We knew certain things about the Douglas-Buffalo game before the first snap on Friday.
We knew that Douglas and Buffalo have built a nice rivalry the past few years based on the relative success of both programs.
We knew Buffalo had a gauntlet of a schedule thrown down to them: Powell, Green River and Douglas in consecutive weeks.
We knew Douglas had its long winning streak busted in the season opener but had quietly started to piece together another streak in its wake.
And we knew (or at least I knew) that when these two teams took to the Bison Bowl field on Friday, the winner was going to win by only a few precious points.
The final score — 27-21, Douglas — tells a small piece of a big puzzle. What may be bigger than the victory itself is what it means for the rest of the season.
With the victory, Douglas now controls its own destiny for home-field advantage in the playoffs, something that, given the parity we’ve seen atop Class 3A this fall, could determine who goes to Laramie and who stays home in mid-November.
Maybe the Bison don’t care about that now. After all, they’ve lost two big games at home (Powell and Douglas) but won their one big game on the road (Green River) and also beat Worland in Week 1 in Washakie County.
Maybe these two teams will have the chance to play each other again. If they do, we’ll know a heck of a lot about the game before it starts. We’ll just have no idea who will win the darn thing.
Believe it or don’t, that is the only slice of Humble Pie I have to give out this week. The rest is going back into the refrigerator, where it will sit until next week.
(Saturday addition): Until now and Wind River. Second mad props to the Cougars, who not only beat Rocky Mountain, they throttled the Grizzlies 49-2. It’s Wind River’s biggest victory ever against Rocky Mountain — and it makes me wonder what the heck is going on in the 1A West. Three weeks into the conference season, every team has at least one conference victory, but only Cokeville has a spotless league record. Five teams are 1-2. And, yes, I know, comparing scores is dangerous, but dig this: Rocky Mountain beat Wyoming Indian 56-6, Wyoming Indian beat Wind River 14-8, and Wind River beat Rocky Mountain 49-2. What?
(Sunday addition): Third mad props to Ten Sleep, which beat Hulett in fairly impressive fashion. That 47-20 score should be a warning to the rest of the six-man classification. The Pioneers have quietly built a three-game winning streak and their only loss was on the road at Snake River in Week 1. All of a sudden, Ten Sleep’s date with Dubois next Friday in Ten Sleep is a heck of a lot more intriguing. Just as importantly, the Red Devils are now 0-2 in the North Conference and will need to make some progress before facing Dubois and Meeteetse in Weeks 7 and 8, respectively, to close out the league slate.
In between then and now, I can pontificate on what else caught my attention this week:
I had the chance to watch the Glenrock-Big Horn game on Friday, a game the Herders won 30-19 even though they didn’t score a point in the second half. After watching that game, I can say for certain that we have yet to see the Herders at their best — and the Rams are going to be really good not only this year but for the next few years. Lots of youth on that Rams roster. …
I mentioned earlier this week that Evanston just might be tired of losing close games. However, winning in the fashion they did — a touchdown in the final minute to beat Cheyenne Central 30-26 — might give their fans and coaches heart attacks way before their time. …
Don’t look now, but Midwest has won three games in a row. Second-longest streak in six-man behind, well, you know. …
I’ll keep repeating it, because I think it’s true: Rawlins will win at least one game this year. Maybe more. …
Mountain View is better than you think. That secret got released this week when the Buffalos played step-for-step with top-ranked Lovell before succumbing 21-19. Makes the Bridger Valley Bowl, scheduled for Oct. 7, a heck of a lot more appealing, doesn’t it? …
The most frustrated team in the state right now has to be Burlington. The Huskies’ two losses the past two weeks have been by a combined eight points. I won’t say that Burlington’s playoff hopes are irreparably damaged, but let’s just say this: If the Huskies were a car, it would need Xzibit to save itself from itself. …
Your thoughts? I know you got ’em. You should post ’em below. Then we should talk about ’em. And then I can stop saying the word ’em.
This week: 29-3 (91 percent). This season: 117-28 (81 percent).
–patrick
After watching Rawlins I agree they are a way better team this year. I haven’t seen Torrington play but wouldn’t be surprised if Rawlins won based on past results this year. I would be very surprised if Rawlins beat Douglas,Buff.or Lander. Will be interesting to see how Douglas-Lander goes as well as Buff-Riv. Buffalo has donkey stomped us the past 2 years but I think we have a reasonable chance this year but will have to play at our best to beat them. Powell looks to be the best of 3A this year but a lot of teams are getting better every week and come playoff time it’s not like last year with Douglas and Buffalo being almost unbeatable for the rest of us with Cody not far behind. Lots of good football to be played yet and if everyone stays healthy its up for grabs for a bunch of teams.
Douglas-Lander and Buffalo -Riverton this week. The playoff picture could start laying itself out.
Powell, Green River, Star Valley seem to have the edge in the West with Worland, Jackson a win away.
4A is going to get real interesting this week.
Sheridan- Gillette, and NC at Evanston next week..
2A, Lovell-Greybull and Thermop-Lyman this week with Mountain View needing to win for playoffs.
Glenrock, Wheatland seem to be in the drivers seat, but Big Horn might have something to say about that.
1A, Whenever Cokeville has home field throughout the playoffs they are tough.. When was the last time they didn’t win their conference?
The east is Southeast, followed by Lusk, Pine Bluffs and Lingle. All long trips to C-Ville for the Semi-final..
I will say this about the 3A West, it really is wide open, with Powell and GR leading the pack at this point. However, if there is a team that I am nervous about for the second half of this schedule, it is Cody.
I know, they are 0-4, but they seem to be moving in the right direction and it is not inconceivable (you keep using that word) for them to win three out of their last four.
The Braves need a clean game this week if they want to beat Powell. We can’t fritter the ball away this week and expect to win.
But, I am looking forward to a terrific homecoming crowd. Is this the best time of year or what?