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Sports Goulash

Odds and ends of Wyoming high school sports.

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June football rankings

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on June 24, 2008 at 7:17PM EST

Dipping back into the well for something I did last year: Way-too-early high school football rankings. Of course, between now and August (and November), a ton can happen. And, of course, between now and the first game, we'll be seeking the opinions of every single coach in the state on what teams to watch, and those weigh heavily into our official preseason rankings.

With that, here's what I think. Tell me what looks good and what looks questionable:

Class 5A
1. Natrona County: State's offensive MVP looked good last year running behind an experienced line. Now that line is gone -- and Tom Earl gets a chance to prove himself all over again.
2. Green River: No one has more experience in the backfield than the Wolves, led by D-I prospect Andrew Meredith.
3. Evanston: Lots of juniors filled key roles on last year's runner-up team.
4. Cheyenne East: Making three straight state championship games doesn't happen by accident. A program is in place, once and for good.
5. Gillette: Because it's Gillette.

Class 4A
1. Buffalo: The Bison haven't lost a conference game since conferences were reinstated in 2005.
2. Douglas: Cody Bohlander could be as explosive as any other player in the state, and he's surrounded by what appears to be a pretty good crew of players.
3. Jackson: The Broncs lost a lot of seniors of last year's undefeated state championship team. But still, the players coming back were part of an undefeated state championship team....
4. Star Valley: Always tough, you know the Braves will bring it year in and year out.
5. Worland: I like the Warriors a lot. I always do early in the season. But October has been Worland's telling month the past couple seasons.

Class 3A
1. Glenrock: The Herders had several young players on last year's runner-up squad, including Star-Tribune Super 25er Ryan Lee.
2. Kemmerer: Four all-staters come back for the Rangers. Can I just call it now? Glenrock-Kemmerer on Nov. 15 in Glenrock.
3. Lovell: A new coaching staff could provide the stability needed to put the past away.
4. Mountain View: Is the West losing its parity? There looks to be more separation in the West this year than in previous years... and MV looks like the one team that could step up and challenge Kemmerer.
5. Newcastle: I still think 2006 wasn't a fluke. I still think 2007 was.

Class 2A
1. Big Horn: Parity was abundant in 2A last year, but the Rams have some solid talent returning and have to be the early favorites.
2. Riverside: Back-to-back title game appearances, including the championship last year, isn't only based on talent.
3. Lusk: Two all-staters are back for the Tigers.
4. Saratoga: The Panthers were one big play away from playing for the state championship.
5. Burns: If the backfield stays injury-free, the Broncs could go places.

Class 1A
1. Southeast: How do you not pick Southeast? Winners of 18 straight games and back-to-back state champions -- and with a pair of all-staters returning.
2. Cokeville: No one can question Cokeville's football pedigree. However, the Class of 2008 was the first class since the Class of 1983 to not win a state championship at least once in its four years of high school.
3. Guernsey: The Vikings are starting to build a nice football tradition of their own, but numbers could be their undoing.
4. Burlington: The Huskies will probably host a first-round playoff game.... unless somebody out West really steps up this fall.
5. Hulett: Don't forget that the Red Devils have put together back-to-back winning seasons and return several players -- including their only all-stater -- from last year's squad.

The lights are flickering here so I better post this quickly (stupid lightning). Comment below with your thoughts.

Posted by patrick.schmiedt@trib.com

Send This | Categories: Football

(26) Comments

Posted by: rmartin on June 25, 2008 12:41AM EST

Your 3A picks are very solid, but I would ask if four straight semi-final and throw in a championship appearance one time in those four years calls for some type of pre-season ranking for Wright. No they have not won it all and will have a tough time with Glenrock (who won't), but to slight them and put two other conference opponents ahead of them seems a bit out of order. Best to all the teams and I hope this will help fuel the Panther players in their off-season workouts.

Posted by: rangerfan on June 25, 2008 10:25AM EST

Good picks, Patrick. I have to say the rangers are pumped about this next year. Coach Rogers has these boys firing. I think the goal is a third state title in four years. Anything less will be a little bit of a let down. We do know there are a couple of teams out there that have the abitlity to knock us off, however. You mentioned two of the biggest, Glenrock & Mt. View. I think again it will boil down to who out works who in the weightroom. The kemmerer boys have started on the right foot and been hitting the weights pretty hard. The one question we have is there were a rash of late season injuries (most needing surgery) last year. If those kids are ok--- our line is bigger and faster than last year, our running backs are as explosive, and we should have 12-15 seniors itching to bring home another banner. My pick: RANGERS in '08!!

Posted by: Rangerfan on June 25, 2008 1:08PM EST

Hey Patrick, I was wondering-- How long has it been since Big Piney wasn't a preseason top five? It is kind of weird not seeing their name on the list. Maybe it is just me.

Posted by: CAT on June 25, 2008 6:43PM EST

Upton will beat Hulett and Guensey garunteed

Posted by: Kevin Williams on June 25, 2008 7:56PM EST

Rangerfan:

It is true that Big Piney is not mentioned for the first time in a long time. With Coach Eskelsen retiring and Coach Lehr retired from coaching, it will be tough on the next Head Puncher to follow that act. They always had competitive teams and were always a contender. Probably one of the most consistent programs for more than a decade. The state, as well as the community of Big Piney will certainly miss them.

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on June 25, 2008 11:01PM EST

Obviously, it's early in the game here. Plenty will transpire between now and Nov. 15 (and yes, I already have the countdown clock going). Big Piney will be interesting to watch in 3A.... for so long, they were a power, but adjusting to a new coaching staff always takes time. It may be a week, it may be a year, but it DOES take some time.

Wright definitely could be there at season's end. The Panthers had some solid young players including a dangerous QB in Duncan Jones. My thoughts are a little skewed because the only game I saw Wright play was in the state semis, the bad loss to Glenrock.

As always, the 3A West will be fun. I do think Kemmerer and Mountain View have the "way early" edge, but Pinedale started coming around at the end of last season, Big Piney (as mentioned already) is always tough and Lyman can never be counted out.

Hey CAT, what's your pick on that Upton-Southeast game?

--patrick

Posted by: 167wrestler on June 26, 2008 8:19PM EST

4A looks good to me but I think that Jackson was an anomaly last year. They did have a great team and they deserved to have success but the talent is gone and I'm afraid its back to being cellar dwellers again for them. As for my Braves we have a new coach again this year and a new offensive scheme so only time will tell. Buffalo brings back allot of talent from a great program so they have to be considered #1 also Worland was very young last year and will be bigger and better this year. This may be the year they break through October!

Posted by: GoOrange on June 30, 2008 6:23PM EST

If you haven't seen Drew Martinez play for Green River, you are in for a treat if the Wolves are on one of your Friday night stops. And, he is a better soccer player than he is a football player, in my view. I think as a Junior, he will be the state's best QB. He can turn the corner, throw when he needs to, etc. If he didn't play soccer, he would win the 4-A 100 meters. There is another Jr. QB to watch in Austin Woodward at Sheridan. He can throw well, and he is bigger and stronger now. I think that as each of those teams QB's go, so will their teams. Can't it be Sept. already?

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on June 30, 2008 7:15PM EST

GoOrange, I agree. Martinez is quite an athlete, and last year it was hard to believe he was only a sophomore. Martinez plus Meredith (plus isn't Andrew Cutler back as well) should make GR tough.

Woodward got a ton of valuable time last year under center thanks to injuries, and that should only pay off this year. Remember, Sheridan went 5-4 last year but still missed the playoffs....

--patrick

Posted by: Bison Fan on June 30, 2008 8:25PM EST

I agree that the Bison have to be considered the favorite in 4A to host the state championship game and win it. They will go into the season hobbling a little with the summer injury to their starting quarterback. Tyler Gibbs broken his ankle in a softball game. Tyler is a competitor and he will be back as strong as ever, but the back up QB had better be ready to step up. The senior class is loaded and a great sophomore class will provide some athletism to back up the starters and continue to build the program.

Posted by: tmillerwyo on July 1, 2008 2:21PM EST

In 5A, I have go with Natrona (Tommie Earl and his line), but I think Sheridan may be a surprise for the playoffs. Woodard is a stud. He's 6'2" and 195 lbs. He ran 11.5 100m and 20'+ LJ in T&F. He has above average arm strength and he's a competitor. Sheridan needs to find some linemen.

In 4A, its hard to bet against Buffalo. I watch those kids compete in JH against Sheridan and Gillette. When a class beats Sheridan or Gillette, I know they're good (and that's the Sr class), and when a class beats both Sheridan and Gillette, I know they're great (and that's the So class).

In 3A, Kemmerer or Glenrock; you're the best until someone beats you. I have go with Kemmerer.

In 2A, I'll take Burns. They have the 2nd best RB in the state (behind Tommie Earl). If Burns doesn't over work Petsch in the regular season they could go all the way. I think the loss of BH's head coach (St. John and his energy) will be too much for BH to make a repeat charge to the championship game (but they are still a play-off team).

In 1A, I have stay with SE, even though they lost a lot talent. I heard they had 42 boys sign-up for summer FB camp. That sounds like a large 2A team or 3A team.

Posted by: 1afan on July 4, 2008 4:02PM EST

I have been lax with my internet time and haven't been following you Patrick. I do think Hulett just might do a bit better then 5th this year.Not only are
they returing their all stater but two more startes who were out last year due to injuries they received in a car wreak.their jr. class will come into there own this year taking over the leadership roles and bringing a wanna win attitude to this team.the srs this year although few in number due have the size and heart to make some very positive contrbutions to the overall effert.Don't be surprised to see lowly old Hulett somwhere close to the top

Posted by: BroncFan on July 7, 2008 4:52PM EST

Decent picks in 2A. The only thing I see where you may have overlooked something is that both Lusk and Saratoga play IN Burns. I think that will give the Broncs the edge and also wins in both of those games. If that can happen I see the road to the state championship going through Burns.

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on July 8, 2008 1:02AM EST

Broncfan, I hadn't realized that. Good point and thanks for bringing it up. Home field is always huge.

1afan, I do like Hulett a lot. I know Guernsey lost a lot of seniors and, speaking of home field, I think Guernsey plays its conference game in Hulett this year, which is also important. Hulett could easily make it as far as the semis this year, and if the ball bounces right, maybe even further.... But Hulett has to prove it belongs by beating teams like Guernsey, Burlington, etc., during the regular season.

--patrick

Posted by: BroncFan on July 8, 2008 9:44AM EST

If Burns can stay healthy they have a ton of speed and depth. A lot rides on how healthy they stay throughout the year.
I don't know what Hulett has coming back for sure but I think Guernsey will be way down this year. Their numbers have dropped and they lost a lot of speed off of last years team. I see Guernsey losing at least half of their games...but those could be against 2A schools. Don't see them beating Lusk, Burns, Southeast and possibly Lingle. I think Lingle will be a little better this year.

How about you guys from the North in 2A? Anybody from Riverside or Big Horn have any thoughts on how this is going to all play out?

Posted by: 1afan on July 9, 2008 5:33AM EST

Yes Patrick Hulett does need to prove themselves on the field this year.Hopefull they will.Hopefully they have the heart to go with their talent

Posted by: 2Afan on July 10, 2008 7:08PM EST

Riverside lost a lot of seniors last year including 4 starting lineman, but they have some big freshman coming up. Also they are returning an all stater in craft and a couple of all confrence players so they could still make some noise in 2a this year.

Posted by: gtown on July 15, 2008 1:10AM EST

GoOrange, I know that Martinez is a great athlete. Not trying to take anything away from him. But I sort of doubt he could run a 10.5 in the 100 and beat Stephen Michels to win it.

Posted by: Mike Walk on July 24, 2008 5:02PM EST

3a - KEMMERER!!!!!!!!!, GLENrock!!, MT. view!, wright, pinedale in that order

Posted by: Powderpro on July 28, 2008 11:37PM EST

Big Horn may have lost coach St John, but Bert Dow's record with Sheridan and Big Horn speaks for itself, many championships. Big Horn returns a solid offensive line, and they are as big and maybe faster. The qb, maybe turn running back, maybe do both. Solid special teams, quick defensive backs, should return several punts again for tds. My guess is Wind River could surprise and Rocky Mountain also. Not so sure about Riverside and Tongue River, Greybull is one year or so away.

Posted by: Broncfan on July 29, 2008 7:51PM EST

Powderpro,
I think you may be right there. I know Riverside beat Big Horn last year when it counted but I think Big Horn will be the team to beat in the north. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. I think the Burns players would love to play Big Horn for all the marbles down here in Burns.

Posted by: Powderpro4 on July 29, 2008 10:08PM EST

Broncfan, I know it is a long way off, but wont it be fun to watch. With both Saratoga and Lusk playing at Burns, I would give the nod to the broncs to win the east provided that Petsch stay healthy. Remember Petsch was stopped in Big Horn, but I remember two years prior he ran like a wild man as a sophomore in Burns to take us out. Man that was a long trip. Good Luck

Posted by: Football Fan on August 8, 2008 10:49AM EST

Patrick, you should look into the last time the bison lost a conference game and let me know. I know they didn't lose any in '04 and '05 because that was there 22 game win streak. It must of been a year or two before that. Thanks.

Posted by: JS96 on August 8, 2008 1:34PM EST

Kemmerer has to be the top dog, but Glenrock may be sick of getting thumped each year and get us back. I guess we will have to win it on the road, like on 94 at the "big, bad and unbeatable Thermopolis.

Posted by: Guernsey on August 11, 2008 9:52PM EST

CAT.... its guaranteed.... not garanteed.

Posted by: blue11 on August 31, 2008 11:24PM EST

Upton needs to be higher in the rankings hulett is not as good as you guys keep saying they will be trust me on this one