In a game that featured a little bit of everything, the Braves scored a late safety to help seal a 14-7 win in Powell to pick up a win at PHS for the first time since 2006.

“Pass rush and pass defense was phenomenal tonight,” said head coach McKay Young. “They made some adjustments and got their run game going but we felt like they would struggle to put the ball in the air against us. The stop on the goal line; the late interception to keep them at seven points. We had a hard time getting the offense clicking tonight so it was an amazing night for our defense.”

After trailing Star Valley 6-0 at the half, Powell answered the bell in the third quarter with a strong running game and eventually punched in a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead. The Braves came right back with their best drive of the night which included a 42-yard run by Tanner Thompson and a 15-yard score from R.J. Cazier.

“I’ve been doing this a long time; hundreds of games,” Young continued. “But this one stands out. It’s a character win. This group has won since little league and they are allergic to losing and the young men made it happen tonight so we’re proud of them.”

Overall the Braves defense forced three turnovers via interception and turned away the Panthers on two other occasions on downs including a stop on fourth-and-goal by senior Alek Lawson.

Chase Merrell had two of the interceptions and also hauled in a key 40-yard reception on 3rd and 28 amid double coverage.

“We just put it into Brave mode and got it done,” he said of the fourth quarter surge.

Cazier finished with 99 yards and both Star Valley touchdowns and also had a late-game interception to help seal the game. Thompson had two huge runs to bookend the game and finished with 92 yards on just four carries.

The defense overcame a huge third quarter by Kadden Abraham who finished with 97 yards for the Panthers.

The win moves #4 Star Valley to (4-2) overall but (2-0) in the 3A West. It also sets up a big rivalry contest in Jackson against the resurgent Broncs (5-0(2-0) who defeated Green River 33-23.

In other 3A action, #1 Torrington pulled away from Douglas, 40-14. #5 Cody handed #3 Evanston their first loss of the season, 46-26. Worland beat Rawlings 16-7, and Lander outlasted Riverton, 35-27.