LARAMIE – In a year of many firsts for the Farson-Eden Pronghorns, they came up just short to finish second. The Kaycee Buckaroos extended its winning streak to 20 to repeat as 6-man Champions, 41-30.
Both teams have been solid over the year with neither suffering a loss this season. The Buckaroos entered with a 19-game winning streak while the Pronghorns hit the field winning its last 10.
With two of the top offenses going at it, Farson averaging 67 points a game and Kaycee averaging 63, it was the defense on both sides that shined in the first half. After stopping Farson on the first drive of the game, Kaycee jumped on the board first. The Pronghorns responded by moving the ball but were again stopped by the Buckaroo defense. It led to another score as Kaycee jumped up 12-0.
FE’s offense found its stride on the third drive of the game and a 17-yard pass from Clancy Gines to Ed Barlow cut the lead in half, 12-6. Both teams failed on every extra-point attempt early in the game.
After the score, the Pronghorn defense came out firing forcing a quick third down. The Buckaroos found a hole and broke through leading to the final score right before the break. After another failed extra point, Kaycee took the lead in a hard-hitting first half, 18-6.
It did not take long for Kaycee to extend the lead as they jumped up 24-6 scoring in the first two minutes of the third quarter. Not shaken at all, the Pronghorns responded. Another nice pass to Barlow set up Lain Mitchelson who broke through from 30 to answer.
After a much-needed stop, FEHS went right back to Mitchelson. He found the endzone again, this time from 29-yards out, to pull the Pronghorns within four going into the fourth, 26-22.
With 7:50 left in the game, Kaycee jumped back up 11. Then with 2:21 left, the Buckaroos punched it in one more time to extend the lead to 19, 41-22. Down but not out, Thomas Rezzonico took the ensuing kickoff 72 yards to pull the Pronghorns back to 11. After recovering the onside kick, Kaycee was able to get a first down on the next drive and run out the clock.
Despite a tough end, the Pronghorns finished with its best season in team history. Fans are already excited for next season as FEHS is only losing four seniors from this year’s team.
