Broncos rack up 40-21 win over Warden

Four touchdowns by Connor O’Neill and 486 yards of total offense led the LRS Broncos to a 40-21 defeat of the Warden Cougars.

The Broncos’ defense was equally successful, shutting down the Warden running game. The Broncos allowed just seven yards of rushing. They also hindered the passing game, pressuring the quarterback and giving up only 145 yards passing while snaring two interceptions and a fumble.

The Broncos set the tone in the first quarter, putting up 19 points and moving the ball at will. They held Warden to just seven points until the fourth quarter when the Cougars scored twice against the LRS reserves.

Head coach Greg Whitmore liked the final outcome, but came away knowing his offensive line needs to protect the quarterback more.

“Warden is always a challenge for us,” he said. “They do some things differently with a lot of blitzing and stunting, more than we will see from anyone else. You can’t simulate that in practice and it almost always gives you fits. Dylan (Hartz) was under some a bit of pressure and was knocked down quite a few times.”

Despite the pressure, Hartz had an impressive game. He completed 20 of 29 pass attempts for 254 yards with just one interception.

“Several of our receivers made some tough catches,” Whitmore said.

The scoring started quickly as the Broncos marched the length of the field and then posted their first touchdown when Jacob Saetre grabbed an 11-yard pass and scurried into the corner of the end zone. Matt Leffel’s extra point kick missed and the Broncos moved out front 6-0.

O’Neill started his scoring run in the first quarter taking a Hartz pass 35 yards for a score. The two-point conversion pass was no good, giving the Broncos a 12-0 edge.

Cort Ruzicka put the next touchdown on the board in the first quarter with a five-yard rushing effort. Leffel’s kick was good and the Broncos moved out to a 19-point advantage.

In the second quarter O’Neill scored on a running play from eight yards out. Leffel’s kick was good and the Broncos took a 26-0 lead.

“Connor didn’t play against Warden last year. They weren’t prepared for him,” Whitmore said. “They double and triple teamed Ryan (Whitmore). That’s the neat thing about our team. We create tough match ups all over the field.”

Warden answered with a 38-yard pass play and extra point, to close the gap to 26-7 before the half expired.

In the third quarter the Broncos added two more scores. O’Neill delivered both of those, scoring on runs of nine yards and three yards. Leffel converted both extra point kicks. The Broncos carried a 40-7 lead into the fourth quarter.

For the game, O’Neill collected 141 yards rushing on 18 carries and 61 receiving yards on five catches.

Andrew Witt finished the game with 45 yards rushing on 12 carries, which he collected during the fourth quarter when the Broncos’ reserves went up against Warden’s first team defense.

Hartz rushed for 40 yards on three carries.

The team’s receivers worked together to record 248 yards of receiving. Ruzicka led all receivers with 81 yards on eight receptions. Whitmore grabbed two passes for 28 yards. Bridger Smith hauled in a pair of catches for 45 yards and Logan Morley collected 24 yards on one catch.

On the defensive side, O’Neill and Smith grabbed interceptions and Jarradd Morley picked up a Warden fumble.

Whitmore said the team paid close attention to game film during Monday’s practice. He planned to spend the week with emphasis on footwork and performance on short yardage plays inside the five-yard line.

Whitmore said his players need to improve their footwork and control the opposing team’s defensive line more when near the goal line.

There were other areas for improvement that were apparent on the game film. Whitmore said they were covered up a bit during the game because of the team’s overall ability.

“On both sides of the ball our athleticism and speed covered up several mistakes,” he said. “For the first game we’re pleased but there were a lot of mistakes. It’s nice some times to have that speed and ability. It saves your hide.”

The Broncos have one more nonleague tilt this week, on the road against Kittitas. Reardan defeated Kittitas 38-6 last week.