Two-time defending Western Conference champions look to end decade-long title drought.

Few schools would balk at changing places with the Braves over the past decade. A record of 57-36 in that time, not to mention six Western Conference Championships and five trips to the state championship game. That being said, a sour ending to a very promising season a year ago, combined with five State Runner-Up titles have the players and fans in the area a little antsy to up the ante.

It may be a little greedy, but it doesn’t take much research to realize that in those five title games, the Braves were just a whisper from having many more state titles for those fine teams.

In the 1997 season, former coach Robert Linford, coming off four titles in five years, guided his Braves to an undefeated mark into November before falling to Riverton in the championship, 23-20. The next year, Linford’s last, the Braves once again were one of the toughest teams in the state, who fell in a defensive struggle, 9-7, to those same Wolverines.

Just a few years later, former coach Ballard Johnson fielded a pair of dynamic teams in 2001 and 2002. The Braves came up just short again, losing 6-0 and 17-14 (in overtime) to Worland.

The most recent title game came in 2005, when the Braves ran out of time against the Buffalo Bison, 17-14. This particular team featured several standout performances and school records in receptions and receiving yardage.

While the 2007 version of the Braves is still taking form, it doesn’t take a great imagination to believe that there may be great things in store for this squad.

Some 17 players who garnered varsity time a year ago will be back in uniform for Star Valley again this year.

While the team will have to account for several losses due to graduation, the Braves appear poised and ready with players who have put in a large amount of work since the end of the 2006 season.

Depth and versatility will be the primary strengths of the 2007 Star Valley Braves.

The Braves will open their season on August 25 in Ogden, Utah against the Park City Miners in a first-time historic match up between the two schools. Contrary to previous reports, the time of the game will be at 4:00 on the campus of Weber State University.

In addition to the main action between the varsity, the Star Valley junior varsity will be taking on the sophomore squad from the Gillette Camels on the neutral field of the Park City Miners. This game will take place at 10:00 a.m.

Those interested in attending both contests should be reminded that the distance between the two venues are roughly 60 miles apart.
Be sure to check out starvalleyindependent.com for audio and video from practice and coaches, not to mention team analysis for the 2007 campaign.

The Braves will kick off their season on August 25 at 4:00 p.m. at Weber State University against the Park City Miners.
Tickets for the event are available at the high school at a cost of ten dollars.