The Star Valley Braves step into the post-season this Friday afternoon as they take on the Buffalo Bison in the 3A quarterfinals. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.

The Braves completed their second straight undefeated regular season and their 30th consecutive win and one may be tempted to assume the team is playing as well as possible. Coach McKay Young is proud of his team but also notes there are certainly things that can be improved upon. 

“I still think we need to be better on the ground,” he replied. “Particularly as November tends to lean on the ground game as the weather gets worse. I think need to execute better on the ground. We need to be better in our assignments and execution within our blocking scheme.”

On paper, this week’s matchup with the Bison could be an opportunity to do just that with Buffalo allowing 237 yards on the ground per game. Star Valley has averaged 152 yards rushing per game this season. 

The most glaring numbers looking at the statistics for this week’s matchup is also on the defensive side of the ball. Star Valley is far and away the top defensive program in the 3A classification, allowing just 195 yards per game. The Bison are on the other end of that scale, allowing 434 total yards per game. 

Of course, in the post-season, particularly the quarterfinals, games can be surprising and upsets will and do happen. One element of this year’s Star Valley team that has seemingly fortified them from the potential complacency of a 30-game winning streak is the depth of the huge senior class and the competitive nature of just getting on the varsity field for many others.  Young commented on this internal competition

“When they get the opportunity it’s fun to see some guys emerge,” he added. “A guy like Ikaika [Cope]. They are getting a chance to play more. Guys like Bryce Erickson as well. It’s fun to see kids that have been kind of buried on the depth chart and they get to see the field more.”

Cope led the Braves with 96 total yards in last week’s 47-7 win over Green River.

Kickoff time for the Braves and Bison is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon. SVI Media will be streaming the contest at svinews.com and the SVI Media YouTube channel.

The post-season broadcast fee mandated by the National Federation of High Schools is being paid by Aspen Physical Therapy. 

The Braves versus the Bison: A Tale of the Tape

(Stats by wyopreps.com)

Team Rushing
Buffalo 107 ypg (8th)
Star Valley 152 ypg (7th)

Team Passing
Buffalo 192 ypg  (4th)
Star Valley 245 ypg (2nd)

Team Offense
Buffalo 298 ypg (7th)
Star Valley 397 ypg (4th)

Rushing Defense
Buffalo 237 ypg (11th)
Star Valley 87 ypg (2nd)

Passing Defense
Buffalo 197 ypg (9th)
Star Valley 108 (2nd)

Total Defense
Buffalo 434 ypg (12th)
Star Valley 195 ypg (1st)

Common Opponents
Jackson: The Broncs defeated Buffalo 38-7 on Sept. 12. The Braves defeated Jackson 55-19 on Sept. 26. 

Team Leaders
Passing
Buffalo: Hayden Geis (1,383 yards passing / 11 TD / 11 Int)
Star Valley: Phoenixx Hovey (2,088 yards passing / 28 TD / 7 Int)

Rushing
Buffalo: Hayden Geis (226 yards on 77 attempts / 2 TD)
Star Valley: Kyan Watson 412 yards on 78 attempts / 4 TD)

Receiving
Buffalo: James Ihnat (798 yards on 41 receptions / 7 TD
Star Valley: Cooper Lancaster (633 yards on 34 receptions / 6 TD)

Defense
Buffalo: Lane Rabel 156 Points
Star Valley: Roman Erickson 116 Points