Seven home games were played Saturday, Sept. 20 at Hailey's Wood River Middle School fields to mark week three of the Wood River Youth Football schedule for the 9-12 age groups, plus flag football.
And it was a rare wet day.
Another full day of Saturday action takes place Sept. 27 on the middle school fields. Here's a quick look at the schedule:
At 10 a.m., Wood River Freshmen White vs. Mountain States Roofing, and Wood River Seniors vs. Meridian Gold;
At 11:30 a.m., Wood River Freshmen Green vs. Pos Lyons and Wood River Juniors vs. RST Fundraising;
At 12:30 p.m., Wood River Flag Green vs. Thrifty;
At 1 p.m., Wood River Sophomores vs. Synthetic Turf;
At 1:30 p.m., Wood River Flag White vs. Elmore Medical of Mountain Home.
Games continue Saturdays through Oct. 18 with practices on weekday evenings. League director is Jim King. On the board are John Brashears, Ken Ward, Kim Bryson, Andy Portillo and Troy Thayer.
Among writers contributing results from last Saturday, Sept. 20, were Jill Clark and Anne Gifford off the site woodriveryouthfootball.com:
WR Seniors: Won their first game of the season 12-8 over Lyle Pearson. With weather electricity in the air, the Seniors played a very solid game and were electric on the field.
The Wolverines scored two first-half TDs and held Lyle Pearson scoreless. Even though there was a weather delay in the game due to lightning and rain, the game continued after a short break in Wood River's gymnasium. But even though the fields were wet, the Seniors did a fantastic job of hanging on to the ball, keeping their footing for some power tackles.
Lyle Pearson scored 8 points in the second half. But an interception and solid defense allowed Wood River to get the ball back toward the end of the fourth quarter and keep the final score in its favor.
WR Juniors: Won 14-0 over Meridian White.
Wood River delivered punishing hits to set the tone of the game. The home team controlled the ball on offense and dominated on defense.
Gage Jorgensen delivered the hit of the day on the opening kickoff of the second half. Cody Carter produced first downs on a reverse and a completed reception. Cornerbacks River Kelly and Jack Rizzo made excellent plays supporting the run and in pass coverage. Anders Fortuin had a stellar game at his defensive end position and denied Meridian White's outside runs. Journey Iverson, Morgan Shipp and Ryan Kotiga anchored the defensive line with hard-nosed play. Safety Austin Savaria made several great pass defenses against a Meridian team that liked to throw the ball. So far, these 11-year-olds have scored 44 points and only allowed 6 en route to a 2-1 start.
WR Sophomores: Won 14-6 over Ogata Construction.
WR Freshman White: Lost 22-8 to Ada County Sheriff.
On a stormy Saturday morning the Freshman White team played an outstanding game and made their parents very proud. They were up against the tough Ada Sheriff Posse and it was a well-matched game. However, Wood River was unable to pull off a win.
Many players had their personal-best games. The coaches were very pleased by the effort of both the offense and defense.
Individual highlights included Jacob Bulotti for his TD-saving tackles and extra-point conversion; Jett Erickson for his 52-yard TD run and quarterback sack; John Blackburn for his exceptional running; Cole Rozyla for anchoring the line at the center position; Christian Hovey for his blocking and tackling; and Logan Smith for his hard hitting.
The list goes on, every single player trying their best!
WR Freshman Green: Lost 28-0 to CPAP Now.
Rain set the mood for Green as they were soundly beaten by CPAPNow "Boltz."
Early on, the Green defense looked like it would hold CPAP from scoring. But the home team just couldn't seem to stop a couple of runs to the outside that moved the opposition to first one, and then two TDs.
In the third quarter a nice pass by Owen Gifford to Toby Whitworth looked like it might set Wood River back on the scoring path, but that never materialized. As time ticked away with CPAPNow in possession of the ball on the one-yard line, Wood River's Kyle Furlong and the Green defensive line gave a great effort and pushed CPAPNow back to the three. CPAPNow eventually scored, but Wood Miles Jones kept the visitors from getting the extra point on a pass block.
