GREEN RIVER — The Green River Wolves opened a new era Friday night with a defensive battle, rallying from an early deficit to defeat Rawlins 12-3 in their season opener and first game under head coach Brennan Walk.
The victory gave Walk his first win as Green River’s head coach and provided the Wolves with a strong start after last week’s controlled scrimmage against Mountain View.
But there was more than a new season and new coaching era at stake for Green River.
The Wolves played Friday’s game with freshman teammate Landon Vaughn in mind after he recently lost his mother. Vaughn helped lead the team out of the tunnel before kickoff as Green River opened its season at home.
Rawlins struck first when Fisher Murry connected on a 35-yard field goal in the first quarter, giving the Outlaws a 3-0 lead heading into the second quarter. Green River gradually found its rhythm on offense, with sophomore quarterback Brylan Ginestar helping guide the Wolves in his first varsity start.
Ginestar had received playing time with the junior varsity during last week’s scrimmage against Mountain View, but Friday marked his first varsity start. He became the first sophomore quarterback to start for Green River since Max Hintz did so during his sophomore season before going on to start until he graduated last year.
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The Wolves took their first lead of the season with about six minutes remaining in the first half when Quintin Brown broke free for a 9-yard touchdown run. The extra point hit the right upright, leaving Green River with a 6-3 advantage.
Green River continued to move the ball late in the half and added two more scores before halftime, both coming on field goals from Irie Kuball. Kuball’s longest kick traveled 43 yards as the Wolves extended their lead to 12-3 at halftime.
Neither team found the end zone in the second half, and Green River’s defense held Rawlins scoreless the rest of the way to preserve the 12-3 victory.
Brown carried the offensive load for the Wolves, rushing 27 times for 151 yards and a touchdown. Green River finished with 173 rushing yards on 40 attempts, averaging 4.3 yards per carry, and picked up nine first downs on the ground. The Wolves also threw for 50 yards on 15 attempts. Ginestar completed five passes, finding five different receivers: Kuball, Konnor Sleight, Hayden Smith, Jonah Friebel and Jake Stanton.
In his first start, Ginestar completed 5 of 15 passes for 50 yards and threw two interceptions. He also carried the ball eight times for 15 yards.
Green River finished with two fumbles, but the Wolves’ defense helped offset the offensive turnovers by consistently putting pressure on the Rawlins offense. The Wolves forced six negative plays, with Smith and Noah Hemphill each recording an interception. Hemphill also added a pass breakup, while Colin Lee recorded two tackles for loss and a sack.
Rawlins was led offensively by Carston Bartlett, who rushed nine times for 33 yards. Bartlett also completed 5 of 15 passes for 34 yards and threw two interceptions.
The 12-3 victory gives Green River an early win in Walk’s first season at the helm and gives the Wolves momentum as they continue the season after reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2017 last year.
