Wolves football coach is optimistic for new season

The Green River Wolves Football team will kick off the 2024 season with three home games. The Wolves will start by playing a non-conference with perennial 2A power Mountain View before taking on two 3A East Conference opponents, Lander and Rawlins.

Head Football Coach Blaine Christensen is optimistic due to what he believes was "a great off season this spring and summer." During the spring, Christensen indicates the team and coaches "implemented a leadership council made up of upperclassmen." He went on to explain that they had studies and round table discussions about leadership and how to be positive influences with peers.

The coach shared that they also had summer workouts, and he felt that field work went well and that there was great commitment. He said the players also changed physically and improved their confidence.

Adding to the coach's optimism is the fact that the team has a lot of returning players, including Maddux Hintz, James Herwaldt, Ethan Morrell, Declan Henderson, Jakob Lloyd, Jayce Stewart, Daxton Taylor and Chaz Helmandollar. They also have a key contributor returning on special teams in Braxton Doak, who is a great athlete and a very talented kicker, according to Christensen.

The returning players all played a lot last year, so that experience will be beneficial to their performance this season, Coach Christensen said. They also have a few new players, which will further strengthen the squad, according to the coach. This includes Hunter Lake, a great basketball player who is coming out for the first time and has done a "great job in fall camp so far," Christensen added.

The team also has the same group of coaches returning for another year, which is another positive which leads Christensen to conclude that "year two we have the same expectations and the same faces, which will only help this program get to where we want to be."

This Saturday the Wolves will host Mountain View in the season opener for both teams.