Wyoming High School Football Rankings: Week 4, 2015 [POLL]

Entering the 4th week and midway point of the season, and there are 2 matchups of undefeated vs. undefeated on the schedule, including a #2 vs. #1 clash, plus there's 1 new #1 in latest coaches/media rankings.

It's clear which teams are top 5 worthy in 4A, as only 5 teams got votes, and the top 3 are unanimous. There's only 2 undefeated teams left, but this is not the week to be looking ahead. #1 Sheridan and #2 Gillette have business at home to take care of this week, vs. new #4 Rock Springs and unranked Cheyenne South respectively. Once the clock hits triple zero's, then and only then, can the Broncs and Camels start preparing for next week's Energy Bowl. If either team has their mind on next week too early, then the Tigers or Bison will spoil things. As for the other ranked 4A teams, #3 Natrona looks to get back to their winning ways, but has to travel to Evanston this week. #5 Cheyenne East will visit a Kelly Walsh team, that looking to build on their momentum, after getting their first win last week.

3A finally starts conference play, and right out of the gate, 4 out of the top 5 play each other, starting with #2 Star Valley at #1 Cody. Both teams have been producing some offensive numbers, and this game could come down to which one has more punch in the end. To add more fuel to the fire though...as mentioned the game is at Cody, which is SV's home away from home. The Broncs haven't won a home game vs. the Braves, since Cody hosted and won the 1991 state championship game (9 straight home losses vs. SV since then). On the other side of the state, it's #5 Riverton at #4 Torrington, which could be end up deciding the East Conference. Riverton has history on their side, because they've won the last 10 vs. the TrailBlazers (Last Torrington win was back in 1996). As for the #3 ranking, that goes to Jackson, who slips one spot, after a close call last week.

Games in 2A are just as big, as the top 4 all play each other. The big bust last week was #1 vs. #3. It just so happens that #1 and #3 will clash again, although a different team is involved. The top ranked Wheatland Bulldogs have yet to give up a point, but that could be tested at Glenrock, against a Herder team looking to make a statement after missing the playoffs last year. The other top 4 matchup is a rematch of the first round of last year's playoffs. #2 and undefeated Greybull visits #4 Newcastle. The Dogies eliminated the Buffalos in the post-season last year, and need this to recover from the beat-down that suffered last week at Wheatland. Greybull though is road tested, winning in overtime last week. Big Horn drops to #5 after losing at home last week.

The new #1 is in the 1A ranks, as the Upton-Sundance Patriots have climbed to the top for now. U-S will try to defend their unanimous ranking at home vs. Moorcroft. Shoshoni jumps up to #2, after doing what no 1A West team has done, since 2008, and what no team has done since 1997...beat now #5 Cokeville via shutout. Then there's #3 and #4, which both hail from Goshen County. #3 Lingle-Ft. Laramie hosts #4 Southeast this week, and this is a big game in many ways. The Doggers travel to U-S next week, so this part of their schedule is the toughest. However, this will be their last tussle with the Cyclones on the football field, until who knows when. Lingle will drop to 6-man next year, so it's all or nothing in this rivalry game. The Doggers won last year, to break a 16-game skid vs. SE, but that game was at Yoder. Lingle last won the home game in this battle back in 1995, which means they've lost 8 straight at home vs. SE, since their last home win.

There's not much change in the newest 6-man rankings. Guernsey-Sunrise retains the #1 spot, by 2 votes ahead of Meeteetse. A huge battle is brewing in the west, when the Longhorns host #4 Farson-Eden. Last year, the Pronghorns forgot to show up in the first 17 minutes of the game, and find themselves down 33 points, before putting together a furious rally, which ended 1 point short. Now F-E has to hit the road, in hopes of trying to finish the job. This game could decide the west. Meanwhile, Kaycee holds at #3, while Little Snake River drops 1 spot to #5.

Disclaimer: The polls have no official say or use on post-season positioning, and are only to be used as a measuring stick on the regular season. Please don’t read too much into the rankings.