Grizzlies drop heartbreaker at Wind River to end season
It wasn’t supposed to end this way.
The Rocky Mountain Grizzlies made the trip to Pavillion Thursday night for a do-or-die game against the Wind River Cougars, with the winner advancing to the playoffs and the loser staying home and looking forward to basketball and wrestling season.
The Grizz played a tough defensive game but fell to the Cougars 6-0, ending their season.
The game was a defensive struggle from the get-go. After forcing a Wind River punt on the first series of the game, the Grizz put together a 10-play drive that included a 25-yard completion from Lafe Files to Mason Moss and strong running by halfback Triffen Jolley. Unfortunately, the drive ended with an interception in the end zone.
The game was a contest of missed opportunities for the Grizz. After forcing Wind River three and out on the Cougars’ second possession, they mounted a nine-play drive that reached the Wind River 9-yard line, only to turn the ball over on downs.
Wind River finally reached pay dirt after driving 80 yards in four plays and scoring on a 34-yard run. The two-point conversion was snuffed, but Wind River led 6-0 late in the first half.
It would be the only touchdown of the game.
Going to their two-minute offense, the Grizzlies threatened late in the half when Files completed a 65-yard pass to Hudson May as time expired, tackled at the Cougar three-yard line.
When Rocky’s first drive of the second half stalled and the Grizz were forced to punt, the snap from center was mishandled, and Wind River had the ball at the Rocky 20. The Grizzly defense rose up to snuff the short Cougar drive, forcing a fumble at the 10 that was recovered by Tayt Beall.
The foes traded defensive stops until midway through the fourth quarter when a nice punt return by Moss ignited a Rocky Mountain drive that reached the Wind River 5 before a mishandled snap turned the ball back to the Cougars. Late in the game a 30-yard screen pass to Jolley moved the ball into Wind River territory at the 41 before a Cougar interception ended the threat.
Coach Jessee Wilson was disappointed in the outcome but also found a silver lining.
“I was obviously disappointed with how the game ended, however, we had some kids step up in some spots and I was proud of them for that,” Wilson said. “John Mader stepped in and played center. That’s a really difficult position to play, and for him to step in as a freshman and play varsity center, I was really proud of him. Hudson May also stepped in and played tight end for us the last two games. He came in and gave his best effort in a position that he typically doesn’t play and made some great plays.
“Due to some sickness going around, Lafe found out he was playing quarterback in this game just a few hours before game time. He stepped up and also made some great plays. Joaquin (Scheeler) also moved over and played H back for us offensively, as well. He was prepared to play quarterback and also found out a few hours prior that he was going to play H back instead. All of those guys stepped up for their teammates, and I am really proud of them and how they kept us in the game until the very end.”
The Grizzlies moved the ball during the game, though they didn’t reach the end zone. The Grizz rushed for 113 yards and passed for 141 for a total of 254 yards. Jolley carried the ball 20 times for 100 yards, and Files completed 7 of 18 passes for 141 yards. Moss was his top target, catching four
passes for 37 yards. May caught one pass for 63 yards, Jolley one for 30 and Will Watts one for 11.
The Grizzlies finished the season 1-6 overall, 1-4 in conference.
“This season was up and down,” Wilson said in summing up the season. “We dealt with a ton of adversity as far as personnel goes this year due to various factors. In fact, I’m not sure that we played two games where we had the same starting lineup. Although we didn’t stack up Ws in the win column, I am really proud of how our players dealt with that adversity and kept us in each game we played.
“We went in each week thinking we could win every game, and it’s hard to keep that mindset when it doesn’t necessarily work out that way each week, but our guys did a great job staying positive despite the challenges we faced over the course of the season.”
Wilson said the Grizzlies struggled with injuries during the season, noting, “Call it bad luck or bad timing, we just struggled to keep the same group of guys on the field each week, which makes it difficult to really grow as a unit when we are moving guys around all the time.
“I’m just proud of our guys, and I’m proud to be their coach. The best part about my job is that I get to work with these kids from the time they are sixth graders in the classroom all the way until they’re seniors on the football field. So when a season ends, it’s tough to let those seniors go, but I’ve enjoyed watching them grow into the young men they are. For our younger guys, I’m excited to see what the future holds for them on and off the football field.”
“Thank you to the community for the support over the course of the season. The pre-game meals, the snacks and support from the stands makes a huge difference. With this season not going the way we all wanted, we appreciate you all showing up each week and supporting our guys.”