Plainsmen Try To Build On Their Last Victory [VIDEOS]
Back-to-back wins is what the Laramie Plainsmen will be seeking in their second consecutive home game, as they host the Gillette Camels Friday in Laramie.
This is the only time LHS will play two straight at Deti Stadium. The kick-off is at 7 p.m.
Laramie (1-1) hasn’t won two straight since a four-game win streak in the middle of the 2016 season. After snapping a 16-game losing skid against the Camels last year, the Plainsmen will try to beat Gillette in successive meetings for the first time since 1995 and 1996. The 44-0 victory last season was Laramie’s first shutout in the series since 1982.
Last year’s win on the road was dedicated by the Plainsmen to then-junior Brady Epler, who was injured off the field and couldn’t return the rest of last season. Epler and fellow senior Preston Buszkiewic spoke with KOWB’s David Settle about how the season is going, this game and some lighter things in their life. They’re both pretty pleased with how their senior season has begun.
Laramie enters off a hard-fought 21-14 victory over Rock Springs last week. Keys to their victory, the Plainsmen had no turnovers and were plus-7 in time-of-possession.
Meanwhile, the Camels are experiencing their own struggles. They’ve lost 12 straight games dating back to a 2016 semifinal loss to Natrona. Ironically, Gillette lost to the Mustangs last week, 58-6. The Camels have allowed 117 points in their first two games this year.
Head coach Clint Reed spoke with Settle ahead of the game against Gillette. They talked about last week’s win, keeping the team moving forward and the match-up with the Camels.
From a statistical standpoint, the Plainsmen have an edge in almost every category over the Camels, except passing offense and rush defense. The total defensive yards are very similar, but Gillette has turned it over eight times this season, which has given opponents good field position.
Seniors Jason Upton and Baxter Tuggle lead the LHS offense. Both are in the top five in rushing, with Tuggle third (112 yards per game) and Upton fifth (100.5). Upton is sixth in all-purpose yards at 139.5 per game and accounted for three touchdowns. Defensively, Epler leads the way averaging 17.5 points per game.
Gillette (0-2) is led by senior quarterback Cameron Kirkwood. He’s throwing for 61.5 yards per game with one TD and three interceptions. Sophomore linebacker Hunter Kramer is the Camels top defender at nine points per game, which is good for 28th in Class 4A.
Friday will be the 41st meeting in the series between the two schools. The game starts at 7 p.m.
KOWB (AM 1290) will be broadcasting the game live. David Settle will be joined by Dan Bleak on this broadcast. Coverage will start at 6 p.m. You can listen on your radio, online, through the KOWB mobile app or any Amazon Alexa-enabled device.