The best teams were hit hard by graduation. The best players are gone. In Class 1A six-man, the loss of the graduating class of 2014 has created uncertainty. In the first of our five classification previews, we look at how six-man might come together this fall:
Four questions to answer
What now? That’s the question many around six-man are asking. With the classification’s two most exciting players — Dubois’ Sterling Baker and Meeteetse’s Seth Bennett — lost to graduation, a big, gaping hole exists at the top of the classification for both individual and team accolades. Aside from the initial season in 2009, the six-man classification has never started a season with so much uncertainty.
So with all the turnover, who’s the favorite? Guernsey-Sunrise. The Vikings are the consensus favorite in six-man thanks to their bevy of returning players. Semifinalists a year ago, Guernsey will lean on back Brady Esquibel to help get the team back to Laramie for the first time since going undefeated in 2009.
What about out West? The West Conference is a complete toss-up this year — the two dominant programs last year, Meeteetse and Dubois, lost a lot to graduation, while the remaining teams in the conference (Snake River, Farson, St. Stephens and Ten Sleep) should all be vastly improved. Look for a lot more parity in the West than in the East.
Will Rock River win a game in its first varsity season? Probably more than one. The Longhorns, who have played junior-varsity ball the past two seasons, have proven that they won’t be a pushover once they make the move to varsity play. And the schedule is kind — Rock River faces two teams that went winless last season (St. Stephens and NSI) in its first two games of the season.
Four players to watch
Brady Esquibel, Guernsey-Sunrise. No returning player in six-man had more rushing yards than Esquibel’s 1,505 last year. He ran for 28 touchdowns, threw nine more and caught one, too, and was second for the Vikings in defensive points. If the Vikings are to cash in on their preseason ranking, it’ll be in big part thanks to Esquibel.
Rowan Hawk, Dubois. Hawk was a key piece of Dubois’ 2013 season, leading the team in catches and receiving yards as well as defensive points. His presence will be crucial if the Rams want to make it back to Laramie after missing out last season.
Shawn Shepperson, Meeteetse. The defending champs have a key returner in Shepperson, who led the team in defensive points a year ago. Shepperson is also Meeteetse’s leading returning rusher. His presence helps give the Longhorns experience and stability on a team that lost a lot to graduation.
Taylor Rouse, Kaycee. Six-man is a game for versatile players, and few are more versatile than Rouse. The only sophomore selected to the Class 1A six-man all-state team last year, he ran for 997 yards, threw for 645 more and had 226 receiving yards to boot. He led the Buckaroos in scoring and is also the team’s leading returning tackler.
Four key games
Guernsey-Sunrise at Kaycee, Sept. 13. It almost seems unfair to have the game that pits the two favorites for the East Conference championship in the second week of the season. But the Vikings and Buckaroos will figure out real quick if they’re going to spend the season as the one doing the chasing or the one being chased.
Meeteetse at Snake River, Sept. 13. The Longhorns’ defense of their West Conference championship starts with a road trip to Baggs to play what might be the most improved team in the classification. This game will be a key indicator for both teams early in the season.
Midwest at Kaycee, Sept. 27. If either the Oilers or Buckaroos want to make a serious run at a state championship game berth, this game will be critical. By late October, this game could decide who gets to host a playoff game and who has to hit the road.
Dubois at Meeteetse, Oct. 3. Don’t sleep on the Rams. Despite losing all-everything player Sterling Baker, Dubois has the athleticism to compete with any team in the classification — even the defending champs.
Predicted order of finish
East Conference: Guernsey, Kaycee, Hanna, Midwest, Rock River, Hulett, NSI. West Conference: Meeteetse, Dubois, Snake River, Farson, Ten Sleep, St. Stephens.
Way-too-early title-game score prediction
Guernsey-Sunrise 54, Kaycee 40. The Vikings are pretty much everyone’s preseason pick in six-man. Those are high expectations for a team that hasn’t been to Laramie since 2009, but Guernsey is deep and talented enough to justify those ideas.
So who do you think is the favorite in a year of uncertainty? Which team has the best shot to win it all in Laramie? Who might be a surprise? Share your thoughts with a comment or five.
Next Tuesday: Class 1A 11-man.
–patrick