Broncs tame Bearcats for home opener ‘W’  

The Jackson Broncs got new head coach David White his first career win in Black & Orange as they used a fast and aggressive defense to knock off the #3 ranked team in 3A, the Douglas Bearcats, by a 17-9 final score.
Offensive strategy
Coach White’s genius is paying early dividends on offense as the early-season game plan appears to be a spread offense (twin wideouts on either side) with one running back at the hip of a QB that takes a pistol snap.
The gist of the X’s and O’s means first-year starting senior quarterback Owen Janssen is asked to make simple reads and get rid of the ball quickly. Corners not playing bump-and-run up on the line of scrimmage? Answer: Quick slant pass to the slot receiver.
That little 6-8-yard quick hitter to Seb Brunner was there all day against the loss to Teton, and Janssen found Thomas May with it for Friday’s first tally against Douglas.
Getting the ball into his playmakers out on the edge in space is what White has been able to do through the first two weeks of football. It’s a good recipe for a team with an offensive line that lacks size.
But the O-line has been impressive thus far. While they are not exactly punching open huge holes for RB Jack Jenkins—guys like Kris Phillips (C), Joshua Hall (LG), Wyatt Ross (LT), Jack Berezay (RG), Kaden Nield (T), and Cruz Fourre (T)—have been giving Janssen time to throw or opportunities to tuck it and run.
Thomas May (#2) breaks loose after catching an Owen Janssen pass for Jackson’s first of two touchdowns early in the game against Douglas last Friday. (Tammy Urkoski Griebel)
Defensive blitz
The Broncs are playing loose and fast on defense. Jackson players fly to the ball on D. The pass rush is relentless. Even during the loss to Teton, the defense looked good. Two late scores by the Timberwolves certainly attributed to the cumulative toll Coach David Joyce’s no-huddle offense took on conditioning.
Against Douglas, the pass rush harassed junior Trey Rinn all game, giving him little time to find receivers downfield.
Lukas Gralund, Justin Castagno, Ayden Gralund, Andrew Hanna, Tayden Barnhart, and Drew Griebel are quickly becoming the core of a stingy defense that likes to play with speed.
Next up
The Broncs (1-1) topped the beast in the east Douglas for the 3rd straight time—twice previously in late-round playoff wins in 2020 and 2021. Jackson stays at home this Friday to host the Wood River Wolverines (0-3) out of Hailey Idaho. The Sun Valley team is ranked #17 out of 19 3A teams in Idaho. By comparison, Teton (2-0) is ranked #5.
Wood River vs. Jackson. William T. McIntosh Stadium. Kickoff at 6pm.
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