JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — The Jackson Broncs (2-1) will look to get back into the win column tonight at home against the Riverton Wolverines (0-3).
Jackson lost more than a football game last week against Pocatello. The Broncs also saw their grip on the #1 slot in the Coaches Poll slip away. Jackson held the top spot from pre-season, but defending state champs, Cody (2-0), have vaulted back to #1.
Riverton might be just what the doctor ordered as the Wolverines come to town still looking for their first win of the season.
Jackson is averaging around 30 points a game in the early going, while the Wolverines score just 10 points on average. The Broncs also manhandled the Wolverines twice last season—one a 57-7 beatdown in the regular season, the other a 61-38 drubbing in the first round of the playoffs.
But look deeper than the surface numbers and it’s easy to make a case for Riverton being one dangerous wolverine headed to Jackson today.
First, forget the record. This team started the season with games against perennial powerhouse Powell and defending champs Cody. That’s not easy.
Second, two words: Lucas Engle. The 6’6” wide receiver is on everyone’s radar in Wyoming. The two-time 3A All-State honoree hauled in 38 passes for 583 yards last season. He’s on nearly every list of prep athletes to watch in 2021.
Expect Engle to also matchup against Nate Keipert as Big Red’s best cover corner, negating any height advantage the Broncs top receiver usually has.
Riverton also has a scary scatback in Kai Girgen. The all-purpose back gave Jackson fits last year as a junior. He’s only gotten bigger and better.
And watch out for quarterback Nathan Hutchison. The junior had been living under the shadow of Damon Devries last season, but is looking to have a breakout year. Hutchison is poised in the pocket and deadly accurate, and Jackson has struggled against teams that like to throw. This is one of them.
Riverton has been susceptible to the run this year, however. The Wolverines are not very big up front. They surrendered 319 yards on the ground to Evanston last week. Watch for Brody Hasenack to be a difference-maker for the Broncs tonight.
Coach Troy Anderson will have his Wolverines hungry for an upset tonight. Riverton would love nothing better than to spend the 3-hour bus ride home boasting about how they knocked off the mighty Broncs in their house.
Meanwhile, Jackson coach David Joyce has to get the boys back on track after last week’s loss. There is a lot to fix on special teams. But if turnovers can be managed and execution made crisper, the Broncs are just a tweak or two from hitting their stride.
Riverton vs. Jackson. William T. McIntosh Stadium in Jackson. Kickoff at 6pm. Watch on SVI Sports Network. Listen on KZ95.
