MaxPreps 2012 Wyoming preseason football Fab 5

MaxPreps 2012 Wyoming Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard

1. Natrona County (Casper)
2011 finish: 10-1
Head coach: Steve Harshman
Team preview
The 2010 Class 4A state champion, Natrona County has all the elements needed to reclaim the title that escaped its grasp in 2011. Of the 14 returning starters, nine are on defense. Coach Steve Harshman also has a 10-1 JV team moving up to the varsity. Among the returning starters on defense include first-team All-League players Adam Britton (defensive line), Colter Bentley (defensive line), Brecken Biggs (defensive back) and Issac Cooper (defensive back). While starting quarterback Cody Vollmar, the conference player of the year, has graduated, running back Josh Flannigan returns along with Biggs, who will move from receiver to quarterback, Bentley on the offensive line and Ryan Anaya at tight end. All totaled, Natrona County has eight All-State players and 15 All-Conference picks returning to the squad this season. Natrona County ranks No. 2 on our list of Wyoming's Top 10 most consistent football programs.

2. Sheridan
2011 finish: 11-1
Head coach: Don Julian
Team preview
Sheridan captured last year's state championship with a 42-14 win over East (Cheyenne) in the Class 4A title game, however the Broncs finished second in the league standings behind Natrona County. Collin Eisenman, the league Defensive Player of the Year, returns at linebacker along with fellow defensive standout Caleb Sawyer at defensive end. The offensive line will also be solid with Eisenman, Sawyer and All-Leaguer Mitch Godwin returning. All-League second-team pick Kevin Bakkehaug is back at quarterback (1,529 yards passing) along with tight end Hayden Legerski. Sheridan ranks No. 3 on our June, 2011 list of the Top 10 Wyoming football dynasties.

3. Powell
2011 finish: 9-3
Head coach: Jim Stringer
Team preview
Powell got hot at the right time, running off three straight wins to capture the Class 3A state title after finishing in third place in the league standings. Coach Jim Stringer had a young squad last year but juniors Brendon Phister (17 tackles a game at linebacker), Anthony Lujan (OL/LB) and Garrett Lynch (RB/OL) all earned All-League honors along with seniors Vince Sleep (FB/LB) and Dewey Schwahn (OL/DL). Phister, Lujan and Sleep figure to comprise one of the state's top linebacking corps. You can find Powell listed multiple times on our list of Wyoming state football champions for the past 10 years.

4. East (Cheyenne)
2011 finish: 7-5
Head coach: Chad Goff
Team preview
After finishing in a tie for fourth place, East reached the Class 4A state finals before falling to Sheridan 42-14. The Thunderbirds return a ton of players from last year's squad, including six All-State performers. Tod Wenger earned first team All-State honors on the offensive line while Joe Ash (LB) and Austen Motily (DE) were honored on defense. Hayes Stone (RB), Trenton Curtis (DL) and Trey Herrera (DB) were second-team All-State picks. Search for East players on the list of Wyoming 2011 All-League football teams.

5. Lovell
2011 finish: 11-0
Head coach: Doug Hazen
Team preview
The Bulldogs claimed the Class 2A state title in 2011 with an 11-0 record that included an average winning margin of 24 points per outing. Lovell returns its top two offensive performers from last year in quarterback Dylan Hultgren and running back Dino Collins. Hultgren threw for 1,490 yards and 13 touchdowns while Collins rushed for 1,202 yards and 17 scores. All-purpose standout Cody Savage returns at tight end on offense and defensive end. He also does the kicking and punting chores for the Bulldogs.