ROCK SPRINGS — For the first time in nearly two decades, the Rock Springs Tigers are headed to Laramie for the 4A state championship game next week.
The Tigers took down Cheyenne East in a high scoring matchup that resulted in a final score of 55-34.
Rock Springs is firing on all cylinders at the right time. Next week, they hope to cap off what has been a magical season for the program with a state championship victory against the Sheridan Broncs at War Memorial Stadium.
Here’s tonight’s postgame thoughts.
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Playing a Complete Game
Great teams play their best football in the postseason. That’s exactly what we’ve seen from the Tigers over the last two weeks.
There’s no doubt about it, Rock Springs put together a complete game on all sides of the ball tonight and Cheyenne East just couldn’t find a way to slow down the Tigers.
Rock Springs’ offense continues to put points up quick against opponents. In the first half, Rock Springs was up 34-7 over Cheyenne East. Head Coach Mark Lenhardt called a brilliant game offensively, chewing up the clock and putting together long, sustaining drives that resulted in scores.
Special teams has been an underrated part of the success the team has had this year and it again played a big role tonight. From creating lengthy fields for Cheyenne East in the kicking game to scoring on a kick return, Rock Springs’ special teams did a phenomenal job controlling the field position.
Defensively the Tigers played physical and played with discipline in the first half. Cheyenne East did find some success in the hurry-up offense in the second half, but a few big plays in that second half by the Tigers put the game out of reach for the Thunderbirds.
Tonight was another team victory. This team has the talent, experience and team chemistry needed to win a state title and that’s exactly why they’ve earned themselves a trip to Laramie next week.
Flack’s Game Ball 🏈
Without some of the playmaking ability of Andrew Skorcz, this game could’ve been much different for Rock Springs tonight.
This kid balled out in all three phases of the game. In the first half, Skorcz had three of the five touchdowns for Rock Springs. He caught a deep ball on a beautifully ran route down the middle of the field and ran in his second, plowing through an East defender.
On the defensive side of the ball, Skorcz had a key interception that deflated Cheyenne East. That turnover setup the Tigers with a short field that led to another score. He also had an incredible open field tackle that helped stop the
Skorcz third touchdown came on a kick return on special teams. He outran every Cheyenne East defender and took it some 90+ yards for the score.
I said this a few weeks ago and I’ll say it again. Opposing teams have to shut this kid down if they want a chance to beat this Rock Springs team.
Skorcz finds ways to put up scores.
– Flack
A Chance at Revenge
Back in week four we had a preview of what many thought might be the state championship game.
And now here we are. Rock Springs against Sheridan.
In week four, it was one incredible play made by Sheridan to steal that game away in the final minutes. That one play will be in the back of the mind of this team as they prepare this next week for the state championship game.
That’s powerful motivation.
The Tigers have grown a lot since the fourth game of the season. That’s enough to excite me for a second matchup between these two. And it’s enough to make for a revenge story against the Sheridan Broncs.
See you next week.
