It was a long second half for the Shoshoni Wranglers at home Friday afternoon against the visiting Pine Bluffs Hornets. The Wranglers tied the game at 6-6 on the second play of the second quarter when sophomore Carson Kisling crashed in from the one-yard line, but it was all Pine Bluffs after that.
Shoshoni gave up 39 unanswered points, 21 in the third period and 33 in the second half.
Wrangler senior Quinton Clark had an outstanding game, leading the Wranglers in tackling with many solo in the open field. He delivered many pad popping hits on Hornet runners and receivers.
Pine Bluffs has an excellent quarterback in Carter Freeburg . He completed all of his first seven attempts to four different receivers but Justin Lerwick was his favorite. The duo combined for a 68-yard strike just three plays after the Wranglers tied the game.
Shoshoni’s scoring drive came on a pair of fourth-down conversions, an encroachment penalty and a pair of pass interference calls.
The game was engaging through the opening half but in the third period, the Pine Bluffs line began to dominate the game.
Freeburg was never touched behind solid front line blocking while Kisling was blasted five times when unabated Hornet defenders smashed him in the back field. Wrangler quarterback Braxton Mills was sacked three times and forced to scramble out of the pocket many more.
The East Conference dominated the West in opening weekend action on Friday. Lusk made the monumental trek to Cowley to beat Rocky Mountain 22-12. Wright handled Greybull 34-8 at home, with fifth ranked Southeast Goshen beating second-ranked Big Piney 30-8 and top-ranked Lingle-Ft. Laramie rolling over Wind River 63-14 in Lingle.
The Wranglers host the Cheyenne East Sophomores next Friday at 4 p.m.
SHOSHONI 0 6 0 0 – 6
PINE BLUFFS 6 6 21 12 – 45
First Quarter
PB – Lerwick 11-pass from Freeburg (kick failed) 8:10
Second Quarter
SHO – Carson Kisling 1-run (kick failed) 11:44
PB – Lerwick 68-pass from Freeburg (kick failed) 10:40
Third Quarter
PB – Ty Scarbough 15-run (Freeburg kick) 7:47
PB – Freeburg 35-run (Freeburg kick) 4:14
PB – Jesus Solis 1-run (Freeburg kick) 1:39
Fourth Quarter
PB – Scarborough 11-run (pass failed) 8:37
PB – Solis 65-run (kick failed) 6:24