Buffs on verge of conference title after downing Rocky Mt.

With their playoff destinies on the line and emotions running high, it was a “peanut punch,” of all things, that helped Greybull defeat Rocky Mountain 22-14 and seize control of the Class 1A West Conference race Friday night.

The Buffs started quickly, scoring on their first two possessions to build an early 16-0 lead, but the Grizzlies clawed their way back with 14 of their own to pull to within two at the half.

As the third quarter was winding down, the Grizzlies trailed 22-14 but had the Buffs on the ropes, driving for what would have been the potential tying score when Anthony Chacon intervened.

Rocky’s Triffen Jolley had burst through the line and was sprinting toward the goal-line when Chacon, a cornerback, came off his man, caught Jolley at about the 5-yard-line and, with a mighty swipe, jarred the ball loose. It rolled into and out of the end zone for a touchback, ending the drive.

“I could feel the momentum shift in our favor when that happened,” said Coach Jeremy Pouska, whose team improved to 6-0 and took a significant step toward claiming not only the conference title but also  home-field advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs.

“(Jolley) was doing a good job carrying the ball, but that little peanut punch really sent it flying,” Pouska said. “Interestingly enough, it’s one drill we really emphasized during the week in practice.  We had three lines, secured a football on a tackling wheel with a bungee cord and had every guy step up in that drill. Their emphasis was to punch the ball out and make the tackle. 

“Anthony was one of the guys who was really proficient in doing that — and we’re all glad it served him well in the game.”

It was one of several big plays that helped the home team prevail on a happy homecoming.

The Buffs made their first two drives look easy, leaning on their top-ranked running game.  Bennett Sanford punctuated the first one, scoring on a 4-yard run.  Jesse Brown hauled in a pass from Caden Hunt for the two-pointer, staking the Buffs to an 8-0 win.

Soon after, Hunt, the senior quarterback, added second score on a run that covered 20 yards, then connected with Yandel Hernandez for two, making it 16-0.

“I told the guys before the game, we’re not here to compete — we’re here to dominate and make a statement,” Pouska said of his team’s fast start. “Those guys really answered the call.”

Rocky Mountain responded, however, dominating play in the second quarter.  Aside from a Greybull three-and-out, the Grizzlies held the ball for most of it, scoring twice.

It came as no surprise to Pouska. “We know from experience that Rocky Mountain is a team that, just because they’re down, doesn’t mean they’re out.  They’ll be physical from the beginning to the end.”

The second half produced just a single touchdown — Sanford scored it on a 4-yard run in the third— but the Greybull defenders made it stand up.

A big reason was were three Rocky Mountain turnovers.  Hunt provided the first one with an interception.  Chacon, deliverer of the momentum-swinging peanut punch, eventually nailed down the win, intercepting a pass inside the 10-yard line with about a minute to play, setting the Buffs up for victory formation.

“Anthony had a great game and stepped up in a huge way,” said Pouska.  “And folks think the wishbone is an easy offense to run, but I think Caden (Hunt) showed in this game it takes a special person to make this offense shine.  He made a lot of really good reads.  It was amazing to see for a senior whose been in the system for four years, taking that type of leadership role on the field.”

Statistically, just 34 yards separated the teams. The Buffs finished with 310 yards of total offense, a season low, compared to Rocky’s 276.

Looking ahead

The Buffs finish the season with back-to-back Thursday games, playing at Wind River today and hosting Wyoming Indian next week.  If they win either of those games, they will wrap up the conference title. It would be the first for Pouska and staff, who relished the final seconds of the win over Rocky Mountain.

“There was so much running through my head in those moments,” he said. “Most important of all was how happy I was for these kids. Day in and day out, they work their butts off, striving for a goal, which is to win state.  With this win, we’re one step closer.”

Game time tonight in Pavillion is at 6 p.m.  A junior varsity game will precede it at 3:30 p.m.

Rocky Mt. 0 14 0 0 — 14

Greybull 16 0 6 0 — 22

G — Bennett Sanford 4-yard run (Jesse Brown pass from Caden Hunt)

G — Hunt 20-yard run (Yandel Hernandez pass from Hunt).

RM — Mason Moss 3-yard run (Triffen Jolley run).

RM — Moss 5-yard run.

G — Sanford 1-yard run.

RUSHING — Rocky Mt.  33-214; Greybull 57-310 (Caiden Sorenson 18-95, Caden Hunt 12-94, Bennett Sanford 17-82, Jesse Brown 10-39).

PASSING — Rocky Mt. 4-of-9 for 62 yards; Greybull 1-of-4 for 2 yards.

DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS — Sorenson (5 assisted tackles, 4 solo tackles) and Hunt (1 assist, 3 solos, 1 TFL, 1 interception) led with 13 defensive points.  Yandel Hernandez had 11 (5 assists, 2 solo, 2 TFLs).  Anthony Chacon had 10 (2 assists, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception).  Mason Richardson had 10 (4 assists, 3 solo).  Clayton Didrickson had 10 (3 assists, 2 solo, 1 TFL, 1 pass break-up).