Battle of the Tetons goes to Jackson

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — The Jackson Broncs began the season with a dominant performance against the Teton Timberwolves after a brief scare on the opening kickoff.

The season wasn’t 10 seconds old when the visitors put Jackson in a 6-0 hole after Hunter Johnson took Jonathon Vazquez Vargas’ opening kickoff 89 yards to the house as he raced down the left sidelines untouched.

The Broncs fixed their kick coverage, and later would actually recover a pooch kick thanks to the speedy Fort Crain Evenson, on their way to a 51-20 win Friday night.

Jackson put up points off every possession in the first half as Sadler Smith and Colter Dawson developed a little chemistry—the pair connecting at least 6 times before the half.

Smith later spread the ball around to his other fav’ targets—Nate Keipert and Sam Scott. This core of receivers is going to drive defenses crazy this season. Keipert with his size and speed is going to demand double coverage on throwing downs. That should free up Scott in the slot or Dawson, who is simply too much for any one defender to tackle.

Coach David Joyce says he wants to throw more this season and it’s easy to see why.

Without starting halfback Brody Hasenack, who is nursing a mild knee sprain suffered riding bulls at the rodeo (his ‘other’ sport), Joyce dialed up his son’s number.

Jack Joyce had a good night, showing a real ability to keep his feet under him even as a 5’9” freshman with not a lot of bulk. Joyce isn’t exactly shifty. He’s a real north-south runner who secures the football and hits the line quickly, making the most of whatever’s there.

Sophomore Thomas May also showed flashes returning kicks and out of the backfield.

The Broncs defense looked very good. Granted, Teton did not have many weapons on the offensive side of the ball, but Jackson’s pass rush was relentless all night, harassing and hurrying Wolves’ quarterback Jerom Heuseveldt on nearly every throw.

Coach Joyce didn’t show much as far as the playbook. His play-calling was simplified in the easy victory in order to keep future opponents from gaining much intel from film. Friday, it was more about execution than creativity.

Coach Joyce also has to be pleased with the clean game the Broncs played. Few penalties and no turnovers until backup QB Seb Brunner threw an ill-advised prayer into traffic after scrambling out of the pocket.

It was a solid win to start the season. A confidence builder for sure. A good crowd was on hand for the game including a rowdy pep rally section of students who stomped the bleachers all game long and stormed the field at the conclusion.

Jackson hosts Bear Lake this Friday at home. Jackson beat the Bears last year at their place 50-21. Bear Lake rolled Big Piney in their season opener at home 42-13.