Somebody Get The Lights On Their Way Out

The lights went out on the Wasatch Wasps at Wright-Tree Stadium for the last time this season after their loss to Bear River 36-6 in the first round of Utah's 3A conference playoffs.

Friday night's defeat, much like the one earlier in the year to conference powerhouse Juan Diego, left the Wasps frustrated on both sides of the ball.  Wasatch found it tough to get anything going on offense.  When they did, the excitement of moving the ball towards the promised land was soon gone with the stalling of the drive.  Even luck chose the other side.  When there was a glimmer of hope, something unfortunate for them like a fumble or a bad bounce on a punt reared it's ugly head.  Even the extra point kick following their lone touchdown was blocked, breaking a 33 for 33 streak by freshman Skyler Southam.  It was that sort of game.  The kind of game where Wasatch would have had to had a flawless performance to have a chance.  It wasn't meant to be on this night.

If heart was worth any points on the scoreboard, then the Wasps may have made it a closer game.  Their defense, which seemed to have spent an eternity on the field this night, was battered and bruised.  A few of their best tacklers and play makers were hobbled with injury, yet continued to fight on.  A tough Bear River opponent operated an effective running game mixing counters and sweeps and plenty of misdirection to keep the Wasatch defense guessing.  They repeatedly found the Bear ball carrier only to have him shake loose and move on to the next wave of tacklers.  It was a physically demanding performance by Wasatch, but they were over matched. 

Perhaps inspired by the toughness of their defense and refusing to go down with a zero, the Wasps once mighty offense - now missing two key receivers to injury - put together a 4th quarter drive, highlighted by a circus catch by Gavin Nebeker on a sideline pass from James Delacensarie, that put them on the Bear River 18 yard line.  Two plays later, Tate Berg punched the ball into the end zone giving Wasatch a score.  It was not a glamorous touchdown, but a necessary one.  You could see it in the faces of the offensive players as they came to the sideline.  It would not be enough to win the game and advance them in the postseason, but it would cushion the blow of great season coming to an end.

It's funny... feeling good - or not so bad - after a season ending loss, but the Wasatch Wasps had a very successful 2012 campaign.  There is much to be optimistic about even though the seniors may carry this abrupt ending with them for awhile.  The program is in good hands with first year head coach Steve Coburn and his staff.  There is little doubt they will conduct an off-season of football here in Wasatch County, holding camps and seven-on-sevens and continue to work with the youth program to grow and train the future varsity players.  The lights at Wright-Tree will again shine on the black and gold.  More than likely the Wasatch Wasps football team will be a little better than they were this year.  That's what a winning program does.  They move forward and get better, even when, at this moment, it doesn't seem possible.