Our defensive line is just filling and played very unselfish football – this was the reason we won. Offensively, we were missing a key player, but (sophomore) Drew Kramer stepped up as a big threat and had a big night with three touchdowns. Overall, our offense continues to get better each week. Our players are buying in to the program, playing unselfish football while looking out for their teammates.”

Coach Russell Stienmetz

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Torrington hosts Cheyenne Central’s junior varsity squad on Thursday at 6 p.m.

TORRINGTON – The Torrington High School Blazers football team opened the regular season on a high note, defeating Wheatland, 26-6, in the home-opener at Wiseman Field on Friday, September 6.

Following a scoreless first quarter, the Torrington offense found its footing in the second quarter and scored the Blazers’ first touchdown. A solid Torrington defense shut out Wheatland in the first half and the Blazers headed for the locker rooms ahead, 7-0.

Torrington hit the ground running in the third quarter, scoring three touchdowns while the Blazer defense held Wheatland to a single touchdown in the second half to seal the victory.

Head coach Russell Stienmetz was pleased with Torrington’s showing on Friday.

“Our defensive line is just filling and played very unselfish football – this was the reason we won,” Stienmetz added. “Offensively, we were missing a key player, but (sophomore) Drew Kramer stepped up as a big threat and had a big night with three touchdowns. Overall, our offense continues to get better each week. Our players are buying in to the program, playing unselfish football while looking out for their teammates.”

Torrington gained possession midway into the second quarter following a tackle for loss by seniors Andrew Haffner and Brayden Hime. 

Senior quarterback Ryan Moorehouse opened Torrington’s subsequent drive with a three-yard pass play to senior Mac Hibben. Moorehouse delivered a second pass to senior Tyler Nicolay at Wheatland’s 45-yard line.

Senior Nounou Braddy carried the ball up to the Bulldogs’ 32-yard line for a first down. Taking the handoff, junior Colby Sandusky drove up the middle to the 26-yard line. 

Moorehouse completed a pass to senior Nathaniel Stull at the 8-yard line. On the next play, Sandusky took the ball and churned up the remaining eight yards into the end zone for Torrington’s first touchdown.

A good kick by junior Holden Hackett widened the Blazers’ lead, 7-0.

Torrington opened the second half with an explosive play by Kramer. Kramer returned Wheatland’s kickoff deep in Torrington territory. Shifting into high gear, Kramer sprinted 88 yards across the field, leaving his opponents in the dust, to score touchdown No. 2. Another kick by Hackett placed the Blazers up, 14-0.

Wheatland responded with a touchdown in the third quarter, briefly narrowing Torrington’s lead, 14-6.

Torrington rallied and scored again on its second drive of the third quarter. Sandusky and Braddy relentlessly drove the ball forward to Wheatland’s 38-yard line. Kramer took the ball and raced into the end zone for a touchdown.

The Blazer defense shut down Wheatland’s next possession, including tackles by senior Jeremiah Haffner, Nicolay, Braddy and senior Kaden Romig. A tackle for loss by Jeramiah Haffner forced a turnover on downs.

Gaining possession, Torrington reached Wheatland’s 18-yard line with carries by Sandusky and Braddy and a quarterback keep for a few yards from Moorehouse.

Moorehouse delivered the ball to Kramer in the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown pass play and Torrington led, 26-6.

Overall, Sandusky finished the game against Wheatland with 49 yards rushing on nine carries. Braddy tallied eight carries for 43 yards. Moorehouse completed eight of 10 passes for 118 yards.

Defensively, Jeremiah Haffner, Andrew Haffner and Romig led the Blazers with four tackles each. Jeramiah Haffner also made two tackles for loss, one sack and forced one fumble while Andrew Haffner posted one sack.

Torrington plays Cheyenne Central’s junior varsity team at home on Thursday at 6 p.m.

“We have to be versatile against Cheyenne Central,” Stienmetz said. “We don’t have any film on their junior varsity team and will have to adapt to whatever they throw at us.”