This win was a total team effort by offense, defense and special teams. Any victory that you can get versus a conference opponent is huge with playoff implications in mind. These kids are coming weekly to practice and willing to work as we grind down to end of the (regular) season and try to get better each week.”

Coach Russell Stienmetz

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The Torrington Blazers host Riverton for Senior Night on Friday, October 18. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

TORRINGTON – A 23-14 victory by the Torrington High School Blazers football team over the Buffalo Bison catapulted Torrington to an undefeated, 3-0 conference record as competition heats up midway into October.

The Blazers scored their third consecutive conference win against Buffalo in front of the Homecoming Week crowd on Friday, October 11.

Three touchdowns by a solid Blazer offense once again in control of the game on the ground and in the air established a 23-14 lead for Torrington following a physical first half.

A determined Blazer defense shut out Buffalo in the second half to seal the victory for Torrington.

“This win was a total team effort by offense, defense and special teams,” coach Russell Stienmetz said. “Any victory that you can get versus a conference opponent is huge with playoff implications in mind. Buffalo is a very physical team and we knew they would try to establish a running game. Hats off to our offense for capitalizing on opportunities with big plays in the first half and long drives in the second. These kids are coming weekly to practice and willing to work as we grind down to end of the (regular) season and try to get better each week.”

Torrington currently sits in the No. 1 spot in the 3A East Conference with Douglas as both teams post a 3-0 conference record.

Winning the dog fight

Hitting the ground running in the first quarter, the Blazers scored on their opening possession.

Carries by senior quarterback Ryan Moorehouse and sophomore Drew Kramer and a pass to senior Nathaniel Stull brought the ball to Buffalo’s 10-yard line.

Moorehouse kept the ball on the next play, swept up the left side of the field and dove into the end zone for Blazer touchdown No. 1. A good kick by junior Holden Hackett placed Torrington ahead, 7-0.

An ironclad Blazer defense prevented Buffalo from advancing on the ensuing drive. Tackles by seniors Andrew Haffner and Ethan Robbins and Hackett kept the Bison in check while a sack behind the line of scrimmage by Andrew Haffner forced Buffalo to punt.

Torrington took possession and reached the end zone again on its subsequent drive. Junior Landre Greiman returned Buffalo’s kickoff to Torrington’s 39-yard line. Passes to Greiman and senior Nounou Braddy and a carry by junior Colby Sandusky moved Torrington into Bison territory.

Moorehouse launched the ball to Kramer and Kramer sprinted the remaining yards into the end zone to complete a 28-yard touchdown pass play. Hackett kicked the ball between the goalposts and the Blazers led, 14-0.

The Torrington D-line ground down the Bison on Buffalo’s following possession, including tackles by senior Kaden Romig, Greiman, Sandusky, senior Brayden Hime and senior Mekhi Porter. 

A sack by Porter resulted in a fumble, the ball recovered by senior Jeramiah Haffner.

Buffalo managed to score on its first drive of the second quarter. An extra point by the Bison narrowed Torrington’s lead to a single possession, 14-7.

Battling back on the ensuing possession, Moorehouse sent the ball spiraling to Kramer for a 72-yard touchdown pass play. Hackett once again made good on the extra point and the Blazers led, 21-7.

Buffalo punted on its next drive due to relentless pressure by the Torrington defense, consisting of stops by Andrew Haffner, Jeramiah Haffner and senior Mac Hibben.

The Torrington offense regained the ball and advanced deep into Buffalo’s side of the field before turning over possession.

The Bison took over with their backs up against their own goal line. A tackle by Robbins in Buffalo’s end zone resulted in a safety for the Blazers and Torrington led, 23-7.

The Bison reached the end zone again in the final moments of the first half and the teams headed for the locker room with the Blazers ahead, 23-14.

A gritty Blazer defense shut out Buffalo’s first drive in the second half with tackles by Romig and pass coverage from Kramer and Greiman.

Torrington moved the ball forward on its ensuing drive, eating up yards with plays by Sandusky, Moorehouse, Braddy and a pass to Stull.

Buffalo regained possession as the third quarter ended, but the Bison offense found itself going nowhere in the fourth quarter. Pressure by Andrew Haffner resulted in a fumble. Buffalo recovered the ball and attempted to pass but were stopped by coverage from Kramer, Hibben and Hime.

Hibben intercepted a pass and possession returned to Torrington. 

The Blazer offense chewed up most of the fourth quarter with a long, coordinated drive led by carries from Sandusky, Braddy, Kramer, Greiman and Moorehouse.

A deep punt by Hackett set Buffalo back in its own territory. The Bison attempted to pass. Greiman leapt up for the interception and Torrington wound down the game in possession.

Moorehouse led the Blazers in rushing yards against Buffalo with 102 yards on 14 carries. Braddy tallied 28 yards on 10 carries with Sandusky collecting 16 yards on seven carries.

Moorehouse completed 15 passes for 177 yards. Stull caught seven passes for 38 yards, Kramer four passes for 115 yards and Hibben one pass for 20 yards.

On defense, Romig led the Blazers with 32 points and 12 unassisted tackles. Greiman totaled 17 defensive points with two unassisted tackles, two pass breakups and one interception. Andrew Haffner tallied 15 defensive points with two tackles for loss and one forced fumble.