Wolverines thrash American Falls 47-0

Published by admin on Wed, 11/13/2024 - 7:00pm

The Wolverines beat American Falls 47-0 Saturday during their 4A State Playoff quarterfinal game at Roy Dickerson Memorial Field in Weiser. Weiser travels to Homedale this week for a semi-final game against the Trojans. A win would catapult the Wolverines to the state championship final. Above, Kash Cobb, with ball, looks for a lane as blockers Karsten Walker, left, Ryker McElray, right, and Jaxon Higley, far right, make room for him to run. Photo by Keith Bryant

Senior receiver Xander Gray makes a textbook reception on a pass from senior quarterback Kolin Cook who put the ball right where Gray could make a play. Gray ended the game with 4 receptions for 106 yards. Cook went 7 of 12 for 164 yards through the air. Photo by Keith Bryant
By: 
Philip A. Janquart

Weiser heads to quarterfinal game against Homedale on Friday

The Wolverines handed the American Falls Beavers a 47-0 beating Saturday at home in their 4A State Playoff quarterfinal game at Roy Dickerson Memorial Field.

 Weiser now travels to Homedale where they will face off against the Trojans who beat Buhl 35-9 in the teams’ quarterfinal game Friday.
 The Weiser vs. Homedale semifinal matchup is Friday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. in Homedale.
 The winner of that game will advance to the 4A State Championship against either Kimberly or Sugar-Salem who play inside the dome at Idaho State University Thursday, Nov. 14, according to the IHSAA bracket.
 With a play-in round bye last week, the Wolverines are now 8-2 overall, and secured the 2024 SRV title two weeks ago, ending the regular season with a 5-0 conference record.
 “We are grateful to be moving on and we are looking to the week ahead,” head coach Tom Harrison said following Saturday’s game. “We are just going to do what we do; that’s coach these kids and the kids, they’ll do their part.”
 Next week’s semifinal game will be a test for the Wolverines who beat the Trojans 30-6 Oct. 4. It was the first time Weiser had notched a victory over Homedale in about eight years.
 It means this week’s practice sessions are crucial in preparing for a team that will be intent on retribution.
 “We are going to do our darndest as coaches to get ready for what’s coming,” Harrison said. “We are going to be playing a well-coached team that is going to be seeking a little bit of revenge.”
 The Wolverines are playing at a high level at the right time of the season, but Harrison said his team’s biggest asset going into Friday’s game is the players’ mental mindset.
 “I think we believe because we won last time,” he said of his team’s win over the Trojans earlier in the season. “We know we can do it again. I’m sure they want to contest that, and they might play harder or whatever it is that they weren’t doing last time. We aren’t going to surprise them, so that’s not going to be a strength, but we believe we can win.”
 Saturday’s victory against American Falls is the eighth in a row for Weiser, which is clearly not the team it was at the beginning of the season when it dropped its first two games to Buhl and 5A Lakeland.
 “We had penalties, and we didn’t play disciplined,” Harrison said. “But we haven’t had as many penalties since then and we’ve taken good care of the ball; we haven’t had as many turnovers. We’re playing a lot smarter, and we are finding some things that we do well. That’s the secret of coaching: what is it that you can do well with the kids you’ve got. I think we’ve done a decent job of doing that.”
 Harrison said he is obviously happy with the turnaround, which has paid off generously.
 “I’m just real proud of these kids and the effort they have put forth, and the coaching staff, as well as our community,” he said. “The support they give us here is always tremendous, the crowds that we have here. We are really blessed to have what we have.”
 Senior quarterback Kolin Cook, who went 7 of 12 for 164 yards passing and two touchdowns, said he believes in his teammates.
 “They are going to be thirsty to beat us, but I know our guys; we have a great work ethic, and we are going to be focused come Monday,” he said following Saturday’s game. “We are going to get to work each day and get better every single day. We can’t get complacent.”
 Senior kicker and defensive safety Diego Delgadillo agreed.
 “It’s definitely going to be a competitive game, a hard-hitting game, but I think if we work hard all week, like we did the last two weeks, I think we can beat them. They are going to come out hungry for us, but we are going to come out hungrier.”
 Senior running back Kash Cobb had 142 yards rushing on 28 carries and 4 touchdowns. Senior receiver Xander Gray caught 4 passes for 106 yards and a touchdown, followed by senior Luke Sarich who had 58 yards on 3 catches and a touchdown.
 
Team 1 2 3 4 Total
Weiser 16 14 10 7 47
Amer. Falls 0 0 0 0 0
 

Category:

Signal American

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

Connect with Us