I thought being able to run the ball offensively was huge. Hats off to our running backs for getting as many yards as they did. We were able to successfully run the ball and that opened up the passing game as well. Our defensive line held a physical team to fewer yards this week. This was a great team effort.”

Coach Russell Stienmetz

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Torrington travels to Rawlins for a game on Friday at 6 p.m.

TORRINGTON – A nearly five-hour bus ride for the Torrington High School Blazers football team culminated in a resounding 33-2 victory for Torrington against 3A East rival Lander on Friday, September 27.

The Blazers offense outpaced Lander with 154 yards rushing and 216 yards passing to the Tigers’ 116 yards rushing and 25 yards passing. 

Three touchdowns by the Blazers in the first half, coupled with an unyielding Torrington defense, established a 20-0 lead for the Blazers at halftime.

Torrington scored an additional touchdown in both the third and fourth quarters to maintain the lead while the Blazers’ D-line held the Tigers to two points.

“I thought being able to run the ball offensively was huge,” coach Russell Stienmetz said. “Hats off to our running backs for getting as many yards as they did. We were able to successfully run the ball and that opened up the passing game as well. Our defensive line held a physical team to fewer yards this week. This was a great team effort.”

The Torrington defense prevented the Tigers from scoring on Lander’s opening possession with tackles by seniors Brayden Hime, Omar Vasquez, Kaden Romig, Jeramiah Haffner and Mac Hibben.

Taking possession, the Blazer offense steadily drove the ball across the gridiron with runs by junior Colby Sandusky, senior Nounou Braddy, and sophomore Drew Kramer. 

On the final play, senior quarterback Ryan Moorehouse kept the ball and charged into the end zone for touchdown No. 1.

A good kick by junior Holden Hackett placed Torrington ahead, 7-0.

Tackles by Jeramiah Haffner and junior Landre Greiman and pass coverage by Greiman stalled Lander’s subsequent drive.

Torrington returned Lander’s punt deep in Blazer territory. Moorehouse wound up a pass to Greiman. Catching the ball, Greiman sprinted across midfield, through Tiger territory and into the end zone to complete a 72-yard touchdown pass play.

A good kick by Hackett placed Torrington up, 14-0.

Lander found itself going nowhere as the second quarter began. The Tigers attempted to pass the ball before Kramer leapt up for an interception.

The Blazer offense drove the ball into the end zone on the following possession. Sandusky took the handoff and swept up the left to score the Blazers’ touchdown No. 3. 

A solid Blazers defense shut down both of Lander’s remaining attempts to score in the first half, including tackles by senior Andrew Haffner, senior Mekahi Porter, Jeramiah Haffner, Braddy, Hibben, Sandusky, Kramer, Greiman and Romig.

Torrington controlled the scoreboard, 20-0, at the end of the first half.

On Lander’s first drive of the third quarter, a tackle for no gain by Hibben forced the Tigers to punt. 

Torrington took possession and scored the Blazers’ fourth touchdown when Moorehouse kept the ball and charged up the right into the end zone. Hackett kicked the ball between the goalposts and the Blazers led, 27-0.

Andrew Haffner made a sack for loss on Lander’s subsequent drive. The Tigers fumbled and senior Nathaniel Stull recovered the ball for Torrington.

The Blazers commenced a sustained drive into the end zone as the third quarter ended and the fourth began, including carries by Kramer and Sandusky and passes to Braddy and Kramer.

Sandusky took the handoff and churned the remaining yards into the end zone for touchdown No. 5.

Another sack for loss by Andrew Haffner stopped Lander’s ensuing drive and Kramer intercepted a second pass.

Sandusky led the Torrington offense against Lander with 61 yards rushing on 11 carries. Moorehouse tallied 43 yards on 15 carries with Kramer contributing 30 yards on seven carries.

Torrington excelled in the air with Moorehouse delivering 10 passes for 216 yards. On the receiving end, Greiman completed two passes for 77 yards and Sandusky three passes for 69 yards.

Defensively, Kramer set the pace for Torrington with 18 points, including five tackles and two interceptions. Stull tallied 14 defensive points with three tackles and two fumble recoveries.

Romig tallied nine tackles with five from Jeramiah Haffner, including one for loss. Andrew Haffner made two sacks for loss.