Friday night test for local football

Erick Starkey
Posted 9/8/17

One could argue that any given Friday night is a tough test on the gridiron, but this Friday, all three Goshen County football teams have their work cut out for them.

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Friday night test for local football

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TORRINGTON – One could argue that any given Friday night is a tough test on the gridiron, but this Friday, all three Goshen County football teams have their work cut out for them.
Torrington, Southeast and Lingle-Fort Laramie combine for games against Star Valley, Big Horn and Guernsey-Sunrise. The Braves and Rams both won state titles last year, while the Vikings reached the semi-finals. The Braves went 11-1, while the Rams turned in a 10-1 record and the Vikings finished 7-3.
Collectively, the three Goshen County teams went 16-9 in 2016. Their three opponents this week combined for a 28-5 record last year, which is the toughest slate of competitors during any given week this fall. Star Valley is the toughest team, based on record, on Torrington’s schedule this fall, while Big Horn is tied for the best record on Southeast’s schedule.
On top of a tough night for Goshen County, two of the games are even tougher because they are on the road. L-FL heads to Guernsey-Sunrise and Torrington makes the haul to Afton. Big Horn, who won their championship in 2A last year, is the only team coming to Goshen County for a game Friday.

Week 6 proves to be a similarly tough week, with the three local teams playing Douglas (8-2), Tongue River (8-3) and Kaycee (11-0). The three opponents in Week 6 combined for a 27-5 record last year. Kaycee is the only team on any of the three local teams’ schedule who went undefeated in 2016. The Buckaroos won the six-man title last season, with the Eagles falling in the 1A 11-man championship and the Bearcats getting bounced in the semi-finals.
Based on last year’s records, Week 8 is the easiest week for Goshen County programs, with games against Riverton (3-6), Lusk (1-7) and Rock River (0-8). Week 4 also has a similar collective record of opponents (8-19*).
Looking at last year’s records, Southeast has the toughest schedule of the three Goshen County schools, facing teams with a combined record of 44-34*. The Cyclones also play two defending state champions in Big Horn (formerly 2A) and Pine Bluffs. Four of Southeast’s opponents this year reached the postseason last fall.
The Trailblazers come in second in opponents’ combined record at 40-37. Six of their opponents reached the playoffs last year, including three that made it to the semi-finals or beyond. The Doggers’ opponents went 35-38 last year. They do have Kaycee on the schedule, who is currently riding a 21-game winning streak.
No game is a guaranteed win until the final whistle, but the three Goshen County football teams may have to put in a little extra this week to pick up wins against quality opponents.

*Southeast plays Cheyenne Central’s JV program in Week 4. The varsity squad went 2-7 last year, so that was the record used in factoring up totals.