WyoPreps Preseason Football Tour: Lander Tigers [VIDEO]

The 2025 WyoPreps Preseason Football Tour steered us to the middle of Wyoming, and the first stop was to see the Lander Valley Tigers. Head Coach Jim Burton enters his third season at the helm. Lander will be a veteran squad this year, as they return seven starters on offense and eight on defense. The Tigers were 4-5 in the 2024 season, which included a 2-3 record in the 3A East Conference. They finished fourth in league play and lost to the eventual 3A champion Star Valley in the first round of the playoffs.

WYOPREPS PREVIEWS THE 2025 LANDER TIGERS FOOTBALL SEASON

Lander was a run-heavy team last fall. They finished fifth in rushing offense, led by Brayden Baker, who led 3A in rushing at 108.1 yards per game. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry and scored 8 TDs. Baker is back, along with QB Paxon Hollingshead and top receiver Finn McFadden. Hollingshead threw for 104.1 yards per game with seven TDs and nine interceptions. He completed 56.9 percent of his passes. McFadden had 26 receptions for 482 yards and 3 TDs. Seniors Kaleb Hamilton and Gavin Romer will anchor the offensive and defensive lines. Parker Burton is the leading returner on defense. He averaged 12.1 defensive points per game and was No. 14 in Class 3A. Burton made 58 tackles last season. The Tigers were No. 7 in total defense last year.

Get our free mobile app

WyoPreps visited with three seniors, Baker, Hamilton, and Romer, to preview the 2025 season in the video at the top of the story.

We also caught up with Coach Burton to get his take on the start of practice, what he has Lander focusing on early in fall camp, how he describes this team, and more.

Lander has a scrimmage at Cody in Week 0 on Aug. 29. They will face the Broncs and Glenrock. Their 2025 season opener is on Sept. 5 against Green River.