Class 2A just got a whole lot more interesting.
Or a whole lot more predictable, depending on who you ask.
Big Horn’s big-time 37-14 victory over Greybull — in Greybull — is the type of game that sends shock waves through a classification. Greybull figured to be one of the best teams in the 2A West. The Buffs might still be. Yet the Rams left little doubt as to which team was the better team on the field Friday night.
It’s not surprising to me that Big Horn won. With all the starters the Rams have back this fall, beating Greybull was entirely possible. But 37-14? That’s more than a victory. That’s a statement.
But for Big Horn, the journey has only begun. The Rams face Burns and Wright the next two weeks before back-to-back showdowns with Glenrock and Thermopolis.
The Rams will be ready, though. Friday’s performance proved that.
Second mad props to a pair of Carbon County six-man teams, Snake River and Hanna. Snake River pulled one of the bigger upsets of the day, thumping preseason No. 1 Kaycee 68-44 in Baggs, while Hanna barely eked past Ten Sleep 34-32. I’ve been saying for quite a while now that six-man is much more unpredictable this fall, especially now that teams have a year of practice under their belts and, on paper, the teams match up more evenly. It’s hard to choose one from the pack because they match up so well. I think this is just the proof of that; Kaycee and Ten Sleep are no more out of it than Snake River and Hanna are now. Nevertheless, Kaycee and Ten Sleep figured to be two of the better teams in the classification, and Snake River and Hanna flipped that logic around convincingly.
Third mad props to the two Casper teams, Natrona and Kelly Walsh, for their convincing victories over Evanston and Green River, respectively. NC went on the road and flogged Evanston 34-10, while KW stopped Green River in its tracks 21-7. The 4A hierarchy was shaped a ton by these two games — NC as a title favorite thanks to two straight big victories, and Kelly Walsh as a legit contender, even despite last week’s loss. Obviously the fun is just getting started as these two teams face each other in the Oil Bowl next week… but for now, both teams can enjoy solid victories and appreciate their place.
Fourth mad props to Powell, which proved that zero week doesn’t mean too much by overcoming Riverton 13-10. Powell had a rough go of it last week before its game with Miles City, Mont., was stopped; Riverton had no trouble with Jackson. But coaches say all the time that the biggest improvement a team makes in a week is in the week between the first game and the second game. Powell improved, then won. And the 3A West looks a whole lot tougher.
Fifth mad props to another northwestern Wyoming squad, Lovell, which made the long trip to Wright and came away with a one-point victory. I don’t know much about what happened in this game (little help?), but I do know that (1) making a long trip like that, then playing well, often don’t go together, and (2) both teams had potential to be tough teams to stop this fall. Lovell found the way to win, on the road, against a good team. That HAS to bring confidence to a team.
Sixth mad props to another northwestern squad, Riverside, 23-20 winners on the road over Pinedale. In another game involving a long road trip for a pair of evenly matched teams, the road team again came out on top. Again, I don’t know much about what happened in the game, but going on the road, against a school three times your size, and coming back with a victory is not an easy task to do. The Rebels accomplished it and head into the conference schedule a scary team.
Seventh mad props to Dubois, which put the smack down on Upton by the tune of 48-0 in Casper. It was 41-0 at halftime. It’s a big win for the Rams, who are building a bit of momentum now. They won last year’s season finale and this year’s season opener — the first time they’ve won two in a row as a program since early in the 2006 season. Don’t look now, but the 1A West just got a whole lot more convoluted.
Eighth mad props to Wind River, which continued its domination over Wyoming Indian in a high-scoring shootout in Pavillion. The Cougars beat the Chiefs for the 14th time in a row, a streak that dates to 1987. I thought the Chiefs might have the edge this year, but the Cougars proved that notion wrong and also proved that they have that scary word — potential — and could be a threat again this year.
Ninth mad props to Star Valley, which not only beat but beat down Snake River, Idaho, 49-21. The Panthers have one of Idaho’s more consistent programs, but Friday’s game in Afton wasn’t even close. The Braves took control early, rolled up a big lead and then let the JV take some snaps. Wow — that is an impressive performance from the Braves. Like I said before, the 3A West looks a whole lot tougher.
Obviously, we see a lot of changes from year to year, and the first full week of the season gave us a glimpse of those changes. Sheridan and Natrona have set the pace for 4A teams; the 3A West looks like the toughest conference in the state; Douglas keeps on winning; Big Horn has 2A scurred; the 1A West is in a relationship and it’s complicated; didja see Southeast, Lingle, Lusk and Pine Bluffs all won; six-man has parity.
The unfolding of a fantastic season has begun. … So what did you think? What were some of your favorite moments from Week 1? Post your thoughts below and let’s chat.
This week: 23-11 (68 percent). This season: 35-14 (71 percent)