On a night where 28 seniors walked the field with their family and friends, the Braves spread the ball around in a 52-14 victory over the visiting Evanston Red Devils. A total of 25 different players either ran the ball at least once or caught as least one pass as Star Valley extended their school-record winning streak to 29 games. It was also the ninth straight time the Braves have defeated the Devils in a series where the Uinta County visitors haven’t won since 2008. 

Phoenixx Hovey had an incredibly efficient game, distributing the ball  to ten different receivers while compiling 250 yards on 17 of 23 passing. He threw four first-half touchdowns on his way to moving into third-place in the school record books for passing yards in a season.

Will Linford caught two of those scores with Cooper Lancaster and Travis Thomson nabbing the other two. Roman Erickson didn’t get into the end zone but he led the team with five catches for 83 yards. 

On the ground, a total of 15 players toted the ball for the team including the final drive where coach McKay Young kept alive his tradition of rewarding  the offensive line with carries. One of those could arguably be called one of the most exciting moments of the game as Will Walker nearly sprinted for a touchdown on a 46-yard gain before being pulled down at the two-yard line. Senior lineman Dane Jensen scored as did fellow senior Caleb Erickson. 

Thomson added another special teams touchdown to the season totals as he returned Evanston’s first punt 60 yards for a score early in the game. 

The Braves knelt four straight times in the final two minutes just shy of the Evanston goal line, turning the ball over rather than add to the offensive total.

Defensively, Mason Pack picked off Evanston’s Kayson Brady while Krew Morgan recovered a fumble on a Red Devil miscue on fourth and goal. In addition to the touchdowns, Tayt Lawson made all seven of his PATs and also made a 38-yard field goal. 

The Devils found the end zone twice on touchdown passes from Brady to Timber Fitch and Camden Batt. The Star Valley defense held Evanston to just 86 yards on 30 carries. 

The win assures the Braves of no worse than a first round home playoff game as they will be on the road next week to face the Green River Wolves in the regular season finale. 

Friday Night Roundup – 

The #1 Sheridan Broncs trailed #2 Campbell County 10-0 before finishing the game with 28 unanswered points to win their 51st consecutive game. In the 3A class, #2 Cody bounced back from their loss to Star Valley last week to steamroll Green River 56-7 in Sweetwater County. #3 Riverton took care of Torrington 27-9 while #5 Jackson had no problems with Powell in a 54-20 final. #4 Lander shut out Rawlins 49-0 on Thursday. 

In the 2A class, Lyman got past Pinedale 14-6 in a Thursday game. #2 Mountain View fended off #3 Thermopolis 28-21 in a 2A West clash. Cokeville routed Worland 41-19 on the road while #4 Lovell defeated Kemmerer 48-2. Top-ranked Big Horn blasted Tongue River 55-0. 

Find more scores and rankings at Wyopreps.com.