Fresh off a first-game victory over Lander, the Green River Wolves hit the road for their second game of the season, taking on the Rawlins Outlaws this past Friday night. The game matched two teams with similar size and numbers, though Rawlins had a few less players on their varsity roster.
Rawlins kicked to the Wolves to start the game, and the good kick put the Wolves deep in their own territory to start the game at the 10-yard line. However, things only got worse as on the first play from scrimmage Rawlins’ do-everything-back Zach Covolo intercepted a pass. Still, the Wolves’ defense came up with some excellent defense by Carter Steen and Garrett Smith, among others. Rawlins was forced to kick a field goal, which was good, and they went up 3-0.
Green River’s senior Axel Mackinnon returned the next kickoff to the 25 yard line to give the Wolves good field position to start their second offensive series. The Wolves mounted one of their longest drives of the new season, running thirteen plays, including eight runs by senior running back Jaxxon Gomez; a nice eight-yard run by Quarterback Max Hintz after he recovered a high snap over his head; and two big pass plays, one of 24 yards to Mackinnon and one of 15 yards to Christian Lee before Hintz ran it in for a touchdown. The P.A.T. kick missed but the Wolves had claimed a 6-3 lead just before the end of the first quarter.
Rawlins then mounted another drive dominated by Covolo’s runs, but the Wolves’ defense rose up again to stop them. Rawlins had to settle for their second field goal of the game and a 6-6 tie. Again Green River started their drive on the 25-yard line, starting with three runs in a row by Gomez for fifteen yards and a first down. The next two plays were passes that were incomplete before a third pass was tipped and intercepted for Green River’s second turnover of the first half. Rawlins got the ball on the 44-yard line, and with a 15-yard face mask penalty they moved the ball inside the 30-yard line. Several plays later, despite good defense by Alex and Dakota Hudson, Ethan Morrell, Declan Henderson, J.D. Walter, MacKinnon and others, Covolo took the ball into the end zone on a four-yard run. With a missed P.A.T. the Outlaws had a 12-6 lead.
The Wolves’ offense ran into more bad luck as on their first play from scrimmage on their next drive the ball was once again tipped on a pass attempt and intercepted. Once again the Wolves’ defense stiffened and Rawlins was forced to attempt a field goal. The kick was successful, giving them a 15-6 lead. Green River then started their next drive on the 20-yard line and had a couple of big offensive plays. Still, Rawlins came up with another pass interception and the Outlaws took a 15-6 lead into the locker room at half time.
Rawlins got a big return from their star running back Covolo to start the second half. Once again, the Wolves’ defense stopped Rawlins with plays by Alex Cooley, J.D. Walter and Christian Lee, and the ball went over to the Wolves. Just five plays later, aided by a 15-yard penalty against Rawlins and runs by Hintz, Gomez and Steen, Hintz took the ball in from 17 yards out on a quarterback keeper to get the Wolves back in the game with the score 15-12 in favor of Rawlins.
Just four plays later, Rawlins was once again stopped by the Wolves’ defense. The Outlaws were able to hit an impressive 49-yard field goal — their fourth of the game — to up their lead to 18-12. Green River ran four offensive plays before Covolo, who was everywhere on both offense and defense, knocked the ball out from the Wolves’ ball carrier. The fumble was recovered by Rawlins at the start of the fourth quarter.
Covolo then carried the ball on a series of plays before taking it in for another touchdown, extending Rawlins’ lead to 25-12.
The Wolves got the ball back with a little over seven minutes left on the clock and again moved the ball down the field. However, penalties and another fumble after a big 25-yard run ended the Wolves’ chances for a comeback as time was running out. Rawlins then went on a 10-play drive to run out the clock and secure their first win of the season, 25-12.
The Wolves’ total offense was 247 yards, while Rawlins had 231 yards. However, the Wolves had six turnovers in the game, four interceptions, and two fumbles while the Outlaws did not have any turnovers, which was the difference in the game.
Green River’s Head Football Coach Blaine Christensen commented that “we are very disappointed to leave Rawlins without a win. Turnovers really killed us and any momentum we had on offense.”
He went on to say “It seemed like every time we had something going, the ball ended up in the other teams hands.” The coach felt that “we will learn from this game and will get better.”
Christensen said, looking ahead, “we are looking forward to Worland, and are excited about the opportunity to play in front of our fans once again. It feels like it has been an eternity since we have played at home.”
The coach feels Worland’s Coach Sweeney has done a great job building the Worland football program and that they will bring a lot of athleticism and good size, which means they will have to tackle in space. Christensen noted that they want to finish drives with points. The Coach did feel that “the offensive line has improved throughout the season and we just want to keep building on what we have going.”
The Wolves’ game against Worland will also be the Hall of Fame game, and the Hall of Fame inductees will be announced at halftime. The game will be this Friday, September 15, starting at 6 p.m. at Wolves Stadium.
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