ROCK SPRINGS – The Rock Springs Tigers bounced back from an opening week loss to take a close win over Laramie, 14-13.
The Tigers entered Friday night’s game anxious to hear the home crowd for the first time this season while also looking to bounce back after a tough loss to East to open the season. Lightning would dominate the first 45 minutes as the start was delayed.
When play got started Rock Springs offense looked good but much like last week early penalties would slow the Tigers down.
Laramie forced a Rock Springs punt but the Tiger special teams played big early as John Nowland recovered a fumble on the punt return. Marcus Kalista, Wrylee Padilla and Matt Fowler all had positive runs but a Tigers fumble gave the ball right back.
The Plainsmen were the first team to break on the scoreboard as they opened the second quarter with a score. Rock Springs answered right back as Padilla found Oaklan Jenkins on a 31-yard pass to even the game at seven. Right before the half Laramie found the endzone for the second time but a missed extra point would loom big in the end.
The Plainsman took a 13-7 lead into the break. This was the final score of the first-week loss in week one.
Not looking for a similar result, the Tigers came out fired up. The Tigers special teams again played a big role as a punt put the Plainsman inside their own five-yard line.
The Tiger defense forced a Laramie punt which resulted in a big field position swing in favor of the Tigers. Rock Springs took advantage of the short field and with five minutes left in the third, Rock Springs took its first lead on a two-yard blast from Fowler. The score was set up by a nice run by Kalista. The extra point gave the Tigers a one-point lead, 14-13.
In the final minutes of the third and opening of the fourth, Laramie had two long drives. The Tiger defense held on one and recovered a fumble on their own three-yard line to stop the long drives.
The Plainsman had another long drive which moved deep in Tiger territory. The Tigers had the drive stopped once but a penalty moved Laramie inside the five. Rock Springs stepped up and forced an incomplete pass in the corner in the endzone on fourth down to take over with just a couple minutes left.
It would not be easy as the Tigers took over inside the five. The Tigers looked to break out of the shadow of their endzone but a penalty put them right back in. Rock Springs was able to shake off the penalty and get down to business moving the ball out.
The Tigers were able to move the ball and run out the clock for the first win of the season, 14-13.
Offensively, the Tigers finished with 234 yards including 15 first downs on the night. Penalties again hurt the Tigers. They had 15 penalties Friday for 120 yards. They also gave Laramie six first downs on the night. The Tigers defense and special teams came up big forcing key turnovers in the game.
Individually, Fowler finished with 72 yards on 18 carries and a score. Padilla finished with 58 rushing and 46 passing including the 31-yard scoring pass to Jenkins who finished with 40 yards receiving. Kalista had a big night on the ground for Rock Springs with 40 yards running the ball.
Laramie finished with 227 yards of total offense with 159 yards coming on the ground.
