JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — The only team standing in Jackson’s way back to a three-peat this season is Kelly Walsh. The Trojans were the only team to hand the Broncs a loss this year, and stood, albeit briefly, at the top of the standings last week.
That didn’t last long.
Jackson 2, Kelly Walsh 0
Minutes into their rematch with the Trojans, Jackson let Kelly Walsh know just who the defending 4A champs are with an early goal from Rutley Heinemann, who was Johnny-on-the-spot after Teddy Opler did most of the heavy lifting to generate a scoring chance less than 5 minutes in.
Jackson controlled the play and nursed that 1-goal lead for most of the next 30 minutes until Opler sprang loose in the box for a pointblank rebound score with 5 minutes left in the 1st half.
Kelly Walsh certainly recognized how dangerous Jackson’s offense is. Time and again the Trojans sucked back on defense, stuffing the box with white shirts and challenging the Broncs to find a shooting lane.
Coach Matt Hoelcher’s team stayed true to their nature, patiently passing and waiting for a shooting opportunity to develop. When they didn’t, the Broncs seemed at least content simply having the ball on their feet all game long.
Jackson 13, Natrona County 0
Jackson mauled the Mustangs 13-0 back on April 8 in Casper. Saturday afternoon, after besting Kelly Walsh the night before, the Broncs hung another unlucky 13-spot on ‘Trona.
Jackson came out flying with aggressive forward play. The speed with the ball is impressive enough with this Jackson team; without the ball, they’re even faster, on opponents in a flash and giving ball carriers little time to decide what they want to do with the rock.
Sahir Romero worked his way into the box from the right wing to score the game’s first goal Saturday…seemingly. It was erased on an offsides so it was ‘play on’ for both teams until a Romero crossing pass was headed in for a goal by Opler just minutes later for the 1-0 lead.
Jackson’s second tally was all Hunter Dewell. The senior weaved, spun, shucked-and-jived his way through several defenders before putting a toe to a dribbler past sophomore keeper Zach Hawley for a 2-0 advantage.
A nifty give-and-go between Dilan Tzompa Perez and Miguel Perez led to Jackson’s 3rd goal by Tzompa Perez. Charlie Hoelscher utilized a favorable breeze to direct a banana corner kick to Miguel Perez for another score.
Opler’s speed set up another extended possession in the box with 6:30 to play in 1st. Dewell rocketed home a missile for the 5-0 lead.
Jackson continued to wear out the 1/3 of synthetic in the Natrona end of the field. Heinemann was the next recipient off pressure created by Opler. He knocked home the Broncs’ 6th goal with minutes remaining in the opening frame.
Tzompa Perez from distance gave Jackson a 7-0 lead just 4 minutes into the 2nd half. On the ensuing kickoff, Hoelscher drove down the middle uncontested for yet another score.
How pretty do you want to make them? That became the theme for the Broncs as Jackson’s 9th goal was a seeing eye pass from Hoelscher to Opler who streaked in on the backside unnoticed for the one-time tap-in.
Hoelscher in traffic made it a 10-0 score.
Freshman backup goalkeeper Owen Beninga had a quiet afternoon for the shutout and coach Matt Hoelscher used the lopsided contest to empty the bench and get JV players some game time experience.
Next up
The Bronc improve to 11-1 and sit atop the 4A conference. Jackson hosts Evanston (3-7-1) Wednesday and Star Valley Braves (4-6-2) Thursday.
