After shutting out the opposition for six straight quarters, Wood River High's football team surrendered 34 points in just 24 minutes of play against a physical and well conditioned Hillcrest squad in Hailey last Friday.
They face a potentially tougher opponent in Minico tonight.
After the Wolverines (1-1) rolled over Filer 42-0 in the season opener two weeks ago, Hillcres provided a harsh reminder that rebuilding a football program takes time. The Knights won 34-13.
"We were all kind of embarrassed," Wood River head coach Mike Glenn said about the Hillcrest game. "But the thing about football is there isn't much time to feel sorry for yourself, you have to go back out and compete the next week."
Glenn said his team was simply overpowered and worn down Friday night, but "all was not lost."
Down 13-0 at the half, Hillcrest scored 20 points in the third quarter and another 14 in the fourth.
"They came out in the second half and said 'We're going to smack these guys in the mouth,' and they did," Glenn said, adding that his guys, many of whom play both ways, became exhausted.
"When you reach that fatigue level, you start doing things you normally don't do," Glenn said. "And Hillcrest just kept coming after us."
The Wolverines won't get a break tonight, as they hit the road for the first time this season to face an undefeated Minico team which has scored 71 points and given up just 27 in their first two contests. Sophomore quarterback Dane Broadhead has thrown for close to 400 yards and senior tailback Dale Sayles has scored seven touchdowns in routs over Mountain Home and Preston.
"They've got a few weapons," Glenn said, adding that the two toughest teams Wood River will likely face all season are Hillcrest and Minico. Both play smash mouth football, he added, but Minico has a more diverse offensive attack.
"They throw the ball around a bit more, they're more balanced," he said. "We worked on that all week."
Hillcrest amassed 221 yards on the ground and 80 in the air against Wood River last Friday.
Glenn said the challenge his team now faces is mainly psychological.
"They're good kids and they want to succeed, they're just not sure how to do it yet," he said. "This is a work in progress, it's going to take time.
"There are a lot of elements to building a football program ... patience is the word of the hour."
Kickoff against Minico is at 7:30 tonight in Rupert.
First year Wolverine head coach Mike Glenn talks to senior quarterback Tyler Jackson during Wood River's 34-13 loss to Hillcrest last Friday. Photo by Willy Cook
