Week 2 picks

Lander is the challenger — the up-and-coming squad destined to make 2009 its breakthrough season.

Buffalo is the old guard standing in the way of the Tigers’ pursuit.

It’s only fitting, then, that the challenger is the one entering hostile territory, making the trip up to Buffalo with only one option guaranteed — a chance.

Really, that’s all Lander has on its side when it faces Buffalo at 7 p.m. Friday. A chance. A good chance. A chance to not only display its capabilities, but to do so on the home field of one of Wyoming’s most consistent football programs.

The Tigers posted an easy victory over Rawlins in Week 1, looking every bit like a team that could do some damage in the 3A classification this fall. Buffalo, though, shut out Worland, notching yet another victory in a decade that’s been full of them.

The upstart and the old favorite will meet on Friday, both looking for the same result, with one guaranteed to suffer disappointment after the final tick runs off the clock.

The circumstances surrounding the game — the chance for these teams to show the rest of the state just how good they are — make it that much more fun to watch.

Buffalo is my pick to win; the Bison have the talent and the tradition to hold off the Tigers this time.

But when and if they meet again in the playoffs, the roles could be completely different….

Here are the rest of this week’s picks, with my projected winners in bold:

Thursday
Class 1A 11-man
Shoshoni at Wind River: The Wranglers had a tough start to their season last week. Unfortunately, things won’t get any easier with the Cougars. 7 p.m.

Friday
Class 4A
Cheyenne East at Kelly Walsh: East drew the murderer’s row of games to start the season — Green River, Sheridan, Kelly Walsh, then Gillette next week and Central the following week. 7 p.m.
Evanston at Cheyenne Central: Evanston has already proven it can beat a quality opponent on the road. Now the task comes in doing so consistently — and that’s easier said than done. 7 p.m.
Green River at Sheridan: The Wolves’ first road game will definitely put them to the test. The Broncs were definitely better in Week 1 than in Week 0, and if they can keep improving like that they have the ability to pull off the upset. 7 p.m.
Natrona County at Laramie: I can’t decide if this game will be a squeaker or a yawner. I’d say the former, but I can’t really tell… Can’t get a good feel for it yet, so Friday night will help clear up a lot of questions for both sides. 7 p.m.
Rock Springs at Gillette: The Tigers took it on the chin last week. They’ll do better this week, but probably not enough to beat the powerful Camels. 7 p.m.
Class 3A
Cody at Rawlins: Cody looked really good last week and that trend should continue against the Outlaws. 7 p.m.
Jackson at Douglas: Is there any 4A team in the state that looks as dangerous as the Bearcats do right now? Short answer: No. 7 p.m.
Powell at Wheatland: The Panthers’ defense looks plenty solid. And this might be the week that the Panthers’ offense finally breaks through for a big night. 7 p.m.
Riverton at Star Valley: Speaking of offenses, the Braves — shut out in two losses so far this season — need to get theirs going. And I can’t put my finger on Riverton just yet, so this game should be very telling for both teams. 7 p.m.
Worland at Torrington: Possible game of the week. I think these two teams match up evenly across the board, and if the game was in Worland I’d give it to the Warriors. … As it is, I’ll take the Trailblazers in a close one. 7 p.m.
Class 2A
Big Horn at Burns: Who would have guessed that last year’s two teams from the 2A title game would both be 0-1 heading into this one? Not me. … 6 p.m.
Kemmerer at Lyman: Don’t bury the Rangers just yet. 4 p.m.
Lovell at Pinedale: The Bulldogs are out for revenge after losing in last year’s 3A quarterfinals in surprising fashion — and what better way to do that than by spoiling the Wranglers’ first night game, as well as their first game on their new artificial surface? 7 p.m.
Mountain View at Greybull: Buffs vs. Buffs. Take the home Buffs, the one looking more and more like a state title contender. 7 p.m.
Thermopolis at Wright: Week 2 for the Bobcats’ new offense will be significantly tougher than Week 1 was. 7 p.m.
Tongue River at Glenrock: The Herders are back on track. Come to think of it, they were never off track. So, um… the Herders are still on track. 6 p.m.
Wyoming Indian at Big Piney: The Chiefs looked about as good as a losing team can look last week, falling in overtime to Wind River. We’ll find out this week whether that loss translated into disappointment or a new resolve. 4 p.m.
Class 1A 11-man
Burlington at Saratoga: Even with the long road trip and the distraction of the Hobo Pool, the Huskies should have enough focus to get past the Panthers. 3 p.m.
Dubois at Rocky Mountain: Remember last year when the Grizzlies started 3-0? Rocky knows how to win these early-season games. The trick now is finding a way to win past early September. 6 p.m.
Lingle at Upton: The Doggers and the Bobcats both rang up shutouts in their respective season openers. Somebody’s dream of an undefeated, untied and unscored upon season will end here. (This is also Upton’s first night game. As I understand it, they’re breaking in their new field this week. Anyone up in Upton want to tell us how it looks?) 7 p.m.
Lusk at Hulett: It’s a shame this game is being played in Week 2. It could end up deciding the 1A East championship. If you have the chance to get to Hulett, definitely do it, because this should be a doozy. 2 p.m.
Normative Services at Pine Bluffs: The Hornets had an impressive start to the 2009 season, something that should continue at home against the Wolves. 4 p.m.
Riverside at Cokeville: Riverside really impressed me last week. Trouble is, so did Cokeville. 3 p.m.
Sundance at Southeast: Sundance: Better than you think. Southeast: Still good enough to beat Sundance at home. 7 p.m.
Class 1A 6-man
Hanna at Snake River: The four best teams in 1A six-man this year might all be in the East Conference — but the Rattlers will be jazzed up for their first home game, and for Homecoming, and won’t go down without a fight. 3 p.m.
Midwest at Meeteetse: This is based purely on last week’s results with the Natrona frosh-soph teams. Midwest won its game with the Mustangs; Meeteetse lost. 4 p.m.
Interclass
Kaycee at Natrona frosh/sophs: Kaycee looked really impressive last week and should keep that momentum rolling right on into Week 2, the week the Buckaroos were originally scheduled to play Fort Washakie. 6 p.m.

Saturday
Class 2A
Newcastle at Moorcroft: The Wolves could be a dangerous team when it’s all said and done. However, they’ll need to make sure they don’t overlook the Dogies, who could be a dangerous team as well if they can pull off the upset this weekend. And they’ll need to avoid the distraction of everyone in the stands focusing on their headphones while listening to Dave Walsh and Kevin McKinney. 1 p.m.
Class 1A 6-man
Guernsey at Farson: How can you not like the Vikings, especially after they put up 89 points in Week 1? 2 p.m.
Interclass
Natrona frosh/sophs at Ten Sleep: The Pioneers are better than they showed in Week 1. Week 2 will prove that. 11 a.m.

There some pickages. Dig it. Am I on target? Or am I firing off course? Post your thoughts with a comment and let me know where you agree or disagree.

–patrick