Warriors open Week 1 vs. 3A Powell

After a strong showing in Week 0, the Worland Warriors football team begins their 2024 season with a Week 1 home game vs. Powell on Friday at 7 p.m.

The Warriors hosted the Upton-Sundance Patriots on Aug. 30 for a Week 0 scrimmage. Once the Warriors found a rhythm, they never looked back, dictating the game with the starters and on down the roster.  

"It was good to see, for us it worked out well as far as getting reps for the 1s in the first half. Then in the second half, getting the 2s and 3s in," said WHS football coach Marty Wrage.

On offense, the Patriots loaded the box to take away the run from Worland, but the Warriors were able to adjust and find big plays through the passing and quick passing game.

Defensively, the Warriors controlled that side of the ball, forcing the Patriots into multiple three-and-outs.

"Defensively, we got our assignments figured out a little bit. We were off a little bit, but we really cleaned those up. We can always work on tackling techniques. Offensively, we adjusted well. When they started selling out to the run, it was good that we adjusted and started throwing screens and getting it down the field. I was pleased with that. It does make us look at that,we have to do more with the run game this week," said Wrage.

Working on the running game is a point of emphasis for Worland this week. Preparing for Powell, the Warriors will likely see the same loaded box on Friday at 7 p.m. at Warrior Stadium.

"We have a few different formations that we're going to put in. We need to spread it out a little bit more, especially for games against Powell and Mountain View that are coming up, who will play similar defenses. We have to not only spread them down the field with the pass and spread them out across. Some of the big D-linemen Powell has, we have to be able to move them," said Wrage.

Playing against 3A Powell this Friday is another opportunity for the Warriors to improve across the board before diving into the gauntlet that is the 2A West conference schedule.

"The biggest thing, we want to improve each week at each position. We've picked out a couple of things for each position and what we can get better at. I'm calling it our last preseason game before conference. Let's get better this week, and we should be OK," said Wrage.

In his first year at the helm of the Warrior football program, Wrage taking over the program as it moves to Class 2A is perfect timing. Wrage was the head coach of the Greybull Buffs from 2014-17 when Greybull was in the 2A West, compiling a 27-1 record, four straight trips to the playoffs and a runner-up in 2016.

Knowing 2A and the 2A West so well should help Worland as they join the 2A scrum.

"We've spent all summer talking about the quality of 2A football. We have to be ready every week. A lot of the coaches are the same or have their sons as assistants when I was coaching. That part is interesting.

"The familiarity is really important. You know the travel and places and I've always liked the league of 2A. It's always been strong and the East vs. West always has good matchups in the playoffs. Every game really counts in 2A, especially with the West being so strong," said Wrage.

All-state player Brody Thiel and all-conference players Masen Decker, Daniel Lopez and Fisher Martinez are among those leading the Warriors this season. There's a strong leadership among the team and when those all-state and all-conference players are willing to change positions for the team, others follow their team-first lead.

"The biggest thing is there are a lot of kids who are very unselfish. They will do whatever they are supposed to. Even all-conference and all-state players moved positions. Our system is different, and they moved, and they didn't care. They moved to help the team.

"We do a lot of different things with formations. We run the same plays, but a lot of them shift and do different things. It's been fun to watch them pick it up and pick it up fast. They just wanted it. They wanted the information, and they're making adjustments to it. That's a good feeling to know they really have a grasp for it," said Wrage.

For Wrage, he wants to keep Warrior football as a program known for its intensity and focus.

"The first thing is that we play with focus and that there is a real intensity. A lot of the core kids believe that here. Even when I was in Greybull, I could see it through the years I coached in the Shrine Bowl. I was always picking a linebacker or somebody from Worland because they would really stick out. We have a few of those kids this year," said Wrage.