Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Week 7 (Senior Night): Worland vs. No. 1 Torrington at 7 p.m. on October 12
Warrior Devon Mercado tries to shake a Bearcat defender during Worland's 42-15 loss to Douglas Friday night at Douglas High School.
DOUGLAS - The past two weeks the Worland Warriors have found ways to rally in the second half. Against Riverton, on Sept. 28 the Warriors were down 23-12 and won 33-30. Last week in Rawlins, the Warriors trailed 7-0 at the half but won the game 16-7.
In Douglas, on Friday, the Warriors found themselves in a 21-0 hole at halftime. But this time the second half magic was nowhere to be found as the Bearcats ran away with the game, winning 42-15 in a matchup between 3A East rivals.
By no means were the Warriors (3-3) in top form against the Bearcats (4-2) and to make things worse they lost two starters Andy Deniz and Luke Goncalves to injury. But this team has shown mentally they're a strong group and can rebound.
"Having the mental toughness to bounce back is huge. When you get knocked down you have to get back up and do what you can," said WHS football coach Ryan Utterback. "Sometimes the circumstances are stacked against you and you can either turn away and go home or stand up and do the best you can.
"The big take away is whether you have tough circumstances in a game or in life you have to put the best foot forward and do the best you can with what you got. We took our lumps but we need to get back to it on Monday and can still do good things this year. The big thing is keeping positive, working with what we got and thinking about the guys that are gone right now."
The Warriors (3-3) were able to salvage the night by getting on the scoreboard with a pair of Devin Mercado touchdowns, one a 35-yard touchdown run and the other a 75-yard run for six. A successful two-point conversion on a Rudy Sanford pass to Luke Mortimer gave the Warriors their 15 points on the night.
Things do not get easier for the Warriors next week as they host the No. 1-ranked and undefeated Torrington Trailblazers (6-0), who are coming off a 51-0 victory against Riverton. Even though Worland might be shorthanded, Utterback has faith his team can power through.
"I think we can find a way to bounce back and figure things out. We have a resilient bunch and can still accomplish good things this season," said Utterback.
The Warriors kickoff against the Trailblazers at 7 p.m. on Oct. 12 in their final home game of the regular season, senior night will take place during halftime.
