Well, some teams played a game, while others played a scrimmage.  This week, everything counts.  Not only does the Stir have some Star Valley trivia for you, but I’ve got your predictions for the weekend.

First off, hopefully everybody, myself included, can continue to give the Braves’ offense some time to gel.  Hat’s off to the Wolverines for finding a way to win, but Star Valley came away knowing they gave up a lot of opportunities.

This week, it’s the the Snake River Panthers who invade Afton in a bit of an important game for the Braves.  It sure would be nice to collect a win over a quality opponent before kicking off the conference slate next week against Cody.

Here’s your question for the week:

Star Valley has always played Idaho teams due to their close proximity and has traditionally done well against them.  However, in the new millennium, Star Valley has struggled mightily, finding it tough to win against the Gem State.  So here’s your question which is a two-parter.

Who was the last Idaho team Star Valley defeated and in what year?

Bonus:  What was the score?

Now that your brain is working, here’s the 4A predictions from the Dahl E. Llama of sports.

Buffalo @ Lander : On paper, this one is a bloodbath.  The Bison are the class of the Class, or at least they have been for the last decade.  The Tigers, with new head coach, Doug Hughes, is hoping to recapture some of the Lander success of the 1990’s.  Buffalo returns nearly their entire squad from last year’s State Runner-Up squad, and have to be considered the prohibitive favorite in my eyes.  This will be a chance for Lander to protect Bill Bush Memorial Field and show some renewed community pride.  It will be tough however, as the Bison are Tailor-made to churn out rushing yards on a squad like Lander and beat up their defense.  Look for a tough effort from Lander, but a big Buffalo win.  Llama says - Bison: 42-7

Cody @ Hardin, Mont. : Cody returns a good group of senior leaders.  This has traditionally been a match up where the boys from Montana have had the edge and with Cody traveling across the state line, I look for this to continue.  For fans and opponents of the Broncs, this will be a test to see who can replace Reed Gifford in Coach Williams’ offense.  Glen Clinton and Landon Blanchard should have big games, but I think it will be the inexperience  at the skill positions that help Hardin claim the win.  Llama says - Montanans:  28-20

Douglas @ Glenrock : With a lot of players returning from a strong semi-finals team of a year ago, the Bearcats do have to travel to open their season but should have the leadership to handle it.  Something that people may have forgotten is that Douglas was very, very close to making it to the state championship, almost knocking off eventual champ Jackson.  Glenrock is no slouch, but I look for the aerial assault of Douglas to be too much for Herders.  Llama says - Bearcats: 34-17

Jackson @ Teton, Idaho : Well, a lot of folks feel this one will be a walkover.  The defending 4A champion Broncs traveling to play a team that they obliterated a year ago.  I think this will actually point out if Jackson is a contender or a pretender in 2008.  If they handle the Redskins, then they’ll be in the mix.  If Teton, who’s struggled mightily the past several years, can manage to pull out a win or keep it close?  It could be a tough year.  Only time will tell, and I expect Coach Wiley to have his program ready to start with a game in the win column.  Llama says - Broncs: 31-7

*Game of the Week* Powell @ Worland : There is a quiet fervor about the Warriors this  year.  They have several key starters returning as well as a large chunk of their line.  Coach Sanford has some championships to prove his worth, but this may prove to be a tough test.  Powell fought through a lot of adversity a year ago and never quit on Coach Stringer, but they know they want more than what 2007 gave them.  It’s one thing to start off the season on the road against a tough opponent, but it’s quite another to do so within the conference.  Whoever loses this game will start in a 4A West hole, and with how tight things were a year ago, they might not climb back out.  Powell has the Mills brothers, with Gavin having committed to the Air Force Academy.  I think Worland’s Demunbrun has a big game, and the Worland defense bends but doesn’t break as they beat back the Panthers.  Llama says - Warriors:  27-14

Mountain View @ Rawlins : The Outlaws dropped Wheatland in last week’s zero week contest.  Do they have enough to keep the wins coming?  I’ll be honest, I really don’t know.  Their offense isn’t much to write home about yet, but their defense kept the Bulldogs to just six points.  When in doubt, go with the home team.  Nope, I just cant forgive Rawlins for making me look bad last year.   Llama says - Flip-Flop! Buffalos: 9-7

Torrington @ Chadron, Neb. : It’s been a tough handful of years for the Blazers.  Since making the playoffs in ‘05 and getting blasted by the Braves 59-0, Torrington has gone a dismal 2-14.  Look for the Huskers to continue their recent dominance in this match up.  Llama says - Chadron: 35-17

Sidney, Neb. @ Wheatland : As I’ve already said, the Bulldogs were collared by the Outlaws in zero week.  So, what does this mean?  Despite a playoff win in Afton in ‘06, Wheatland seems to struggle with consistency.  I know they’re at home, but this is once again a match up in which the Nebraskans have owned.  Llama says - Sidney: 28-7.

Snake River @ Star Valley : Well, if you’re not a resident of Star Valley and you’ve read this far, first off, thank you.  I like to think I have some non-bias bones in me, but you’ll likely never see me pick against the Braves, I just can’t do it.  Star Valley struggled offensively last week against an improved Riverton squad, but came away believing they gave the game away.  Multiple turnovers and special teams gaffes obliterated any good field position the Braves gained and while it’s a concern, Coach Howell knows they are not even close to playing their best football.  Snake River has quite frankly dominated this match up as a new rival.  Even last year’s 34-20 loss was not as close as the score sounds.  The Braves sport an improved secondary this season, and a defense that has the capability to shut down opponents.  Will they be able to do this against a Panther squad who thrived on big plays in ‘07?  There’s a lot of new faces on the Idaho squad, including a new coach, but Star Valley fans would be foolish to think this game will be a Braves blowout.  In fact, a win here would help tremendously, but the offense will need to improve on their performance of a week ago to pull one out.  I look for a defensive score from the Braves this evening, and a better performance from the offense in general.  Look for a game that’s much more low scoring than last year’s contest.  Llama says - Braves:  17-14.

Well, there you have it.  Week One in Wyoming’s 4A.  Have a different take?  Please feel free to use the comment section.  We’ll rehash the results over the weekend so we’ll all get a chance to see where my logic failed me.  Good luck to all involved, and thank goodness football’s back!