Wolves take 1st conference win

The Green River High School Football Team walked out of Powell's homecoming game Friday night with an important victory, earning their first conference win.

The Wolves started the game with an unsuccessful scoring drive that would take them deep into the Panthers' territory, but ended just short of a touchdown. A field goal attempt from Green River also failed, but Powell wouldn't be able to capitalize on Green River's short drive, being forced to punt to the Wolves after a third-down tackle cost the Panthers 6 yards.

The second drive was more successful, being capped off by a 9 yard pass from quarterback Tyler Vendetti to Camden Croft, who scored the first touchdown of the game. The subsequent PAT was good, giving the Wolves a seven point lead over the Panthers near the end of the first quarter. The Wolves defense continued to lock down the Panthers offensive options, halting their offensive drive throughout the remainder of the quarter. In the second quarter, Green River scored again courtesy of Drew Wilson, which including the extra point brought the Wolves lead up to 14. A third touchdown would come later that quarter when a pass from Vendetti to Chance Hofer resulted in a 96-yard gain. That extra point would get denied by Panther TJ Abraham, the first of two PATs he would block that night.

Abraham was a key component of the Panther's offense. Speaking after Green River's home game against Torrington Sept. 18, head coach Don Maggi said he planned to keep heavy coverage on Abraham whenever the Panthers had the ball, saying the player could cause problems for the Wolves if given a lot of room to work in. Maggi's strategy worked as Powell would use the former Green River resident heavily throughout the night.

The Wolves would hold the Panthers scoreless to the end of the first half, leading by 20 and having no turnovers. The Wolves would continue to dominate in the second half, shifting their strategy to eat up as much of the game clock as they could during their possessions. The Panthers would prevent Green River from scoring in the third quarter, but the Wolves defense, backed up by key plays from Blake Waite, Gage Hunt, Keanu Hill and Brendan Hopkins, would keep Powell from the end zone as well. Maggi said Hill and Hopkins are playing great for not having continued with football throughout their high school years. He said Hopkins last played as a freshman while Hill faced a steep learning curve associated with not playing since middle school.

In the final quarter, Green River widened their lead to 26 points after a touchdown run from Vendetti. Green River's defense almost held Powell completely scoreless, but a late touchdown and extra point with 2:46 left in the game would put the Panthers on the scoreboard.

Green River's overall record became 2-2 with that victory and the Wolves will take on the Jackson Broncs Friday in Jackson. Maggi said Jackson will present problems for Green River due to a very strong running back the team has. The running back, Theo Dawson, is actively being scouted by the University of Wyoming and NCAA Division I teams, according to Maggi.