2024 high school football: Class 4A preview caps (2024)

class 4A

Cheyenne Central Indians

LAST YEAR: 4-6; lost to Natrona County 14-3 in quarterfinals.

HEAD COACH: Mike Apodaca (7th year; 30-32)

STATE TITLES/LAST: 14/2005

KEY RETURNERS: None provided.

OUTLOOK: The Indians are expected to return a handful of players who saw extensive playing time last season. Central could be in the mix for a home playoff game if its skill players are up to the challenge.

Cheyenne East Thunderbirds

LAST YEAR: 10-2; defeated Rock Springs 42-14 in quarterfinals; defeated Natrona County 17-10 in semifinals; lost to Sheridan 31-3 in championship game.

HEAD COACH: Chad Goff (19th year; 131-68)

STATE TITLES/LAST: 5/2020

KEY RETURNERS: OL/DL Jesse Kirkbride (6-3, 270, sr); WR/DB Wyatt Dean (6-6, 230, sr); WR/DB Camden Hassler (5-10, 150, sr); QB/DB Nolan Horton (5-10, 170, sr).

OUTLOOK: The T-Birds are inexperienced—they return just one starter on each side of the ball — but there’s still talent on the roster. East might take some hits early, but will likely be a tough out come playoff time.

Cheyenne South Bison

LAST YEAR: 0-9; did not qualify for playoffs.

HEAD COACH: Eli Moody (3rd year; 0-18)

STATE TITLES/LAST: None.

KEY RETURNERS: None provided.

OUTLOOK: The Bison enter the season having lost a state record-tying 38 games in a row and their only playoff appearance was in 2016. The postseason drought will likely continue this season, but South has its sights set on finally ending that losing streak.

Gillette Camels

LAST YEAR: 6-4; lost to Thunder Basin 40-12 in quarterfinals.

HEAD COACH: Orah Garst (2nd year; 6-4)

STATE TITLES/LAST: 4/2008

KEY RETURNERS: QB Mason Drube (6-3, 210, sr); RB/LB Trent Rosenau (6-0, 200, sr); SS/RB Patrick Lynch (5-11, 195, sr); WR/FS Adam Gibson (6-3, 175, sr); TE/DE Garrett Herther (6-3, 230, sr); OL/DL Raynor Ranum (6-1, 230, sr); OL/DL Jacob Pelton (6-5, 285, sr); CB/WR Michael Biggs (5-10, 175, sr); FS/WR Danny Carsrud (6-0, 175, sr); CB/WR Cavalli Gibson (6-0, 175, sr); LB/RB Landon Hofer (5-11, 195, sr); OL/DL Lane Ferguson (6-5, 310, sr); OL.DL Amaurion Hopson (6-0, 270, sr); OL/DL Colter Percifield (5-10, 230, sr).

OUTLOOK: The Camels are deep and talented and ready to make a deep playoff run for the first time since that other team across town joined the 4A ranks in 2017.

Kelly Walsh Trojans

LAST YEAR: 2-8; lost to Sheridan 59-0 in quarterfinals.

HEAD COACH: Randy Roden (1st year)

STATE TITLES/LAST: 3/1981

KEY RETURNERS: RB/DE Landon Walker (sr); QB/S Carter Alvar (jr); WR/DT Brant Blocker (sr); RB/LB Ethan Hague (jr); WR/S Xzavier Harris (sr); WR/Cb Kaecen Paden (sr); RB/LB Jaxsen Terry (sr); OL/DL Kaiden Puzella (sr).

OUTLOOK: The Trojans had regressed under the former coaching staff, so KW boys’ basketball coach Randy Roden was hired to inject some life into the program. It could be an uphill climb, though, until the Trojans develop some depth.

Laramie Plainsmen

LAST YEAR: 1-8; did not qualify for playoffs.

HEAD COACH: Jake Chick (1st year)

STATE TITLES/LAST: 16/1994

KEY RETURNERS: WR/DB Max Alexander (6-1, 165, sr); QB/DB Fisher Frude (6-0, 180, sr); RB/DB Evan Crum (6-0, 180, sr); WR/DB AJ Sirdoreus (6-1, 168, jr); TE/DL Will Brinegar (6-6, 210, sr); RB/LB Tyler Gale (6-0, 185, jr); WR/DB Andres Isidro (5-9, 162, sr); OL/DL Sam Harshberger (6-4, 220, jr); OL/DL James Vasek (6-2, 220, jr); OL/LB Noah Kirsch (5-11, 200, sr).

OUTLOOK: The Plainsmen have had talented skill players over the years, but have struggled up front on both sides of the ball. If they can stay healthy and be solid in the trenches they should get back to the playoffs.

Natrona County Mustangs

LAST YEAR: 7-4; defeated Cheyenne Central 14-3 in quarterfinals; lost to Cheyenne East 17-10 in semifinals.

HEAD COACH: Steve Harshman (34th year; 234-102)

STATE TITLES/LAST: 18/2018

KEY RETURNERS: TE/LB Tucker Sides (6-1, 204, sr); OL/DL Josh May (6-5, 291, sr); WR/DB Rogan Potter (6-0, 180, sr); WR/DB Zaven Thomas (6-0, 146, sr); WR/DB Aiden Youmans (6-3, 163, sr); WR/LB Payton Maggi (5-9, 175, sr); OL/DE Tays Turnbull (6-3, 190, sr); RB/LB Jameson Siemens (5-10, 154, sr); RB/LB Tyler Palermo (5-11, 187, sr); TE/DE Charlie True (6-4, 189, sr).

OUTLOOK: The Mustangs have to replace their entire starting backfield, but have size up front and could be a force on defense. If NC can answer some offensive question it could be poised for a deep playoff run.

Rock Springs Tigers

LAST YEAR: 3-7; lost to Cheyenne East 42-14 in quarterfinals.

HEAD COACH: Kasey Koepplin (1st year)

STATE TITLES/LAST: 7/2002

KEY RETURNERS: None provided.

OUTLOOK: Koeppin has some work to do to get the Tigers back to respectability after last year. Rock Springs should have enough talent to return to the postseason, but might need time before it’s a playoff threat.

Sheridan Broncs

LAST YEAR: 12-0; defeated Kelly Walsh 59-0 in quarterfinals; defeated Thunder Basin 62-7 in semifinals; defeated Cheyenne East 31-3 in championship game.

HEAD COACH: Jeff Mowry (7th year; 62-9)

STATE TITLES/LAST: 30/2023

KEY RETURNERS: QB/DB Ty Gilbertson (5-10, 185, sr); OL/DL Bridger Peldo (6-5, 280, sr); OL/DL Josh Davis (6-3, 250, sr); RB/LB Keltan Crow (6-0, 185, sr); WR/DB Chance Morris (5-9, 150, sr); LB/RB Garrett Way (6-0, 190, sr).

OUTLOOK: The three-time defending state champs have won 31 consecutive games — the state record is 34 — but return just one starter. Don’t expect any team to feel sorry for the Broncs, though, who have a habit of reloading rather than just rebuilding.

Thunder Basin Bolts

LAST YEAR: 7-4; defeated Gillette 40-14 in quarterfinals; lost to Sheridan 62-7 in semifinals.

HEAD COACH: Trent Pikula (8th year; 52-24)

STATE TITLES/LAST: None.

KEY RETURNERS: LB/TE Cort Catlin (6-3, 210, sr); LB/TE Logan Mendoza (6-0, 195, sr); OL/DL Kingston Hansen (6-4, 240, sr); WR/DB Parker Wagner (6-0, 165, jr); OL/DL Riley Bertsch (5-10, 190, sr).

OUTLOOK: The Bolts don’t return a lot of starters, but a number of players have game experience. They also have to break in a new QB, but whoever wins the job will have some weapons to throw the ball to. And the defense should be one of the best in the state.