There have certainly been some big performances and clutch games. These are the ones that jumped out at me.

I’ve tried to come up with a catchy award name for my end-of-season accolades, but calling them the “Llamies” sounds like something to do with CSU so I just can’t do it. For now we’ll call it the “Dahl E. Llama Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence.” Or the DELAOAIFE for semi-short. If you can think of a great name, I’d love to hear it.

These are regular season awards obviously, so the biggest prize is still out there.

Team of the Year: Jackson Broncs - I’ll admit that I knew Jackson would have a pretty good team. I was thinking five or six wins. My biggest question for Jackson before the season was their offensive line and protection. Not only have they showed up, they’ve been stifling. Throw in a stingy defense and they are the biggest reason the team is undefeated heading into the final game. Buffalo has had another stellar season, but Jackson’s wins on the road in back-to-back weeks in Powell and Star Valley really impress me. As a person who has watched the Broncs struggle for most the last two decades, the fans should be seething at the thought of home playoff contests.

Coach of the Year: Bill Wiley - As someone who’s lived south of Jackson for my entire life sans a few character building experiences, I know for a fact how hard it can be to build a competitive team in Teton County. Coach Wiley has had a plan in mind for the last three years and the kids have lived up to it. For the former player and local boy to step in and build a winner, it’s got to feel extra good. Boy, it’s like a Jackson love-fest in here isn’t it?

Offensive Player of the Year: SV’s Jordan Abrams - Okay, call me a homer, but listen to my reasoning first. Abrams is the only player in Class 4A to rank in the top five of all of the following categories. Rushing yards , All-Purpose yards, Scoring, Punting and Kicking (both PAT’s and Field Goals). Throw in there that he’s in the top seven in passing and that he’s compiled just under 1,000 total yards in the last five weeks including 7 total touchdowns) and he definitely in the argument. Blane Woodfin has had a fantastic year as well from Jackson, as has Scott Boner from Douglas. Other worthy recipients would have to include Dan Long from Buffalo and Reed Gifford from Cody. The difference? All of those other players have played their position before this year. This is Abrams’ first (and only) year at the QB position. Plus, this is the Star Valley Independent website you know.

The Stranglehold Award - Buffalo Bison - Seriously, the last time Buffalo lost an Eastern Conference game was way back in 2002 to Wheatland. Since then, nobody’s really been close. To consistently beat teams who see you every year is pretty impressive. For all I know, they etch the Bison onto the Conference trophy the year before to save time.

The Bummer Award - Powell Panthers - This isn’t an insult, it’s just surprising to the rest of the state is all. The defending champs had high hopes, and quite honestly after seeing them play, they can knock off anybody. That being said, it’s the little things that have killed the Panthers this year and that’s always a bummer.

The Hype-Machine Award - Wheatland Bulldogs - Let’s be honest, in August, everybody is hitting the weights great and has a conference championship in their sites. Of all the teams that had some hype heading into the new season (Powell, Star Valley, Cody, Rawlins) only Wheatland has really shown they are close to playing to their potential that was hyped during the pre-season. It just goes to show how tough it is to accurately predict what’s going to happen before the first hits are made.

The Bandwagon Award - Lander Tigers - I think I can honestly speak for almost all of the other 4A schools when I say the other ten members of the classification are pulling hard for the Tigers this week in Riverton. I don’t have anything personal against the Wolverines, but I want the Tigers to end their losing streak which now stands at 16 games.

True Grit Award - Coach Anderson, SVHS - You know, even someone who doesn’t agree with Coach Anderson would have to concede that what has taken place this season in Afton is remarkable. A huge staff turnover right before the beginning of fall practice, season-long injuries to more than half a dozen starters and projected starters and as we get ready to play the final game of the regular season, the Braves have a reasonable chance at winning their third straight Western Conference Title.

Now on to the predictions for week eight -

Cody (3-4) @ Jackson (7-0) - There aren’t many games with more riding on it than this one. This single contest has the possibility of fouling up almost all of the post-season seedings. Just in case you’re a little behind, should the Cody Broncs win this ball game, they would tie for the Western Conference Title. If Star Valley defeats Worland, the Braves would join in that little trio, and by virtue of strength of schedule, would take their third straight crown. With a win and a SV loss, Cody wins the title. I can’t stress enough how this all goes away with a Jackson win. It seems a bit strange that an undefeated team has the possibility of not hosting a playoff game, but if I’ve done my homework, a Jackson loss could drop them out of the top two seeds from the West due to the fact that Star Valley and Cody both have stronger schedules. That being said, I expect a hard-fought game, but one that Jackson pulls away with in the second half due to their defense. Turnovers change everything, but I think the home Broncs pull of their first perfect regular season since 1981. I suppose that means a party in the Tetons complete with freshly minted t-shirts and over-turned Subarus everywhere. (That was a little below the belt) Llama says - (Jackson) Broncs - 31-16.

Lander (0-7) @ Riverton (0-7) - Well, somebody is going home happy after this game. Neither team has enjoyed any success over the last two seasons, unless it was at the other team’s expense. They are close to each other, they don’t like each other, and trick plays may abound as both teams try to end their season on a high note. I’ve already stated that for Classification pride reasons, I’m pulling for the Tigers. I look for and extremely emotional win on a Nick Knell kick to put Lander over the top. Llama says - Tigers - 20-17.

Buffalo (7-0) @ Powell (3-4) - This game is going to be tougher than expected for the Bison in my humble opinion. The Panthers have been pretty darn solid defensively and have done a pretty good job at stopping the run. Buffalo should wear them down over the course of an entire game, but if the Panthers can get a couple of big passing plays to their playmakers, it could go the other way. Llama says - Bison - 27-13.

Douglas (4-3) @ Torrington (2-5) - The Blazers need a win and some help to make the playoffs, but I don’t think they’re going to get it done against Douglas, who is better at stopping the pass than teams give them credit for due to stopping their own in practice. Look for the Bearcats to win in a battle of quarterbacks. Llama says - Bearcats - 35-21.

Wheatland (5-2) @ Rawlins - (1-6) - The Bulldogs have a great chance to make a bid for the second seed in the East here, and their running game should be able to get going against the Outlaws who have struggled through another tough season. Llama says - Bulldogs - 42-6.

Now we come to Star Valley (3-4) @ Worland (4-3) - The Braves will have to drag themselves out of their own warm beds to travel more than six hours in the early Wyoming winter to face a Warrior team who have lost three straight. Worland is 1-2 at home this year while Star Valley is also 1-2 on the road. The advantage has to go Coach Anderson, who is 3-0 against the Warriors over the last two seasons (including the playoffs). Look for the Braves to have a solid running game, but to have a surprising passing game to compliment it at evidenced by the 167 passing yards against Evanston last week. Llama says - Braves - 24-13.

Well, there you have it. Have a differing opinion? Let me know at svidahl@silverstar.com