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JACKSON - The past three weeks have been tough for the Worland High School football team with losses to Buffalo, No. 2-ranked Green River and No. 1-ranked Star Valley. Friday night at Jackson Hole High School the Warriors took out all their frustrations on the Jackson Broncs to halt their three-game skid

The Warriors (2-3) 49-14 victory over the Broncs (0-5) was setup by winning the battle in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Offensively, by controlling the line of scrimmage, the Warriors ripped off a number of big plays in the first half. Defensively, they were able to pressure the Broncs into turnovers.

"Physically we matched up pretty well and we've had some buzz saws the last few weeks. It was nice to be the more physical team out on the field. The kids got to display their athleticism with a pick-six and kickoff returns. It's nice to be the more physical and more experienced team for a change. I will say for Jackson they're going to be a tough team in the future. Their tailback is going to be really good in a few years," said WHS football coach Ryan Utterback.

In essence after being on the wrong end of the scoreboard the past three games. Worland used Friday's game as a "get right game," allowing them to build confidence heading into next week's showdown with the Cody Broncs.

"Kids will do stuff in practice and we'll tell them that's how you're going to accomplish this and that during a game. But it's important to have the success in an actual game with big time plays to validate that belief. That gives the kids confidence creating those great plays. Those kinds of things stay in the backs of their minds and now they know they can accomplish what we ask them to do. It will definitely help us in the future," said Utterback.

The Warriors scored on six of their seven first half possessions, their drives played out like this touchdown, touchdown, touchdown, touchdown, touchdown, touchdown and turnover.

What was impressive was the variety in which the Warriors accomplished all six touchdowns, three came on the ground, two through the air and the other on special teams.

The Warriors had multiple impressive individual performances just in the first half; sophomore Jaime Luna had a career night; Luna ran in Worland's first score, returned a 71-yard kickoff for a touchdown to go with two receiving touchdowns; senior Carson Lyman ripped off a 56-yard touchdown run and had an impressive interception when he tracked down a tipped ball; senior Hayden Lambeth punched in a 24-yard touchdown run.

The second half started slow for the Warriors as they gave up a quick touchdown and turned the ball over on downs at the Jackson 46. The Broncs took over on downs and moved the ball into Warrior territory. With the Broncs building momentum Warrior junior Andrew Edholm sat on a quick out route, picked off the Jackson QB and took it 61 yards to the house, giving Worland a 49-14 lead and squashing any comeback hopes for Jackson.

Jackson's next possession was the longest drive of the game as they logged 16 plays and drove into Warrior territory, but the Warriors defense locked it down forcing a turnover on downs.

"We were able to keep it together and stayed focused. One of the things I was a bit frustrated with was we let Jackson have a couple of quick scores and let them build momentum. But we didn't let them back in the game, we gave more momentum than we should have but kept to the bend but don't break mentality. Ultimately, we stood our ground when we had to and kept the score where we wanted too," said Utterback.

After that stop the Warrior subs got some run in the game's closing minutes, during which Luke Mortimer grabbed his first career interception on an impressive juggling catch. Then on the game's final play Mortimer got his second interception and was close to returning it for a touchdown but couldn't beat a Bronc to the edge.

For the game the Warriors went 7-7 on extra points, one of the many positive steps forward as they look to care of business in every aspect of the game.

"Putting up enough points to go seven-for-seven was great. All-around it just came together and validated when we talk about making the playoffs. It's not just a lofty goal, it's something that's attainable and lets us know we can accomplish the goals we set for ourselves," said Utterback.

Next week will be homecoming for the Warriors as they host the Cody Broncs (2-3). It will be an important matchup between the 3A West rivals with the winner clinching a playoff spot.

Utterback acknowledged his team is gunning for that playoff spot, but also said that in order to do so they will have to take care of business if they are to make it to the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

"I'd be lying if I didn't say that will be a focal point. The other part of it is the kids haven't had a whole lot of opportunities in the last seven or eight years to have something be that attainable and say hey here's something great you can accomplish, but then take a step back and say if you take care of business. With the big picture we can accomplish something big, focus on this game, focus on this series, focus on this play, it will all come together and good things will happen for us," said Utterback.

Kickoff between the Warriors and Broncs will be at 7 p.m.