GREEN RIVER — The Green River Wolves head to Cody for their final game of the regular season, facing the second-ranked Broncs in a matchup that could determine whether Green River’s season continues into the playoffs. The Wolves need a win to keep their postseason hopes alive, but they will also need help elsewhere in the 3A West Conference standings.
Green River enters the week at 3-4 overall and 1-3 in conference play after a 36-13 loss to Jackson in its final regular-season home game. Cody is 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the West, while Star Valley leads the conference at 7-1 and 4-0. Jackson is also 7-1 and 3-1, followed by Evanston at 5-3 and 1-3. Powell sits at 3-5 and 0-4.
With one week remaining, Green River needs to defeat Cody to remain in the playoff picture. The Wolves will also be watching the matchup between Evanston and Powell, as a Powell victory could provide the help Green River needs to improve its position in the standings. The combination of results will determine whether the Wolves earn a postseason opportunity.
The challenge against Cody will be substantial. The Broncs enter the regular-season finale with the top offense in Class 3A, averaging 412 total yards per game. Their ground game leads the classification at 214 rushing yards per game, giving Green River a difficult assignment against one of the state’s most productive offenses.
Cody quarterback Cache McFadden is central to that success. McFadden ranks fourth in the state in rushing yards per game among all 3A players, averaging 84.3, and third in passing yards per game at 187.0. He has accounted for 27 total touchdowns this season, throwing for 16 and running for 11, while throwing only three interceptions.
Cody has scored 46 touchdowns while committing just nine turnovers this season. Green River, by comparison, has recorded 15 touchdowns and 18 turnovers. The Wolves will need to limit mistakes and take care of the ball to keep pace with one of the state’s most productive offenses.
Green River averages 222 total yards per game, ranking ninth in 3A. The Wolves average 93 rushing yards per game, tied for 11th, while their 129 passing yards per game rank sixth. The passing game has been the more productive part of the offense in most games, but the Wolves will need to sustain drives and limit mistakes to keep pace with Cody.
Last week against Jackson, Green River stayed within striking distance for much of the game. The Wolves trailed 21-7 entering the fourth quarter and had a chance to cut the deficit to one score after reaching the Jackson 8-yard line. The drive ended on downs, however, and the Broncs responded with a 52-yard touchdown run before returning an interception for a touchdown on the next offensive play.
Green River finished with 13 points, including a late touchdown pass from Brylan Ginestar to Jake Stanton. Quintin Brown led the Wolves’ rushing attack with 125 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries, while Ginestar completed 17 of 30 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. The Wolves also showed defensive resilience at times, including a blocked field goal and a forced fumble, but turnovers and missed opportunities proved costly.
Those lessons will be important against Cody. The Wolves need to limit turnovers, find ways to slow McFadden and the Broncs’ rushing attack, and make the most of their offensive possessions in a game with little room for error.
Green River enters the finale knowing a win is essential to keeping its playoff hopes alive. With Cody looking to close its regular season on a strong note and the Wolves fighting to extend theirs, Friday’s matchup will be one of the most important games of Green River’s season.
