West Wendover football off to best start in 18 years
WEST WENDOVER — For somebody to find the last time the West Wendover football team started a season with a 2-0 record, one would have to dig back to 2006.
That year, the Wolverines finished 6-4 overall and went 5-1 in league play of the 2A South but closed with a 14-9 loss in the playoffs to Lincoln County — which West Wendover had beaten twice during the regular season.
On Sept. 13, West Wendover posted a 33-21 home win over Coral Academy of Science-Reno — reaching the elusive 2-0 mark for the first time in 18 years.
The Wolverines outscored the Falcons 13- 8 in the first quarter and 13-7 in the second — building a 26-15 advantage by halftime — but both offenses were shut out in the third quarter.
In the fourth, West Wendover edged Coral Academy 7-6 and held on for a 33-21 victory.
Spreading the field, the Wolverines did the bulk of their offensive damage through the air.
Sophomore quarterback Adrian Griffith completed 16-of-25 passed for 268 yards with three touchdowns and ran three times for three yards.
Senior Adryan Carlos led West Wendover with 130 receiving yards on five catches, and junior Aidien Rodriguez pulled down a team-high six receptions for 85 yards.
On the ground, senior Tavian Gonzalez carried 16 times for 58 yards — also catching an eight-yard pass — and junior Angel Ramirez ran for 44 yards on 10 attempts.
Through the air, junior Branum Graham posted four catches for 30 yards.
Sophomore Lucio Chavez added a nine-yard reception.
On defense, Ramirez paced the Wolverines with seven tackles.
Carlos finished with six stops — including a sack — and returned an interception 60 yards.
Junior Davian Morales recorded four stuffs — one for a loss — and Gonzalez booked three tackles with a sack.
Five Wolverines — juniors Andres Trujillo and Jacob Alveraz, senior Manuel Arias, Griffith and Graham — notched two tackles apiece.
The defense was capped with one stop each for sophomore Marques Chavez, junior Jocksson Contreras, sophomore Caleb Romero and Rodriguez.
On special teams, Carlos kicked off once for 45 yards and Gonzalez hit two boots for a total of 85 — Carlos punting once for 49 yards and Gonzalez punting once for 30.
On returns, Rodriguez took three kickoffs for 105 total yards — including a long of 45 — and returned for six yards on three punts.
Versus Incline
The Wolverines (2-0, 1-0 in league) were scheduled will to play on the road for the first time Friday, at Incline.
