As football kickoff inches closer around the country, MaxPreps forecasts the top five teams in the state of Wyoming for the 2009 season.
1. Green River
With the top passer and rusher back in the fold this year, along with a strong group of returning linemen, Green River begins the season at the top of the Wyoming state rankings. Drew Martinez earned all-state honors last year after passing for 1,014 yards and rushing for 826 with 10 touchdowns. His backfield mate, Colter Rood, is another all-state honoree who rushed for 944 yards and 10 scores last season. All-state lineman Jade Bunderman leads a group of linemen that includes all-conference picks Tommy Thoman, Chris Andrews and tight end Jordan Carroll. Rood will get some help in the backfield from Marcos Munoz, who also joins Martinez in the defensive backfield.
2. Campbell County
The defending state champions defeated Green River 23-21 in the 5A title game, but have many holes to fill due to graduation. Like Green River, the Camels return their starting quarterback in Alan Sisel, who threw for 1,302 yards last season. Top running back Logan Pokallus is gone, but Jake Coleman and goal-line specialist Alex Coolidge (three TDs on just 10 carries), return. The offensive and defensive lines both have experience in Patrick Snead and Derek Sullivan, each of whom earned second team all-state honors. Steve Turpin, who earned all-state honors after intercepting six passes last year, returns at defensive back.
3. Buffalo
The Bison lost twice to Douglas last season, including 34-21 in the 4A state finals. The Bison are 3A this year and lost most of the big playmakers from last year’s 8-3 squad. However a strong junior class could have Buffalo in contention for the next two seasons. Lee Iberlin is a dual threat as a rusher and receiver while Cameron Ostrom had three touchdowns out of his seven receptions last year. Aaron Tyser, also a junior, provides another steady target at receiver. The Bison have an experienced group of linebackers in Andrew Litzel, Donny Scantling and Sage McStay.
4. Sheridan
While the Broncs lost most of last year’s group that reached the state semifinals and finished 8-2, they do return the state’s best offensive player in quarterback Austin Woodward. The 5A state offensive player of the year, Woodward threw for 1,850 yards and 12 touchdowns and also rushed for 818 yards and 15 scores. Woodward doesn’t have much experienced help aside from receiver Will Hendrickson who grabbed 27 passes for 380 yards and four touchdowns.
5. Douglas
After a rough start to the 2008 season, the Bearcats rebounded from a 1-2 start to win eight straight games and the 4A state title. The team’s top rusher and scorer, all-state pick Cody Bohlander, has graduated, but the second-leading rusher, Pierre Etchemendy (6-1, 170) returns after gaining 400 yards last year. He will also play linebacker along with Jake Marcus. Etchemendy had 107 tackles last year while Marcus added 57. Quentin Kane leads the line candidates (6-1, 215).
