Natrona Outlasts Thunder Basin in 4A Football Opener

The opening games of high school football can be a bit unpredictable but the players are glad to be hitting another team as opposed to pounding away at practice. First-game jitters are part of it and Natrona made plays when they needed to as they stymied Thunder Basin 17-7 to begin the 4A season on Friday in Casper.

After a scoreless first half, Natrona got on the board with new quarterback Kanai Olsen getting into the end zone from the doorstep to make it 7-0. Thunder Basin answered later in the 3rd with a 28-yard gallop to the house by Hadley Hudson to even the contest at 7.  Hudson by the way had 125 yards rushing and threw for 85 yards. On the ensuing kick-off, NC's Gage Brooks went end to end on a return that covered 92 yards for a score to bump the lead to 14-7.

Gavin Patik concluded the scoring with a 21-yard field goal to increase the lead to 21-7. Thunder Basin is in re-load mode as they lost a large number of starters from a year ago. The most improvement in football is between game one and game two so both squads will have plenty to work on.

Natrona hits the road for Rock Springs this week and the Bolts host defending 4A champion Sheridan on Friday. Be sure and check out some first-class photos of Friday's game in Casper from Libby Ngo and Shannon Dutcher. Enjoy!

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