Natrona County Soccer faces Kelly Walsh on the annual Oil Bowl. soccer

In final week’s 14-10 win at Cheyenne Central, the Mustangs (2-1) lined 370 yards on 62 carries, with senior quarterback Wyatt Powell conceding 232 yards on 35 makes an attempt. The Trojans’ protection, in the meantime, stopped Cheyenne South on 35 speeding makes an attempt for 41 yards in a 17–7 victory.

NC head coach Steve Harshman mentioned of the win over Central, “I believed our O-line actually took management of the sport and did an incredible job.” “The longer the sport went on, they received higher and higher. I believe we took benefit of what Central gave us. And we ran that child till he was dry.

“However I believe the Kelly Walsh line of defense is considered one of her crew’s strengths.”

Defensively, Kelly Walsh (1-2) made six tackles for the defeat and sacked South quarterback Isaya Hernandez eight occasions. The offense additionally lasted 254 yards—the Trojans averaged solely 30 speeding yards per sport in losses to Rock Springs and Cheyenne Central—and scored their first landing of the season. Senior quarterback Gibson Sasser scored on a 16-yard run and threw a 20-yard TD move to Vance Broadway.

The Trojans know they nonetheless must work either side of the ball, although, if they will break the Mustangs’ five-game successful streak within the annual trophy sport.

“This sport means so much,” mentioned KW senior lineman Chris Pickering. “Now we have actually come collectively as a bunch of seniors and the crew tradition has actually taken a 180. We’re all excited for the Oil Bowl towards our pals throughout city, though they actually don’t wish to be in our palms this week. are usually not pals.”

Natrona County has dominated the collection in recent times, outscoring the Trojans 177–33 within the final 5 Oil Bowls. Final yr Powell made two touchdowns, returning a blocked kick 70 yards and operating for a 1-yard TD, and senior Breckin McClintock and junior Preston Hightrek caught landing passes in NC’s 42-7 victory. The trio will return to the sphere on Friday.

Powell is at the moment second in Class 4A with 354 speeding yards and has accomplished 19 passes out of 399 with 232 yards and two interceptions. McClintock, Hytrek and senior Kayden Pharr have mixed to catch 20 passes for 270 yards and three TDs.

“I do not know if they will run quarterback 35 occasions,” KW head coach Aaron Makelkey ​​mentioned of the Mustangs. “I believe they will attempt to wind some issues up. So we now have to get wholesome there.

“Some cowl was blown (towards the south) which we had been capable of cowl with a sack or some stress,” he mentioned. The very best move protection is a rush. Even when you aren’t getting the sack, if the quarterback cannot see and does not have time, he is not going to hit the opening man. Our protection in that space has improved so much.”

On the again finish of the KW protection, senior security Erich Hulshizer, who leads the crew with 20 tackles and one interception, anchors a secondary that permits solely 97.0 passing yards per sport.

“I believe we will must put a whole lot of stress on the quarterback this week,” Pickering admitted. “He’s positively a problem to incorporate, and he has a whole lot of gifted receivers that might be a problem to incorporate. However I believe we now have the expertise and the mindset of the protection to do this.”

The rotating line of defense of Pickering and the Trojans will go up towards one of many higher offensive traces within the kingdom. The Mustangs took 5 tackles on the O-line to Rafael Ruiz (6-foot-4, 221 kilos) and Jared Markward (6-1, 221), guard Cody Crawford (6-2, 274) and Colby Harlin (5) Senior began. -10, 240) and middle Jess Brezzina (5-11, 225).

“Coach Harshman all the time preaches to us that in the event you’re complacent you cease rising and everybody else is getting higher,” Crawford mentioned. “So we try our greatest to go alongside.

“Kelly Walsh positively has an incredible group of individuals. We simply must concentrate on getting a greater pad stage, higher palms, and dealing on our fundamentals.”

Natrona is No. 1 in 4A towards county protection runs (64.0 speeding yards per sport) and in whole protection (181 ypg), however he has simply two takeaways. Senior linebackers Mason Weeks, Noah Sides, Nolan Horneker and Powell are anticipated to shut KW’s ongoing multi-faceted operating assault as effectively. Sasser and operating again Brant Blocker, Kaden Smith, Kadon Boyce and Eric Whitley all have double-digit carries for the Trojans.

Makelki thinks his crew took a step in the suitable course by occurring the offensive final week, however he is aware of the Trojans nonetheless have work to do.

“Aggressively, the trouble was good however a few of the assignments weren’t,” he mentioned. “Now we have to repair these offensive errors. If you are going to beat somebody you must execute first, particularly towards a gifted crew like these guys (Natrona).”

Whereas there are 5 weeks left of the common season after Friday’s sport, gamers in addition to followers of each groups know the significance of the oil bowl.

“That is all,” Crawford mentioned. “This crosstown rivalry has been occurring for 100 years (it truly began in 1965). It is nice to know that I am enjoying for one thing larger than me. It is good to be part of it.”

Added Hulshizer: “Now we have to convey the thrill. We all know they’re a very good crew, however we’re additionally a very good crew. Now we have to be able to compete. Simply go on the market, have enjoyable, be excited and be a success. ,