GREEN RIVER — The Green River Wolves will hit the road Friday night looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they open 3A West Conference play against the undefeated Evanston Red Devils in Evanston.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., with TRN Media’s pregame coverage beginning at 6 p.m. TRN Media’s Erick Pauley will have the call. Fans can listen on 104.9 FM or 1490 AM KUGR, or watch the free live HD video stream on The Radio Network’s Facebook page.
Green River enters the game 2-1 after falling to Douglas 21-20 in overtime last week. Evanston is 4-0 after opening the season with wins over Ben Lomond, Utah, Douglas, Lander Valley and Worland. The Red Devils recorded their first shutout of the season last week, defeating Worland 24-0.
Evanston has built its undefeated start around a powerful rushing attack. The Red Devils rank second in Class 3A with 211 rushing yards per game and are averaging 6.6 yards per carry with 13 rushing touchdowns, all of which rank second in the classification behind Cody. Camden Batt has been one of the biggest reasons for that success. Batt ranks second in 3A with 102.8 rushing yards per game while averaging 9.6 yards per carry and scoring five touchdowns. His longest run of the season has covered 89 yards.
Green River has its own standout running back in Quintin Brown, who ranks third in 3A with 99.7 rushing yards per game. Brown is averaging 4.7 yards per carry and has scored four touchdowns through the Wolves’ first three games.
While Evanston has relied heavily on the ground game, the Red Devils have shown they can make plays through the air when opportunities arise. Evanston averages just 78 passing yards per game, but has thrown five touchdown passes compared with one interception, giving the Red Devils another way to finish drives without putting the ball in harm’s way.
Green River’s defense will be particularly important against an Evanston offense that rarely gives away possessions through the passing game. The Wolves have intercepted five passes this season, tied for the most in 3A, and remain the classification’s top defense in total yards allowed at 172 per game.
Only three touchdowns have been scored against Green River through three games. Evanston ranks second in 3A defensively, allowing 183 yards per game, with opponents scoring five touchdowns against the Red Devils.
Green River’s biggest advantage could come on special teams. Hayden Smith currently leads Class 3A in kickoff return average at 36.2 yards per return, and he provided one of the biggest plays in last week’s overtime loss to Douglas when he returned the opening kickoff of the second half 80 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 7. Irie Kuball has also been a difference-maker, leading 3A with an average of 56.8 yards per kickoff while helping opposing teams begin drives at an average of their own 17-yard line. Kuball also leads the classification with four made field goals and has a 43-yard long, which is the best mark in 3A.
The matchup will put two programs with similar strengths against one another, but Green River will be looking to use its defense and special teams to slow down an Evanston team that enters the week ranked among the top five in Class 3A.
For the Wolves, the challenge will be containing Batt and Evanston’s rushing attack while finding enough offense to capitalize when opportunities arise. Green River’s defense has consistently limited opposing offenses, and its special teams have provided field-position advantages throughout the season.
