Star Valley fans who need to watch some football should head over to Cokeville this afternoon to get their fix.

Otherwise, fans and players will be celebrating Halloween I suppose as all of the fall sports programs have completed their respective seasons.  It’s an adjustment, what can we say?  The first thing that jumps to mind is the basketball program.  For the first two decades of my life, the Braves only missed state twice.  It was absolutely normal for parents to keep reservations for more than a year in Casper.

When it didn’t happen?  Well, it made you look around and see what else you could do to entertain yourself.  That’s sort of how this weekend feels.  The good news is, as a parent I can be a little more involved with Halloween this year.  As a fan?  I’ll be in  Cokeville this afternoon to scratch my football itch.

This week’s question has to do with volleyball.

Who was the head coach of the Lady Braves the last time they didn’t qualify for state?

A reminder of the rules.  Please no internet researching and feel free to make guesses in the comment section.  I for one and looking forward to the development of the volleyball team.  There are some potential monster players in this group.  I’m anxious to see if they hit their ceiling.

As for the playoffs (Insert high-pitched Jim Mora playoff rant here), There are some match ups that may see some great games.  There are some others that look like blowouts waiting to happen.

Read now for Mystical Mysteries from the Dahl E. Llama.  Because life is not a hanging chad.

Rawlins Outlaws (2-6) @ Douglas Bearcats (6-2) - This will be the last jab I put out at the Power Ratings because it is going away, and this situation really is a head-shaker.  Rawlins did not win a conference game.  They did not defeat a 4A opponent.  Yet the system says that’s good enough to make the post-season.  If any team really wants to complain, it’s Jackson.  Yes, you heard me.  In the final power ratings, the Braves finished in front of the Broncs, despite having an identical record and Jackson winning the head-to-head match up.  That won’t happen next year, when conference record is the seeding tool with head-to-head the tie breaker.  Anyway, Douglas really seems like the team that’s peaking at the right time.  Their defense has been the unsung heroes of the squad because as fans, all we see is the touchdown total.  The D has only allowed 43 total points in their last five games.  With their emotional win over Buffalo this year, it has to be an exhilarating feeling in Douglas right now because they’re in the driver’s seat.  This game shouldn’t be close, but the Braves were on the fast track to the state title in 2006 before a weak 2-6 Wheatland team came to town.  It’s the playoffs Douglas.  It’s a whole new ball game.  Don’t let up and assume anything.  I don’t think they will, but that’s why they play the game.  Llama says – Bearcats:  42-7  (Reality Check:  Douglas 55-0.  Kudos to the Bearcats for refusing to let down in the face of a weaker opponent.  Their game with Powell this weekend will show just how tough the Panthers are.)

Powell Panthers (5-3) @ Lander Tigers  (4-4) - Amazing how that game six weeks ago came back to haunt the Panthers this weekend.  The Tigers have been a great story this year.  From two winless seasons, to the second seed in the West.  But, while they’ve been tough, they’ve also had some fortune.  They’ve lived very dangerously in a lot of their games but have pulled them out.  That’s the sign of a team that never quits, which is good.  However, the Panthers are a team that very nearly came back from an early hole to win the conference, and is probably the fourth best team in 4A by a narrow margin.  I look for a couple of turnovers from the Panther secondary on Lander’s Garrett Irene.  Why?  Because I think the Lander run game will be struggling today against Powell and they’ll be forced to the air.  To me, the Panthers are the dark horse in this race, and I think they end Lander’s feel-good story on Bill Bush Field.  Llama says – Panthers:  24-13.  (Reality Check: Panthers 12-7 – Okay, I was a little high on the points, but the result was correct.)

Worland Warriors (4-4) @ Buffalo Bison (6-2) - How bad did that loss to the Braves hurt the Warriors?  They could have been hosting a game this week instead of traveling to a very very tough place to win.  That’s what I say when people say that Star Valley’s last game didn’t matter.  It sure mattered to the Warriors.  I actually feel for the Worland crowd.  They should have had a much better running game this year than they had but circumstances shot that down.  They are a very gutty team, who has kids who give their all.  Unfortunately, Buffalo is a team that’s tailor-made to stop them.  They refuse to let you run up the middle, they force turnovers and they pound the pigskin for four quarters.  The Warriors aren’t a very big group on the line, and I think they’re going to get tired by the third quarter on the road.  Look for a big running output by the Bison, even if much of it comes late.  Llama says – Bison:  42-14.  (Reality Check: Bison 34-7 – This year the Bison have to travel in the semi-finals for the first time in several years.  Cody’s defense should be tested this weekend)

Torrington Trailblazers (3-5) @ Cody Broncs (6-2) - This is the wildcard game in my mind.  I haven’t seen Torrington personally, but I’ve seen their numbers.  This team has the ability to run the ball when you look at the stat sheet.  After you look at it again, they probably should stick to the ground because they led the Class in interceptions thrown.  It’s for this reason that I think the fans in Cody will be taken aback early on, but then watch their defense take over.  I envision the Blazers forging through with a good running game early, but not being able to capitalize.  I also see the Bronc defense causing a few turnovers because of this.  Look for a Cody win, but closer than you might think or even like.  Llama says – Broncs:  24-10.  (Reality Check: Broncs 47-0 – I almost feel like I need to give an apology to Cody for this score.  They didn’t let down a bit and they blew out the Blazers.  I continue to under-rate the Broncs defense.  If I keep doing that, they’ll be sending me a picture of their defense holding the state championship trophy)

Well, there you go.  No biased goggles this week and good luck to all the players.

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