GREEN RIVER — The Green River Wolves kept pace with the third-ranked Jackson Hole Broncs for much of their final regular-season home game Friday, but a pair of touchdowns on consecutive offensive plays late in the fourth quarter helped Jackson pull away for a 36-13 victory.

Green River trailed 21-7 entering the final quarter of Senior Night and had an opportunity to cut into the deficit after reaching the Jackson 8-yard line. However, the Wolves came away empty-handed, and the Broncs capitalized with two quick scores to take control of the game.

Jackson improved to 7-1 overall and 3-1 in the 3A West Conference, while Green River fell to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in conference play.

The Broncs wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. After taking the opening kickoff, Jackson needed only two plays before senior running back Cooper Kintzler broke free for a 58-yard touchdown run. Kintzler, who ran a 10.68-second 100-meter dash during last year’s track season, gave the Broncs a 7-0 lead less than a minute into the game.

The teams traded interceptions on their next possessions, with Jackson’s Carson Bizer picking off Green River quarterback Brylan Ginestar before Ginestar responded with an interception of his own. The Wolves could not capitalize on the takeaway, however, as penalties disrupted the drive and Green River gained just one net yard before punting.

Jackson took over at its own 18-yard line, and a few plays later, senior quarterback Ace Emery connected with Kintzler on a screen pass that turned into a 69-yard touchdown. The score extended the Broncs’ lead to 14-0 with less than six minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Green River responded with one of its longest drives of the game, moving the ball from its own 20-yard line down the field and into the end zone. Junior running back Quintin Brown capped the possession with a 3-yard touchdown run with 9:33 remaining in the second quarter. Irie Kuball added the extra point to cut Jackson’s lead to 14-7.

The Wolves’ defense then forced a turnover on downs, giving Green River a chance to tie the game before halftime. The offense could not sustain its next possession, though, and Ginestar used a quick kick to pin Jackson at its own 1-yard line. Jake Stanton and Oliver Wisniewski combined to down the punt near the goal line.

Despite the difficult field position, Kintzler needed only one play to change the game again. The senior running back broke loose for a 99-yard touchdown run, his third score of the first half, to put Jackson ahead 21-7 with less than three minutes remaining.

A running-into-the-kicker penalty on the extra-point attempt gave Jackson an opportunity to kick off from Green River territory. The Broncs attempted an onside kick and recovered it, threatening to add to their lead before halftime.

Green River’s defense responded with a forced fumble by sophomore Colin Lee on Jackson’s first play after the recovery. Kuball recovered the loose ball for the Wolves, and although Green River went three-and-out, the defense held again. Wisniewski intercepted a pass to end Jackson’s next possession, and the teams went into halftime with the Broncs leading 21-7.

Kintzler had already produced a remarkable first half, totaling 292 yards from scrimmage. He carried the ball nine times for 198 yards and three touchdowns while adding three receptions for 94 yards.

Neither team scored in the third quarter, as both defenses tightened up. Neither team completed a pass during the period, Jackson forced a fumble on a strip sack, and Green River blocked a field goal to keep the deficit at 14 points entering the fourth.

The Wolves had a chance to make it a one-score game early in the final quarter after driving deep into Jackson territory. Facing fourth down at the 8-yard line, Green River went for the end zone, with Ginestar looking for Kuball near the back-left pylon. The two could not connect, and the Broncs took over on downs.

Jackson then put together a 92-yard drive, capped by another Kintzler touchdown, this time on a 52-yard run. Kintzler also scored on the two-point conversion to extend the lead to 29-7 with 7:37 remaining.

The very next offensive play proved costly for Green River. After a touchback on the ensuing kickoff, Ginestar looked for a receiver to his left side of the field but was hit as he threw. Jackson’s Mason Ayling intercepted the pass and returned it for a touchdown, pushing the Broncs’ lead to 36-7.

Turnovers continued to trouble the Wolves, who fumbled on the second play of their next possession. Jackson was unable to add to its lead, missing a 46-yard field-goal attempt that went wide left and fell short.

Green River showed some late life with an 80-yard scoring drive. Ginestar connected with Jack Stanton for a touchdown, with Stanton playing tight end after lining up at guard the previous week. The Wolves attempted a two-point conversion with a fake extra-point play but could not convert, leaving the final score at 36-13.

Kintzler finished with 277 rushing yards on 18 carries and 94 receiving yards on three catches, accounting for 371 yards from scrimmage and four total touchdowns. His 52-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was his longest carry of the second half, when he totaled 77 rushing yards on nine attempts.

For Green River, Brown led the ground game with 125 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. Ginestar completed 17 of 30 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions. Kuball led the Wolves with seven receptions for 69 yards, while Stanton finished with five catches for 50 yards and a touchdown. Green River’s longest offensive play was 20 yards.

Sophomore Izik Gardea led the Wolves defensively with 11 total tackles and two tackles for loss, earning 20 defensive points. Lee finished with six tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble, recording 13.5 defensive points. The performances continued a strong season for Green River’s young defensive players, even as the team struggled to contain Jackson’s explosive offense.

The Wolves will close the regular season on the road next week against Cody, the No. 2 team in 3A, as they look to finish conference play on a strong note.