GREEN RIVER — The Green River Wolves saw their undefeated start come to an end Friday night, falling to the Douglas Bearcats 21-20 in overtime during Green River’s Hall of Fame game.

Green River entered the matchup 2-0 with the top-ranked defense in Class 3A in terms of yards allowed per game, while Douglas came in 0-2 after opening the season against two ranked opponents. In rainy conditions that included a 30-minute lightning delay just two plays into the game, the Bearcats took advantage of Green River’s turnovers and held on for the road victory.

The weather affected both teams throughout the game, but Green River’s first turnover helped Douglas establish its first scoring opportunity. The Wolves fumbled a snap in the first quarter and could not recover the wet ball, giving the Bearcats possession around the Green River 40-yard line.

The drive carried into the second quarter, when Douglas also fumbled a snap. The Bearcats recovered after losing nearly 20 yards, leaving them with second-and-26, but they recovered from the mistake and turned the possession into the game’s first points.

Witten Meeks connected with Landon Martinez for a 19-yard gain on third down to help move the Bearcats into scoring position. Facing fourth-and-7 from the Green River 10, Douglas called timeout before deciding to go for it. Meeks found Martinez again, this time for the touchdown, giving Douglas a 7-0 lead with more than half of the second quarter remaining.

The touchdown was particularly significant for a Douglas offense that had yet to score this season. The Bearcats entered the game with only a defensive touchdown on the season, but the young varsity group put together the scoring drive when it needed it.

Green River moved into field-goal range before halftime but could not convert in the rainy conditions, sending the Wolves into the break trailing 7-0.

The first half was a defensive battle, with neither team producing a play longer than 20 yards. Green River ran 17 offensive plays for 66 yards and averaged 2.3 yards per rushing attempt, while Douglas ran 23 plays for 92 yards and averaged 2 yards per carry on 15 rushing attempts. Both teams recorded four first downs.

Brylan Ginestar was efficient through the air in the opening half, completing all four of his attempts for 36 yards. Green River’s longest play was a 16-yard completion to Jonah Friebel, while Douglas’ longest was the 19-yard completion from Meeks to Martinez.

The Wolves responded immediately after halftime. Green River received the opening kickoff and initially struggled to handle the wet ball, but Hayden Smith picked it up and raced 80 yards for a touchdown. Irie Kuball added the extra point, tying the game at 7 with just 15 seconds gone in the second half.

From there, the two defenses traded stops until Douglas created another big play late in the fourth quarter.

With 9:38 remaining, Green River attempted a screen pass on the right side. The Bearcats met the receiver as he caught the ball, knocking it loose. Officials ruled the play a backward pass and fumble, and Milo Oria recovered the ball for Douglas and returned it for a touchdown.

It was Oria’s second fumble recovery of the game after also recovering the earlier botched snap, and his defensive touchdown put Douglas back in front 14-7.

Green River answered with an 81-yard drive, using several chunk plays through the air before Quintin Brown finished the possession with a 1-yard touchdown run. Kuball’s extra point tied the game at 14 with the fourth quarter winding down. The Wolves had one final opportunity to win in regulation after Dominic Hamel intercepted a Douglas pass with 1:40 remaining, but Green River could not turn the takeaway into points, sending the game to overtime.

Douglas received the ball first in overtime and began 10 yards from the end zone, with four plays to score. The Bearcats needed only two plays, with Meeks scoring on a quarterback sneak for his first rushing touchdown of the season. The extra point was nearly blocked but went through to give Douglas a 21-14 lead.

Green River then needed a touchdown and extra point to tie or could attempt a two-point conversion for the victory. Brown scored his second touchdown of the night on the Wolves’ third play of the possession, bringing Green River within one. Rather than kick the extra point and extend the game, Green River elected to go for the two-point conversion and the win.

The Wolves used a reverse, with the ball eventually reaching Smith, who looked to throw back to Ginestar. The pass was incomplete, ending the game and giving Douglas the 21-20 victory.

Green River finished with 196 yards of offense on 40 plays, averaging 4.9 yards per play. The Wolves recorded nine first downs but turned the ball over three times. Douglas finished with 184 yards on 47 plays, averaging 3.9 yards per play, and recorded seven first downs. The Bearcats had one turnover, coming with less than two minutes remaining in regulation. Despite outgaining Douglas, Green River was unable to overcome the difference in turnovers.

Ginestar turned in his most efficient game of his young varsity career, completing 12 of 15 passes for 125 yards. Brown led the Wolves in rushing with 37 yards on 15 carries and scored both of Green River’s offensive touchdowns.

TRN Media named Smith and Hamel its Players of the Game. Smith had the 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and added three receptions for 24 yards, while Hamel recorded the interception and finished with nine tackles.

Green River will look to rebound next week when the Wolves travel to Evanston.