Worland Warriors drop final home game to No. 1 Torrington 42-14

WORLAND - Senior night did not go as planned for the Worland Warriors football team as they lost their final home game of the season to the Torrington Trailblazers 42-14, Friday night at Worland High School.

Worland's (3-4) start wasn't the greatest either, as on their first possession of the game they fumbled the ball and Torrington (7-0) recovered on the Worland 25. The Trailblazers quickly capitalized on the turnover to go up 7-0.

Torrington scored the games next two touchdowns, one of which was a screen pass that went 96 yards to the house, to go up 21-0. But as bad as the scoreboard was the Warriors never gave in, they fought until the clock read 00:00.

"You always want to come out with a win or be right there on the scoreboard. Overall, we played hard. We made mistakes but we fought back and that's a huge building block for us," said WHS football coach Ryan Utterback. "In years past, we'd have one or two big mistakes and heads hung and it was over. We're not that way anymore and we hung in there.

"We had some mistakes tonight and that's going to happen playing against a good team. I have to tip my hat to them, they're a great coaching staff and have some great players and guys who can rip off 90-yard plays. It would have been nice to have those corralled better and capitalize on the field positions. We have some nice things to build on for next week. Although the score was similar to last week's game [against Douglas] it was a totally different feel."

Devon Mercado gave the Warriors a much-needed spark in the second quarter when he picked off the Torrington quarterback and returned it to the Trailblazer 32-yard line. The Warrior offense wasted little time hitting pay dirt when Rudy Sanford hit Bryan Viktorin on a 26-yard touchdown pass, bringing the score to 21-7 at halftime.

The Warriors other touchdown came in the fourth quarter when Mercado got solid blocking on the outside and was able to go into the end zone untouched.

Worland's offense had success, whether that was by Andrew Edholm who powered his way through multiple tacklers or getting receivers Viktorin and Luke Mortimer in one-on-one matchups. The flashes were there but as a whole, too many mistakes were made Friday night as they turned the ball over three times.

Finding ways to get the passing game going and getting Edholm the ball could be a part of the Warriors game plan next when they face the Lander Tigers (3-4) in the regular season finale.

"The big thing is trying to find how you match up with each team. Andrew brings a great skill set, he can outrun you or run you over. You just have to give him the ball as much as you can. You give him the ball good things are going to happen. We have talented receivers on the outside and try to get them in good matchups. We try to use what's there for us," said Utterback.

For the game, the Warriors compiled 277 yards of total offense. Edholm ran 21 times for 84 yards, Viktorin had two catches for 49 yards and a touchdown and Sanford was 3/8 passing with 47 yards and a touchdown.

Next week the Warriors travel to Lander to take on the Tigers at 6 p.m. While both teams are in the playoffs, the game does have meaning. The winner finishes as the No. 3-seed out of the East and plays the No. 2-seed out of the 3A West, the Jackson Broncs in the quarterfinals of the 3A football playoffs, while the loser gets the No. 4-seed and plays the No. 1-seeded Star Valley Braves.

More importantly for Worland, next week is about executing better on offense, defense and special teams, in order to put together a complete game.

"It's about executing what we do and doing it well. If there are a few things here and there that we feel we can exploit, we're going to do it. Every team has their weaknesses and chinks in the armor that you have to look for. For the most part, it's about doing our thing, making sure we execute and keep penalties and turnovers to a minimum, and things will happen," said Utterback.