Championship weekend picks

The second weekend in November is almost here. That means five football games in Laramie. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready. Let’s take a quick look at this weekend’s matchups:

Class 4A
Natrona (10-1) vs. Sheridan (9-2)
Any previous meetings? Sheridan beat Natrona 18-17 on Oct. 22 in Sheridan.
Any common opponents? Of course. This is 4A. Eight. Central (Natrona beat 31-9;  Sheridan lost 28-21); East (Natrona beat 53-3; Sheridan beat 46-20 and 46-12); Evanston (Natrona beat 34-10; Sheridan beat 45-23); Gillette (Natrona beat 47-32 and 30-10; Sheridan lost 27-24, OT); Green River (Natrona beat 51-12 and 45-0; Sheridan beat 10-7); Kelly Walsh (Natrona beat 45-0; Sheridan beat 35-0 and 10-3); Laramie (Natrona beat 52-0; Sheridan beat 35-0); Rock Springs (Natrona beat 43-14; Sheridan beat 15-6).
Recently? Since losing to Sheridan in the regular-season finale for its only loss of the season, Natrona has thumped Green River (45-0) and Gillette (30-10) in the playoffs to earn the rematch. … Sheridan has won three in a row since losing to Central in Cheyenne in Week 7, beating Natrona by one, then struggling past Kelly Walsh in the first round before blasting East in the semis.
The pick? Natrona. The Mustangs’ loss to Sheridan earlier in the season was in part due to the loss of quarterback Jim Shellenberger to an arm injury. Shellenberger is back now, and so should be the Mustangs.
Why I could be wrong: Because Sheridan has already beaten Natrona and won’t be intimidated. Also, in case you forgot, it’s Sheridan that is the defending state champion — the Broncs are the only team in 4A that has had the experience of going to The War and winning a state title.
Kickoff: 4 p.m. Saturday.

Class 3A
Buffalo (9-1) vs. Douglas (10-0)
Any previous meetings? Douglas beat Buffalo 22-7 on Sept. 24 in Douglas.
Any common opponents? They play in the same conference, so yes. Four. Riverton (Buffalo beat 49-22; Douglas beat 27-9 and 23-2); Wheatland (Buffalo beat 63-7; Douglas beat 21-13); Torrington (Buffalo beat 60-10; Douglas beat 45-8); Rawlins (Buffalo beat 68-0; Douglas beat 64-0).
Recently? Since losing to Douglas in September, the Bison are 6-0 and have beaten their opponents by a combined 315-67. … Douglas is unbeaten and has relied on its defense to win some close games (the 22-7 win over Buffalo; 27-9 and 23-2 wins over Riverton and 21-13 over Wheatland).
The pick? Douglas. The Bearcats have won 30 games and two state championships in a row for a reason — and let’s not forget that Douglas handled Buffalo with workmanlike precision in their meeting earlier this season.
Why I could be wrong: Because Buffalo has been straight up thumping on teams since losing to Douglas. The Bison have been downright scary for the rest of the classification. And because the Bison come in off the emotional high of winning an overtime playoff game the week before. Big mo is definitely being kind to the Bison right now.
Kickoff: 3 p.m. Friday.

Class 2A
Thermopolis (10-1) vs. Big Horn (10-0)
Any previous meetings? Big Horn beat Thermopolis 42-7 on Oct. 1 in Sheridan.
Any common opponents? Again, as conference foes, yes. Six. Burns (Big Horn beat 45-14; Thermopolis beat 55-20); Glenrock (Big Horn beat 46-0; Thermopolis beat 42-16); Moorcroft (Big Horn beat 58-6; Thermopolis beat 42-14); Newcastle (Big Horn beat 35-13; Thermopolis beat 47-34); Tongue River (Big Horn beat 37-8; Thermopolis beat 42-17); Wright (Big Horn beat 32-6; Thermopolis beat 53-13).
Recently? Big Horn has been scary consistent on its way to 10 consecutive victories, scoring 43 points per game, and have put up two easy-only-in-the-eyes-of-the-final-score victories in the playoffs, 62-6 on Big Piney and 37-7 on Greybull. … Thermopolis, since its lone loss, has been on a similar offensive tear, scoring 236 points in its past five games — an average of 47 per game.
The pick? Big Horn, and for one reason: defense. The Rams’ offense gets the attention, but the defense hasn’t allowed more than 14 points in any game this season and has allowed only 81 points this year. Thermopolis, conversely, has allowed 208 points in its 11 games this year.
Why I could be wrong: Offense is a scary thing, and both teams have it. This could turn into a shootout, and the Bobcats know how to win shootouts.
Kickoff: 10 a.m. Saturday.

Class 1A 11-man
Lusk (9-0) vs. Cokeville (10-0)
Any previous meetings? Only once — and that was in 1994.
Any common opponents? Two. Southeast (Lusk beat 46-6; Cokeville beat 24-7); Pine Bluffs (Lusk beat 52-7; Cokeville beat 49-0).
Recently? Cokeville has been destroying teams but finally got tested last week against Southeast — one of two games for the Panthers this year that was decided by fewer than 40 points. Lusk, meanwhile, hasn’t been in a close game since beating 2A playoff qualifier Burns 26-20 in Week 1.
The pick? Lusk, and the only reason I’m picking one team over the other is because I have to. These two teams look incredibly evenly matched, but I give the edge to the Tigers because of their dominating performance in the playoffs thus far (113-15 scoring advantage).
Why I could be wrong: Because Cokeville is no slouch. The Panthers’ defense has given up just 33 points this season — never more than eight points in any one game — and know what it takes to win. (By the way, combined this season, Lusk and Cokeville have outscored their opponents 894-93. That is unreal. These two teams have obviously been the two best teams in the classification this fall and it’s only fitting they get to play each other in the title game.)
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday.

Class 1A six-man
Hanna (7-2) vs. Snake River (9-0)
Any previous meetings? Snake River beat Hanna 50-34 on Oct. 8 in Hanna.
Any common opponents? Of course. This is six-man. Six. Farson (Snake River beat 79-0 and 64-0; Hanna beat 58-6); Guernsey (Snake River beat 59-6; Hanna beat 64-24 and 51-0); Kaycee (Snake River beat 68-44 and 42-12; Hanna lost 47-33); Meeteetse (Snake River beat 58-12; Hanna beat 56-20); Midwest (Snake River beat 68-19; Hanna beat 45-37); Ten Sleep (Snake River beat 52-13; Hanna beat 34-32 and 33-32).
Recently? Snake River hasn’t had any trouble all season and has won its two playoff games by a combined 106-12. … Hanna has won three in a row, beating Meeteetse at the end of the regular season before pulling off home wins against Guernsey and Ten Sleep in the playoffs.
The pick? Snake River. The Rattlers have six-man’s best offense (540 points) and its best defense (140 points allowed) and are unbeaten. Oh, and they’ve beaten Hanna once already this season.
Why I could be wrong: Because if anyone can hang with Snake River, it’s probably Hanna. The Rattlers’ closest game this year was the 16-point victory they had over the Miners earlier this season, and if Hanna can keep it close in the fourth quarter, the Miners have the type of passing game that can make up points in a hurry.
Kickoff: Noon Friday.

There are my thoughts and my picks. What are yours? Which game do you most want to watch in Laramie this weekend? Post a comment below and we’ll talk about the best weekend of the year.

–patrick