2025 Week 13 (Wyoming)
I had planned to be in Colorado this weekend for games. But an opportunity presented itself to me that I couldn’t really pass up. Saturday games in Colorado were going to be quite far from Fort Collins where I was at. However, five games for the Wyoming State Championships were just over an hour northwest in Laramie. And seeing the Wyoming state titles have long been on my list of postseason plans. So, it was settled.
I called ahead to the WHSAA, and though I couldn’t get in for media due to established rules. I did get in on the pass list as a courtesy. This did mean photographing from the stands. And at the stadium there would be areas along the endzone to stand. But, it would limit my photography anyways.
But, with that approval, on Wednesday I went north to Laramie, and hung out in town for the weekend. On Friday morning, I headed to the stadium. I had seen the stadium before one time I was in town. But this was my first time stopping at it.
It was unseasonably warm on Friday. With the high in the 60s. I got in quite easily and there were no issues with my camera. I walked around the field and found that I could stand along the endzone if I wanted. But, for the first game I planned to be in the stands.
On Friday, there was only two games on the schedule. At 7,220 feet, it made sense that the games be mostly scheduled during daylight. With the 12pm and 4pm kickoffs.
With the first game, Wyoming was my 26th state to see a state championship game in. Finally putting me past the halfway point for reaching all 50 at some point.
#49 – 2A – Mountain View v. Big Horn
Mountain View Buffalos are from along I-80, in southwestern Wyoming. And yes, their nickname doesn’t have the E in the word. The Big Horn Rams, meanwhile, are from the Big Horn mountains. Southwest of Sheridan. The Buffalos came in with six state titles, while Big Horn had nine state titles.
With a ten point lead going into the fourth quarter, Mountain View held on as Big Horn Rams tried desperately to climb back into this one. Before losing, 41-38.
Hanging out between games, there wasn’t a ton of free time. I did a lap of the stadium and stayed down on the field as I had done halfway through the first game.
#50 – 3A – Star Valley v. Cody
It’s funny that I was just in Cody just a few weeks earlier for the first time ever. I had been in Afton, home of Star Valley, several times as that’s just south of Jackson Hole.
This was another close game. And had setup for a very good weekend in Laramie. Though Saturday wasn’t looking as close. Star Valley came in as three-time defending state champions. And, between Star Valley and Cody, one of the two has been champions of 3A since 2014. And one was guaranteed to continue the streak this year. Star Valley with seven titles in that streak, with Cody having four titles. Overall, Star Valley had 15 state titles, to Cody’s seven state titles.
In this one, Star Valley won 26-21 after a 14-14 halftime score. But two touchdowns gave Star Valley a slim lead that held.
After the game, I walked down the street to the Wing Shack. It had just opened in Laramie. And I wanted to give it a shot. There was a long line. But I didn’t mind waiting. 25 wings plus fries and a large drink was $30. A bit steep, but I was willing to wait.
The Bear Hot was the hottest wet wings on the menu. But also had the garlic hot, buffalo, and lemon pepper. The fries are overrated. Honestly, excepting the fact that it just opened and was incredibly busy, it wasn’t worth the wait time. But they were good wings at any other time.
The next morning, I was back at the stadium. It was a tad cooler on Saturday. With a little stronger wind. And to my dismay, overcast most of the time. To start the day, the six-man and nine-man games kicked this off. With the big 4A game capping the weekend.
With the sun out to start the day, I sat on the east side, and watched the start of the game.
#51 – 1A6M – Burlington v. Little Snake River
I was really looking forward to seeing Little Snake River. Located just north of Colorado along WY789, in the town of Baggs, I have wanted to see a game at their home field for a while. But instead get to see them in a state championship game. One of the founding members of WHSAA’s 6-man classification.
The number of turnovers was immense. Four interceptions. A couple pick-sixes. A lot of touchdowns. Little Snake River won easily, 67-16.
It was the Rattlers’ seventh state championship in six-man.
The next game was 9-man between Pine Bluffs and Rocky Mountain. 9-man is relatively new for Wyoming. The WHSAA converting 1A from 11-man to 9-man. Teams opting to stay 11-man would have to play up to 2A. Meanwhile, the classifications were relabeled to be 1A 6-man and 1A 9-man now.
After the game, I walked around the ‘visitor side’ which is the west side. And stopped at the food truck and got a Roper Burger. Which was thick cut baacon, onion petals, cheddar and half pound patty on a brioche bun. With flavored fries. It was really good. But it wasn’t great for $15.
#52 – 1A9M – Pine Bluffs v. Rocky Mountain
I wasn’t expecting much from this one. The game was projected to be one-sided. And like Little Snake River, Pine Bluffs had long been on my list of places to see. Being the town right on the state line on I-80 as you enter the state from Nebraska, I’ve seen the field many times up close and from the road. And wanted to see the Hornets play a home game. But as with the Rattlers, happy to just see them play for the first time.
Pine Bluffs had four state championships, all since 2015, coming into the game. The last two in 9-man. Rocky Mountain had four titles, but in a span from 1992 to 1998.
Pine Bluffs won easily, as Rocky Mountain had no answer for anything. Pine Bluffs won, 48-0.
By the third game of the day, kicking off at about 6pm, it was chilly but tolerable.
#53 – 4A – Sheridan v. Campbell County
This was my second time seeing Sheridan in 2025. Seeing them play at Kelly Walsh in Casper. They came in riding a 54-game winning streak. The Sheridan Broncs have the most state championships in WHSAA history. Winning 31 titles prior to this weekend. Including winning the first three straight titles from 1921 to 1923.
Winning 8 of the last 10 championships, including the last four straight. Campbell County has only won four state titles. In a span from 1998 to 2008. Never winning back-to-back.
Despite the apparent disparity between the two, the Camels’ of Campbell County were keeping pace most of the game. Tying it at 7-7 in the second quarter, but quickly relinquishing the tie score on another Sheridan touchdown. In the second half, the two teams traded field goals. But Campbell County could not find the endzone.
Sheridan won their 55th straight game. And 32nd state championship. With a 17-10 victory over Campbell County.
Wyoming Spotlight: Championships end with Sheridan’s 55th straight victory (PHOTO GALLERY)
After the game, I went down onto the field where fans could celebrate or commiserate their championship game result. Snapped a few photos and made it over to Wing Shack. This time trying the cajun dry rub with some of the Bear Hot wings. But no photos this time.
ECONOMICS
Since I was in Laramie since Wednesday, I didn’t have any real travel to the games. Counting $60 for travel expense. And $91 for food. I also spent $11 for a new USBC cable as my old one had gotten spotty in staying connected while fast charging. A grand total of $162 for the weekend.
Also, for the week, nine of the ten teams were brand new for me. Only Sheridan was a repeat and one from earlier this season.
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
2025 Statistics
53 Games
104 Teams
39 Stadiums
9 States
60 New Teams
29 New Stadiums
1,716 different teams
562 different stadiums
1,615 total games
NEXT WEEK
State Championship in Montana is a possibility, as there isn’t much available this time of year. Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota all finished. While Eastern Montana had only a couple Saturday options.
I had two options to choose from. And I decided against going to Grass Range. It was a tough decision. But it was a lot further away from where I was, and I had been looking forward to seeing Scobey for the first time ever. And so I passed up Grass Range hosting their first ever state championship game. And first appearance in such a game.
For more, and larger, photos from this week, click HERE.
For photos from previous weeks and seasons, visit http://www.flickr.com/sykotyk/sets/