JACKSON, Wyo. — In sports, they call it a big win ‘hangover.’ The idea that after, say, beating your archrival Star Valley in the biggest game of the year, you come out and lay an egg against a weaker opponent the following week.
Think the Jackson Broncs will have a big head going into their game against Green River after that big win over the Braves last week? Think again.
Head coach David Joyce shared a good news/bad news practice scenario with Buckrail this week. Joyce let his kids know they were just named the No. 1 team in the state for 3A in the prep polls, ahead of even undefeated Cody. The players ‘celebrated’ the elevated ranking by performing 140 grueling ‘up downs’ in practice Wednesday as Joyce drilled the point home: You’re only as good as tonight’s game.
“It was just a reminder to them—your crap still stinks kinda thing. Bringing them back down to earth,” Joyce said. “So, if we come out with a hangover it’ll shock me because of the amount of work we did preparing for Green River this week.”
On paper, the Broncs (4-1) should demolish the Wolves (2-2) but they play the game on the gridiron, not in the press box.
Green River’s offense has been sputtering this season, averaging just 15 points per game. Jackson, on the other hand, has been hanging an average of 35 on every opponent this year. But the Wolves’ defense is fairly stingy, holding Lander Valley to a lone touchdown in Week 1, and beating Buffalo 8-6 in Week 2.
“They’ve got some good kids at receiver,” Joyce said.
Wideouts Dylan Taylor (6’2”, 160-lbs) and Seth White (6’ 2”, 175-lbs) are formidable targets for second-year senior quarterback Jachob Fuss, who has been throwing the ball better and better each week. But, ultimately, Green River likes to establish a rushing game and that plays into the Broncs’ strength.
“I think we’ll take that away from them pretty early,” Joyce said, of the Green River running game, “and force them into the pass. We’ve been giving up a lot of pass yardage but we haven’t been giving up a lot of points.”
Jackson has been a bend-but-don’t-break defense, allowing yards between the 20’s but stiffening in the red zone. The Broncs have also been fairly good about not surrendering the big play.
A win tonight is crucial for the Broncs as they end their season with two tough games against Park County powerhouses—Powell and Cody—on October 16 and 23.
Jackson vs. Green River, Friday at Wolves Stadium. Kickoff at 7 p.m. Play-by-play coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. on KZ95 (95.3FM and KZ95.live).
