RMS - Football

The Riverton eighth graders used an impressive running game to beat Cody 27-14 Saturday to end the "A" fall football season.

Michael Johnson scored from 55 yards on a sweep and on a short run, and Brady Beers scored from 98 yards and 36 yards. Beers added a 65-yard run late in the contest but was caught from behind. The Spartan line sprung all of the runs with impressive blocking in the season finale in Tonkin Stadium.

The team was coached by John Gabrielsen, Tim Bell, Randy Tucker and Tom Zingarelli.

The B squad dropped a close game to Cody to end its season.

The 8th grade football lost a pair of close games this past week to Worland (30-22) and Rock Springs (26-19).

The 8th grade Spartans are 3-2 entering Thursday's pivotal 4 p.m. home showdown with Lander. Riverton closes its regular season Saturday by hosting Cody.

Rock Springs used a solid running game to score its touchdowns. Riverton's scores came on a 50-yard-plus run by Tyler Graham, a 55-yard pass from Graham to Brady Beers, and a 70-yard kickoff return by Priscilliano Vargas.

The A Spartans beat Jackson 7-0 Saturday in Jackson, improving to 2-1 on the season. Defense was the name of the game for the Spartans, shutting down the slick throwing southpaw from Jackson time after time. Solid defensive play came from the secondary -- Priscilliano Vargas, Donaldo Holguin and Josh Wright. Defensive linemen playing key roles included Kenny Schooner, Sergio Ramos, Jacob Mahoney, Coulston Warren, Tyler Graham and Gard Evans. Linebackers with solid play included newly-elected Riverton Middle School class president Cole Crippen and Brady Beers.

Riverton's score came on a 69-yard bubble screen from Graham to Vargas. Key blocks on the play came from Evans and Beers.

The B Spartans won 13-8. Scoring runs came from Drew Leach. Crippen was outstanding again at running back, knocking off a handful of big runs.

Riverton travels to Worland Thursday for a 4 p.m. kickoff, and opens its three-game home season at 10 a.m. Saturday against Rock Springs at Tonkin Stadium.

From Assistant Coach Jay Galey (following Saturday's victories in Tonkin Stadium):

Jeremy Vincent, two touchdowns; T.J. Galey two touchdowns; defense scored a safety.

"We played pretty well for the most part. Green River had more speed than Laramie and that hurt us a little. I thought for a 7th grade game it was a hard hitting game. There were some good collisions. Both of Green River's touchdowns came on big plays; other than that, we played real well defensively. If we quit missing blocking assignments on offense, we will be as good offensively as we have been defensively."

The Riverton eighth graders dropped the A game Saturday in Green River, 22-6.

Priscilliano Vargas scored for the 2-1 Spartans.

Next up for the eighth graders is a road trip to Jackson Saturday. Game time is 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

The eighth graders met Wind River Thursday in Pavillion, winning the contest 21-6.

Wind River took at 6-0 lead on a long run.

Following a Brady Beers blocked punt, Gard Evans scored on a one-yard run in the first half. Tyler Graham kicked the PAT to pull Riverton ahead 7-6.

Michael Johnson scored on a 65-yard run to put Riverton up 13-6.

Graham then connected with Priscilliano Vargas on a 24-yard bubble screen touchdown in the third quarter, and Vargas converted the two-point conversion run for Riverton's final margin of victory.

The eighth graders travel to Green River Saturday for a 10 a.m. kickoff.

Riverton won three of four middle school football games Saturday in Rawlins.

Riverton seventh grade B beat Rawlins 18-12 in come-from-behind fashion, and Riverton seventh grade A trounced a big Laramie squad 32-6.

For the seventh grade A team, Xavier Webb showed command and calmness in directing the Spartans past Laramie. TJ Galey was a force at linebacker and tailback, and Jeremy Vincent provided highlights at tight end. Vincent caught several touchdown passes and outran Laramie defenders time and time again. Riverton's defense was smothering in the A game.

The Riverton eighth graders looked tough in the A game against Laramie, winning 21-12. Quarterback Tyler Graham ran 75 yards and 1 yard for touchdowns, and delivered an 18-yard strike to tight end Gard Evans to set up his second touchdown. Brady Beers scored the final touchdown on a 65-yard run for the Spartans. Beers rushed 7 times for 97 yards against Laramie. Graham converted all three extra-point kick attempts. The defense shined against the bigger Laramie squad. Josh Wright had one interception, another Spartan grabbed another, and big hits were the norm against Laramie. Sergio Ramos dominated the Laramie offensive line, and Michael Johnson, Cole Crippen and Beers anchored the linebacking corp.

The B Spartans lost 28-6. Riverton's lone score came on a one-yard dive by Spencer Reichert. His run followed a 78-yard run off-tackle by Cole Crippen to set up the score.

Riverton is in action this Saturday against Green River. The eighth graders travel to Sweetwater County to face Green River at 10 a.m. The seventh graders host Green River at 10 a.m. in Tonkin Stadium.

Parents wanting to participate in next Saturday's tailgate party in Green River are asked to contact Bret Evans.

From Assistant Coach Jay Galey:

"We have about 38 kids out for 7th grade football. We open Saturday with Laramie. The game will be played in Rawlins. The first 2 weeks of practice have went pretty well. The kids are having fun and have been working hard. We have made a few changes in the defensive scheme due to the fact we have a lot of kids playing on the line. Our base defense will be a 4-4 stack, hoping that we can get our linebackers involved in several different ways. On offense, we will be running a lot of single back hoping that we can put some option in at some point through the year. Every one is looking forward to the season hoping that it will be a positive experience for everyone."

Here is the schedule:

Sept. 8 -- At Rawlins; 8th B vs Rawlins, 10:30 a.m.; 8th A vs Laramie, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 -- At Green River, 10 a.m.
Sept. 22 -- At Jackson, 10 a.m.
Sept. 27 -- At Worland, 4 p.m.
Sept. 29 -- Rock Springs, 10 a.m.
Oct. 4 -- Lander, 4 p.m.
Oct. 6 -- Cody, 10 a.m.

A games played first, followed by B games

Coaches: John Gabrielsen, Tim Bell, Randy Tucker and Tom Zingarelli

From Head Coach John Gabrielsen:

"This year's Riverton 8th grade football program will have to be a "Team". They don't have a lot of kids in numbers, but those that are out are giving it their all. This year's schedule is a bit different than that of the past. For the first time in a long time, if ever, Riverton will play Laramie. The Spartan B teams will play Rawlins Saturday and will be followed up by the A Team taking on the Laramie Scouts.

This is my seventh year in 8th grade football and this group stacks up with the best of them. They have kids with a great attitude and those that are willing to fill roles for the good of the team. We have good skilled positions and a great starting line that should open big holes for big yards.

Defensively we have a good, aggressive bunch that like to tackle. We've been working on tackling almost every day since the start of the season and hope to see our fundamentals pay off on Saturdays.

The 8th grade continues to mirror the high school varisty scheme. We are not as sophisticated as the Wolverines, but they good a good base of RHS Football to enter 9th grade with. We will run out of three or four different formations initially and will add one or two more before the season is over. We are pretty much a 4-4 defense but will mix it up to fit our needs.

We'll be Road Warriors for a while with our first home game coming in late September. Bus trips are not fun, but, in our state, you're always going to have them. Come on up and support the future of the Wolverines....Check back here for a schedule and get out and support that home team!"

The Riverton seventh and eighth grade football teams open their respective seasons this Saturday against Rawlins and Laramie in Rawlins.

Game times are as follows:

7th Grade B (against Rawlins): 9 a.m.
7th Grade A (against Laramie): Noon

8th Grade B: 10:30 a.m. (against Rawlins)
8th Grade A: 1:30 p.m. (against Laramie)