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Riverton • For the first time since 2013 the Riverton Silverwolves are region champions. The underdogs took down Bingham 28-17 to clinch the 6A Region 3 title — a goal they’ve been striving for since head coach Jody Morgan took over the program a few years ago.
“It feels great,” quarterback Colby Barton said. “To be able to have only two region championships for this football team. It’s awesome like I’m just so stoked. I know our coaches are proud and I’m just happy.”
Morgan said his team knew coming into Thursday’s matchup that it wasn’t going to be easy as an underdog but they were able to find the right formula and stun the Miners.
“I think that last year this game happened and I’m gonna be honest with you, we were kinda satisfied and I think they need to understand that that’s a very tough team and they can play with people of that caliber but it’s going to take that intensity and focus and energy, and brotherhood and belief on the sideline,” Morgan said.
The senior Barton was called upon after some early struggles for the Silverwolves, and he quickly put together a strong drive that was capped off by a Logan Dunfield touchdown.
Two drives later, Barton connected with Josh Jacobson on a crucial third down, giving the Silverwolves another look at the end zone. This time Barton would take it himself from 24-yards out to put Riverton in the lead, 14-10.
Bingham running back Dallen Martinez quickly responded with his second rushing touchdown of the game in the final minutes of the first half.
To win the big games teams this year, Morgan said, the Silverwolves need to take risks and Riverton did just that at the start of the second half as they went for and recovered an onside kick that stunned the Bingham sideline. Barton missed a play during this drive as he got drilled by a Bingham defender but after being evaluated would come back and throw a 14-yard dart to Jacobson to put Riverton up once again, 21-17.
Early in the fourth, Barton hit Luke Perry, who dragged multiple defenders with him en route to a 26-yard touchdown.
The victory was sealed for Riverton late in the fourth quarter as cornerback Ruben Otuafi had two major pass breakups— one on third down and a decisive 4th and 17.
The Silverwolves will now have time to regroup before heading into the playoffs but Morgan is hoping that this victory gives the team a shot of moving up in the seedings. According to Morgan the team is currently projected at an 11 seed but hopes to possibly jump to 8 after this win.
“If we can then that’s gonna be awesome for us because even though we don’t have injuries just by this time this season if we can get some extra time, get healed, and really scout our next opponent,” Morgan said. “I mean that’s the other thing too that people see is just like yeah we got undersized kids, we don’t have any three or four-star kids but we play with a certain tenacity and passion and that comes from my coaching staff too, they are super prepared on what they need to do.”
Both Riverton and Bingham will find out who they will be playing in the playoffs on Saturday morning.
“We’re gonna carry this for 24 hours and we’re on to the playoffs and whoever it is we’re ready. We’re gonna go and gonna give them everything we’ve got, win or lose,” Barton said.
