LARAMIE — The Rock Springs Tigers’ rushing attack came alive Friday night, but the Laramie Plainsmen made enough plays late to hold on for a 27-21 victory.
Rock Springs rushed for 342 yards on 60 carries, its highest rushing total since producing 392 yards against Cheyenne South last season. The Tigers finished with 360 yards of total offense but fell to 0-2 after Laramie controlled the ball for the final six minutes of the game.
Boston James led Rock Springs with 195 rushing yards and a touchdown on 31 carries while adding 18 receiving yards for 213 total yards. Kaleb Praytor rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, while Jernee Padilla added 31 yards on five carries and Kason Cahill had 23 yards on five attempts.
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James also continued his production against Laramie. After combining for more than 200 yards rushing and receiving against the Plainsmen last season, he again surpassed 200 total yards Friday.
Laramie defeated Rock Springs 23-7 last season, and all of the Plainsmen players who scored touchdowns in that game returned this season. The Tigers, however, produced a more competitive performance this time around and stayed within one score into the final minutes.
Rock Springs forced a turnover on downs on Laramie’s opening possession, but the Tigers gave the ball back two plays later when Laramie recovered a fumble. The Plainsmen capitalized on the short field when Dax Beidleman, typically a tight end, lined up at quarterback and scored on a 1-yard quarterback keeper with 4:17 remaining in the first quarter to give Laramie a 7-0 lead.
Rock Springs went three-and-out on its next possession, but the defense responded when Kayden McAninch intercepted a Laramie pass. The Tigers then drove deep into Plainsmen territory and appeared to tie the game when Praytor scored on a run, but the touchdown was called back because of a holding penalty. Another holding penalty on the following play pushed Rock Springs back to second-and-25, and the Tigers threw an interception to Jax McLean near the 15-yard line.
Laramie turned the turnover into another touchdown when quarterback Dax Parvin connected with Isaac Kirsch for an 85-yard score with 10:25 remaining in the first half, extending the lead to 14-0.
Rock Springs answered late in the half. Praytor scored on an 8-yard run on a play similar to the touchdown that had previously been called back, and this time the score stood. The extra point cut Laramie’s lead to 14-7 with 22 seconds remaining, which was the score at halftime.
The Tigers opened the second half with the ball and continued to find success on the ground. James broke runs of 27 and 17 yards during the drive as Rock Springs moved down the field, but the possession ended when the Tigers’ 29-yard field-goal attempt appeared to be partially blocked.
Laramie responded with another big play as Parvin connected with running back Boone Frude, who turned the completion into a 57-yard touchdown with just more than four minutes remaining in the third quarter. The score gave the Plainsmen a 21-7 advantage.
Rock Springs answered on its next possession with its first completed pass of the game. Cahill found James for an 18-yard touchdown with 9:16 remaining, cutting Laramie’s lead to 21-14. It was also the Tigers’ first passing touchdown of the season.
Rock Springs attempted an onside kick following the touchdown, but Laramie recovered at its own 48-yard line. Beidleman then scored his second touchdown of the night on a 5-yard quarterback keeper. The extra point was missed, leaving the Plainsmen with a 27-14 lead.
The Tigers responded with another strong rushing drive. Rock Springs moved quickly down the field without attempting a pass, and James finished the possession with a 5-yard touchdown run with 6:15 remaining to make it 27-21.
Rock Springs needed to get the ball back for a chance to take the lead, but Laramie kept possession for the remainder of the game and ran out the clock.
The Tigers finished with 23 first downs and converted 6 of 12 third-down attempts and 3 of 4 fourth-down attempts. Rock Springs committed two turnovers, including one fumble and one interception.
Laramie finished with 410 yards of total offense, including 306 passing yards and 104 rushing yards. The Plainsmen completed 14 of 19 passes for two touchdowns and an interception, while finishing with 21 first downs.
James was named TRN Media’s Player of the Game after totaling 213 yards of offense and scoring a touchdown.
Rock Springs will return home next week to host Cheyenne East.
