Purple Reign: Glenrock races to a win in Herder Homecoming

The Glenrock Herders clobbered the Newcastle Dogies 34-7 last Friday  night Oct. 2 at home, in a triumphant closing of the town’s homecoming festivities, and after a disappointing loss in Wheatland the week before.

The win moves them to 3-2, with a 3-0 record at home this season. 

“It felt great getting the win on homecoming night,” Dustin Simmons said. “We worked together and got excited even for the little wins throughout the game. We had a lot of energy for the game.”

“The energy was more positive than anything,” Collier said. “Our kids played hard and were a little more physical than they were the past couple weeks.”

The team took it back to the basics, according to Collier, allowing the team to move faster and smoother.

They jumped out to an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter behind a Simmons touchdown and never looked back.

“We were trying to get the kids comfortable so they could start moving faster,” Collier said. 

“We wanted to help them feel confident and be willing to move more aggressive downhill and do the things they’re capable of doing. It showed on the field and they played way better.”

Adam Bearfield started the game at quarterback for Glenrock in place of the injured Jonah Young, and was able to move the offense without a hitch. 

Bearfield also nabbed two interceptions on the defensive side leading the team to a shut out until late in the fourth quarter.

“They had their assignments down a little bit better and we game planned better as coaches,” Collier said. “We’re going to continue to try and teach the way we did last week and hopefully we have the same results.”

The Herders will host conference opponent Big Horn in the teams biggest game of the season thus far. The Rams currently are tied with three other teams for the 3A East lead with a 3-1 conference record, and if the Herders want to make the playoffs they’re going to have to get over one of them.

“Big Horn is going to be a heck of a test,” Collier said. “Watching the film on them they have a lot of team speed. They’re going to try and get to the edge and zone block us and gash us up the middle.

“Defensively they’ve ran a six-man front against us and tried to do some things to confuse our offensive lineman.”

The Herders are undermanned due to injuries to Jonah Young and Lane Raney.

“We need some players to step up (in their place) and get the job done,” Simmons said. “We need to work hard this week. It’s going to be a tough game, but I think we can pull off this win.”