First mad props this week go to the weather.
Because, in short, it’s bad.
Five of Friday’s games were postponed — one to Saturday, three to Monday and one off indefinitely — and it’s all because of the first substantial snowstorm of the fall.
As I type this, I’m watching shovels and plows scurry across War Memorial Stadium, trying to clear the field in time for the Cowboys’ game against New Mexico. They’ve got an hour and I’m STILL not sure it can happen.
Anyway, in the games that were played, the weather still exercised a heavy hand. With temperatures below freezing statewide, a ton of games were low-scoring and oriented around defense and field position.
That’s why the first mad team props go to Rock Springs, which beat Cheyenne East 20-0 by exercising its use of the big play. The two teams combined for about 350 yards of total offense, but Rock Springs had scoring runs of 50, 20 and 17 yards, while East, um, didn’t. Now the Tigers’ postseason chances are much more secure — although not certain — and East is stuck with Evanston at 1-6, right now one of the two teams that’ll miss the postseason in 4A.
Second mad props to Cheyenne Central, which beat Green River 32-25 in the 4A game of the week. The Indians built a big lead — at one point up 26-10 — then held off the Wolves’ rally in the second half. The Indians are now tied with Sheridan for first in 4A. And it just so happens that the Indians are heading north to Sheridan for a critical showdown next week….
Third mad props to another 4A squad, Gillette, which eked out a narrow victory over Natrona (21-20). The close-game struggles for the Mustangs continue. Despite being 2-5, the Mustangs have actually outscored their opponents this year, losing games by scores of 21-19, 27-14, 28-27, 14-7 and now 21-20. Five losses by a combined 24 points. That stings. It’s to the point now where they aren’t moral victories…. but the scary part for everyone else is that karma and the law of averages might catch up with Natrona — and its opponents — come playoff time.
Fourth mad props to surging Star Valley, which won its second straight game in impressive fashion by shutting out previous 3A West league leader Cody 13-0 in Cody. The Braves proved their 29-3 victory over Powell last week was no fluke. Star Valley is for real. Don’t know much about the game itself (if you have some details, post them below), but the score tells you a ton. Yeah, it’s October, but you can tell the Braves are already in November mode. They’re playing like they’ve got nothing to lose, and it shows.
Fifth mad props to Lyman, which won its second straight and kept its slim playoff hopes alive by winning the Bridger Valley Bowl. The Eagles beat longtime rival Mountain View 14-7, continuing the improvement that they’ve shown for the last few weeks. The win might not change much this year — the Eagles are likely still out of the playoff hunt anyway — but it’s huge for the young players on the team in building some confidence. Lyman hadn’t beaten the Buffalos since 2004, so winning this one has to do wonders for the Eagles’ confidence after a couple tough seasons.
Last but not least (for now), sixth mad props to Thermopolis, which proved once again that I can’t pick games involving Burns. The Bobcats made the trip to Broncland and still won big, notching a 38-14 victory that was pretty critical in the 2A East race.
From Saturday: Seventh mad props to Tongue River, which ended its losing streak at 14 games with a 7-0 victory over Newcastle. This one was a long time coming for Tongue River, which hadn’t won since beating Lusk in the 2007 regular-season finale. Dubois stands alone now with the state’s longest active losing streak, now 15 games.
And one more from Monday: Eighth mad props to Riverton, which broke in its new turf field with a resounding 26-12 victory over Torrington. This is more than just a big victory for the Wolverines. It’s huge. Torrington was rolling, and Riverton stopped the ‘Blazers cold. Not a bad start to a week that also includes a game against top-ranked Douglas in Riverton on Friday….
Of course, considering all the road closures, the hard part for Thermopolis and every other road team in the state on Friday wasn’t playing — it was finding a way back home.
What else stuck out to me on Friday?
Midwest scored a school-record 77 points and Douglas scored what had to be close to a school record with 76. … Worland is alone atop the 3A West. … The seven losing teams in 1A 11-man had a combined 12 points. …
How about you? Anything cool, odd, interesting or weird stick out to you this weekend? Most of all, did you make it home safe?
This week: 20-8 (71 percent). This season: 160-40 (80 percent).
Accounting: This week’s three lost games (Wyo Indian-Lovell, Kaycee-Natrona sophs and Guernsey-Snake River) won’t go into my tally for the week.
–patrick
Patrick, You have gone aganst CC, for 2 weeks straight. They have beat you both times. Please do it again!!
(LOL)
It will be even tougher this week for CC though.
Thanks for the kind words Patrick. As you say it was a big victory for our program. Thank you also for your great web site!
Ted Holmstrom
Head Football Coach
Lyman High School
I think I’ve figured out why I haven’t picked Central the past couple weeks. The last time I saw Central play was the Capital Bowl against East… obviously not the Indians’ best performance. With the killer finish to the season (Gillette, Green River, Sheridan, KW), I wasn’t sure how Central would respond after losing to East…. but so much for that. That East game is looking more like a one-game fluke than a trend.
To coach Holmstrom: Thanks for the appreciation. The Eagles have clearly turned a corner the last three weeks or so, which has to be encouraging. That kind of turnaround is fun to watch in progress, because you know even greater stuff is coming…. keep it up.
–patrick
1A 11man seems to be getting clearer-Cokeville/WR winner has homefield for 2 games. Others in west look like RIverside and Rocky Mtn.
In the east-if LFL runs the table, and NCHS wins their final two, then SE and PB are both going on the road. LFL has Pine and SE left-so there’s no guarantees. If the Doggers drop either game then we have a mess.