LINGLE-FORT LARAMIE – For the first time since 2006, the Big Piney High School Puncher football team advanced to the State Football Championship Game in Laramie after overwhelming the Lingle-Fort Laramie (LFL) Doggers, 51-27, in the semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 4.

“It was such a memorable day in Lingle that will always be a part of this team’s legacy,” said Head Coach Jeromy Moffat. “Our kids played well, our coaching staff knew the game plan. The kids came out with an unbelievable amount of intensity, maturity and execution both offensively and defensively. It is a privilege and honor to lead them to Laramie to play at War Memorial Stadium one last time as a team for the State Championship.”

Big Piney’s semifinal triumph is the culmination of an exceptional fall season. The Punchers dominated the western side of the state, annihilating nearly every team that stood in its way to post a 6-1 conference record.

The Punchers progressed to the quarterfinals and scored a 28-14 victory against Pine Bluffs at Puncher Stadium on Oct. 27.

Following its Nov. 4 semifinal win against LFL, Big Piney squares off against conference rival, Wind River, for the state championship at the University of Wyoming Cowboys’ War Memorial Stadium at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11.

“We hope to see a big turnout in Laramie to cheer on this group of young men,” Coach Moffat said. “We told them all year that what they have is rare – team chemistry, a belief in each other, confidence, the brotherhood and most importantly, effort. These kids play so hard every single play.”

Semifinal offense

Opening the game in possession, the Big Piney offense controlled the gridiron in a coordinated, sustained 8-minute drive into the end zone. The Puncher offense went on to score touchdowns on five of six possessions in the first half.

“We knew offensively we were going to get some opportunities for big plays by running the ball then getting the ball downfield vertically with our receivers,” said Coach Moffat. “I challenged our O-line to set the tone on the first drive and they did.”

Overall, Big Piney put up 535 offensive yards for eight touchdowns.

Junior Caden Clifford rushed 162 yards on 21 carries for three touchdowns. Senior Reuben Stoutenburg posted 145 yards rushing on 16 carries for one touchdown.

In the air, senior quarterback Champ Snively completed nine passes for 228 yards, resulting in four touchdowns. Receiving, senior Karsyn Gurr tallied 100 yards on four passes, including a touchdown. Stoutenburg completed three passes for 58 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Jerrett Fear completed a 70-yard touchdown pass play in the second quarter.

Semifinal defense

The Puncher defense played a critical role in Big Piney’s victory. The D-line shut out LFL in the first quarter and held the Doggers to a single touchdown in the second quarter.

The LFL offense recovered in the third quarter, although the Big Piney defense continued to hound the Doggers to maintain the Punchers’ considerable lead throughout the second half.

Big Piney’s defense included three interceptions by Fear, Clifford and Snively.

“Defensively, we knew that Lingle had a good running back who was shifty and fast,” said Coach Moffat. “I told the kids we can score points, but defense is going to win us this game. We held their offense in check, causing five turnovers. I am extremely proud of the effort from our starting defense.”

The semifinal game – first half

Big Piney commenced the first quarter in possession. Senior Dylon Woodward returned LFL’s opening kickoff to the Punchers’ 41-yard line.

The Puncher offense controlled the gridiron for the next 8 minutes in a sustained drive into the end zone. Clifford and Stoutenburg pushed the ball deep into Dogger territory.

Under pressure, Snively dropped back, noted Stoutenburg open on the right and pitched the ball. Stoutenburg completed the pass and charged into the end zone to score Puncher touchdown no. 1.

Senior Roger Young kicked in a field goal and Big Piney led, 7-0.

The Puncher defense stopped LFL on the Doggers’ ensuing drive. Woodward and senior Preston Bennett took down LFL’s kick returner. Senior Zack Murphy made a pair of tackles.

Fear recovered a fumble by LFL, and Big Piney took possession at LFL’s 34-yard line.

Snively handed the ball off to Stoutenburg. Rushing the remaining yards into the end zone, Stoutenburg scored the Puncher’s second touchdown.

A kick by Young placed Big Piney ahead, 14-0.

The Puncher defense kept LFL in check as the first quarter wound down, including a tackle in the backfield by Bennett and Murphy.

As the second quarter began, LFL attempted a pass. Sniffing out the play, Fear leapt up for an interception.

Taking possession, Snively completed a 31-yard touchdown pass to Stoutenburg, widening Big Piney’s lead to 20-7.

LFL managed to reach the end zone on its subsequent drive.

Puncher freshman Barrett Denison returned LFL’s onside kick and the Big Piney offense once again controlled the gridiron.

Snively handed the ball to Clifford. Churning up the field, Clifford rushed 24 yards into the end zone for Big Piney’s fourth touchdown.

The Puncher defense promptly shut down LFL’s ensuing drive, including a tackle for a loss by Bennett. LFL attempted another pass, but Clifford swept in for the interception.

Snively launched a pass to Fear who was open near midfield. Fear sprinted the remaining 50 yards into the end zone, completing a 70-yard touchdown pass play.

Young made good on a field goal and the scoreboard favored Big Piney, 33-7.

LFL got nowhere on the Doggers’ subsequent drive. LFL fumbled on the kick return and sophomore Zeferino Zuniga recovered the ball.

Semifinal second half

Lingle-Fort Laramie reached the end zone on its first possession in the second half. Defensive pressure by Gurr prevented the Doggers from scoring 2 points after touchdown.

Big Piney responded on the ensuing possession. Gurr completed a pass from Snively and rushed into the end zone for a 29-yard touchdown pass play.

The Puncher defense stopped LFL’s subsequent drive. Junior Ben Ferguson made a tackle for no gain. Snively intercepted the Doggers’ pass.

Regaining possession, Snively handed the ball to Clifford and Clifford charged 27 yards into the end zone for Puncher touchdown no. 6.

LFL scored a third touchdown on its ensuing drive and recovered its own onside kick.

The Big Piney defense stepped in with tackles by Stoutenburg and Gurr. Murphy took down LFL’s runner several yards short of a first down and the Doggers relinquished possession.

LFL scored again in the fourth quarter, although a tackle led by Stoutenburg prevented the Doggers’ attempt at a 2-point conversion.

The Big Piney offense topped off its victory with a touchdown in the final minutes of regulation. Scooping up the handoff from Snively, Clifford broke tackle and charged into the end zone.

Coach Moffat thanked the “absolutely amazing” Big Piney High School cheerleaders and fans who traveled from Sublette County to Lingle to support the team on Saturday.

“We had just as many, if not more fans than Lingle in the stands,” he added. “We will see you at War!”