Week 1 Humble Pie: The running game, spare time on the sidelines and a loud statement

Apparently, the reports of Cokeville’s demise were highly exaggerated.

Friday’s 34-0 victory over Mountain View sent a pretty clear message: The Panthers are back.

Chance Maddock looks like he’ll be the next big star for the Panthers. He did it all. He ran for 247 yards, four touchdowns and probably found time to cook a pizza on the sidelines in between scores.

Cokeville didn’t quite have the same expectations heading into 2009 that they’ve seemingly had in the past. Now, though, those expectations are back.

Second mad props to another southwest corner resident, Evanston, which took care of Natrona in fairly easy fashion — 27-14 — in Casper. Corey Huntley scored three times and Evanston forced seven NC turnovers. The Red Devils are for real, folks. They played Gillette close last week and beat Natrona…. but the tests don’t stop now. Next week, Evanston travels to Cheyenne to play Central. And you better believe the Indians won’t be taking anything for granted.

Staying in the southwest corner, third mad props to Big Piney, which beat Burlington 20-12 in a big road victory. The Punchers had an unusually difficult time of it in 2008, so it’s good to see them get off on the right foot in 2009. Just from a glance at the score, the Punchers could be one of the better teams in 2A this year — and could easily be 4-0 heading into their Week 5 matchup with Kemmerer.

Fourth mad props to Glenrock, which went down to The Pit and beat Kemmerer 26-6 in a rematch of the ’05, ’07 and ’08 3A championship games. Don’t know the details, sorry, but my guess is that the Herders survived on lots of sweeps, dives and options.

Fifth mad props to Lusk, which used an efficient running game (nearly 400 yards) and a 16-point third quarter to beat Burns 28-6. Jerit Degering scored twice as the Tigers helped show the 2009 season could be a big one in Niobrara County — and the statement they made by beating the defending 2A champs was impressive.

Sixth mad props to Riverside, which sneaked past Pinedale 13-12 in Basin. This is another one of those games I don’t know much about, so can anyone fill me in on how the Rebels ended up a point ahead? Five safeties and a field goal?

Seventh mad props to Greybull, which beat Big horn 7-6 on Thursday. The Buffs scored the game-winning touchdown by capping a 99-yard drive with a Chayce Goton touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Buffs are better this year than they’ve been in a long time — Thursday’s victory helped prove that — and, now, everyone knows it.

Eighth mad props to Cody, which beat Hardin, Mont., like 500 to nothing. Actually, it wasn’t that bad (the real final was 43-0), but after losing in ugly fashion last week, it’s got to be good for the soul for the Broncs to get a big win like this one. Details?

From Saturday: Ninth mad props to the Natrona frosh-soph team, which beat Meeteetse 33-13 in Casper.

Now, for something completely different…

I did make it up to Kaycee on Friday for the historic Kaycee-Snake River contest, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised — the bleachers were filled to overflowing, the football was heartfelt but slightly tentative, and the atmosphere was all Kaycee. The song to which the Buckaroos first took the field? Chris LeDoux’s “Hooked on an 8 Second Ride.” I mentioned in my CST  story there was no organized cheering, and that means more than just no cheerleaders. That means no organized cheers at all, not even a “De-FENSE” chant. It was definitely a curious crowd that came to Kaycee, but give it time…. the football itself was great, the crowd was huge (for Kaycee) and both Kaycee and Snake River have football. And that’s the most important point about Friday’s little adventure to the base of the Bighorns.

By the way, how about the offensive performances on Friday? Sheridan put up 56 points on East; Pine Bluffs scored 55 at Shoshoni, Lander 47 against Rawlins, Central 52 at Rock Springs, Lingle 54 against Saratoga and Cody’s previously mentioned 43 against Hardin.

What were some of your favorite moments from Week 1? Post your comments below and let’s talk about it.

This week: 25-9 (69 percent). This season: 35-11 (76 percent).

–patrick