Wolverines are headed to the state quarterfinals with win over Fruitland

Avenging their regular season loss, the Weiser Wolverines travelled to Fruitland this past Friday for the state play-in game.  Weiser won the game mightily 42-0.
 After the loss earlier in the season, the Wolverines were wishing for a rematch and they got the chance.  
 The difference between the two games was definitely measurable, but a major advantage was clear throughout the game: physicality.  
 “We were way more physical in this game and that really made the difference,” Head Coach Tom Harrison explained. “We are playing smash mouth football and I have never seen our guys be as physical as they were tonight.  That was the difference,” he added.  
 Looking at the stats, this game doesn’t stand out as one of Weiser’s most outstanding, because Weiser’s offense started off close to the goal line or at least on the same side of the field as the goal line during each offensive strike.  
 Weiser totaled 253 total offensive yards compared to holding Fruitland to just 104. Weiser rushed for 188 yards with Willy Shirts rushing for 65, Brett Spencer for 48, Jack Burke for 36, Brock Spencer for 22, and Michael Youngberg for 12.  
 Shirts, Brett Spencer, Brock Spencer, and Michael Youngberg would each rush for a Wolverine touchdown.
 Quarterback Brett Spencer also had two touchdown completions. The first was to Kooper von Brethorst deep in the corner of the end zone and the second was to Eric Torres, who was covered by four Grizzlies and flat on his back in the end zone.  Willy Shirts also added the extra point for each Wolverine touchdown.  
 That wasn’t even the truly exciting part of the game.  The way that the offense was afforded such great field position was the result of some truly amazing and explosive defense.  Weiser’s defensive line has been working on that physicality that Harrison described.  
 The line took advantage and forced Fruitland to fumble the ball once and they put enough pressure on the quarterback that Kooper von Brethorst was able to intercept the ball two times to give the ball back to the offense.  
 There were too many great defensive plays to mention them all, but notable tackles were made by Shields, Pope, Turrentine, McElroy, Torres, Willet, Lockett, Shirts, Spencer, and many more.
 “We had a great defensive effort and we won with them and our special teams,” Coach Harrison stated.  “We had zero turnovers on offense and some great catches. Forcing three turnovers on defense spelled doom for Fruitland and we defeated them for the first time in 20 years on their own field.  It truly was a great day to be a Wolverine,” he added.  
 Weiser will travel to Rexburg, Idaho to take on Sugar-Salem at Madison High School next Saturday at 1 p.m.
 

Category:

Signal American

18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
PH: (208) 549-1717
FAX: (208) 549-1718
 

Connect with Us