GREEN RIVER — The Green River Wolves came within a goal-line stand of knocking off the No. 4 team in Class 3A on Friday night, falling 25-20 to the undefeated Evanston Red Devils in a 3A West Conference game.
The loss dropped Green River to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play, while Evanston remained unbeaten at 5-0.
Green River struck first when Noah Hemphill scored on a 74-yard punt return with 6:31 remaining in the second quarter. Hayden Smith took the reverse and handed it to Hemphill, who took the return the rest of the way for a touchdown. Irie Kuball added the extra point to give the Wolves a 7-0 lead.
Evanston answered with a touchdown pass with about a minute remaining in the second quarter, but Green River’s Jake Stanton blocked the extra point to preserve a 7-6 lead for the Wolves heading into halftime. Evanston quarterback Kayson Brady was injured on the scoring play and did not return, with Xander Kopp taking over at quarterback.
Green River regained the lead early in the third quarter on a trick-play sequence. Smith handed the ball to Quintin Brown, who pitched it back to Smith. Smith then found Jonah Friebel for a 28-yard gain to put the Wolves inside the 5-yard line. Smith finished the drive with a rushing touchdown, putting Green River ahead 14-6.
Evanston responded with a pair of rushing touchdowns from Camden Batt. The first came on a power run in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 14-12 after a failed two-point attempt. The teams then traded fumbles on consecutive plays, with Green River recovering the first before Evanston recovered the next.
Evanston eventually took advantage of the short field, with Batt scoring again on a 10-yard run. The Red Devils missed another two-point attempt but took an 18-14 lead.
Green River then threw an interception, giving Evanston another short field. The Red Devils turned it into another touchdown and made the extra point to extend their lead to 25-14 with 8:54 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Wolves answered with a scoring drive of their own. Brylan Ginestar connected with Kuball for a 9-yard touchdown with about 6:40 remaining, but Green River’s two-point attempt failed, leaving Evanston ahead 25-20.
Green River’s defense then forced a stop, giving the Wolves one final opportunity.
The Wolves drove inside the Evanston 5-yard line but were unable to finish the comeback. After Green River had to spike the ball, the Wolves faced a third down with time winding down. On fourth down, with 0.1 seconds remaining, the pass was broken up as time expired, preserving the victory for Evanston.
Ginestar completed 14 of 26 passes for 145 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Kuball led Green River with five receptions for 37 yards. Brown carried 10 times for 42 yards, while Smith rushed seven times for 37 yards and a touchdown. Smith also split snaps at quarterback in Green River’s wildcat package.
Green River returns to action next week, hosting Powell for Homecoming.
