Four questions to answer
What are you watching for in 4A this year? Two big streaks. Sheridan enters the season with a 31-game winning streak and three consecutive state championships in their rearview mirror, but continuing the streak to record-breaking proportions will take some significant growth from the Broncs’ younger players. That said, four more victories would break the state record for longest winning streak. Sheridan’s fourth opponent this year is Cheyenne East, the team that faced the Broncs in last year’s championship game.
You said TWO big streaks — what’s the other? Well… this one isn’t as positive. But Cheyenne South enters this season tied for the state’s longest losing streak ever at 38 games. If the Bison can shake the streak, it would mean a lot to the program and to players who have never known a varsity victory. In an odd twist of the schedule, Cheyenne South’s first opponent this season is Sheridan, in Sheridan. So the team chasing the record for the longest winning streak in state history will play the team that already has the state’s longest losing streak in the season’s first game. How crazy would it be if… nah, never mind. Well… wait, forget it. But…
Can anyone else catch Sheridan? Absolutely. The Broncs aren’t loaded with returning talent — no all-staters return and just one all-conference player, senior kicker/punter Ty Gilbertson, is back. The challenge is that many of 4A’s other teams find themselves in similar circumstances. Only four players come back with all-state accolades — two from Thunder Basin, one at Campbell County and one at Cheyenne Central — making the classification as wide open as it’s been in a while. It’s the usual suspects in Natrona, East and Thunder Basin giving chase, but Campbell County is also ready for a breakthrough after several years on the periphery of 4A’s discussion.
Any programs on the rise? Well, three of the four programs who finished near the bottom of the 4A standings last year have new head coaches, so anything could happen. Rock Springs (3-6 in 2023), Kelly Walsh (2-7) and Laramie (1-8) have new coaches in Kasey Koepplin, Randy Roden and Jake Chick, respectively. Each of the new coaches will bring fresh perspectives and energy to programs in need of them. All three have the potential to establish longstanding successful programs if they can build some positive momentum in their first seasons.
Preseason class MVP
Mason Drube, Campbell County. It’s been a hot minute since an in-state quarterback has committed to Wyoming’s only in-state university. And it’s Drube, who caught the attention of several big-name college programs before verbally committing to the Cowboys this summer. He is 4A’s top returning passer, having thrown for 2,067 yards last season and is careful with the ball, completing 22 touchdowns while only four interceptions.
Preseason class breakout player
Bridger Peldo, Sheridan. The only full-time starter who’s returning for either Sheridan’s offense or defense, Peldo is an offensive lineman who will be a key piece of the Broncs’ success this fall. He’s drawing attention from several college programs because of his talent and his frame (6-foot-5, 290 pounds). After learning the process last season, Peldo should be a leader — the type of lineman a team can base its running attack on having.
Other players to watch
Logan Mendoza and Cort Catlin, Thunder Basin. The ‘Bolts will be contenders this year, and this time around it will be because of a stacked defense led by these two. Mendoza was Thunder Basin’s No. 1 tackler last year with 68, while Catlin was second, and not far behind, with 64. They’re the leaders of an experienced defensive group that will keep Thunder Basin in the conversation for a deep playoff run.
Brycen Bailey, Cheyenne Central. The classification’s only returning all-stater who plays on the interior, Bailey’s presence will be key for Central’s ability to stay in the championship conversation. The bulk of Central’s roster will be pretty young this year, and coach Mike Apodaca is counting on his linemen and linebackers to carry the team, especially early.
Trent Rosenau, Campbell County. In a normal offseason, Rosenau would be getting significantly more attention. After all, it’s not often that 4A’s top rusher comes back the next season. But here Rosenau is, with 1,107 yards to his name last season, including 15 touchdowns, as well as an all-state nod. His rise mirrors his team’s rise, though, meaning Rosenau won’t have to do it all on a team that is multidimensional.
Tucker Sides, Natrona. Riddle me this — how does the player who finishes first in tackles per game (9.5), second in total tackles and second in defensive points per game in Class 4A NOT make the all-state team? Well, that’s what happened to Sides last season, who put up a huge number of tackles, 105 to be exact, to lead a stingy Natrona defense that ranked first in 4A in yards allowed per game last season.
Four key games
Cheyenne East at Sheridan, Sept. 20. Sheridan drew a brutal start to the season, with games against Thunder Basin, Natrona and Cheyenne East all coming in the first four weeks of the season. Those three teams, along with Sheridan, represented the four semifinal teams in last year’s 4A playoffs. If the Broncs can somehow come through unscathed in the first three games, this one right here represents what could be consecutive win No. 35 — the one that would set the state record for most consecutive victories. Don’t look too far ahead, though, Broncs…
Natrona at Cheyenne East, Sept. 27. The schedule this season put a bunch of big games early. The four semifinal teams (East, Sheridan, Thunder Basin, Natrona) all play each other in the first five weeks of the season, capping with this game between the Mustangs and T-Birds in Week 4; in fact, Thunder Basin’s first three games are against the other semifinalists. We’ll find out a lot about 4A’s frontrunners early in the season, for better or for worse.
Campbell County at Thunder Basin, Oct. 11. When Thunder Basin opened its doors eight years ago, this game — this one, right here — is the game everyone knew was possible in Gillette. It took a while to get there, but the Camels’ absolution has been astonishing to watch come together. And it’s been beautiful to watch this rivalry come to its full fruition in the past couple years.
Campbell County at Sheridan, Oct. 18. Hey, Camels: One week after what will likely be a highly emotional cross-town rivalry game (are we on board with the Coal Bowl yet?), guess what? You get the defending champs, on the road, in a renewal of our good, old friend the Energy Bowl. These two weeks, and these two road games, could make or break the Camels’ hopes this year.
Predicted order of finish
Sheridan; Campbell County; Cheyenne East; Thunder Basin; Natrona; Cheyenne Central; Rock Springs; Kelly Walsh; Laramie; Cheyenne South.
Way-too-early title game score prediction
Sheridan 38, Campbell County 28. Of all of the seasons in Sheridan’s current championship run, this one is the most tenuous. That leaves opportunities for several of the teams that have been close to breaking through for a title of their own with a good chance to do so. The first few weeks will be telling to a season that seems full of uncertainty at the outset.
I’m curious about your favorite 4A team — how do you see them working out in 2023? Leave a comment, or drop a line on Twitter or Facebook.
–patrick