The Class 2A West Conference conversation has been dominated by two programs the past three years: Lovell and Lyman.
Mountain View has a chance to end that this week.
The Buffalos host Lovell on Friday in a game that, if the Buffalos have their way, will help usher in a new era for the 2A West hierarchy — or, if the Bulldogs have their way, a game that will help Lovell maintain the status quo it has helped establish.
Lovell is the known commodity. The Bulldogs won the 2A title in 2011, finished second to Lyman and 2012 and also tied for the conference crown in 2010 before falling to eventual state champ Thermopolis in the semifinals that year. Last week, the Bulldogs won their biggest game of the season — so far — by beating Lyman 32-26 in Lovell.
In the past couple years, that victory, even in Week 3, would have all but cemented a conference championship and home-field advantage in the playoffs.
But 2013 is different in the 2A West this year, thanks in large part to Mountain View.
The Buffs are the rising contenders. Last year, Mountain View notched its first winning season since 2006. With the bulk of their players returning, the Buffalos were the Class 2A preseason No. 1 — even with Lyman and Lovell lurking, two schools anchored by the support of three years of dominance.
This week, Lovell and Mountain View both come in on three-game winning streaks; together, they represent two-thirds of the undefeated teams in 2A West Conference play (surprising Thermopolis is also 2-0 in the conference standings).
One way or another, this game will either preserve or destroy the 2A West as we’ve come to know it the past three years.
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The (unfortunate) record watch: If Tongue River loses today to Moorcroft, the Eagles will tie the state record for the longest home losing streak. Tongue River hasn’t won at home since beating Lusk 13-12 in the regular-season finale in 2007. Since then, the Eagles have lost 17 straight in Dayton, including two so far this season. TR has won three games in that span, but they’ve all been road victories. The existing state record of 18 consecutive home losses is held by two teams — Lander (1967-71) and Newcastle (1999-2004). Meanwhile, Saratoga holds the state home winless streak at 19, going 0-18-1 from 1965-70. More information about home and road winning and losing streaks is available here.
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Other stuff I’m watching: In the 2A East, Burns-Newcastle pits another up-and-coming team against an established contender. It will be interesting to see if the Broncs can keep rolling. … Two of the best six-man teams in the state so far this year meet Friday when Meeteetse faces Dubois. Can the defending champ Rams stop the Longhorns’ high-powered offense? … Jackson has been one of the most intriguing teams in the state so far this year. We’ll see how legit the Broncs are after they face the Powell steamroller up in Park County, though. … Something amazing I discovered this week: Buffalo hasn’t started a season 0-4 since 1948. The Bison have to beat Douglas this week to avoid starting the 2013 season 0-4.
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Here are my picks for the week, with the teams I think will win in bold:
Thursday
Interclass
Billings Senior, Mont., JV at Rocky Mountain
Friday
Class 4A
Cheyenne East at Kelly Walsh
Cheyenne South at Gillette
Laramie at Cheyenne Central
Natrona at Evanston
Rock Springs at Sheridan
Class 3A
Douglas at Buffalo
Green River at Cody
Jackson at Powell
Riverton at Rawlins
Star Valley at Worland
Torrington at Lander
Class 2A
Big Piney at Lyman
Burns at Newcastle
Glenrock at Wheatland
Kemmerer at Thermopolis
Lovell at Mountain View
Moorcroft at Tongue River
Pinedale at Greybull
Wright at Big Horn
Class 1A 11-man
Burlington at Upton-Sundance (at Sundance)
Lusk at Riverside
Pine Bluffs at Shoshoni
Wind River at Southeast
Class 1A six-man
Guernsey-Sunrise at Farson
Meeteetse at Dubois
Midwest at Hanna
St. Stephens at Snake River
Saratoga at Normative Services
Ten Sleep at Wyoming Indian
Saturday
Class 1A 11-man
Cokeville at Lingle
Class 1A six-man
Hulett at Kaycee
For a full schedule including kick times, check out the 2013 schedule and results page.
Last week: 26-5 (84 percent). This season: 88-21 (81 percent).
The Week 4 slate has what appear to be a lot of straightforward games. But we all know it’s not that easy (especially in 2A). Who’s ready to pull an upset this week? Who am I overlooking? Post your thoughts below and let’s talk.
–patrick
Lovell @ Mountain View as been moved to 3:30 pm
Pat, How do you think the #1 rushing offense does against the #1 rush defense in Powell vs Jackson?
Jackson has been interesting to watch. I think they’ll give a lot of good teams trouble this year. That said, I will be surprised if Powell wins by less than three scores. Not a knock on Jackson; I just think Powell is that good this year.
–patrick
Another late change: The Saratoga @ NSI game got changed to noon. That’s been updated on the schedule page.
–patrick
The question I think is simple: What teams are sort of flying under the radar?
Upton-Sundance isn’t getting much attention.
I am going with Tongue River to get the win!
Laramie at Central will be the most interesting game in 4a.
Lovell at Mountain View should be a good one.
Good luck to all and safe travels.
Obviously I’m going to have to disagree with you and take Mt View over Lovell. The thing I am most amazed by right now though is the complete lack of RESPECT being shown to Glenrock! Are you kidding mr that that program being unbeaten can’t crack the top 5 in the Wyopreps poll? Has there been a more successful program in class 2a the last 10 to 12 years?….Patrick im sure you can answer that for me. I know a lot of people don’t find that double wing offense too sexy…..that is unless you find smash mouth, shove it down your throat for 350 yards a game, punish the defense wirh your offense sexy….which I obviously do. I just think that program has earned a little respect and Im sure they are probably plastering bulletin boards with the complete lack of it they are getting. Maybe they will prove me wrong but I like their chances in the East
I stand corrected on the Lovell vs MV game Patrick….Lovell 22. MV. 12
Mike: I was one of the people voting Glenrock No. 1 in 2A. And then Wheatland goes out and plasters Glenrock pretty easily. I still like Glenrock but I think I’ve underestimated Wheatland. The 2A East is about the most interesting conference I’ve seen in a while.
–patrick
As for other under the radar teams:
Despite the loss to US, don’t count out Rocky Mountain.
Burns might have the deepest senior class in 2A. That helps a ton.
Sheridan is hard to get a read on. But the Broncs are undefeated.
Star Valley could easily KO Powell in Afton.
–patrick
Words properly eaten…congratulations wheatland on the big win…..apparently the voters knw a lot more than me….lol
Before the Wheatland game…who had Glenrock played? The Bulldogs were the first legit test for the Herders…and they did ok…but not good enough.