ROCK SPRINGS — The Rock Springs Tigers led fourth-ranked Cheyenne East in the second quarter Friday night, but the Thunderbirds took control after halftime and pulled away for a 31-3 victory at Rock Springs High School.
Rock Springs, which entered the game 0-2, held East scoreless through the first quarter and took a 3-0 lead early in the second. The Thunderbirds eventually found the end zone with seven seconds remaining in the first half, taking a 7-3 advantage that they carried into halftime before adding 24 unanswered points in the second half.
East improved to 2-1 with the win, while Rock Springs fell to 0-3.
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The Tigers’ defense set the tone early. After East won the opening coin toss and took possession, Rock Springs stopped the Thunderbirds on downs when Ezra Horgen made a key play on fourth down, batting away a pass to force an incompletion.
Rock Springs struggled to generate much on its first possession and punted after starting with the ball at its own 31-yard line. East took over at the 40 and later appeared to have another opportunity to keep the drive alive on fourth down, but a holding penalty against Rock Springs changed the situation from fourth-and-13 to fourth-and-3. East elected to go for it, but Kaleb Praytor came up with a tackle for loss to give the Tigers possession at their own 30-yard line.
Rock Springs finally broke through on the scoreboard in the second quarter. The Tigers moved into the red zone, but an offensive penalty on a play that would have resulted in a first down backed them up and left Rock Springs facing a long third down. The Tigers could not convert, but Carter Price connected on a 37-yard field goal to put Rock Springs ahead 3-0.
The Tigers had another opportunity shortly afterward when the ensuing kickoff took an unusual bounce back toward Rock Springs near the 20-yard line. The Tigers won the race to the loose ball and recovered at East’s 27-yard line.
Rock Springs could not turn the short field into another score, however, as the possession ended with a turnover on downs. East then took over at its own 25 and used the remaining time in the half to put together a scoring drive. With seven seconds remaining before halftime, quarterback Trace Eldridge connected with Cooper Hassler for a 20-yard touchdown, giving the Thunderbirds a 7-3 lead.
Rock Springs received the ball to begin the second half but was forced to punt on its opening possession. The Tigers encountered trouble on the punt when the snap bounced to Kason Cahill. Cahill was able to recover the ball and get a kick away, but it traveled only 2 yards, giving East possession at the Rock Springs 36-yard line.
That field position helped shift the game in East’s favor. The Thunderbirds scored on their next four possessions, turning the 7-3 halftime lead into a 31-3 advantage.
Rock Springs struggled to respond offensively in the second half, turning the ball over on downs on its next two possessions before later losing a fumble and throwing an interception in the fourth quarter.
The Tigers finished with 136 yards of total offense and less than 10 total first downs. Boston James led Rock Springs on the ground with 14 carries for 52 yards, while Jernee Padilla rushed nine times for 36 yards and Praytor finished with 10 carries for 35 yards.
Cahill completed two of six passes for 8 yards and threw one interception. James also attempted one pass, giving Rock Springs seven total pass attempts. Both of Cahill’s completions went to Jaycen Wiley.
East finished with 334 yards of total offense and 21 first downs. Eldridge completed 12 of 20 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown while adding 56 yards on 13 carries.
Tyler Stephenson rushed for two touchdowns on nine carries for 40 yards, while Javon Register led East with 60 rushing yards on eight carries and added a touchdown. Tyree McCord caught five passes for 56 yards.
Rock Springs will remain at home next week when the Tigers host Thunder Basin.
Check out photos from the game here.
