Quarterfinal playoff picks: A long time coming

When the postseason schedule is set, you can pretty much count in certain teams to be there.

Seven schools come into the playoffs this year with postseason qualifying streaks of 10 or more years; the players for three schools have never known a year in which their school didn’t make the postseason.

Gillette (24 consecutive years), Natrona (22) and Cokeville (21) all reached the postseason to continue impressive postseason qualifying streaks. Southeast (17 years), Big Horn (15), Douglas (12), and Cheyenne Central (10) have all qualified for more than a decade straight, too.

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Missing out: Some teams not in the bracket this year either continued or broke some long streaks, too. Buffalo missed the playoffs for the first time since missing in 1998 — the Bison had qualified for 14 consecutive years — while Green River missed the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Wyoming Indian missed the playoffs for the 17th year in a row, by far the longest such active streak in the state, while Rawlins, Moorcroft, Pinedale and NSI all missed the playoffs for the fifth year in a row.

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Our house: The same four teams (Gillette, Natrona, Sheridan, Cheyenne East) are hosting in the 4A quarterfinals for the third consecutive year.

Cokeville hosts in the opening round for the 21st consecutive season; Southeast is hosting a first-round playoff game for the 17th consecutive season. Douglas (eight straight seasons) and Gillette (seven) have also been first-round hosts consistently and continue those streaks this year.

Of this year’s first-round hosts, Rocky Mountain has been the longest removed from such duties; the Grizzlies are hosting a playoff game for the first time since 2002. This is also Rocky’s first playoff game on its new field in Cowley.

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Welcome back: Of the 40 teams in the playoffs, Jackson breaks the longest playoff drought; the Broncs are in the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Torrington, which, like Jackson, is in the 3A bracket, is in the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

The other 38 teams that qualified for this year’s postseason either qualified last year or in 2011.

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On to the picks, where I see a lot of scratch brackets happening. Can it really be that straightforward? Projected winners in bold:

Class 4A
(8) Evanston at (1) Gillette: The Camels are rolling right now; last week’s victory over East helped prove that to everyone. Rematch of a 2012 quarterfinal playoff game.
(5) Kelly Walsh at (4) Natrona: No doubt KW was fortunate to win the Oil Bowl. It will take even more of that kind of good fortune to beat the Mustangs in the playoffs. First playoff meeting since 2006; that year, NC lost in the regular season and won in the playoffs.
(7) Laramie at (2) Sheridan: The Broncs have been lost in the shuffle a bit this year since losing the Energy Bowl. But they’ll come out firing, especially against a Plainsmen team that they now know they can’t overlook. First playoff meeting since 2000.
(6) Cheyenne Central at (3) Cheyenne East: These intra-city rivals are meeting for the fourth time in two years. That hasn’t happened since back in the days when they played each other twice a year. That said, East has won all three games the past three years. Rematch of a 2012 quarterfinal playoff game.

Class 3A
(4E) Torrington at (1W) Powell: The Panthers were silly if they didn’t book their hotel rooms for Laramie two weeks from now back in November. First playoff meeting since the 1957 Class A title game.
(3W) Cody at (2E) Lander: The Tigers are playing well and, at home, will give the Broncs fits. Still, I like Cody on the road. First playoff meeting.
(4W) Jackson at (1E) Douglas: The Bearcats have been scary efficient in blowing through the East Conference. Jackson will be game, but it may not be much of a game. First playoff meeting since 2007 semifinals.
(3E) Riverton at (2W) Star Valley: I wondered how the Braves would respond after having so much success, but losing so much to graduation, after last year. Consider that question answered. First playoff meeting since 1998 3A title game.

Class 2A
(4E) Wheatland at (1W) Lovell: Despite this being a 1-4 game, I think the Platte County Bulldogs could put up a real fight in this game and make Lovell work for this victory. The parity in 2A this year will be evident in games like this. First game between these two programs.
(3W) Lyman at (2E) Big Horn: As far as the Rams are concerned, this was the game that should have been played a year ago in Laramie. The Eagles are a tough first-round draw and I think it’ll be close, but Big Horn has been playing really well lately. Only the second game between these programs; first came in 2011 quarterfinals.
(4W) Thermopolis at (1E) Burns: Even back in August, we knew Burns would be tough. But unbeaten? The Broncs have been impressive and have responded to every challenge so far this season. Look for that to continue. First playoff meeting.
(3E) Newcastle at (2W) Mountain View: We saw this game last year. The only difference was that it was in Newcastle. I’ll go with the home team again… but the Dogies will make it interesting. This could be the best game of the week; if I could only watch one game this week, this would be the one. Rematch of a 2012 quarterfinal game.

Class 1A 11-man
(4E) Upton-Sundance at (1W) Cokeville: Good luck, Patriots: Cokeville has NEVER lost a first-round playoff game since the playoffs expanded to eight teams in 1991. First game between these programs; Cokeville last played Upton in 2005, Sundance in 1991.
(3W) Burlington at (2E) Southeast: The Huskies played well enough to win the West Conference’s triangular playoff on Tuesday. But there’s a big difference between winning a triangular playoff and winning a playoff game. First meeting since 2008 title game.
(4W) Riverside at (1E) Lusk: The Tigers have notched six consecutive shutouts, including a 52-0 beat down of the Rebels, and are coming off a bye. Advantage Lusk. First playoff meeting since 2008.
(3E) Lingle at (2W) Rocky Mountain: The Doggers are one of only two road teams I’m picking to win this week. And it’s tough, because I love the Grizzlies and I think they’ve had a great season. Every time I think about this game, though, my gut tells me Lingle has the upper hand, even on the road. Only the second game between these programs; the first came in the 2009 quarterfinals.

Class 1A six-man
(4E) Kaycee at (1W) Meeteetse: The Longhorns have been on fire ever since they got back from Texas. No reason to think that will stop now. First playoff meeting.
(3W) Snake River at (2E) Guernsey-Sunrise: The Vikings won the most important game of their season last week, and I think that momentum will carry over to their meeting with the Rattlers. First playoff meeting and, oddly enough, only the third time they’ve ever played on the same field.
(4W) Farson at (1E) Midwest: Midwest’s only loss this season came courtesy of the Pronghorns. Sort of. Forfeits are funny like that. In this case, it means zilch. The Oilers are primed for a deep playoff run. First playoff meeting.
(3E) Hulett at (2W) Dubois: The Rams already beat the Red Devils once this season on the road. This time, Dubois has the home-field advantage AND the mental edge of prior success. First playoff meeting since the 2006 1A quarterfinals.

For a full schedule including kick times, check out the 2013 schedule and results page.

Last week: 26-5 (84 percent). This season: 219-48 (82 percent).

The first round of the postseason is always a fun time — the potential for upsets, the elimination of pretend contenders, the high-stakes nature of every game. So what teams should we watch for this week? Who’s being overlooked, and who’s being looked at too much? Post your thoughts below.

–patrick