Archive for September, 2009
Sunday, September 27th, 2009
Poll position
I’m a regular voter in the WyoPreps.com football polls. I typically only vote in the Class 4A poll since that’s the classification I follow most closely. People, players and coaches really don’t put much stock in the polls.
Former Cheyenne East football coach John Schroff once told me, “I’ve got more important things to worry about than where voters have us. I can’t prepare my team if I start getting wrapped up in that.”
However, I take my voting very seriously. I consider head-to-head, strength of schedule (namely opponents’ winning percentage) and perceived strength when ranking my teams.
Friday night’s games have thrown my poll into absolute chaos. Top-ranked Gillette lost to third-ranked Sheridan in Gillette. The Broncs were up 21-0 after the first quarter before winning 23-14.
No. 2 Cheyenne Central lost a very exciting game to unranked — and previously 0-4 — East.
What’s more, fifth-ranked Casper Kelly Walsh fell to unranked — and previously 0-4 — Rock Springs at home in overtime. Fourth-ranked Green River topped unranked Casper Natrona County 14-7.
This creates some conundrums for my poll. Clearly Sheridan has to be No. 1. The Broncs went on the road and beat the top-ranked team. They punched Gillette square in the mouth and absorbed a 14-point run by the Camels in the second quarter. Sheridan is a team everyone was high on entering the season and, after watching them manhandle East earlier this year, I’ve got to put them at No. 1 Tuesday.
Here’s where it get’s shaky.
I previously had Gillette No. 1, so does it fall to No. 2? Central was No. 2, does it fall to three and I keep Green River and Kelly Walsh fourth and fifth, respectively?
Gillette, Central, Sheridan, Green River and Kelly Walsh are the lone 4A teams with winning records. Can a guy really rank a two- or one-win team above a team with three or four wins?
That’s where head-to-head creates confusion.
Strength of schedule is another doozy. Central has played the state’s weakest schedule. It’s opponents have a .240 winning percentage (6-19). It’s remaining four opponents (Gillette, Kelly Walsh, Sheridan and Green River) are a combined 15-5 (.750).
East has played the toughest slate in the state, it’s foes are 19-6 (.760). It’s remaining opponents (Natrona, Laramie, Evanston and Rock Springs) are 5-15 (.250).
The good thing about the changes in Class 4A is that everyone plays the exact same schedule. So we SHOULD have a much better idea of where everyone truly stands in a few weeks.
I think I’ve got my top five figured out, but I’d like to see how our readers see it.
Saturday, September 26th, 2009
Capital Bowl comments
First and foremost, I was elated to have the chance to write about another great chapter in the Cheyenne Central-Cheyenne East football rivalry. The last three years’ games have been outstanding.
All week, I kept hearing “you can throw the records out the window when East and Central play each other.” It’s such a tired cliché, but it actually was the case Friday at previously 0-4 East topped previously 4-0 and No. 2-ranked Cheyenne Central 21-14.
Now some observations and unused material from the 58th meeting between Cheyenne’s lone traditional high schools.
Slight correction
The fake punt East used to gain 31 yards on fourth-and-1 from Central’s 46 actually was a pitch from Trevon Hinker to punter Jeremiah Hunter who tossed it downfield to Cody Farrell. In my story, I said Hunter took the snap and faked a handoff. However, after watching highlights on the local TV news, I noticed Hinker tossing the ball to Hunter before the throw.
More special teams
Since the mind likes to work in threes, I couldn’t find a way to work this nugget in the list of big special teams and defensive plays East made that contributed to its win: Senior Jerel Rote had a 35-yard kickoff return that gave the T-Birds first-and-10 from their own 47 on their opening drive.
East coach Chad Goff also pointed to place-kicker Chris DeMartin going a perfect 3-for-3 on extra points in his first start. An injury to Tanner Renner paved the way for DeMartin to move into the No. 1 spot at that position, but the coaching staff has been considering DeMartin — a sophomore who also plays soccer — for the position for a while, Goff said.
Outstanding line play
East’s offensive line played outstanding. I had a feature on that unit in Wednesday’s paper and really thought it was going to be challenged by Central’s tough defensive front. The Indians still logged eight tackles for loss, but the T-Birds O-line did a great job of giving Hinker time to make throws.
The prime example of that came in the second quarter when Hinker rolled right and found Hunter down the sideline for a 44-yard gain. Hinker had plenty of time to step up and make that play because right tackle TaranTriplett had his man stood straight up.
“Our O-line has really stepped up after coach really challenged them this week,” Hunter said. “They took the challenge to heart, and now, they’re coming out and playing tough.”
Passing fancy
Central typically has one of the most balanced offenses in the state. The Indians’ running game — specifically Michael Davis — showed up in a big way. Davis rushed for 196 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries.
However, its passing game left something to be desired. Senior quarterback Connor Long was just 7-for-16 for 49 yards. He also threw a pair of interceptions. Senior wide receiver Kyle Grott wasn’t credited with a single reception. His lone catch came on Central’s final drive, but he lateraled the ball back to running back Austin Breckenridge who was credited with a six-yard rush on the play.
“I thought we could run the football all day,” Central coach Brick Cegelski said. “East did a good job of creating turnovers and that was a big key for them. (Offensive coordinator Isaac Miller) saw some things in the passing game he liked, but they did a good job of covering us up. We never hit a big one. I’m not sure we truly ever tried to hit a big one.
“We had a couple kids running the same routes and things like that. We were just messed up for whatever reason.”
Second-guessing
I know one commenter on the Wyoming Tribune Eagle Web site questioned why Cegelski even tried to throw the ball at tall considering how good Davis was doing. It’s probably a valid criticism, but I can’t fault Cegelski for not deviating from a plan that’s created so much success for Central over the years, and that’s a balanced attack.
However, Cegelski did talk about the running game.
“We ran the ball very well and that was probably the strength of our game,” Cegelski said. “We were kind of running against the clock (late). We missed (a 38-yard field goal). You have to have some things go your way. (East) made a lot of great plays and we didn’t make many.”
Taking to coaching
“The kids did exactly what they were coached to do,” Goff said. “We’ve been preaching for weeks, ‘Don’t do what you want to do, do what you’re coached to do.’ We went away from doing what we want and it’s starting to pay off.”
Empty-handed
East had a chance to go ahead by a touchdown late in the second quarter, but had time expire on it while it was on Central’s 4-yard line.
The drive was set up by Michael Galicia’s interception. The T-Birds needed just five plays to get 42 yards in 43 seconds. They called a timeout with 15 seconds left in the half and ran Galicia for a one-yard gain.
However, East wasn’t able to get lined up and spike the ball before the clock ran out. I asked Goff about whether he was worried about not getting points out of that drive.
“That was stupidity on my part,” he said. “It was 100 percent stupidity on my part. That’s a situation we practice and we usually have enough time with 15 seconds left to run one play and spike it. It was just stupidity on my part — 100 percent.”
WOW! I think that pretty much exhausts my unused material. Well … not quite. I’ve still got some quotes from Goff and a couple East players that I plan on using for a story previewing next Friday’s game at Casper Natrona County. So look for that in Friday’s paper.
Saturday, September 26th, 2009
Looking South
I’ll have some notes, quotes and reflections on last night’s AWESOME Cheyenne Central-Cheyenne East football game later this evening after I get done covering the boys portion of the Class 4A state golf championships at the Airport Golf Club.
For the time being, though, I ask you for some feedback on a subject I really started thinking about while enjoying the energy in East’s Okie Blanchard Stadium.
What happens when Cheyenne South is introduced as a varsity program?
Will the excitement and awesome environment be there three times a year rather than just one? Or will the buzz of crosstown match-ups be diminished because there are three high schools instead of just two?
How much does fielding competitive teams factor in? Clearly fans are going to be hyped up come kickoff, but what happens when one team gets up by a few touchdowns?
I don’t anticipate having to answer these questions until maybe 2012 when South High is filled with freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. But I’m anxious to see what’s going to happen and eager to hear your opinions. So let me have them.
Friday, September 25th, 2009
What they’re saying Part 2
Here are what two Cheyenne Central players identified as the keys to tonight’s Central-Cheyenne East game.
“They have three guys that all run the ball really well their quarterback (Trevon Hinker), running back (Jeremy Woods) and fullback (Michael Galicia) all run the ball equally well,” Central sophomore linebacker Matt Carver said. “We’ve got to be able to stop the run. Our defensive backs are all outstanding, so we have to be able to stop the run and force them to pass the ball.”
“(East) has really picked it up from all their other games,” senior defensive end Hayden Jones said, referring to East’s 27-14 loss to Gillette in which it led 14-13 for much of the contest. “You can tell they’re learning what it takes to win and we expect a tough game. We’re really worried about their running back. If he can get into the open, he can break a few tackles and get big gains.”
Thursday, September 24th, 2009
What they’re saying Part 1
Senior safety Nico Milatzo is tied for second on Cheyenne East with four tackles for loss. He led them heading into last week’s game with game with Gillette.
Milatzo is one of a handful of East players who will miss Friday’s Capital Bowl because of illness or injury, but that stat still begs the question: How does a safety lead his teams in tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
“He’s an aggressive football player,” East coach Chad Goff said. “If his assignment is to sprint up and get the quarterback, that’s what he does. he doesn’t do it slow, he goes as hard as he can go. He’s been a great surprise for us on defense and he’s doing great things.”
What are the keys for Cheyenne East to win its 58th meeting with Cheyenne Central?
“We’ve got to win th eline of scrimmage for four quarters and control the ball offensively,” Goff said. “We’ve got to shut (Central wide receiver Kyle) Grott down and not have his catches and contain (quarterback) Connor Long. He’s a stud athlete and probably one of the best football players in the state right now. The things that kid does and the people he makes miss — he’s a good football player.
“Their running back (Michael Davis) is good. He’s a nice surprise for them this year. They have a lot of offensive threats. We have to contain their offense and play our assignments.
“When the opportunity presents itself, we have to make plays. Because you know (Central is) going to make the plays when the opportunity is shown to them. We’ve got to be able to do the same.”
COMING FRIDAY: Notes and quotes from Cheyenne Central.
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
East-Central coverage schedule
I have a bevy of stories planned for Cheyenne Central and Cheyenne East’s 58th meeting on the football field. Here’s a look at what you can see in the Wyoming Tribune Eagle the next few days.
Thursday
– Cheyenne Central linebacker Matt Carver has emerged as one of Class 4A’s top defensive players — as a sophomore.
– Cheyenne East junior defensive tackle Jacob Edwards is a player teams have had to account for.
Friday
– Cheyenne East sophomore Jeremy Woods has become the Thunderbirds’ primary running threat after showcasing himself late in a 56-21 loss to Sheridan.
– Cheyenne Central senior running back Michael Davis is averaging nearly 104 yards per game and is starting to make a name for himself.
– Starting line-ups and statistical leaders for both teams.
– Prep scoreboard featuring standings for all five classifications, the WyoPreps.com polls and statistical leaders for all classes and Class 4A.
Saturday
– Game coverage of the 58th East-Central football game.
– Statewide standings and scores.
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009
Tackling woes, defensive moves and getting Hunter going
Tackling woes
Cheyenne East has given up several big plays this fall. Sheridan hit a handful in its 56-21 win over the Thunderbirds earlier this season. That included a couple of 74-yard touchdowns.
Then, this past Friday, Gillette running back Drake Kelley was able to slip several tacklers’ grasp — or make them miss entirely — en route to 164 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries.
Some of those plays have been good athletes making good plays, others were poor tackling, which fourth-year East coach Chad Goff addressed after East’s 27-14 loss to Gillette.
“We have to continue to get better at it,” he said. “I can tell you the tackling was better (against Gillette) than it was (against Casper Kelly Walsh). And it was better (against Kelly Walsh) than it was (against Sheridan). We’re making progress, we’re taking steps forward and that’s all you can ask for.”
Defensive moves
East made several changes on defense against Gillette.
“We had to put some more cover people in because of the passing attack Gillette has,” Goff said. “We’d been focused on some more running type stuff lately and had some guys we thought were more linebacker types. This week, we went with a more defensive back type look. There were a lot of new faces out there.”
Those moves included moving standout wide receiver Jeremiah Hunter, who was exclusively and offense player prior to Friday’s game with Gillette, to cornerback. Cody Farrell started the night at linebacker, but moved to safety when Nico Milatzo was injured. Farrell later had an interception. Garrett Bradley went to linebacker when Farrell moved to safety. Shawn Ferris also played safety.
Getting Hunter going
Sheridan was the only defense to hold Hunter under 87 yards in four outings this fall. However, East’s coaching staff is still searching for was to get him going when defenses focus on him.
Against Gillette, that included having Hunter find soft spots in the coverage near the line of scrimmage, getting him the ball and letting him do his best to use his athleticism to make plays. For lack of a better term, they were wide receiver screens. One of those calls resulted in a 47-yard gain near the end of the first quarter.
“We’re trying to figure out how teams are going to try and cover us and cover him throughout the first quarter,” Goff said. “From there, we adjust and see what’s going to happen.”
Saturday, September 19th, 2009
Breakout performance
Cheyenne Central’s Jemma Woods posted 12 kills in the Lady Indians’ 25-19, 25-20, 25-19 volleyball win over Sheridan on Saturday. It’s easily Woods’ highest kill total of the season – maybe even her career.
Was there a reason for Woods’ breakout night? Not according to Indians’ coach Kerry Will.
“She’s playing in the same position,” Will said. “We started using two setters. We went to a 6-2 formation instead of just using one setter. I don’t know if that’s made a difference, but she had a heckuva game (Saturday). She didn’t really get any more sets than normal.”
Wednesday, September 16th, 2009
Pine the new Burns
It really is amazing how sports work.
Last year, the Burns football team surprised the Cowboy State when they rolled through the competition towards an undefeated Class 2A state title.
It was the first state title in 25 years. It was fun. It was enjoyable to watch. And it’s something those boys will never forget.
This season the early shock has to belong to the Pine Bluffs football team.
To put this nice, they haven’t been good the last three years or so.
When the Hornets played, it wasn’t a matter of if they got beat, but by how much.
Through the first two games of the season, it would appear that Pine has turned the corner.
The Hornets opened the season with a 55-13 win over Shoshoni. What’s more, is they scored 49 points in the first quarter.
They followed that up with a 42-6 defeat of Normative Services last week.
The reason for Pine’s early success is part experience, size, superior talent and a drop from Class 2A to 1A. Mix it all together and this is what you get.
More important is the Hornets are confident.
They believe they can beat any team in the state.
All they have to do is play their game, so they say.
That’s quite a turn from where this program was just three years ago.
Yes, the season is early, and there is still a lot of football yet to be played.
We will know if Pine is for real when it plays Lusk in a little over a week, and Southeast in two weeks.
Still, it looks like the Hornets are legitmate and will contend for a state title.
It looks like they are this season’s Broncs.
It really is amazing how sports work.
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
Parity or mediocrity?
After three games, there are only two unbeaten teams in Class 4A and only five teams have winning records. Casper Kelly Walsh went to Sheridan and won. It went to Green River and lost. Green River — the state’s top-ranked team all season — went to Sheridan and lost. Is that a sign of continued parity around the state’s largest classification?
I’m not exactly sure, considering we’re only three weeks into the year. But I have a stat for you to chew on. Here’s a breakdown of Class 4A by opponents’ winning percentage. Each team’s won-loss record is in parenthesis.
.778
Evanston (1-2)
Rock Springs (0-3)
.667
Cheyenne East (0-3)
.556
Casper Natrona County (1-2)
.444
Casper Kelly Walsh (2-1)
Green River (2-1)
Sheridan (2-1)
Laramie (1-2)
.222
Cheyenne Central (3-0)
Gillette (3-0)
Eliminating the three losses Central and Gillette have handed their opponents, only bumps their foes’ winning percentage up to .333. This week, Central hosts Laramie (1-2) and Gillette travels to East (0-3). So it won’t get any better for those squads this week.
Looking a few games down the road, East will have played the toughest schedule through five games, with its teams currently holding an .800 winning percentage (12-3). Rock Springs is a close second at .733 (11-4). Ouch.