We had several injuries occur and were without a few players. We were able to overcome that adversity by playing kids in different positions and putting in some inexperienced players. Our receivers were able to get open and (senior quarterback) Ryan Moorehouse threw great balls. Our defense showed up in a very physical game”

Coach Russell Stienmetz

Up Next

The Torrington Blazers host Buffalo for the Homecoming game on Friday, October 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

RAWLINS – The Torrington High School Blazers scored their second consecutive away victory with a resounding 42-14 win against 3A rival Rawlins on Friday, October 4.

Spectacular pass plays by the Blazer offense in the first quarter placed Torrington ahead, 28-7.

A solid defense shut out Rawlins in the second quarter and the Blazers maintained a 28-7 lead headed into halftime.

Two more touchdowns by the Blazers in the second half, coupled with a tenacious Torrington defense holding Rawlins to single touchdown, clinched the win for the Blazers.

“We had several injuries occur and were without a few players,” coach Russell Stienmetz said. “We were able to overcome that adversity by playing kids in different positions and putting in some inexperienced players. Our receivers were able to get open and (senior quarterback) Ryan Moorehouse threw great balls. Our defense showed up in a very physical game. This was a great team effort and I’m happy with how our team handled these road trips. We’re looking forward to a home game this week.”

A decisive win

Torrington stopped Rawlins on the Outlaws’ opening drive when senior Andrew Haffner recovered a fumble.

Gaining possession, Torrington drove the ball into Rawlins’ territory with carries by Moorehouse and senior Nounou Braddy. On the fourth play, Moorehouse kept the ball, swept up the left and into the end zone for a touchdown. A good kick by junior Holden Hackett placed Torrington ahead, 7-0.

Torrington prevented Rawlins from scoring on the Outlaws’ subsequent drive, including tackles for loss by seniors Mac Hibben and Mekahi Porter, forcing Rawlins to punt.

The Blazers took possession and on the first play, Moorsehouse sent the ball spiraling to junior Landre Greiman. Greiman sprinted into the end zone for a 45-yard touchdown pass play.

Hackett kicked the ball between the goalposts and Torrington led, 14-0.

Rawlins responded with a touchdown on the ensuing drive, narrowing Torrington’s advantage, 14-7.

Greiman returned Rawlins’ kickoff to Torrington’s 24-yard line. Moorehouse delivered a pass to Hibben. Shifting into high gear, Hibben dashed past the Outlaws’ defenders and into the end zone, completing a 76-yard touchdown pass play.

Another good kick by Hackett widened the Blazers’ lead, 21-7.

A touchback by Hackett placed the Outlaws at their own 20-yard line. Rawlins attempted to pass but Hibben leapt up for the interception. 

Regaining possession, Moorehouse found himself under pressure. With defenders closing in, Moorehouse fired off a pass to Greiman in the end zone for Blazer touchdown No. 4.

Hackett made good on the extra point and Torrington pulled ahead, 28-7, as the second quarter commenced.

Rawlins opened the second quarter in possession, but a pair of tackles for loss by Andrew Haffner forced a turnover on downs.

An interception by senior Nathaniel Stull stopped Rawlins’ final attempt to score in the first half and the teams headed for the locker room with the Blazers up, 28-7.

The Torrington offense reached the end zone on the Blazers’ second drive of the third quarter. Moorehouse faked a handoff and kept the ball for a 21-yard run into the end zone. 

Hackett scored the extra point and the Blazers found themselves ahead, 35-7.

Torrington shut out the Outlaws’ subsequent drive, including tackles by seniors Dorian Leo and Omar Vazquez and a stop behind the line of scrimmage from senior Jeramiah Haffner.

Rawlins managed to reach the end zone at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Torrington responded with a sustained drive culminating in senior Tyler Nicolay charging up the center for touchdown. Hackett completed another kick, clinching the win for Torrington, 42-7.

Rawlins found itself going nowhere on its ensuing drive with tackles by freshman Garrett Hager and Braddy.

Torrington wound the clock down in possession with carriers by sophomore Drew Kramer, Velazquez and sophomore Beau Martinez.

The Blazers tallied 414 all-purpose yards, including 194 yards rushing. Moorehouse completed 11 passes for 220 yards with Hibben, Stull, Kramer and Greiman on the receiving end.

Moorehouse led the Blazers in rushing yards with 76 yards on eight carries.

On defense, Andrew Haffner and Porter totaled six tackles, Braddy and senior Kaden Romig five with four each by Jeramiah Haffner and Kramer. Andrew Haffner posted four tackles for loss and one sack, with one tackle behind the line of scrimmage by Hibben, Porter, senior Ethan Robbins and Hager.

Stull and Hibben both tallied one interception with Andrew Haffner recovering a fumble.

The Blazers host Buffalo for Homecoming on Friday, October 11 at 6 p.m.