In a game that always matched the rivalry hype, the Star Valley Braves and Sugar-Salem Diggers clashed in Idaho on Friday night with the home team winning 27-14. The loss ended a 35-game winning streak for the Braves dating back to 2023 as they moved to (2-1) on the season.
“I was proud of the way we battled,” replied Coach McKay Young in the post-game interview. “Down 7-0 right out off the gate and 14 -0 as well. I’m proud. Proud of the way we battled. How we respond will define this team this season. I didn’t see us hanging our heads.”
The Diggers led the entire game as Latrell Markle returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a score and a 7-0 lead right out of the gate. Frank Fillmore added a rushing touchdown to take Sugar-Salem to a 14-0 lead before the Braves found the end zone with a rushing touchdown by Crew Lancaster.
Fillmore finished with three rushing touchdowns including a 21-yard scamper on the last play of the game as the Diggers were attempting to run out the clock. As a team they finished with 228 yards on 42 rushes.
Overall Star Valley was hampered by three turnovers with a pair of interceptions and a lost fumble as well as a pair of missed field goals. Ross Hilton finished the game with 229 yards passing. Weston Crogg finished with eight catches for 115 yards. Roman Erickson added seven receptions for 84 yards. Lancaster led the rushing effort with 63 yards on 17 carries.
“Humble pie is a good teacher and it’s been a while since we’ve eaten it,” Young added. “Humble pie is good for the soul. It’s ok to be reminded that you’re not invincible. We have a lot of work to do. I also reminded them that they don’t give out any trophies in September.”
The Braves will play their first home game of the season on Friday, September 18, as they host the Lander Tigers with a 6 p.m. kickoff time.
“We’ve played three great football teams in a row and small things get magnified,” Young noted. “We don’t schedule the way we do without knowing that sometimes you might get punched in the mouth and get beat. Hats off to Coach Richins. They had a great game plan and we look forward to next week. I don’t know that you see a more motivated Star Valley team then when they are coming off a loss.”
Passing
Ross Hilton 17 of 25 for 229 yards 2I nt
Rushing
Crew Lancaster 17 for 63 yards TD
Zach Delgado 4 for 12 yards
Kade Rich 3 for 16 yards
Ross Hilton 3 for 0 yards
Roman Erickson 1 for 2 yards TD
Receiving
Weston Crogg 8 for 115 yards
Roman Erickson 7 for 84 yards
Kai Frazier 1 for 16 yards
Zach Delgado 1 for 14 yards
