Cowboys Stumble on the Road

Football is often referred to as a game of inches but in the fast paced world of eight man football the difference between a close game and a blowout can come from just a couple of plays.  That was the case for the Cowboys as they traveled north to take on a top five team in Garden Valley.  The final score showed a convincing 42-8 win for the Wolverines but in reality the game was much closer than that score indicated.

After giving up a score on the opening drive of the game the Cowboys seemed to respond well as they began their first drive of the game.  After moving the ball well early Craig Yost broke loose for a long touchdown run but unfortunately the score was called back for a block in the back penalty.  The penalty eventually led to the Cowboys having to punt the ball away.  After giving up another score on a long pass play the Cowboys were once again moving the ball well.  Just when it looked like North Gem would finally get a score the Wolverine defense stiffened and made a goal line stand and the Cowboys turned the ball over on downs.  Garden Valley would be in the endzone again just three plays later off of a ninety yard scoring play.  Now down three scores the Cowboys desperately needed a score before the halftime break.  However disaster would strike again for North Gem when the Wolverines came on a blitz causing a fumble and a turnover.  Garden Valley were the ones who were able to get another score in before the half and the Cowboys found themselves in a hole.

The second half of the game was much more competitive on the scoreboard.  The Cowboys were able to chew up yards with their powerful ground game and capped off a long eight minute drive with their first and only score of the game with Yost punching the ball in.  Garden Valley was able to quickly answer back taking back a four score lead but only just matching the Cowboys third quarter output.  The fourth quarter was a defensive battle.  At the end of the game North Gem was on the move once again trying to add a score to end a game which for all intents and purposes the outcome was already decided.  In one last devastating blow the Cowboys fumbled the ball and the Wolverines returned it for a score.

Despite the score the Cowboys battled really well against a top five team in the state they just had too many miscues to overcome.  This week the Cowboys will take a much needed bye week to regroup and get healthy.  The Cowboys will next be in action at home taking on a tough Mackay team on the third of October.