Broncos prevail 21-14 over Warden

The Warden Cougars’ shifty, tricky offense anchored by a relentless aerial assault almost upended the Broncos on Friday night during the season’s nonleague opener. LRS won the game, 21-14

What the Cougars didn’t accomplish on offense, the Broncos almost did by giving up several turnovers during the game.

“We were very lucky to overcome six turnovers,” head coach Greg Whitmore said. “Our defense held them in check. Warden was doing a lot of different stuff.”

Whitmore was particularly pleased with the play of his defense after watching the Broncos play tough enough to keep Warden out of the end zone on several occasions. The Cougars clearly set out to win the game.

“They had some good receivers. This team was talented. They are strong and played with emotion,” Whitmore said.

Three interceptions and three fumbles weren’t a highlight of the game for the Broncos, but there were a number of bright spots.

Quarterback Dylan Hartz delivered 167 yards passing, completing 15 of 27 attempts including a TD.

Hartz also rambled for 70 yards on 14 carries.

Dustin Kommes, rushing in relief for the injured Connor O’Neill, ran 17 times for 62 yards and scoring two touchdowns.

“Kommes runs hard, but Dustin can’t be an every-down back. The ground game will be more by committee. But he did a great job for us and moved the chains for us,” Whitmore said.

From the receiver slot, Ryan Whitmore had a great game with six receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown.

Whitmore was an all around standout during the game.

“He’s got to be one of our go-to-guys and he had a monster game defensively,” the coach said. “There’s a lot of pressure on him. He doesn’t come off the field the whole game.”

The game was scoreless after the first quarter. By the half the Broncos held a 14-7 lead. Both teams would score one more time in the third quarter.

Looking at what happens next, Whitmore was preparing for an active study session with the team on Monday.

“We’re going to have an extensive film and study session,” he said. We will challenge some kids and pat some on the back and then move forward and prepare for Kittitas.

“There’s a lot to emphasize,” Whitmore said. “We have to take care of the ball better and make better decisions. We have to improve the offensive line play. If we do some, of those turnovers will take care of themselves. The quarterback will not be rushed and with better technique we will have better ball security.”

With a new offensive line, Whitmore recognizes that the key players were wrestling with the decision making process.

“They were undecisive,” Whitmore said. “It was paralysis by analysis — you’re thinking too much so you don’t move.

Hartz was flushed several times, but his athletic ability resulted in positive yards.

“If we just had a mediocre quarterback, they probably would have sacked us 10 or 12 times,” Whitmore said. “I am going to talk to him about getting out of bounds and getting down and not taking shots. We’re lucky that he’s that gifted of an athlete.”

When Kittitas arrives this week, they will be a different type of opponent. Where Warden ran all kinds of pass routes and trick plays, the Coyotes are clearly a rushing team.

“This week they will have a much simpler offense,” Whitmore said. “They don’t pass at all.”

The Coyotes are young but tenacious

“Their defense doesn’t line up in a lot of different sets. It will be a good week to get back to the basics,” Whitmore said.

They are a good, strong, physical football team. We’re expecting a tough challenge. They have a proud tradition.