JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — For the second straight Friday, the Red Devils will host a Broncs team at Kay Fackrell Stadium in Evanston. Jackson is hoping for the same result Cody had last week as both teams defend their 5-1 records tonight.
Jackson comes into the game ranked #2 in the latest WyoPrep Coaches Poll. The Broncs reclaimed the spot behind Cody after Powell’s loss to Star Valley (#3) last week.
Weather could be a factor
Coach David Joyce said he would like to get off to another fast start and put points up early.
“We got out to a fast start for the first time all year last week [against Green River] and really got in a groove,” Joyce said. “The forecast for Friday shows a 90% chance of rain and that field will be in rough shape. It will be important to get points when we can because if it gets sloppy and nobody can move the ball, those early possessions will be key.”
Evanston plays on a grass field at Kay Fackrell Stadium. The turf does not hold water well and field conditions could become a factor, especially for Jackson—a team that plays at home on a fast synthetic surface which suits their high-powered offensive game.
Red Devils offense
Joyce saw a lot of players slipping in Evanston Wednesday when the freshman and JV teams played there. He expects a straight ahead, north-south running game could be the most effective way to go. That would suit Red Devils backs like Carsen Knight (6’0” 185-lbs) and Payton Vernon (6’2” 245-lbs) just fine. The bruising backs use less shake-and-bake than most, preferring to hit the hole hard and keep their legs churning.
“We’ve got to stop their fullback and their quarterback. They are mainly a running team,” Joyce said. “If we can force the ball into other people’s hands, make other players beat us, that will work well for us.”
Evanston will likely get David Perez back from injury. The slashing back running back, along with the speedy Quinton Elmer and the aforementioned undersized but shifty QB Jaxin Moore could cause problems for a Broncs team that has shut down the running game of every team they’ve faced so far this season and last.
Jackson passing game
Weather could ground the passing game to a degree but a bigger problem will be handling the Red Devils outside pass rush. Evanston likes to blitz from the edge. Brady Roberts and Cohen Morrow blitz often from the outside linebacker position, and Jackson has been susceptible to edge speed rushers—particularly on LT Matt Carney’s side.
The Broncs will likely use draws and screen plays, or quick slants and passes in the flat to neutralize the Red Devil rush.
Brody Hasenack could factor big in a game like tonight’s. Evanston head coach Jim Burton certainly hasn’t forgotten him with all the talk of the 3A’s top passing attack averaging 321 a game on te arm of Sadler Smith.
“They can throw, sure, but they’ve got a back over there don’t forget that racked up, what, over 2,000 yards last season? They’ve got a few ways to beat you,” Burton told the Evanston radio team last week.
Jackson vs. Evanston at Kay Fackrell Stadium in Evanston. Kickoff at 6pm. Coverage on SVI Media and KZ95.
