Now it’s finally done: 10 more seasons, 1920 through 1929, have been added to the database. All the relevant pages have been updated with the addition of 1,105 new games, all played in a decade that saw unprecedented growth of football across the state.
Some suggestions of cool things to check out:
(1) The scoring records page has several new additions to it, thanks to some ridiculous blowouts from the 1920s. With the game just taking shape, some really good teams played some really bad teams, and a ton of blowouts ensued — including the state-record 127 points Cheyenne Central scored on Douglas in 1921. Of the six highest scores in state history now listed on the page, five were from the 1920s, and the other was in 1930.
(2) The all-time standings listings, by winning percentage and by total victories, were juggled a bit thanks to a decade’s worth of games. Specifically, Worland, Thermopolis, Sheridan, Cheyenne Central and Natrona had great decades; some other programs struggled in their infancy and were shifted down. By the way, I have now recorded more than 500 victories for both Cheyenne Central and Natrona; NC leads the total victories list since 1920 with 526 Ws. Seven other programs have at least 400 victories since 1920.
(3) The Grass Creek team page. The only new team page that came with this upload isn’t that deep — only one game has ever been recorded for the Grass Creek school, a 45-0 loss to Thermopolis back in 1926. But it exists.
(4) The school details page, which now has an interesting timeline of the “births” and “deaths” of programs at the bottom of it. Check it out. (More to come on this in a separate blog post.)
(5) The winning and losing streaks page. A significant unbeaten streak — Worland’s 35 consecutive unbeaten games from 1924-28 — was added. This streak, encompassing 33 victories and two ties, is tied for second-longest in state history. Another streak, Fort Washakie’s 0-28-2 winless streak, was noted, but not added to the list because of an eight-year gap the school went in that streak without playing the sport.
(6) Your ways to help! There are several additions to the missing games list and the Coaches Project list. If you can help me with any of this info, please do!
(7) Your favorite team page! Cruise around and check out all the new listings, and have fun. This upload should “complete” school records for all but six programs, as only Sheridan, Natrona, Laramie, Cheyenne Central, Buffalo and Newcastle played games prior to 1920. (“Complete” is in quotes there because I know these records will never be “complete;” they are only the best I can do with what I have available to me.)
Several all-state lists were also tracked down; they will be added to the all-state listings soon.
–patrick