Wolverines prevail
Weiser moves on to semifinal action with 21-12 win over South Fremont

By Scott Ford
Argus Observer
scottf@argusobserver.com
Saturday, November 7, 2009 10:49 PM PST

Scott Ford | Argus Observer Weiser quarterback Austin Winger (right) throws a pass down the field during the first half the Wolverines 3A state quarterfinal matchup against South Fremont. Weiser won the game 21-12 and will get a rematch with Fruitland in the semifinals this Friday.

Weiser —The Wolverines continue to prove to the Idaho football world that they are for real and are ready to take to the field against any team.

Saturday, the Wolverines squared off against the South Fremont Cougars in a quarter final match up, and it was Weiser who was the better team, winning 21-12 in come from behind fashion.

“It was a huge win for Weiser. Its the first time we have been in the semifinals since 2005,” Weiser head coach John Srholec said. “We have not had many opportunities and a lot of people thought we were on the down side of being a power team, but we rose to the occasion.”

Things did not look good early for the Wolverines as South Fremont took its opening possession 61 yards on 10 plays for the games first score.

On the drive, the Cougars showed confidence in their ability to run the pigskin, when on  a fourth and one, opted to try for the first down instead of punting the ball and picked up the first down to keep the drive alive and ultimately the games first score. The point after was blocked making the score 6-0.

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But that did not impress the Wolverines, well at least not kick return man Darin Thomas.

On the ensuing kick off, Thomas fielded the ball at the 4-yard line and he hit middle of the field and busted loose for a 96-yard score.

Weiser converted the PAT and took the lead 7-0.

Weiser did not want to lose the momentum of the moment and successfully converted an on-side kick and set up shop on the Cougars’ 41-yard line and was looking to put the dagger in the heart of South Fremont early.

However, the Cougar defense showed up ready to play and forced Weiser to punt after four plays.

South Fremont took its second possession of the contest, which began at its own 9-yard line and methodically ground out 91 yards of offense to the end zone on 13 plays to retake the lead 12-7. Again the Cougars failed on the PAT.

The two defensive powers traded punches for the remainder of the first half.

During the break, Weiser head coach John Srholec made some key adjustments that took affect immediately in the third quarter.

“We knew they were doing some thing with our motion,” Srholec said, “So we made some adjustments and that opened the misdirection and counter plays up for us.”

Weiser received the kick to begin  the second half of play and did not waste the opportunity to retake the lead.

At the 7:40 mark of the third quarter, the Wolverines were back on top and this time for good when Srholec reached into his bag of misdirection plays and called the reverse to Blake Sappe who gallivanted for 11 yards and the score. Austin Winegar’s kick was true and Weiser led 14-12.

The icing on the cake came early in the fourth quarter when Spencer Chandler bulled his way through the Cougar defense from 1-yard out for the game’s final touchdown.

“Spencer has been a go to guy all year long. He knows his responsibility,” Srholec said.

Winegar again booted the PAT and Weiser went up 21-12.

South Fremont rallied with a drive on its next possession, but on a fourth and seven, the Cougars opted for the pass play when Weiser’s Alex Tanner stepped in front of the Cougar receiver at the 1-yard line to take the ball away.

“Alex (Tanner’s) interception was huge,” Srholec said. “What a great pick, he did a good job of jumping on that pass and to getting that stop.”

Weiser will travel to Pocatello Friday to face off with Shelly  at 6 p.m. in the semifinals.

“It will be a great game. It’s not fun to go on the road but, we’ll go to the ends of the earth to keep playing ball,” Srholec said.