Wyoming State High School Football Championship Results

The University of Wyoming is playing host to the Wyoming State High School Football Championships Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15-16. For more information about the Wyoming High School Athletic Association, go to http://www.whsaa.org/.

Sheridan Upsets Top-Ranked Thunder Basin in 4A State Title Game

November 16, 2019 – Something about playing on Jonah Field at the University of Wyoming’s War Memorial Stadium brings out the best in Sheridan’s football team.

The Broncs took an early lead, had to withstand a third quarter rally, but had enough gas left in the fourth quarter to upset undefeated and top-ranked Thunder Basin 35-26 to capture its second straight 4A state championship on a wet Saturday night.

In winning its state-leading 28th championship, Sheridan has now won the state title three out of the last four years and has been in the championship game five years in a row.

The Broncos closed out another successful year with an 11-1 record, the same as Thunder Basin, which was seeking the school’s first ever football state championship. The Bolts had previously beaten the Broncs 37-30 during the regular season -- Sheridan’s lone loss.

Sheridan jumped out quickly 14-0 in the opening quarter Saturday, and held that 14-point margin at the half at 21-7.

The Bolts came alive, dominating the third quarter with three straight touchdowns in a span of 6:08 to slice the deficit to 28-26. But, that was as close as Thunder Basin would get when Sheridan quarterback Jacob Boint scored from a yard out with 4:34 left in the final quarter to make it a two-score game.

The two teams, at times, moved the ball throughout the game, with both sides almost even in total offense. Sheridan produced 363 yards, 40 more than Thunder Basin.

However, the difference was in the turnover department as the Broncs converted three Bolts miscues into 21 points, compared to just six for Thunder Basin.

Boint accounted for 109 yards rushing and three touchdowns, while teammate Garrett Coon picked up 150 additional rushing yards and two more scores.

The Bronc defense limited Thunder Basin to just 22 yards on the ground, but quarterback Mason Hamilton passed for 301 yards and four touchdowns.

For complete team and individual statistics, click here.

 

Big Horn Dominates to Win Back-to-Back 1A/11-man State Titles

November 16, 2019 – After playing to a scoreless first quarter, Big Horn reeled off 55 points in the final three quarters to crush Cokeville 55-7 to win the 1A/11-man state championship for the second consecutive season.

The game was played Saturday afternoon at the University of Wyoming’s War Memorial Stadium.

In a matchup of last year’s state title game, the Rams nearly matched last season’s final score to record its 22nd straight victory to go unbeaten for the second straight year at 11-0. Big Horn’s success has been dominant the last decade in 11-man football. The Rams now have won seven state titles, playing in the championship game four straight seasons, and six in seven years.

Big Horn had a 27-0 lead until Cokeville scored its only touchdown late in the third quarter, but the Rams unleashed a potent offensive attack starting just 43 seconds later to put the game out of reach. The Rams tacked on three more scores in the final frame.

Big Horn running back Will Pelissier led a punishing ground attack for the Rams, picking up 233 yards on 23 carries and two scores. Teammate Carson Bates also had a pair of rushing TDs for the Rams.

Big Horn Coach Kirk McLaughlin has won 22 straight games to start his coaching career, which now includes back-to-back state titles.

Cokeville, which boasts an impressive 22 state championships, was denied its first title since 2014. The Panthers could only muster 142 yards in total offense, while Big Horn reeled off 549. Matt Thomas scored Cokeville’s lone touchdown.

For complete team and individual statistics, click here.

 

Little Snake River Claims Wild Class 1A/6-man Championship

November 16, 2019 – Something had to give in the Class 1A/6-man state championship football game Saturday at the University of Wyoming’s War Memorial Stadium.

In a clash of unbeaten powerhouses that matched the state’s highest scoring team against the stingiest defense -- it was the team with the overall balance that won the clash of Carbon County rivals.

Little Snake River High School (LSRHS) broke open a tight first quarter, and then played its trademark stellar defense in the second half to shut down Hanna-Elk Mountain’s (HEM) high-powered offense to top the Miners 71-38.

It was the Rattlers’ first championship in nine years.

The game matched a pair of 10-0 clubs, making it nine times in the 11 years since 6-man was reintroduced that the state champion finished without a loss.

And, as they say, defense wins championships.

No one had scored on LSRHS all season, with the Rattlers’ defense forcing 33 turnovers during the regular season. Hanna possessed a high-powered offense that scored 103 touchdowns, entering the championship game averaging a video-game type 76 points per contest.

But, the Miners were denied their first state title in 30 years.

Riggen Myers, who led the 6-man division in rushing this season, scored six touchdown -- one on a pick-six, and rushed for a whopping 379 yards to lead the Rattlers. LSRHS broke open a close 16-8 first quarter lead with 23 points in the second frame to take a 39-23 lead at the half.

The Rattlers then held HEM’s high-scoring offense to just 16 second-half points to roll to the victory.

HEM’s standout brothers Conor and Shane McGraw led the team with all 166 yards rushing.

For complete team and individual statistics, click here.

 

Star Valley Repeats as 3A Football State Champions

November 15, 2019 – Star Valley left no doubt who was the best team in 3A football this season.

The Braves scored early and often in rolling to its second straight 3A state championship with a 49-13 victory over upstart Powell Friday at the University of Wyoming’s War Memorial Stadium.

Star Valley now has won 12 state football championships in school history, and has strung together 21 straight victories the past two seasons. Star Valley has captured four state championships in five years on Jonah Field. Star Valley closed out the year at 12-0.

Star Valley shutout Powell 36-0 earlier in the season in a matchup of West Conference teams.

The top-ranked Braves scored twice in the opening frame and punched in three more touchdowns in the second to take a commanding 35-0 lead at the half. The team had a 42-0 advantage before Powell scored late in the third quarter.

Star Valley’s do-everything player, Chase Merrell, scored twice on a pair of touchdown passes. He also kicked four PATs. R.J. Cazier led the Braves with 123 yards rushing and one score. The top-rated offense had 451 total yards while limiting the Panthers to just 155.

The unranked underdog Panthers, seeking their ninth state title, closed out the year with a 7-5 mark. Toran Graham rushed for one touchdown and Jesse Trotter caught a late touchdown pass against the Braves. Brody Karhu led Powell with 93 yards rushing.

Powell has now lost three straight championship games to Star Valley since winning three in a row from 2011-13.

For complete team and individual statistics, click here.

 

Strong First Half Carries Mountain View to 2A State Championship

November 15, 2019 – Mountain View jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead and turned to its staunch defense to capture the state 2A state title 24-14 over Buffalo. The game was played Friday afternoon at the University of Wyoming’s War Memorial Stadium.

Mountain View, the West Conference’s top seed and No. 2 overall team in Class 2A, won its 11th straight game in a matchup of the state’s top two teams. Buffalo, the defending state champion, lost for the first time in 11 games this season and saw its 20-game winning streak snapped by the Buffaloes.

Friday’s victory gave Mountain View its sixth state football championship, and the first since 2005.

Mountain View, which had allowed just five total touchdowns all season, allowed the high-scoring Bison to score one touchdown each in the final two quarters of play.

Mountain View’s star running back, Kimball Madsen, rushed for three touchdowns and amassed 244 yards on 25 carries, with his longest scoring run coming on a 60-yard dash in the second quarter. He also added a 58-yarder earlier in the frame.

Buffalo’s Rowen Rudy scored both Bison touchdowns, including taking the second-half kickoff 91 yards to the house.

The Buffaloes totaled 441 yards on offense, while limiting the Bison to just 221 total yards. Mountain View’s top defense against the run gave up 132 yards on the ground to Buffalo, which was seeking the school’s sixth state football championship.

Mountain View is the first 2A team since Glenrock (2007-09) to play in three consecutive state championship games.

For complete team and individual statistics, click here.