Wyoming High School Soccer Rankings: May 2, 2018

No matter how high a team is ranked by the coaches and media, there's usually that one opponent that causes matchup problems, kind of like playing the game of rock, paper, scissors.

A great example would be in 4A Boys. Thunder Basin has been cutting up most of their opponents, but so far on 2 occasions, Laramie has been the rock to the Bolts' scissors. It doesn't mean that the Plainsmen are the best team in the state, but they know how to deal with one of the best. TB retains the #1 ranking going into the last week of the regular season, while Laramie is back in at #5. They have another big test on Wednesday at #2 Cheyenne Central. Depending on what happens on Friday's games, Saturday's matchup of #4 Green River at #3 Kelly Walsh, will be for the top 2 seeds in the west.

In 3A Boys, Worland endured their biggest test so far this season, winning at #2 Star Valley. The Warriors have 3 good challenges remaining before the state tournament, including Tuesday of next week at #4 Buffalo. Unranked Douglas gets both Worland and the Bison back-to-back at home this weekend. After losing home to Worland, SV went toe-to-toe with #3 Lander last weekend, and prevailed thanks to a late PK. Another game to keep an eye on is Saturday, when #5 Torrington visits Rawlins. Last time was a tie, and the winner will jump over Lander for the top seed out of the southeast. The only way the Tigers could get that #1 seed, is if the TrailBlazers and Outlaws tie again.

There are no changes in either of the new 4A and 3A Girls rankings, but some big games are still on the schedule. In 4A, #1 Cheyenne Central is still trying to stay ahead of #2 Thunder Basin for the top seed in the East. The Lady Indians visit #4 Laramie Wednesday at the UW Indoor facility, while TB plays Campbell County on Thursday. In the west, the game to keep an eye on is on Friday, when #5 Kelly Walsh visits #3 Rock Springs. Thanks to Jackson getting a tie vs. RS last week, that gave KW a chance, but a tie this weekend would benefit the Lady Tigers...unless an upset happens on Saturday.

The 3A Girls schedule this weekend, and on Tuesday will be interesting, as the top 5 mix it up vs. each other. #1 Cody visits #5 Star Valley on Saturday. Before, during and after, #2 Worland, #3 Buffalo and #4 Douglas all mix it up with each other, with the Lady Bearcats hosting both, and the Lady Warriors visiting both. Unranked Newcastle could stir the pot in the Northeast on Friday when they play the Lady Bison. The Lady Dogies already upset Douglas, and that got Buffalo's attention.

Disclaimer: The rankings have no official say 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.