LYMAN – The Pinedale High School Wrangler football team kicked off its regular season with a battle against 2A West conference rival Lyman on the road on Friday, Sept. 8.

Following its win against Rawlins the previous week, Pinedale came up short against an explosive Lyman offense and fell, 40-0.

The final score did not reflect plenty of solid plays by both the Pinedale offense and defense that bode well for upcoming conference games.

“It was a tough loss for the Wranglers last Friday,” said Head Coach David Thrash. “There were some highlights to come out of the contest, however, showing that the team is still headed in the correct direction. The defense stood tall against a well-executed Eagle offense in holding them to one score in the first quarter and only 14 points in the first half. The linebacker core filled and read well to help contain Lyman’s run game. Offensively, the Wranglers were moving the ball in the first half and broke plays for good positive gains.”

Pinedale found itself in possession as the first quarter opened, with sophomore Quincy Mika returning Lyman’s kickoff to the Wranglers’ 40-yard line.

The Wrangler defense promptly shut down Lyman’s first drive in the opening quarter with tackles by senior Jake Hammer, senior Doug Dexter, junior Garett Scobey, junior Branson Simmons, senior Bodie Jensen and sophomore Cale Dauwen.

Quick thinking and fleet feet by Jensen resulted in an interception.

During Pinedale’s second drive of the second quarter Jensen, playing quarterback on offense, completed a pair of passes to Mika and Dauwen, each for a first down.

The Wrangler defense halted Lyman’s offense on the Eagle’s subsequent drive. Simmons and Hammer both led tackles. Pressure by Dexter on the Eagle’s quarterback resulted in an incomplete pass.

Lyman attempted a deep pass in the direction of the end zone. Sophomore Wylee Willson immediatley caught onto the play and broke up the pass.

In the second half, a relentless Pinedale offense ate up significant yards. On the Wranglers’ first drive, Dauwen charged straight up the middle to advance the line of scrimmage. Jensen held the ball, faked a handoff, and raced forward for a first down.

On Pinedale’s opening drive in the fourth quarter, sophomore Daxton Zook returned Lyman’s kick to the Wrangler 38-yard line and Jensen completed a pass to sophomore Landon Fornstrom.

A determined Wrangler defense stopped Lyman’s second drive of the fourth quarter. Mika punted deep into Eagle territory and tackles were led by Dexter, Dauwen, sophomore Ian Rigo and senior Dodge Normington.

Pinedale made considerable gains on its following drive. Mika returned Lyman’s punt to the Pinedale 46-yard line. Dauwen swept up the left side of the field to gain 27 yards for a first down. Rigo, playing quarterback, completed a pass to sophomore Kolbyn Jaquez for a first down. Another pass to Willson moved the ball up 10 yards.

The Wranglers host Cokeville for their first home game on Friday, Sept. 15. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.