High school football: Riverton bends but does not break, beats West Jordan

WEST JORDAN — The Riverton Silverwolves added a new wrinkle to the bend but don't break defense on Thursday night.

In their 14-6 homecoming-spoiling win over West Jordan, the Silverwolves nearly perfected the bend but don't break and kill drives by forcing turnovers on defense.

Riverton forced five turnovers, four of which came in the first half. Four of the turnovers were interceptions and each of them came in Riverton territory.

The Silverwolves were outgained by 73 yards and certainly weren't as explosive as the Jaguars, but they made the plays they needed to in order to win.

"Our kids found themselves in the right spot at the right time so we were pretty lucky that way," said Riverton coach Mike Miller.

After gaining just 34 yards in the first quarter, 21 of which came on one play, the Silverwolves were sparked by West Jordan's second turnover of the game. It came on a Riverton punt when defensive back Jentz Painter recovered a Jaguars fumble.

That play put Riverton in West Jordan territory for the first time in the game and the Silverwolves then went on a nine-play, 51-yard scoring drive. Running back Jordan Zymola capped it with a 1-yard touchdown run.

Painter was the sparkplug for the Silverwolves on defense. He had an interception to go along with his fumble recovery, and was an overall nemesis to the Jaguars' offense.

"We got a great team effort from everybody," Painter said. "If you execute every play, you expect good things to happen."

Jordan Bennett, Mekeli Haiman and Skyler Fullmer also had interceptions for Riverton.

The Silverwolves controlled the game for much of the second half. They put the game away with a 16-play, 87-yard drive that took more than eight minutes off the clock. Fullback Tua Laei scored on a 12-yard run on a trap play that Miller said was called by his offensive line.

West Jordan quarterback Adam Boelter and receiver Deshawn Perkins connected on a 14-yard touchdown pass late in the game but it wasn't enough to save the Jaguars' homecoming.

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