(Riverton, WY) – With one game remaining against winless Rawlins, the Riverton Wolverines are in the driver’s seat for the postseason after a 27-8 win over Torrington at home Friday Night. Riverton is 4-0 in the East 3-A Conference and 7-1 overall on the season.
They have the home field advantage throughout the first two rounds of the playoffs, with the state championship game a possibility in Laramie at War Memorial Stadium if they can run the table.
“It was a well-coached game by their staff,” Riverton head coach Mark Lenhardt said. “They didn’t want our offense to have the ball.”
Torrington surprised Riverton with a single-wing offense that controlled the clock well.
Riverton came out with the same offensive style that has led to such an outstanding season, running the ball behind solid blocking up front and on the quick feet of senior running back Hunter Saltsgaver.
Saltsgaver’s first three carries resulted in three consecutive first downs as he darted, danced, and scooted through the Trailblazer defense.
The drive stalled on a holding call that brought the ball back to the 31. The Wolverines nearly picked up the first and goal anyway on a pass from Blake Gantenbein to Paxon Yeates that took the ball to the 12.
Torrington timed a blitz perfectly and dropped Saltsgaver for a four-yard loss, setting up a fourth and long.
Saltsgaver is a multi-talented player with an outstanding leg. Yeates snapped the ball to Gantenbein on a 33-yard field goal attempt, and Saltsgaver drilled the ball through above the uprights for the game’s first score.
Defensively, Yeates and Brayden Martin had monster games. Martin tallied 37 defensive points, with tackle Kayden Liebrecht scoring 27.
Martin sacked Torrington quarterback Drew Kramer for a six-yard loss, and the Trailblazers punted the ball away.
The key play on the ensuing drive was a flair pass from Gantenbein in the left flat to Saltsgaver that moved the ball to the 18. Three plays later, Saltsgaver scampered into the end zone for a nine-yard scoring run. The Wolverines led 10-0 at the end of the opening period.
Cam Vincent had a sack on the next drive to stall Torrington once again.
The Trailblazer defense picked up its game and slowed the Riverton offense.
On what appeared to be a major face mask, Saltsgaver was jerked backward and fumbled the ball at the 21. Torrington couldn’t take advantage of the field position.
A secret on punt coverage is often the deep snapper. They can’t be touched, and after the ball is released, few blockers look for him.
Yeates snapped the ball and raced directly up the middle of the field on a Gage Treber punt, drilling the Torrington return man as he caught the ball.
“Yeates is our second bullet on punts,” Lenhardt said. “His motor is always going. We thought he’d be solid, but he’s exceeded our expectations.”
Riverton was flagged for pass interference on a face guarding penalty that moved the Trailblazers into the red zone late in the half. They couldn’t move the ball and a 40-yard field goal attempt was wide left.
After a scoreless 10 minutes of the second period. The Wolverines came to life on a 41-yard Gantenbein scramble on a pass play. With 1:54 remaining in the half, the Wolverines led 17-0.
Riverton moved inside the 20 once again as time ticked away, but stalled at the 24. Saltsgaver stepped into a 41-yard field goal attempt and had the distance for 15 more yards.
Riverton led 20-0 at the half.
“Give Torrington credit, we ran well, but we didn’t break any long runs,” Lenhardt said. “Drew Kramer and Landre Greiman played the perimeter well. They’re two of the fastest players in 3-A.”
The third period didn’t change the score, but the Wolverines were on the move again early in the final period.
Tight end Dane Cox caught a Gantenbein pass, made a move, and powered to the one-yard line. Saltsgaver scored from there, and the Wolverines led 27-0 with 8:31 remaining.
Payton Larsen ended a Torrington drive with an interception at the six-yard line and a 24-yard return.
Martin had a power run up the middle but fumbled the ball at the 46.
Torrington added a late score on a 20-yard run by Kramer and a two-point conversion.
The Wolverines are home again next Friday against Rawlins.
“We missed some passes. Clay (Sheets) had the guy beat by 10 yards and we missed,” Lenhardt said. “I think I’m the only one who doesn’t care what the score is as long as we’re ahead.”
RIVERTON 10 10 0 7 – 27
TORRINGTON 0 0 0 8 – 8
First Quarter
RIV – Hunter Saltsgaver 33-field goal 8:40
RIV – Saltsgaver 9-run (Saltsgaver kick) 3:49
Second Quarter
RIV – Blake Gantenbein 41-run (Saltsgaver kick) 1:54
RIV – Saltsgaver 41-field goal :21
Fourth Quarter
RIV – Saltsgaver 1-run (Saltsgaver kick) 8:31
TOR – Drew Kramer 20-run (Garrett Hager pass from Kramer) 3:51