The Wood River Middle School eighth graders started their football season on a high note Tuesday with a 26-16 victory in Twin Falls over the O'Leary Junior High School Cubs, a team the Wolverines hadn't beaten for 15 years.
The closely fought battle had the Wolverines and Cubs tied at 8-8 at the end of the first half and at 16-16 with less than five minutes to play.
The Wolverines took control of the game after a 40-yard punt by Trace Tupper pinned the Cubs deep in their own territory. On the second play from scrimmage, Connor "Ironhead" Farrow dropped an O'Leary running back in the Cubs' end zone for a safety, giving Wood River an 18-16 advantage.
A 25-yard return by Dylan Carroll on the ensuring O'Leary kick gave the Wolverines good field position. With less than a minute to play, Braxton Parish scampered for a 35-yard touchdown run to cap the victory for Wood River.
Other game highlights were interceptions by Wolverines Tupper and Joey Richardson to stifle O'Leary drives and a 50-yard touchdown run by Parish.
Wood River's next game is Tuesday, Sept. 18, against Robert Stuart Junior High of Twin Falls. Game time is 5 p.m. at the Wood River Middle School football field in Hailey.
Ninth graders fall to Robert Stuart
The Wood River High School frosh football team suffered a setback Wednesday with a 42-12 loss in Twin Falls to Robert Stuart Junior High.
The loss follows a 20-6 upset victory by the freshman Wolverines last week over Jerome. The ninth graders are now 1-1.
The Wolverines play a makeup game on Wednesday, Sept. 19, in Twin Falls against O'Leary Junior High. Game time is 5 p.m.
