In the first regular conference game of the season,

the Wranglers fell to 3A rival Lyman.

Pinedale put up a fight and kept the game close for the first

three quarters. In the final quarter, however, Pinedale was unable

to get the ball into the end zone and close the gap against

Lyman. The game ended, 20-12, in Lyman’s favor.

Pinedale’s two touchdowns included an incredible 61-yard

pass play carried out by senior Thomas Harnack off a pass

from sophomore quarterback Konner Ziegler. Harnack’s impressive

speed left the Eagle defenders eating dust.

Head Coach Clay Cundall said the game was a good learning

experience for the team.

“There are some positives to build on and a lot of things

that we need to clean up,” he added. “We need to be better

tacklers, and we need to limit mental errors on the offensive

side of the ball. The players will come to practice this week

with an attitude of improvement, and we will work to correct

our errors and get better.”

The first quarter opened with a Wrangler kick-off. Sophomore

Skyler Erickson promptly tackled Lyman’s receiver.

On his first attempt to get the football up the field, Lyman’s

quarterback attempted a pass. Junior Troy Later intercepted

the ball and possession went to the Wranglers.

Wrangler offense took advantage of the situation immediately

and scored a touchdown when Harnack carried the ball

into the end zone after a handoff from Ziegler. The Wranglers

were unable to score extra points, however, and the ball

passed to Lyman.

After taking tackles from Erickson and juniors Colby White

and Carson Gregory, the Eagles attempted another pass. This

time junior Kaleb Bigelow was on spot to intercept the ball.

The first quarter ended with Pinedale ahead, 6-0.

Lyman’s offense came alive in the second quarter. Only

seconds into the quarter, the Eagles scored their first touchdown

followed by a 2-point conversion. Despite attempts by

Wrangler defense, including a tackle behind the line of scrimmage

by junior Dodge Westercamp, Lyman scored again. At

halftime the Eagles were in the lead, 14-6.

Lyman upped the ante in the third quarter with another

touchdown making the score 20-6. Wrangler defense tried to

slow the Eagles down, including sacking the quarterback behind

the line of scrimmage by Westercamp.

Lyman kept pushing forward and eventually dropped the

ball into the end zone. After the touchdown, the Eagles failed

to make a 2-point conversion when Bigelow took down the

Eagles’ running back.

The Wranglers showed they were still competitive and

scored a second touchdown when Ziegler sent the ball sailing

to Harnack. Harnack sped past his opponents, eating up

yard after yard until he hit the end zone. Harnack’s second

touch down edged the score up for Pinedale, 20-12, in Lyman’s

favor.

In the final quarter, the Wranglers were unable to score.

Pinedale’s offense did not move far enough after another interception

pulled off by White. Lyman ran the clock down

with a long drive forward and the score remained at 20-12

when the buzzer went off.

This week, on Friday, Sept. 13, the Wranglers host their

first regular home game of the season against Jackson. The

game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. at Gene Andrews Stadium.