lead to 42-35. On the ensuing kick, the Wolves pinned Worland back to the 12-yard line on a great kick from Ibarra and excellent coverage from Nate Mitchell and Alex Atkinson. Worland however just two plays later broke a big run for 70 yards and the final score of the game to extend the lead 49-35 and take the win.

The big offensive output prompted Cuthbertson to exclaim "you have to give offensive coordinator Coach (Tim) Cassity a ton of credit for calling a great game."

Cuthbertson also noted that Dylan Taylor again had a great game on both offense and defense with a number of big catches and over 20 defensive points for the second week in a row, in what the coach noted that Taylor was making a push for athlete of the year with his excellent two way performances.

While the offense was strong, Cuthbertson suggested that the defense struggled at times getting stops in crucial situations leading the coach to observes that while the start of the season has had its frustrations they will continue to work hard and their goals are still within reach. He said they will continue to persevere as there is no quit in this team. Next up for the Wolves is their home coming game Friday at 6 p.m. against the Evanston Red Devils.