The Cody Broncs traveled 350 miles, 5 and a half hours, to the University of Wyoming’s War Memorial Stadium to play the 2023 Wyoming 3A Football State Championship.
It was the fourth straight time Cody would appear in the States Championship 2020-2023.
On a chilly, clear and sunny day Star Valley won the opening coin toss and elected to defer to the 2nd half.
Cody would receive the kickoff and start on offense.
The Broncs would start their first drive on their own 30 yard line.
In 9 plays the Broncs would take the ball down to the Star Valley 17 yard line, on the 10th play on a 4th and 1 the Broncs couldn’t convert and Star Valley would take over on downs.
Star Valley would go 3 and out and punt the ball to the Cody 35.
On the Broncs second possession they would go 61 yards in 10 plays and give Senior Connor Moss the chance at a 22 yard field goal, Star Valley would block the attempt and Star Valley would get the ball at the Braves 43 yard line.
The Braves would get the first score of the game in 4 plays for 57 yards with an 18 yard touchdown run by quarterback Smith McClure
Star Valley would take the lead 7-0.
Cody’s next possession went 21 yards in 6 plays that ended in a 55 yard punt from Maddax Ball down to the Braves 4 yard line.
The Broncs would force a Star Valley 3 and out and punt to the Star Valley 29 yard line.
Cody would go for it on 4th and 4 from the Braves 23 yard line, Ball was sacked and Star Valley would take over.
The Braves would score 5 plays later that featured a 39 yard reception and a 20 yard touchdown pass to Grant Thompson.
Star Valley up 14-0.
Cody’s next possession was 5 plays that ended with a Star Valley interception at the Broncs 21 yard line.
The Braves would drive 49 yards in 5:33 in 11 plays scoring a touchdown from a McClure 10 yard touchdown run.
Braves up 20-0 after a failed extra point attempt.
Cody would end the first half on 6 plays, Star Valley leading at the half 20-0.
Star Valley would take the second half opening kickoff 80 yards in 11 plays using 5:35 minutes off the clock with a third touchdown run by QB McClure.
Braves up 27-0.
Cody would begin their first drive of the second half at the 20 yard line.
The Broncs would punt 7 plays later to the Star Valley 49 yard line.
Bronc Trey Schroeder would get a McClure interception at the Sar Valley 40yard line Cody would take over.
Cody would go 39 yards in 11 plays resulting in a fumble that was recovered by Star Valley.
The Braves would take 4:13 off the clock in 8 plays taking as much time as they could.
The Broncs would get the ball back but weren’t able to convert a 4th and 5.
Star Valley would take the remaining 3:51 seconds and end the game on a kneel down.
The Braves would win the 2023 Wyoming 3A State Football Championship 27-0.
Cody ran the ball 30 times for 78 yards, passing the Broncs were 28-40-1 for 200 yards.
The Broncs ran 70 plays for 278 yards.
Star Valley ran the ball 48 times for 250 yards, passing the Braves 7-11-1 for 88 yards.
The Braves ran 59 plays for 338 yards.
Maddax Ball ran the ball 14 times for 31 yards, passed the ball 36 times with 26 completions and an interception and was sacked twice.
Trey Smith caught 9 passes for 36 yards, Jace Jarrett 5 catches for 45 yards.
The Braves Jesse Leavitt ran the ball 19 times for 95 yards.
Star Valley’s QB Smith McClure ran the ball 12 times for 86 yards and 3 touchdowns, passing 11 times with 7 completions and a touchdown.
Brave’s Grant Thompson caught 3 passes for 46 yards and a touchdown.
The Broncs were led on defense by Chase Hatch who had 19 tackles, 13 of those solo.
Connor Moss had 10 tackles, 8 were solo.
Since 2014 either Cody or Star Valley has won the Wyoming 3A State Football Championship.
2014: Cody 19 Douglas 0
2015: Star Valley 31 Green River 15
2016: Star Valley 28 Powell 10
2017: Cody 20 Star Valley 0
2018: Star Valley 35 Torrington 14
2019: Star Valley 49 Powell 13
2020: Cody 34 Jackson 13
2021: Cody 41 Jackson 24
2022: Star Valley 14 Cody 7
2023: Star Valley 27 Cody 0
The Broncs have been to the Wyoming 3A State Football Championship 4 years in a row.
This season the Broncs finished 10-2 overall.
