JACKSON, Wyo. — It was a fun one for fans but maybe not for the guys wearing the headsets on the sidelines as the Broncs and Wolves started off Friday’s game trading sloppy haymakers.
Unfazed by their underdog status or, perhaps, because of it, Green River shocked Jackson early and often, jumping out to 7-0 and 14-7 leads. They did it through trick plays and going vertical as the Jackson defense was shaky in the opening quarter, missing assignments and tackles.
The turning point was a gift. A called screen play that put so much pressure on Green River quarter Jachob Fuss he simply threw it right to Jackson defensive lineman Jack Brown who rumbled 30 yards for the pick-6 that put the Broncs up for good.
It’s been receiver core by committee in the absence of Nate Keipert. Colter Dawson is quickly emerging as a dependable receiver out of the tight end position. Sam Scott has been the dangerous deep threat. Sam Lopeman, however, continues to struggle with dropped passes.
Brody Hasenack had another strong outing. Coach David Joyce is beginning to dial up different looks to get Hasenack the ball as opponents know going in #2 is the guy to stop. Like last year’s playoff game against Star Valley, Hasenack took several snaps in the wildcat formation.
Jackson was again physical on defense. The Wolves got little going between the tackles on the ground. Speed and aggressiveness from the linebacker core make it difficult for teams to get the edge on Jackson through sweeps. It’s really been the passing game defense that has hurt the Broncs.
Several times Scott locked up in man-on-man coverage had his man blanketed, but the 6’4” Dylan Taylor simply outfought Scott for the ball. At the other corner, Fort Crain-Evenson has been improving each week. His coverage was also good for the most part Friday but heigh mismatches were exploited by Green River.
The Broncs continued their strong red zone defense against the Wolves and the high-powered offense was simply too much for Green River as Jackson secured an impressive 63-17 win on the road.
Penalties, turnovers, and missed assignments in the secondary have to be cleaned up for the championship run as the schedule just gets tougher with Powell and Cody to close the season after this week’s home game with Evanston.
Jackson moves to 5-1 with the win and is likely to retain the #1 ranking in 3A even though #2 Cody also demolished its opponent, Evanston, by a score of 61-14.
