Every game from here on very important. We will take each game one step at a time, quarter by quarter and play by play. We need to establish a running game (against Douglas) and be able to throw the ball when we need to. Douglas’ running attack will have be slowed down for us to be successful.”

Coach Russell Stienmetz

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The Torrington Blazers travel to play Douglas on Friday, October 25 at 7 p.m.

TORRINGTON – The Torrington High School Blazers football team are guaranteed a playoff berth despite a 28-12 loss to conference rival Riverton at home on Friday, October 18.

Torrington’s conference record stands at 3-1 and the Blazers are currently tied with Riverton for the No. 2 spot in seeding for the playoffs. Games this week, particularly the showdown between Torrington and Douglas, will determine final standings.

On Friday, a neck-and-neck first half between the Blazers and the Riverton Wolverines ended with Riverton up by a single point, 7-6. The Wolverines pulled ahead with two touchdowns in the second quarter. The Riverton offense reached the end zone again early in the fourth quarter.

Torrington refused to throw in the towel, and a long, sustained drive by the Blazers offense culminated in a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

“It was very difficult to run the ball against Riverton’s defense,” coach Russell Stienmetz said. “We would have a big gain, but it would be nullified by a penalty and we were not able to establish running game. We also shot ourselves in the foot turning over the ball three times. With six penalties, that was very costly.”

The October 25 game between Torrington and Douglas kicks off at 7 p.m.

“Every game from here on very important,” Stienmetz added. “We will take each game one step at a time, quarter by quarter and play by play. We need to establish a running game (against Douglas) and be able to throw the ball when we need to. Douglas’ running attack will have be slowed down for us to be successful.”

Battling back

Riverton scored on its opening possession and an extra point placed the Wolverines up, 7-0.

The Blazers advanced into Riverton territory on the subsequent possession with carriers by junior Colby Sandusky, sophomore Drew Kramer, senior Nounou Braddy and senior quarterback Ryan Moorehouse. Moorehouse also launched a pass to junior Landre Greiman for a first down.

The Torrington defense stepped up the pressure on Riverton’s second possession, including tackles by seniors Jeramiah Haffner and Ethan Robbins. A stop by senior Mac Hibben forced a turnover on downs and the Blazer offense took over.

Carries by Sandusky and Moorehouse, along with passes to Kramer and Braddy, advanced Torrington to Riverton’s two-yard line.

Sandusky took the handoff from Moorehouse and charged the remaining yards into the end zone for Torrington’s first touchdown.

The Torrington defense hammered away at the Wolverines on Riverton’s ensuing drive with tackles by seniors Kaden Romig, Mekhi Porter, Andrew Haffner, Jeramiah Haffner, Greiman and Braddy. 

Riverton attempted a field goal, but the ball fell short and the teams headed for the locker rooms with the Wolverines up by one point, 7-6.

The Wolverine offense controlled the scoreboard in the third quarter with two touchdowns, widening Riverton’s lead, 21-6, as the fourth quarter began.

Riverton scored a fourth touchdown early in the final quarter and the Wolverines pulled ahead, 28-6.

The Blazer defense closed ranks and shut down Riverton’s final possession of the fourth quarter. Tackles by Greiman, Romig, Jeramiah Haffner, Andrew Haffner, Sandusky and sophomore Zeek Yung forced Riverton to punt.

Torrington gained possession and crossed into Riverton territory with two passes between Moorehouse and senior Nathaniel Stull. Moorehouse wound up a pair of passes to Kramer, placing Torrington at Riverton’s 35-yard line.

Under pressure, Moorehouse threw the ball to Kramer at the Wolverine’s 14-yard line.

Kramer caught another pass, pivoted and dove into the end zone for a Blazer touchdown with seconds remaining in regulation.

Moorehouse led the Blazers in rushing against a physical Riverton defense with 21 yards on 10 carries. Sandusky tallied 15 yards rushing on four carries resulting in one touchdown and Braddy totaled 10 yards on three carries.

Moorehouse completed 14 passes for 143 yards, resulting in one touchdown. Greiman caught five passes for 69 yards with Kramer receiving three passes for 30 yards and Stull three passes for 12 yards.

Defensively, Hibben tallied 24 points, including eight unassisted tackles and one interception. Jeramiah Haffner tallied 18 defensive points with six unassisted tackles. Romig also recorded 18 points with five unassisted tackles, including one for loss.

The Blazers travel to play Douglas in the final conference game of the regular season on Friday, October 25 at 7 p.m.