Blazers win third straight

Andrew Towne
Posted 9/29/21

UPTON – The Torrington High School football team won its third straight game Friday night with a 24-14 win over the Upton-Sundance Patriots.

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Blazers win third straight

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UPTON – The Torrington High School football team won its third straight game Friday night with a 24-14 win over the Upton-Sundance Patriots.

After the Patriots took a 7-0 lead, the Beau Bivens to Kieser Wolfe connection tied the game at up at seven in the first quarter.

“We were having a tough time defending their running game,” THS coach Russell Stienmetz said.

He attributed the struggles to the misdirection the Patriots like to run.

“We had poor eyes by our linebackers and secondary. However, for the most part, we were to tackle them when they were able to get into the open field,” Stienmetz said. “Upton-Sundance had a great scheme for us offensively and defensively. They were matched up with our receivers with their best cover guys. They were a very physical team. Well coached. We knew that going into the game, and we knew we were going to be in for a battle.”

The score remained tied until through halftime and into the third quarter when senior kicker Chase Miller booted a field goal through to put the Blazers back in front.

The lead was short-lived as Upton-Sundance once again found the end zone for to regain the lead 14-10.

It proved to be the last time the Patriots cracked the end zone, but Torrington wasn’t done offensively.

“In the second half, we were able to get some things to go our way, and we were able to come out on top,” Stienmetz said.

Bivens broke through the home team’s defense, and later on Bivens found Miller in the end zone as the Blazers pulled away in the fourth quarter for the 10-point victory.

“The second half, we settled down defensively. We went back to reading a little bit better with our eyes. We were able to come with some key stops,” Stienmetz said. “Offensively, we were able to run the ball. In the past, we’ve struggled to run the ball against Upton-Sundance, and Friday, the big difference was, we were able to run the ball against their defense.”

Torrington was also able to convert multiple key third-down conversions in the second half.

“It starts up front along the line of scrimmage,” Stienmetz said. “Our young guys are working hard to get better each and every week. They really want to impress the older skill players, and they are working twice as hard.”

Bivens was 10-of-19 passing for 149 yards and two touchdowns, while Wolfe was his top target with six receptions for 95 yards. Bivens was also the team’s top rusher with 72 yards on five attempts, while senior Carson Schultz ran 19 times for 69 yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, Wolfe led the team with 20 points, including seven unassisted tackles, one stop for a loss and one pass breakup. Sophomore Bryce Hager and Schultz added 12 defensive points each. Hager recorded two sacks, while Schultz had three stops, including one for a loss.

Torrington (3-2 overall and 3-0 in the 2A East) hosts Big Horn (2-2 and 2-1) at 5 p.m. Friday at Wiseman Field.

“I’m excited to get back home,” Stienmetz said. “I’m glad Big Horn has to travel here. They are a well-coached team, and we know we can’t have missed assignments or otherwise they will take advantage of it.”