Injury mars historic season for Miners

Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow High School (HEM) football team started out looking like they were going to have another win under their belt against the Burlington Huskies going into the 2nd quarter.

The Huskies had not scored with six minutes left in the first half and the Miners were up by 22 points. Then the sheer physical size difference between the players started to kick in.

"This was the most physical team we have faced all year," Zach Scott, head football coach said.

Burlington scored its first touchdown with a little over five minutes left making the score 22-6. They scored again with only a little under two minutes left.

Then the famous northern Carbon County wind that is fueling wind farm development became a factor at a crucial point. 45 seconds were left when Tylor Goodro threw a pass to a receiver down field after eluding Burlington players but the wind stopped the ball from going full distance and was intercepted for a 58 yard touchdown.

The home crowd was in a bit of shock, but the Miners proved they could dig deep and pull off a score with seconds left. Actually it was 1.4 seconds when the McGraw twins connected with each other. Connor threw a pass to his brother Shane that was caught as the clock ran to zero. The half had the Miners up 30-22.

The Huskies came out and started scoring.

S. McGraw got injured early in 3rd quarter with a concussion and a key player for the Miners was out of the game. He was not the only starter to get injured. C. McGraw and Goodro were all out of the game at one point.

The Huskies took full advantage as the Miners tried to adjust and before the fourth quarter started, HEM had not scored a point and it was 30-49.

It cannot be said the Miners do not have heart.

S. McGraw was out, but both Goodro and C. McGraw came back to try and make something happen with the physically outmanned team.

C. McGraw did score in the 4th quarter, but unfortunately so did the Huskies. The final score ended with Burlington being ahead 61-36.

"They had six seniors," Scott said. "Burlington did what it always does. They come out the second half and wear a team down. They are a hard hitting second half team."

He pointed out Burlington's losses were by extremely close scores and it should not surprise anyone should they win state.

Scott said the loss did not diminish how proud he was of the team.

"We were kind of a year ahead," Scott said. "I am really proud of all these kids and when the boys that are core to the team got hurt at the same time, the younger players stepped up and played really well as did other players we don't go to as much. Alex Claice had his best day."

Scott said the third quarter did go badly for the Miners, but it was only one quarter.

"One quarter did define this game, but it did not define our season," Scott said. "Our season was a very successful season, where we did a lot of things that we haven't done in a long time; an undefeated season going 8-0, winning the conference and it will all be a stepping stone for next year."