Junior Bobcats open with a win

The Thermopolis Middle School football team came out strong last Friday with a 28-6 win at home against Shoshoni.

Coach Shane Corpening said, "I thought we were ahead of where you'd expect your team to be in the first game, so that's always encouraging. I think we also dominated the line of scrimmage. I thought our offensive and defensive linemen came to play, established the line of scrimmage and played really well."

With not much given up on defense, Corpening noted the only touchdown for Shoshoni came when the second and third string Bobcat defenders came in

There were some inconsistencies, the coach added, but that can be expected the first game. "That being said, we've got a lot to clean up. We've got to be still a better blocking team, still a more physical team. We still have to learn our playbook and know our job every single play."

As for individual players, Corpening said Sean Slagle played well as a lineman and Chase Herring blocked well from the center spot. Zane Miller, though not a starter, "really gave us quite a good lift off the bench."

Ethan Music ran the ball hard, Corpening noted, scoring two touchdowns. Though statistics are not taken at the middle school level, he estimated Music had over 100 yards rushing. As quarterback, Will Coale completed an estimated 60-70 percent of his passes and had upwards of 100 yards passing including a touchdown pass to Trenton May. Corpening said May is something of a "utility man," catching passes and running the ball.

The middle school team will next take the field at home against Greybull, this Saturday at 9 a.m.