Broncs keep rolling, 10 straight and off to state as #1 in the West
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — With Jackson down two key players, and their best two marked closely by Kelly Walsh, it was a ‘Danny Day’ 1st half for middie Daniel Huerta as the senior converted on virtually identical corner kicks to get the Broncs off to a 2-0 start against the Trojans in Saturday’s 4A Regional title game.
“It was nice to see him put a few in the net. Remember last year he was all-state at striker,” coach Matt Hoelscher reminded.
As a junior, Huerta was a goal-a-game weapon up front with 17 goals and 6 assists on the season—second on the team in scoring to Teddy Opler. This year, Hoelscher shifted his to the back end where he has provided stability and the savvy to sneak into the play when he sees it.
On the two corner kicks Jackson turned into scores it was Huerta who found quiet space a little away from the scrum to knock one in out of the air off his foot (19th minute), and off a header for his 2nd at the 28th minute mark.
“That’s off a set piece,” coach Hoelscher shared. “Danny has a role there.”
With the Trojans making an obvious effort to make sure it wasn’t going to be Teddy Opler or Charlie Hoelscher who hurt them, coach Matt Hoelcher felt confident he had plenty more weapons on the pitch even without Rutley Heinemann (toe) and Sahir Romero (ankle).
It was Huerta who stepped up. Braden Hills also got a chance to show off his speed at center back in the absence of Romero.
The Broncs backline was key in this victory. The Trojans applied a conservative, low pressure forecheck that is only effective if defenders panic and bobble. At the first sign of a crack, Kelly Walsh is ready to pounce.
But the opportunities never came. Danny Huerta, Kai McClennen—they were smooth as silk, often switching fields and tiring forechecking forwards with their crisp passing. The ball moves faster than the player.
“It’s always going to be a ‘numbers up’ situation, even if they send two. We have [goalkeeper] Javi [Huta] back there as well,” Hoelscher said. “We just run those guys into the ground.”
The Broncs big guns can only be held down for so long. Early in the 2nd, an Opler-to-Hoelscher-to-Opler sequence opened enough room for Opler to launch one from a bad angle. No problem. Top shelf over the outstretched arm of Trojan keeper Caden Allaire, who is 6’3”. That made it 3-0 Jackson with 33:30 left in regulation.
Kelly Walsh’s only chance to get back in it came off a dangerous corner kick chance punched out by Huta right to a waiting Rowan Harris. With Huta down and out, Harris’ shot was stopped by either Braden Hills or Chris Tzompa. It was hard to tell on the replay and coach Hoelscher thought it might have been Hills.
The thing is, the Broncs are such a team-first unit, probably no one will take personal credit for the miraculous save to bail out Huta.
Jackson got an insurance goal late from Miguel Perez who bedazzled his way around a trio of Trojan defenders before dishing a nifty centering ball to Chris Tzompa who couldn’t help but chip it in past Allair as the pass landed right on his foot.
Next up
With the win, Jackson secured its 10th straight victory to improve to 15-1. Kelly Walsh is the only team to best the Broncs. That was back on April 9. The Broncs will also nab the top seed in the 4A West. That will match them up with Thunder Basin (6-9-2) to in the opening round of the state tournament beginning Thursday, May 19.
