The Playoff race is heating up and tonight is Cody’s final home game of the regular season. They host Green River at Spike Vannoy Stadium for a 7pm kick-off. If you can’t make it to the game, join Mac Morey and myself for all the live play-by-play action on KODI. Pregame underway at 6:40. For a full Cody vs. Green River Preview scroll down.
It’s hard to believe but we are just two weeks away from playoff football in Wyoming. For the Cody Broncs it’s been a fantastic year. The Broncs are currently 5-1 on the season, 2-1 in league play, good for second place in the 3A West Conference. The Playoff race is heating up and the Broncs still have a shot at the number 1 seed for the playoffs. If that shot is to stay alive the Broncs must take care of business as they welcome an improved Green River squad into Spike Vannoy Stadium tonight for their final home regular season game.
“Yeah, it’s enormous. You’ve got to take every week as it comes. To me, what I see is a team that got a new coach this off-season. They’ve always had a tremendous amount of talent, this senior class of there’s is loaded. Early on in the season they had to get used to a new coach, new offense, new defense and a new scheme. Every week they’ve gotten better and better and better. Kind of wish we would of played them early. They’re improving and they’re getting better and they’re a very dangerous team,” says Broncs Head Coach Matt McFadden.
By the numbers: The Broncs come into this contest 2nd in the 3A in rush yards per game, averaging 218.8, they’re 10th through the air averaging about 80 passing yards per contest and are 7th in total offense at 298.5 YPG.
On the defensive side of the ball Cody is allowing 101.8 yards on the ground, 5th in the conference. They give 109.8 yards through the air, good for 4th and are 3rd best in total team defense giving up just north of 200 YPG.
“I think two guys on offense: Cody Phillips and Nic Talich. He’s (Nic) been sitting out for a while and I think he’s done sitting out on offense. He’s ready to roll. Those two on offense. Defensively you’re going to see, I think our defensive backs are going to be challenged. I think Luke Talich, Devyn Engdahl, Jackson Gail at corner, Matt Nelson at corner but really our defensive backs and the secondary will be challenged. I think we can step up and have a great game,” says McFadden.
As for Green River, they are 11th in the conference running the football at 77 YPG, 3rd at passing the football at 171.2 YPG and are 11th it total offense averaging just under 250 yards per contest.
On defense Green River is 10th against the run, giving up 226 yards, 9th against the pass allowing 136 yards and are 11th in team defense giving up 362 YPG.
“Offensively a couple of great receivers, big tall kids 6-feet-2-inches, 6-feet-4-inches. Quarterback throws a great ball. One of the better quarterbacks we’ve seen this year. Kid stands in the pocket, steps up in the pocket and throws to these two kids. They’re going to test us on the edge for sure, they can air the ball out. Defensively, they’ve got some big guys up front. Defense very similar to us schematically. Then just some razor blades for linebackers. Just some really fast kids,” said McFadden.
Whats at Stake: The Number 1 seed and home field advantage through the playoffs including hosting the State Championship Game is still a possibility for Cody. WHSAA Associate Commissioner Trevor Wilson clarified to Wyomingfootball.com that in the case of two equal seeds meeting in the championship, the WEST team will host the title game. With a win vs. Green River that sets up a monumental game vs. Jackson that could decide who gets the home field advantage.
As for Green River, they are looking to garner a playoff spot and need a win vs. Cody to keep on track with Star Valley for the 3A west’s final playoff seed. Green River has one conference win and Star Valley after their win against Evanston Wednesday night has two. Green River and Star Valley will meet in the final regular season game of the year.
“Defensively we need to continue to work on those and continue to force those. Defensive Backs, they’re going to get tested this week and some of those balls will be catch able balls for them. So we need to make the most of that. Then just put some pressure on the passer. I think the biggest part in this game is going to be big plays and limiting kind of explosives and fatals. They’re a big play offense and we’ve gotta be able to limit that and make them go run the ball and make them go four yards at a time. So limiting big plays and then on offense… we’re do. We need some big plays. We’re sick of eight yard plays. We need to start stretching the field a little bit more,” said McFadden.
3A West Conference Standings:
Jackson 6-1, 3-0. Remaining opponents: At Powell 10/16, host Cody 10/23
Cody 5-1, 2-1. Remaining opponents: Vs. Green River 10/16, At Jackson 10/23
Powell 5-1, 2-1. Remaing Opponents: Vs. Jackson 10/16, At
Star Valley 3-5, 2-2 (Defeated Evanston 42-14 Wed.) Remaining Opponent: Vs. Green River 10/23
Green River 2-4, 1-2. Remaining Opponents: At Cody 10/16, At Star Valley 10/23
Evanston 1-6, 0-3. (Lost to Star Valley 14-42 Wed.) Remaining Opponent: Vs. Powell 10/23
