CASPER — The Kelly Walsh Trojans controlled the clock for much of Friday night, using a methodical ground game to defeat the Rock Springs Tigers 21-6.
The loss dropped Rock Springs to 0-5 on the season, while Kelly Walsh improved to 2-3.
Kelly Walsh received the opening kickoff after it went out of bounds, taking possession at its own 35-yard line. The Trojans kept the ball on the ground and in bounds throughout their opening drive, using 6 minutes, 20 seconds to march down the field before Quinn Alvar scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.
Rock Springs responded with an extended drive of its own. The Tigers took over with 5:40 remaining in the first quarter and kept the ball for 8 minutes, 1 second, moving inside the Kelly Walsh 5-yard line. Rock Springs faced first-and-goal but could not finish the drive. The Tigers gained only a few yards over the next four plays and turned the ball over on downs at the Kelly Walsh 2-yard line.
The Tiger defense forced a punt, but Rock Springs went three-and-out on its next possession and turned the ball over on downs again, giving the Trojans possession at their own 39-yard line with just under four minutes remaining in the half.
Kelly Walsh again used its ground game to move down the field, with Alvar scoring his second touchdown of the half on a rushing play with 10 seconds remaining.
The Trojans added another score before halftime. After a touchback and a penalty moved Rock Springs back to its own 15-yard line, Kason Cahill dropped back to pass and tried to find Kaleb Praytor over the middle. Praytor was hit well before the ball arrived, and the Tigers were unable to get a pass interference call. Kelly Walsh’s Parker Hill intercepted the pass and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Trojans a 21-0 lead at halftime.
The final few plays of the half also brought injuries for Rock Springs, with Cahill and running back Boston James both going down and missing the remainder of the game.
Max Gard took over at quarterback for the Tigers in the second half, while Kaleb Praytor assumed a larger role in the backfield and Ezra Horgen also saw increased action.
Rock Springs punted on its first two possessions of the second half, but the Tiger defense eventually provided the offense with a scoring opportunity by recovering a fumble in Trojans territory. Rock Springs took over at the Kelly Walsh 36-yard line.
The ensuing drive was marked by penalties on both teams. At one point, Rock Springs faced third-and-26 before a facemask helped the Tigers earn a first down.
Praytor appeared to put Rock Springs on the board with a 5-yard touchdown run, but a holding penalty erased the score. Gard then connected with Horgen for a 14-yard touchdown to put the Tigers within 21-6 after Kelly Walsh blocked the extra-point attempt.
Kelly Walsh regained possession and used the clock to its advantage once again, taking much of the remaining time off the clock before Rock Springs’ comeback attempt ended.
The Trojans attempted only two passes all night and completed both, keeping the clock running for the majority of the game aside from timeouts, quarter changes and plays that went out of bounds.
Rock Springs attempted 11 passes and completed three. Gard finished 3 of 9 passing for 20 yards and a touchdown in the second half. Praytor led the Tigers on the ground with 18 carries for 86 yards. James had eight carries for 41 yards before leaving the game with an injury.
Alvar led Kelly Walsh with 18 carries for 85 yards and two touchdowns, while Hunter Izatt added 62 yards on 10 carries.
Rock Springs will remain on the road next week when it travels to face Cheyenne Central.
