JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — A week after throwing a wet blanket on Star Valley’s homecoming bonfire, the Broncs poured some gasolina on theirs to swamp the Green River Wolves at home last Friday. Jackson enjoyed a bit of a breather in the schedule with an easy win over Green River, 53-12 on a homecoming Friday night.
The Broncs, trimmed in pink for October Breast Cancer Awareness month, were able to get a good look at the things they do well, as well as other areas where they continue to struggle.
Defense solid, but exploitable
On defense, the Broncs still struggle with one-on-one coverage on the outside. Corners Cody Dorsey and Kaleb Lunde look sharp on some plays, but victimized the next—especially by taller wideouts.
As good as the defense is, the Wolves were also able to exploit an overeager pass rush with traps and screens.
Jackson has so far remained healthy. The loss of junior Wyatt Ross (last week against Star Valley) will be tough for the Broncs. They don’t have a lot of interior linemen to spare. Ross was playing right guard on offense and defensive tackle on the other side of the ball.
The return of senior Will Pew helps. The defensive tackle shores up the run defense that didn’t need much help to begin with, and Henry Berezay has filled in adequately at RG on offense.
Offense a juggernaut
On offense, only the Broncs can stop the Broncs right now. When Sadler Smith makes his reads and has time, the results can be devastating to opponents. Nate Keipert is a tough match up for any team without help over the top. Keipert almost always lines up with Sam Scott on his side of the ball—Nate opening up the slot for Scott to work in.
If that side isn’t dangerous enough, Colter Dawson is usually matched up by himself on the other side, and no team has an answer for the hulking Dawson.
Brody Hasenack is getting better and better since his return to full-time duty after a rodeo injury slowed him in the early season. Hasenack is incredibly elusive. Jukes and spin moves create plenty of whiffs, or keep tacklers off-balance; and if you don’t square up #2, you are not going to bring him down. His core strength, for a guy that goes about a buck fifty, as astounding.
A classic Hasenack run can be found on tape at the 7:30 mark of the 3rd quarter against Green River. Dawson and Scott lineup on the short side of the field with Clancy Meagher at flanker over there as well. That leaves the wider part of the field for Nate Keipert who will demand the attention of a cornerback locked in on him and likely a safety over the top to help.
Smith makes a pre-snap read, seeing the left side of the field wide open for Hasenack to romp but he’ll need a good seal block from LT Matt Carney. Carney cracks down on the inside linebacker perfectly. Berezay pulls out and traps an over-zealous DE looking to get to Smith with a pass rush. That leaves outside backer to beat. One shoulder dip from Hasenack does him in. A stiff arm on a pursuing DB takes care of the rest, and Brody is gone to the house like a vapor trail with Keipert making a nice late screen block to ensure Hasenack slips into the endzone untouched.
Hasenack finished with 132 yards on just 14 carries. Sam Scott added another 107, mainly on fly sweeps. Sadler Smith was an efficient 18-20 for 231 yards, 2 TDs and 1 int. Dawson had 86 yards in receiving, Keipert 75.
The Green River radio team called the Broncs, “As advertised…a high-quality football team.”
Next up
Jackson’s romp over the Wolves improves the Broncs’ record to 5-1 (2-0 in conference). The Wolves fall to 1-4.
Jackson travels to Evanston this Friday. The Evanston Red Devils are 5-1 (1-1) on the season. Evanston is coming off a 49-14 loss to Cody last week. The Red Devils defeated Green River 27-7 prior to that.
