Plainsmen look to finish strong

Richard Anderson photo
Laramie coach Bob Knapton talks to senior Allen West during a time out in a recent home game.

By Richard Anderson
Wyoming Sports.org

The game doesn’t have the meaning like they had hoped it would, but the Laramie Plainsmen have plenty to play for Friday night in their season finale against Cheyenne Central.

Laramie had hoped to be playing for a state playoffs berth against the Indians, but will instead play for a little momentum for next season and pride. Kickoff at Deti Stadium is set for 7 p.m.

Laramie needed to beat Rock Springs last week and then topple Central on Friday to have a shot at the playoffs. The Plainsmen, however, dropped a disheartening 35-28 overtime loss to the Tigers in a game that LHS led 28-7 a minute into the fourth quarter.

Laramie, 0-4 in South Conference play and 1-7 overall, struggled with a couple of questionable calls, its emotion and then stopping the Tigers at the end last week.

Laramie head coach Bob Knapton said it was a good opportunity missed to get into the playoffs and also a tough way to learn.

“It was a good lesson for us because our kids need to know that no matter what happens, you have to be focused on what our goal is and our goal was to win that game,” Knapton said. “You have to play hard and try not to commit as many fouls as you can. We had the opportunity to win. We had to move the ball and we had to run the clock; we had to run it out. But you can’t get frustrated to just cave things in. That’s what we’ve been working on.”

Laramie had 14 penalties for 133 yards, including several personal foul and unsportsmanlike calls.

“It’s been a roller coaster," Knapton said. “We’ve had some games where we come out and only have one penalty for 15 yards. That’s great, playing tough. Next game some guys start yipping and yapping and the penalties start building up. They have to learn how to discipline themselves or somebody is going to discipline them for them.”

With that, a few Plainsmen will either sit out the game or parts of it against Central.

“Are they good enough to be in the playoffs? Yes,“ Knapton said. “But what kept them from it? Some people had their own demises with running their mouth and getting penalties and it kept that team closer and closer and allowed them to score.”

The Indians will move on to the playoffs at 2-2, but have struggled at times for a 2-5 overall mark. Last week the Indians dropped a 37-29 decision to top-rated Sheridan in a game they rallied late to make close.

Central’s strength is on offense, as the Indians sport the No. 2 rusher in the state in Brad Ramsey (133.9 ypg) and the No. 2 passer in Conner Long (86-of-136, 1,052 yards, nine touchdowns).

“They can generate yards with the passes and they work to spread you out,” Knapton said. “They have a good receiver they can throw the ball and they can run the ball. It will be a good challenge for our defense to play them tough.”

Defensively, Central has struggled, giving up an average of 28.4 points and 384 yards per game.

“On the flip side of it, a lot of people have scored a lot of points on them also,” Knapton said. “That’s what we’re looking at. If we want to keep the ball away from them, we have to score a lot of points and do ball control.”

The game will be the final football contest for nine Plainsmen seniors -- Alex Zuniga, Coleton Wilson, James VanKirk, Trent Schneider, Aaron Chism, Allen West, Nick Armijo, Jacob Weise and Nick Yelton.

Knapton said it will also be a game the underclassmen can pick up a little momentum for next season.

“Hopefully, we can go out, play tough and work on some things that we want to work on, especially for some of the kids who are going to be around next year, and for the seniors who are playing to finish strong and play with some pride,” Knapton said.
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Plainsmen Statistics
(Counting Steamboat Springs game)
Rushing
Jon Sorenson: 108-646 & 6TDs; Charles Swearingen: 89-462 & 3TDs; Mike Lanich: 34-73 & 1TD; Coleton Wilson: 41-65 & 2TDs; Kelby Wilkison: 2-26 & 0TDs; Nathan Cowper: 3-6; Allen West: 1-0 & 0TDs; Luke Knapton: 45-247 & 1TD, Phillip Callahan 17-47 & 0TDs, Derek Shaneman 1-2, Nate Clark 1-(minus 5). Totals: 317-1,479 & 13 TDS
Passing
Coleton Wilson: 27-71-4 269 & 1TD, Jon Sorenson 0-9-1 0. Totals: 27-80-5 269 & 1TD.
Receiving
Tyler English: 1-25 & 0TDs; Marshall Fisher 3-33 & 0TDs, Nathan Cowper 5-49 & 0TDs; Jon Sorenson 6-42 & 1TD; Luke Knapton 6-56 & 0TDs; Charles Swearingen 4-40 & 0TDs, Rylan Harding 2-28 & 0TDs. Totals: 27-269 & 1TD.
Defense
Luke Knapton 153.5 points, Tyler English 85, Nathan Cowper 78, Allen West 73, Jon Sorenson 71, Kelby Wilkison 67, Nick Armijo 55, Nathan Clark 43, Rylan Harding 38, Trent Schneider 37, Austin Ontiveroz 25, Ben Farber 23, Charles Swearingen 22, Dylan Kramshuster 14, Coleton Wilson 14, Nick Yelton 11.5, Devin Garcia 5.5, Wes Dalles 6.5, Alex Zuniga 4, Bryce Kemzt 2, Tyler Cowdel 2, Dillon Elliott 1, Phillip Callahan 3, Brody Burnett 1.