Wolves lose close Conference home opener

The Green River Wolves Football team played much better in their second game of the season. They had a chance to win late in the fourth quarter, but came up short 21-14 to the Lander Tigers.

The Tigers held the Wolves, who had their moments, to 112 yards total offense. A lot of fine defensive play stopped the Wolves at or behind the line of scrimmage throughout the game. The Wolves made fewer mistakes for penalties and caused Lander to turn the ball over a number of times, which kept Green River in the game.

Lander came into the game with the belief, according to their head coach, that they had a size advantage on their offensive and defensive line and they had some big backs that could move. That assessment appeared to be correct, and to be the difference in the game.

Lander won the coin toss and elected to receive to start the game. Early on, a Lander fumble caused by Max Hintz was recovered by Dax Taylor for the Wolves. Taylor ran it in to the end zone for a quick early lead for Green River of 7-0 after the point after touchdown (P.A.T.) kick by Braxton Doak was good.

Lander wasted no time, and after a big kickoff return to the 45 yard line with a touchdown-saving tackle by sophomore Dom Hamel, the Tigers mounted a long drive culminating in a three-yard touchdown run. With the point after kick good, Lander tied the Wolves 7-7.

The Wolves took over, but Lander's defense stopped them with a three and out, and the Wolves punted the ball back to Lander. Lander then mounted another long drive, but was stopped by another excellent Wolves defensive play when Dax Taylor intercepted a pass at the beginning of the second quarter. Once again the Wolves were stopped by Lander's defense with three plays and had to punt. Lander then ran three plays ending in a field goal attempt that was blocked by the Wolves and recovered by Hintz.

The Wolves on their next series had the ball intercepted in an exchange of turnovers with Lander getting the ball back. Lander then completed a 79-yard pass play to go ahead 13-7 with the P.A.T blocked. The two teams exchanged series with the score remaining 13-7 going into half time.

After half time, the Wolves executed a short drive but were stopped by the Tiger defense and had to punt. Lander mounted a quick drive ending in a pass completion for a touchdown, expanding their lead to 21-7 after the P.A.T was good.

The two teams were both unable to mount any scoring drives and ended the third quarter at 21-7.

The Wolves shut out Lander in the fourth quarter and scored another touchdown of their own, closing the gap to 21-14 with plenty of time remaining. However, they were stopped by Lander's defense on a couple of offensive series, and Lander took the win 21-14.

Lander finished the game with 209 rushing yards, averaging 4.5 yards per carry while limiting the Wolves to 26 rushing yards at an average of one yard per carry due to a number of stops for no gain or short losses.

Green River had three players with 20 or more defensive points, led by Hintz with 29, followed by Declan Henderson with 25 and Evan Maser with 20.

Coach Christensen, in a post game interview, expressed his deep disappointment with the loss but vowed the Wolves would get back after it starting Monday and will be looking for players to step up their game and team leadership.

The Wolves will be at home again this Friday for the Hall of Fame Game against Rawlins starting at 7 p.m.