ROCK SPRINGS — The Rock Springs Tigers close out their 2026 football season Friday night, hosting the undefeated Natrona County Mustangs in a matchup featuring two of Class 4A’s top defensive players and one of the state’s most productive rushing attacks. Natrona County enters at 7-0 and has already secured the No. 1 seed for the playoffs, while Rock Springs comes in at 1-6 after being eliminated from postseason contention last week.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m., with TRN Media’s pregame coverage beginning at 5 p.m. Fans can listen to the game on 97.9 FM KZWB, with Keith Trujillo providing play-by-play. TRN Media will also provide a free live HD video stream on SweetwaterNOW’s Facebook page.
Natrona County has built its success around a dominant ground game, leading Class 4A with an average of 282 rushing yards per game. The Mustangs also lead the classification in rushing yards per carry at 7.8 and rushing touchdowns with 26. Rock Springs has been productive on the ground as well, ranking fourth in 4A with 221 rushing yards per game, but the Tigers average 5.2 yards per carry and have scored 14 rushing touchdowns, both ranked sixth in 4A.
The Mustangs’ rushing attack is led by a standout duo in Brodey Wilcox and Patton True, who bring different strengths to the backfield. Wilcox ranks second in the state with 142.1 rushing yards per game, averaging 12.8 yards per carry with 995 yards and eight touchdowns on 78 attempts. True ranks sixth at 90.3 yards per game, averaging 8 yards per carry with 632 yards and 14 touchdowns on 79 carries.
Wilcox provides a speed element to the offense, with the Mustangs using him on jet motions and plays designed to get him into space. True brings a more physical running style, working primarily between the tackles. Together, the two have helped Natrona County produce one of the most explosive rushing offenses in the state.
Wilcox has also demonstrated how quickly he can change a game. His 243-yard performance on 13 carries against Cheyenne Central ranks as the second-highest individual rushing total in a single game in 4A this season. He averaged 18.7 yards per carry in that performance and scored twice, including a 96-yard run.
Natrona County’s defense has been just as impressive. The Mustangs lead 4A by allowing only 170 total yards per game, including a classification-best 101 rushing yards per game. They have surrendered just six touchdowns, including only one passing touchdown, and have allowed a classification-low eight first downs while forcing 16 turnovers.
Rock Springs has allowed an average of 293 total yards per game and 27 touchdowns this season.
Rock Springs will look to its own ground game to keep pace. Kaleb Praytor ranks eighth in the state with 74.7 rushing yards per game, totaling 523 yards and five touchdowns on 89 carries. Boston James ranks ninth at 74.3 yards per game, with 520 yards and three touchdowns on 101 carries. James has not played since the first half of Rock Springs’ game against Kelly Walsh, leaving Praytor as a key option in the Tigers’ rushing attack.
Adding to the Rock Springs rushing attack is senior fullback Jernee Padilla. He has 307 rushing yards on the year, averaging 6.1 per carry. Two weeks ago against Cheyenne South, he had 96 yards on just four carries and two touchdowns.
Friday’s game also spotlights the top two players in the state in defensive points per game. Praytor leads the state at 16.9 points per game, with 48 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, a sack, two fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown. Wilcox ranks second at 13.9 defensive points per game, with 36.5 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a fumble recovery, two interceptions and two pass breakups.
For Rock Springs, the season finale offers one final opportunity for the seniors to compete at Tiger Stadium.
