To fill in its now-empty date originally scheduled for a game with Fort Washakie, Kaycee will be playing the Natrona sophomores this week. The game will be at 6 p.m. Friday in Casper.
–patrick
School: Mountain View
Nickname: Buffalos
Colors: purple and black
Stadium: Clarence Lammers Stadium
State championships: 1984, 1995 and 1997
Times worth remembering: Few teams were as consistent as the Buffalos from 1995-2002. In those eight years, Mountain View played in six state championship games and won a pair, going undefeated in both 1995 and 1997. In those eight seasons combined, the Buffalos went 62-17. The Buffalos ran off a similar streak in 1962-67, going 40-4-1 with three undefeated seasons — but won no state championships, mythical or otherwise.
Times worth forgetting: Two abysmal stretches mark the Buffalos’ program. The first came with back-to-back winless seasons in 1972 (0-9) and 1973 (0-8) when the team was shut out 12 times in 17 games. The second came in a five-year stretch from 1977-80, when the team went 2-32; that includes back-to-back winless seasons in 1977 (0-7) and 1978 (0-6) in which the Buffs were shut out 11 times in 13 games and scored only 21 points total in the two seasons combined.
Best team: Of Mountain View’s six unbeaten teams, three stand out as outstanding — the 1962 team only gave up 12 points in a 6-0 season; the 1995 team outscored its foes 458-65, including 148-14 in the playoffs, on its way to a 10-0 record; and the 1997 squad allowed just 28 points all season and scored 327 on its way to a state title. Let’s just call it a draw; placed on the field against each other, they’d tie.
Biggest win: They say you always remember your first — and that’s certainly the case with Mountain View. The 41-14 2A title-game victory over Tongue River in 1984 helped not only the school, but the entire region. The Southwest had long been viewed as inferior by other regions (something demonstrated year in and year out by the statewide polls), but Mountain View’s ’84 title was the Southwest’s sixth B/2A championship in nine years. It was the end of the beginning for both the region and the school, and both went onto greater heights in the 1990s and 2000s.
Heartbreaker: The 1950s Brooklyn Dodgers may have coined the phrase, “Wait ‘til next year,” but Mountain View gave it a whole new twist. It all started in 1999 with the toughest defeat in school history, a 16-6 home loss to Bridger Valley rival Lyman, a team Mountain View beat in the regular season, in the 2A championship game. The loss began a string of “almost” — the Buffalos also lost championship games in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004. They have yet to win another state title.
Gillette-Laramie recap and notes (Gillette News-Record). … Lovell-Wright (Gillette News-Record). … Snake River-Kaycee (Rawlins Daily Times). … Rawlins-Lander (Rawlins Daily Times). … Hanna-Farson (Rawlins Daily Times). … Saratoga-Lingle (Rawlins Daily Times). … Natrona/Kelly Walsh review (Casper Star-Tribune).
–patrick
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
Kaycee-Snake River (my effort for the Casper Star-Tribune). … Green River-Kelly Walsh (CST). … Evanston-Natrona (CST). … Upton-Dubois (CST). … CST roundup. … Sheridan-East (Wyoming Tribune Eagle). … Central-Rock Springs (WTE). … Laramie-Gillette (Laramie Boomerang). … Scottsbluff Star-Herald roundup (several Wyo games listed). … Douglas-Belle Fourche (Rapid City Journal).
–patrick
Green River-Kelly Walsh advance and Natrona-Evanston advance (Casper Star-Tribune). … Gillette-Laramie advance (Gillette News-Record). … Another Gillette-Laramie advance (Laramie Boomerang). … Moorcroft is the latest team to pony up for an artificial surface (Gillette News-Record). … Lander-Kemmerer recap (Kemmerer Gazette). … Lusk plays well in jamboree (Lusk Herald).
–patrick
Few football games will have as much meaning this season as the one being played in Kaycee this Friday.
At 3 p.m., the kick will sail on an important game for both teams. It’s Snake River’s first game since 1958; it’s Kaycee’s first game, period.
Morgan over at Small Town High School Football recently visited Kaycee and posted a great video about the development of the team. It looks like the Buckaroos already have the support some 4A teams would love to have.
By luck of the draw, it’s the Buckaroos that draw home-field advantage for this historic game. That means the Kaycee faithful will have that first chance to see the Buckaroo blue and red in a game played in their hometown.
Clearly, this game is big for the Rattlers, too. It’s not every season that a team comes back from 50 years of dormancy. Snake River is basically starting over, too.
It may be the last time that two Wyoming teams ever meet under such conditions — both venturing into territory that’s, for all intents and purposes, new to everyone involved. Most of the players playing will be playing their first full-on football game; most of the fans will be watching their first live high school game; most of the coaches, officials and courageous adventurers to southern Johnson County will be seeing their first six-man game.
Really, both teams come out on top because they’re both fielding teams. That in and of itself is a victory.
Incidentally, I pick Kaycee to win, just because the game is in Kaycee. But by about 6 p.m. on Friday night, both teams will walk off the field knowing they are taking the right steps by simply being there.
Here are the rest of this week’s picks, with projected winners in bold:
Thursday
Class 2A
Greybull vs. Big Horn, at Sheridan: Greybull’s secret is out, especially after last week’s win over Riverside. But how much of the Buffs’ momentum is hype and how much is real? The Rams will put that to the test. 7 p.m.
Class 1A 6-man
Natrona frosh-sophs at Midwest: These two teams played each other three times last year and the Oilers won all three. 6 p.m.
Friday
Class 4A
Cheyenne Central at Rock Springs: The Indians could very easily be 4-0 heading into the Capital Bowl against East in Week 4. 7 p.m.
Evanston at Natrona County: The Red Devils certainly played Gillette tough last week, and they might have the ability to put a scare into the Mustangs, too. 7 p.m.
Kelly Walsh at Green River: KW got off to a great start last week. But asking for a 2-0 start might be asking for a little too much, especially considering the opponent this week. 7 p.m.
Laramie at Gillette: Was the Plainsmen’s big win last week a sign? Were the Camels’ struggles against Evanston a warning? I’d say “maybe,” and “no.” 7 p.m.
Sheridan at Cheyenne East: Both teams dug themselves big holes last week, and neither could climb out. This game could be one of those decided by who can get the lead in the first half. 6 p.m.
Class 3A
Buffalo at Worland: What’s better — sitting out the first week or losing by 47? Worland won’t have the first-game jitters, but Buffalo might have more confidence. Either way, it’ll be intriguing to see the final score in this one, because I think it could be a really close, really good game. 7 p.m.
Powell at Riverton: Riverton helped establish its legitimacy by beating Jackson last week, but the Wolverines might have more work to do before they can hang with Powell, which has beaten Riverton four consecutive times. 7 p.m.
Rawlins at Lander: These two teams played each other every single year from 1970-2003 but haven’t faced off at all in the past five seasons. It’s pretty cool to see this series get resurrected…. but the Tigers should cruise. 7 p.m.
Class 2A
Glenrock at Kemmerer: Talk about heirarchy. The top two teams in 2A, the two teams that have played each other in state championship games three of the past four years, meet in the first week of the regular season. Winner becomes the 2A favorite by default; loser can still make a claim to No. 2, at least until someone else steps up to challenge the perennial contenders. I’ll take Kemmerer at home for the revenge factor…. 4 p.m.
Lyman at Thermopolis: The Bobcats have shifted not only their offensive system, but the players in it. I’m thinking it’ll pay off, at least this week. 6 p.m.
Wright at Lovell: This is a really intriguing game to me. Lovell has high expectations, but Wright is perennially underestimated. So go figure. Should be a great test for both teams. 7 p.m.
Class 1A 11-man
Dubois vs. Upton, at Casper: The “Halfway Bowl” is now in its fourth year. It’s always fun to watch — seldom do the players from 1A schools have the chance to play on turf, enjoy cooling mist showers on the sidelines or meet another team on a neutral field. 1 p.m.
Pine Bluffs at Shoshoni: Coin toss game of the week. I have no idea what to expect in this one. Honestly. No clue. These teams have never played each other and didn’t have any common opponents last season. 3 p.m.
Rocky Mountain at Normative Services: It’s the first meeting between these two programs, so pretty much anything could happen. That said, NSI usually takes about three or four weeks to hit its stride…. 6 p.m.
Saratoga at Lingle: The road team has won the game in this series the past two years, but I’ll give the Doggers the edge at home this time around — if for no other reason than because of the law of averages. 7:30 p.m.
Class 1A 6-man
Farson at Hanna: Speaking of big first games, Farson has one this week, too. The Pronghorns’ layoff hasn’t been as long — they last suited up in 1990 — but nevertheless, it’s pretty much like starting over for Farson, too. And it’s rather coincidental that the last game Farson played in 1990 before ending its program was a 48-13 road loss to Hanna. So 19 years later, what does Farson draw as its first game back? A road game at Hanna, of course. 🙂 4 p.m.
Interclass
Big Piney at Burlington: Another first-ever meeting as the Punchers venture north. All the earmarks are there for a great, close game — unfamiliarity, early season, big school at small school. Could be one of the best games of the week. 3 p.m.
Burns at Lusk: This could be, too. Great Week 1 matchup. Burns, as defending 2A champs, earns the nod for this one, though. 7:30 p.m.
Cokeville at Mountain View: Combined margin of victory in the past four meetings of these squads: 18 points. This one always seems to be close. I don’t see this one being any different. 4 p.m.
Hulett at Tongue River: It’s odd to think that these two Powder River foes haven’t played each other on the gridiron since 1980. I’ll give Hulett the nod simply because they have the experience edge, but the Eagles won’t be a pushover. 2 p.m.
Moorcroft at Sundance: This is another one of those Week 1 games I’m glad to see — a rivalry continued despite classification differences. I was really, really worried when schedules were being put together that this game might not happen; I’m happy to see it stay, even if it’s a bit earlier than usual. 3 p.m.
Pinedale at Riverside: This is an incredibly intriguing game. And I have no clue how it’ll play out. 6 p.m.
Southeast at Newcastle: Newcastle’s OT victory last week was a good sign for the Dogies, and if they can somehow knock off the Cyclones in the first meeting between these two programs, they could be a contender. Even so, Southeast has won three consecutive state titles for a reason. 7 p.m.
Wind River at Wyoming Indian: I think the Chiefs will make it interesting — maybe even keep it close — but the Cougars just have too much athleticism this fall. 7 p.m.
Interstate
Chadron, Neb., at Torrington: The Cardinals have beaten the Trailblazers nine consecutive years. I’m not sayin’, I’m just sayin’…. 7 p.m.
Douglas at Belle Fourche, S.D.: Douglas will get tested this week, no doubt. But the Bearcats proved last week they’re for real. 7 p.m.
Hardin, Mont., at Cody: Hardin and Cody have played some pretty close contests the past couple years. I see this one shaping up the same way — and it’s a game the Broncs could very easily win. 7 p.m.
Star Valley at Snake River, Idaho: This was a rule I learned in Idaho Falls — never pick against the Snake. Sorry, Braves. Old habits die hard. 7 p.m.
Teton, Idaho, at Jackson: The old rivals are meeting at the right time of year — before Teton Pass gets closed! That said, the Broncs should cruise on their home field. 7 p.m.
Wheatland at Sidney, Neb.: This is another one of those good, interstate, early-season games. If past games between these two are any indication, it’ll likely be close, low-scoring and — when it comes to choosing a winner — a toss-up. 7 p.m.
Saturday
Class 1A 6-man
Ten Sleep at Guernsey: The Pioneers and the Vikings are two of the higher-rated teams in the first go-round of six-man, and the winner will likely assume the favorites’ role until someone else can prove otherwise. 2 p.m.
Interclass
Meeteetse at Natrona frosh-sophs: Long trip for the Longhorns, but it’s shorter than the one they were scheduled to make to Rock River…. . 1:30 p.m.
There it is. First full week of picks is in the books. This is always a fun week for me to see the final scores roll in — it really gives us our first full chance to see where exactly teams might fall into the heirarchy of their respective classifications.
And — lest we forget — 2009’s opening weekend gives a few teams their first chances.
Feel free to make your own picks with a comment, or if you’re not feeling adventureous, feel free to just critique my picks. Remember, the picks are always done in fun and I don’t try to take it too seriously…. That said, let’s kick back and enjoy the full-flung start of the 2009 season.
–patrick
Powell-Miles City review (Powell Tribune). … Douglas-Star Valley review and Belle Fourche preview (Douglas Budget). … Rawlins-Lander advance (Rawlins Daily Times). … Wheatland-Rawlins scrimmage review (Platte Co Record Times). … Green River-Cheyenne East review (GR Star). … Snake River-Kaycee advance (Rawlins Daily Times). … Guernsey-Ten Sleep advance (Guernsey Gazette).
–patrick
With Fort Washakie’s departure from six-man football this season, eight schools were left with open weeks on their schedules.
Only one of those teams — Midwest — has filled the open week with a concrete game. The Oilers, scheduled to open their season with the Eagles, will instead play the Natrona County sophomore squad. That game will be at 6 p.m. Thursday in Midwest.
Kaycee, Hanna and Snake River are all looking for teams to fill that open date, but none of the three have any set plans. Guernsey will keep the week open. (I’m still waiting to hear back from Farson, Meeteetse and Ten Sleep about their plans for their new open week. I’ll post that information here and on the 2009 scores and schedules page when I receive it.)
–patrick
Today begins the unveiling of my “super-secret project.” By now, I’ve pretty much committed myself to writing a book about Wyoming high school football history, and part of that book will be brief overviews of every program in the state — their highs and lows, their best games and heartbreaking losses.
I’ll post a new bio every Tuesday. Feel free to critique, agree, disagree, suggest other options or bring up your own favorite memories. I’d love to hear what your favorite memories are from your favorite teams!
Teams will be posted in more or less random order. That said, Dubois — for no real reason at all — kicks off this project… Enjoy.
School: Dubois
Nickname: Rams
Colors: blue and yellow
Stadium: Rams Stadium
State championships: None
Times worth remembering: The mid-to-late 1980s were a good time in Dubois. From 1984-90, the Rams only had one losing season and made their only appearance in a state championship game, 1990’s 35-20 loss to Lingle in the 1A-9 man championship.
Times worth forgetting: From 1975-83, the Rams had just one winning season, a 5-2 season in 1978. Four times in that span the Rams won just one game, and had winless seasons in both 1975 and 1980. The 1975 squad couldn’t finish its season, forfeiting its final two games.
Best team: The 1984 Dubois team had the most consistency, reeling off seven straight victories before a loss to Shoshoni in the season finale, a loss that kept the Rams out of the playoffs. Seven players from that squad made the all-state team — first-teamers Allen Politte and Kal Jepson were joined by five second-team selections. Only Mountain View had more all-staters in Class 2A that year.
Biggest win: There aren’t a lot of postseason successes for Dubois — in program history, the Rams have only won playoff games three times. Even so, 1990’s 20-6 semifinal victory over Midwest gave Dubois its only trip to a championship game.
Heartbreaker: Three games stand out in Dubois’ list of near-misses: a 20-0 loss to Shoshoni in the 1984 season finale, a 26-24 loss to Meeteetse toward the end of the 1988 season and a 23-21 loss to Hulett in the semifinals of the 1992 9-man playoffs. The losses in 1984 and 1988 kept the Rams from making the playoffs, but the 1992 loss probably cost Dubois a championship. The Rams won the West Conference title in 1992 and the loss to Hulett was an upset in every stretch of the imagination. Dubois was denied a chance to play Burlington — a team the Rams beat 21-14 earlier in the season — in the 9-man title game. Burlington subsequently beat Hulett 46-8 in the title game for its first state championship; Dubois is still searching for its first title-game win.