Posted: Friday, November 2, 2007 12:00 am
Semifinals
Saturday
Class 5A
Rock Springs (8, 4-6) at Evanston (5, 7-2)
Evanston beat Rock Springs 19-13 on the road in the Week 4 meeting between these schools. Just like the first meeting, the Red Devils come into this one having won three games in a row. Rock Springs comes into this game as one of just two teams in the state with a losing record that is still playing, but the Tigers have the momentum of last week's 34-27 victory over top seed Cheyenne Central lifting their sails a bit.
Key stat: Evanston's offense has been solid, gaining 352.8 yards per game (second-best in Class 5A) by effectively mixing the pass and the run. Rock Springs' defense will have to shore up quickly; the Tigers are giving up a 5A-worst 359.6 yards per game and have only forced two turnovers in 2007.
Class 4A
Douglas (4, 6-3) at Jackson (1, 9-0)
Saturday's game will be a bit of uncharted territory for Jackson, which hasn't made the semifinals since 1989. But the Broncs have been rolling and have outscored their opponents by 201 points in their nine victories. Douglas, though, has quietly put together a five-game winning streak, including last week's 14-7 victory over Wheatland in the quarterfinals.
Key stat: Something will have to give when the Broncs' rushing game (6.1 yards per attempt, best in 4A) goes against the Bearcats' defense (only allowing 3.6 yards per rush, third-best in 4A).
Star Valley (3, 4-6) at Buffalo (2, 9-0), 1 p.m.
Buffalo's defense has been the toughest in 4A, giving up just 45 points (5 per game) this season. The offense has done its part, helping the Bison win eight of those nine games by at least two touchdowns. The Braves came into the playoffs on a two-game losing streak, but ended that trend with their 24-6 victory over Worland last week.
Key stat: Buffalo isn't generally a throwing team, but it might want to consider tossing it up a few more times than usual. The Braves give up 115.2 passing yards per game, second-worst in 4A, and Bison quarterback Tyler Gibbs has completed 68.3 percent of his passes this season.
Class 2A
Riverside (4, 7-2) at Lusk (1, 6-3)
Even with the top seed in the 2A playoffs, Lusk has been stumbling a bit the last month, losing three of its past five games. The Tigers stayed alive in the playoffs by beating eight-seed Wind River 7-0 in the quarterfinals. On the flipside, Riverside has won four in a row and has yielded only 78 points this season - best in 2A.
Key stat: One week after playing the best passing team in 2A (Sundance), Riverside now has to play the best running team in 2A. Led by Skyler Hoopes (153 yards per game), Lusk averages 258 ypg on the ground, but Riverside's top-ranked defense gives up an average of only 167 ypg - combined running and passing.
Saratoga (3, 7-2) at Big Horn (2, 8-1)
The Rams have rolled to seven consecutive victories, but the past three have all been toughies - 29-20 over Tongue River, 16-0 over Wind River and 15-7 over Burns last week in the first round. Saratoga has won five in a row and six of seven, and did all its scoring in the first half of last week's 26-20 quarterfinal victory over Tongue River.
Key stat: Saratoga might have to win this one in the air. The Panthers have the second-best passing attack in 2A (158.2 yards per game) and average 22.3 yards per completion, tops in 2A. And at 112.4 ypg, the Rams' pass defense is 10th in the class.
Class 1A
Normative Services (5, 6-3) vs. Southeast (1, 9-0)
At Torrington. Southeast embarrassed NSI 67-0 two weeks ago in Sheridan, just one leg of the Cyclones' perfect season. Southeast has scored 372 points this season - more than any other team in the state's 11-man ranks - a tally that includes the 74 points the Cyclones put on Upton in the first round. The Wolves have won five of their past six, the only loss the one to Southeast.
Key stat: A lot of what the Cyclones do is predicated by how well they run the ball. Southeast averages 249 yards per game on the ground, but more importantly has been efficient in getting to the end zone, scoring 38 rushing touchdowns through nine games.
Guernsey (3, 6-3) at Cokeville (2, 6-2)
Cokeville's usual calling cards - consistent offense and tough defense - have been in ample supply again this year. The Panthers have won three in a row and six of seven, the only loss in that streak a 14-12 OT thriller to Class 3A Mountain View. The Vikings have won four in a row and have given up only eight points during that stretch.
Key stat: Forget all the other numbers, and remember this one: 2-0. Guernsey has beaten Cokeville twice in the playoffs in the past three years, both times in state championship games, and both times in Cokeville.