Archive for September, 2008
Friday, September 26th, 2008
Pine’s chance
If Pine Bluffs is going to have a chance at winning its game against county rival Burns tonight, Braxton Clark will have to have a huge game carrying the football. He will have to take every opportunity he gets to move up field. What the Hornets can ill-afford to see is their offense failing to gain positive yardage. This doesn’t mean Pine needs to average 5 yards per play. What this does mean is the Hornets can’t be losing 1 or 2 yards and losing field position. Plus, it wouldn’t hurt to win time of possession either. Do this and you keep the ball out of the hands of the strong Burns offense – mainly backs Duell Petsch and Frankie Vossler. And the best way to accomplish all this is by getting a big game from Clark.
Thursday, September 25th, 2008
Sad realization
I was raised on the Wheatland-Torrington rivalry. I was taught to hate anything wearing maroon and yellow after moving to Wheatland in the fourth grade. Over the years, I met quality people from Torrington and found they weren’t the toothless, sugar beet-harvesting hillbillies I was thought they were. My mistake.
I also mistakenly thought the rivalry was a bit more heated and closely-contested on the gridiron. Of course, I remember the Bulldogs playing Torrington what seemed like every Homecoming. I also remember Wheatland falling in those games more often than not spoiling the pagentry and good feeling associated with Homecoming. Later Riverton became what seemed like a nearly annual Homecoming opponent. The Wolverines were more than happy to sour the event as well. Fortunately for the Dawgs, they were bumped up to what is now Class 5A early this decade.
But I’m getting off point … I knew Torrington was getting the better of Wheatland on the football field more than Wheatland was, but I was astounded the series was so darned lopsided.
A few falls back I decided to scour the Web site wyoming-football.com and document the series between Cheyenne Central and Cheyenne East, Burns and Pine Bluffs and Wheatland and Torrington. The site is the byproduct of hundreds of hours of research – probably tens of thousands — by Casper Star-Tribune prep sports editor Patrick Schmiedt.
Schmiedt – who is a friend of mine from our days at the University of Wyoming student paper — has done a tremendous job of culling the state archives and the morgue of his paper to come up with a great Web site documenting the history of prep football in the Cowboy State. Of course, some of the records are incomplete, but not because Patrick hasn’t tried. The information either isn’t available or Patrick hasn’t been able to find it yet.
Long story short, the Trailblazers own a 46-13 … um … edge in the series. However, Wheatland has downed Torrington eight times since 1998. The series wasn’t nearly as close as I thought in my youth, but maybe — just maybe — the Dawgs are narrowing the gap one win at a time.
Saturday, September 20th, 2008
Time to take notice
I’m not usually one to make a big deal out of the first three or four games of a season given how long a season is. There is so much that goes into a season – at least in my mind – these early games really don’t mean a whole lot. With that being said, after three games of this season – especially Friday afternoon’s 33-0 pasting of Lingle – this Burns team is the real deal, folks. Sure, as is always the case with these Broncs, they are a running team first and foremost. Whether this team has success offensively is driven by its running attack. But if Friday is any indication, if need be, this team can throw, which only means more for opposing defenses to think about. Yet what makes this team a huge contender this year is how it plays defensively. Run or pass this defense just does not give an inch. It is fast, has solid tacklers, will hit you in the mouth and is smart – meaning it knows where to be. After 12 quarters this team has only allowed an opponent to score in one of those quarters. Add this all up and you get a Broncs football team poised for a successful run. Even after three games.
Saturday, September 20th, 2008
Parity, parity, parity
Parity has been a buzz word in all levels of football for the past few years. The salary cap is credited for leveling the playing field in the NFL and allowing unlikely teams to make the playoffs. The 85-scholarship limit and increased attention to college football has led to many historical major players (Florida State, Nebraska, Michigan, Texas A&M, etc.) falling on hard times and virtual unknowns (Boise State, Rutgers, East Carolina, South Florida) recruiting better plays and making noise.
Parity has trickled down to Wyoming prep football, particularly in Class 5A. The most notable recent example of parity striking Wyoming’s prep ranks came Friday when Sheridan went south to Cheney Alumni Field and topped Casper Natrona County 10-9. I previously used this blog to say Sheridan (2-1) was going to be improved and be hard-nosed. The Broncs have made me look good the past two weeks.
In addition to Sheridan’s victory, Gillette used a blocked extra point to down top-ranked Green River. Evanston made it to last year’s 5A title game and Wyoming’s largest classification has seen six different clubs win championships in as many years.
Sure, perennial powers Natrona and Gillette still have been in contention and have won championships during that time. Sure, reigning 5A champ Cheyenne East has played in the past three title games. However, we’re beginning to see less teams run roughshod through the regular season and playoffs. We’re seeing more upsets and more unlikely stories like a 4-4 Cheyenne Central squad get into the playoffs, put together three straight wins and take the title in 2005.
It’s a good thing that makes following the prep ranks a lot more interesting.
Saturday, September 20th, 2008
Work to be done
I’m not writing anything Cheyenne East football coach Chad Goff hasn’t already said publicly, but the Thunderbirds (3-0 overall, 2-0 South Conference) will go only so far until they can keep from shooting their toes off with penalties and surrendering big plays. In the two East games I’ve covered this season (Laramie and Evanston), East has had three touchdowns called back because of penalties.
Over the past two weeks, the T-Birds have given up touchdown runs of 44, 61, 65 and 71 yards. They’ve also had teams run a kickoff back 89 yards for a score, Evanston also posted a 26-yard touchdown through the air and Red Devils’ running back Cory Anthos had another 48 yard run against East.
The penalties and big plays are a big concern for East.
“We have got to get better as a team on the defensive side of the ball,” senior receiver and safety Bruce McHenry said. “That’s our biggest problem right now.”
The T-Birds will be tested again Friday when they host Casper Natrona County (2-1). The Mustangs feature running back Tommy Earl — who is easily the state’s biggest big play threat. Natrona fell to Sheridan 10-9 on Friday and Earl posted 144 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries.
East has won seven straight games dating back to last season. If there’s a time for it to start limiting big plays, Friday at 7 p.m. would be a great one.
Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
Worth the noise
For the last two years Burns running back Duell Petsch has been making people’s heads spin. What this young man can pull on the football field is fun to watch. His vision, his first-step and how light he seems on his feet are just some of the reasons he’s so successful carrying the football. But perhaps more than anything else, Petsch is a smart football player. He takes what is there and doesn’t try to do too much. In a sense, Petsch is in the mold of the Denver Broncos running backs: one cut and you go. Yet even with all his individual success, Petsch has felt there has been something missing because his team has come up empty during the state playoffs. But there is something about this season you can see in his play – he wants to make this season something special. And not just for himself, but for his mates as well. With this being his senior year, Petsch knows this is his last chance. And judging by how his team has started this season – 2-0 – this is his best chance to have that special season. Watching him these first few games, Petsch is going to do everything he can to make this happen. And if this special season does come about for Burns – and there is no reason to believe it won’t – bet your last dollar Petsch will have made even more heads spin.
Monday, September 15th, 2008
Observations from the weekend that was
1.) Burns is legit. Coach Bill Fullmer may want to keep that sort of talk quiet for fear his club may have a second half swoon like last season, but it’s hard to NOT think the Broncs are a legitimate contender in Class 2A after handling Class 3A Wright 28-0 at home Saturday. The one-two punch of Duell Petsch and Frank Vossler is going to be hard for teams to stop. But that’s not the lone reason Burns could contend for its first state title since 1983 — the Broncs can play some darned good defense too. They face Lingle-Fort Laramie on Friday.
2.) East’s inexperience showed. The Thunderbirds should be just fine after Friday’s come-from-behind win at Casper Kelly Walsh. However, East did squander a 26-7 lead and needed a big drive in the game’s final minutes to grab the win. This game just shows something I already knew: East doesn’t have a ton of guys with varsity experience who are accustomed to slamming nails in teams’ coffins. The T-Birds probably grew up immensely Friday and third-year coach Chad Goff will continue to push them in practice. East (2-0) should be tested by Evanston (1-1) in a rematch of last year’s Class 5A title game. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Okie Blanchard Stadium.
Friday, September 12th, 2008
Cheyenne’s own Roger Federer
Yes, I know we are all enthralled with football now in full swing – after all, this is this country’s true passion. Nothing gets sports fans talking or as riled up quite like football does. But over the course of the next few months, do yourself a favor and do everything you can to get out and watch Cheyenne East sophomore Aaron Lapkin. For those who don’t know, Lapkin is a stud on the tennis court. He is the Capital City’s version of Roger Federer. Watching him over the course of the last year or so, there is no doubt in my mind this young man is the best tennis player in this state. He’s coming off a freshman season where he cruised to a state title, and if there is anything else more locked than him defending his No. 1 boys singles crown this year, you would be hard-pressed to find one. There aren’t too many instances in sports – at any level – where you can say you watched the best. So even though football is finally here, get out and watch just one of Lapkin’s matches. Years from now you will thank yourself for doing so.
Thursday, September 11th, 2008
Weekend of Sept. 13
As fall sports weekends go, this is a slower one. The highlights come in prep football.
1.) Burns (1-0) went on the road and topped reigning Class 1A champion Southeast last week. The Broncs are ranked second in both the Cowboy State News Network and WyoPreps.com Class 2A polls and host Class 3A No. 3 Wright. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 in Burns.
2.) Cheyenne Central (0-1) will have the unenviable task of trying to stop Casper Natrona County running back Tommy Earl. Earl — who has been offered a scholarship by the University of Wyoming — rushed for 117 yards and two scores in the Mustangs’ 49-14 victory over Rock Springs. He led the Cowboy State in rushing last year with 1,787 yards and 14 touchdowns. That game is set for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Central’s Riske Field.
3.) Cheyenne’s prep cross country squads will venture south to Littleton, Colo., to the Liberty Bell Invitational on Friday. The Liberty Bell is one of the best cross country meets in the region.
Tuesday, September 9th, 2008
Early returns
Cheyenne East looked good — at times very good — in its 19-6 victory over Laramie on Friday. However, one concern was inopportune penalties that negated a pair of touchdowns and the offense’s inability to maintain the level of play it had in the first half. Wide receiver and defensive back Bruce McHenry chalked it up to not quite being in game shape yet.
The Thunderbirds will likely face a Casper Kelly Walsh (0-1) squad that is markedly better than Laramie. The Trojans most likely won’t be among the state’s elite this season — that distinction belongs to Green River, Casper Natrona County and Gillette at this point — but should test an East team without many varsity returners.
Senior quarterback Shane Potter impressed me in his first-ever varsity snaps under center. He stood in the pocket under pressure and made some solid throws his receivers were able to catch in stride, he dropped a couple of balls over defenders down the sideline and wasn’t afraid to toss a ball between a couple of defenders. He successfully did the latter on one of the touchdowns that was called back. Potter also showed good vision and shiftiness carrying the ball.
Laramie’s Luke Knapton — the son of Laramie coach Bob Knapton and brother of University of Wyoming redshirt freshman linebacker Gabe Knapton — was around the ball on virtually every play and racked up 19 tackles. Gabe Knapton posted 16 tackles in UW’s loss to Air Force, so the little brother has the upperhand this week.
I get the chance to see Natrona first-hand when it travels to Riske Field to square off with Cheyenne Central. I’m looking forward to getting my first look at both squads.