The team to beat all season long has been the Star Valley Braves who earned the home field for the 2026 playoffs after collecting a 41-8 victory in Jackson last weekend. For a team that started their campaign in Soldotna, Alaska and gave up a home game to play in Pocatello, Idaho against a team from Raymond, Canada, the cozy confines of Braves Field seems like a second homecoming.
“Obviously with only getting three home games in the regular season, getting this one is good and we’re hoping for two,” replied Coach McKay Young. “The coaches are excited, their families are excited to have them home. It’s been awhile since we hosted Rawlins.”
The Outlaws ride into Afton after coming up on the short end of a 28-21 final against the Buffalo Bison last weekend. The loss meant the #4 seed out of the 3A East and a trip to Lincoln County. The last time Rawlins played in Afton was in 2020, a 48-8 Braves victory. The last time the two teams met in the post-season was 2017, a 62-0 Star Valley shutout. In fact, it’s been rough sledding in this matchup for the Outlaws with the last overall meeting on their home field resulting in a 74-7 Braves victory, the most points ever scored in a game by the SVHS program. Speaking of 74, it was 1974 the last time an Outlaw team beat the Braves.
The Outlaws have a trio of running backs who share the carries with Carston Bartlett, Adan Garcia and Chris Gonzalez all with at least 200 yards each. They’ve combined for 7 rushing touchdowns. Xabi Hellman has passed for 283 yards this year at nearly 70% but Rawlins has just three passing touchdowns.
“I think you’ll see a little bit of what Soldotna did,” Young noted of the Outlaws rushing attack. “Some wishbone complimented with some spread. They’ve got some good players, their junior class had a ton of success as underclassmen so they have some good players coming up through their program.”
By comparison, the Braves rushing attack is led by Crew Lancaster and Zach Delgado who have combined for over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. Ross Hilton has passed for nearly 2,500 yards and 29 touchdowns. Roman Erickson, Travis Thomson, Weston Crogg and Kai Frazier have combined for 119 receptions for 1,822 yards and 24 of those touchdowns.
The two teams have a number of common opponents this season. The Outlaws fell to Green River 12-3 on September 4. Star Valley defeated Green River 48-0 on October 9. Rawlins also lost to Powell 21-12 on September 11. Star Valley defeated the Panthers 48-7. Rawlins lost to Jackson 58-13 on September 18 while Star Valley just beat the Broncs 41-8 last weekend. They also lost to Lander 28-21 on October 9. The Braves blanked the Tigers 56-0 on September 18.
The short answer? Rawlins went 0-4 against those teams and Star Valley outscored them 193-15 and gave up one offensive touchdown.
Young is hoping for a large and enthusiastic crowd which may be buoyed by the Halloween weekend.
“I hope the weather is good and people show up and help us have a great atmosphere,” he added. “I think the student body will be in their Halloween costumes so that will be fun.”
Early forecasts for Friday night will be coming off a high of 54 degrees and sunny with an overnight low of 34 degrees and a 20-percent chance of precipitation.
As for the players on the field, the staff will walk the line of getting the production they need while also safeguarding some players who aren’t at 100-percent.
“We’re a little dinged up, but we’ll have some guys out there who can make some plays,” Young concluded.
Kickoff time is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Braves Field and as a Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA) post-season event, there is a $5 admission to attend. SVI Media will be streaming the game on their typical platforms which can be found at svinews.com, the SVI Media YouTube channel, svi.media and on the SVI Media app. Aspen Physical Therapy has generously covered the significant broadcast fees mandated by the WHSAA which will allow the video stream to take place.
News and Notes
Overall this will be the 19th meeting in the series history between the Braves and the Outlaws, dating back to 1946…The Outlaws won the first six meetings from that time until 1957 but has only won once since, a 44-0 victory in Rawlins in 1974…The Braves are averaging exactly 40 points per game, scoring 360 points in nine games. The Outlaws are averaging 17.4 per game this season…The Star Valley defense is allowing just 13.2 points per game but they’ve been downright stifling against Wyoming opponents this season. Last week’s touchdown in Jackson was the first touchdown allowed by the Braves defense since their October 2 Homecoming game against Cody…This trip to the post-season snaps an eight-season absence for the Outlaws. Their last to the playoffs came in 2017 and an aforementioned road loss to Star Valley…This is the 18th straight trip to the playoffs for the Braves with their last miss taking place in 2008.
3A Playoffs
(E4) Rawlins @ (W1) Star Valley 5 p.m.
(W3) Jackson @ (E2) Lander 5 p.m.
(E3) Buffalo @ (W2) Cody 6 p.m.
(W4) Evanston @ (E1) Riverton 6 p.m.
Stats provided by wyopreps.com
Team Rushing
Rawlins 121 ypg (9th)
Star Valley 133 ypg (7th)
Team Passing
Rawlins 54 ypg (11th)
Star Valley 275 ypg (1st)
Team Offense
Rawlins 175 ypg (11th)
Star Valley 408 ypg (2nd)
Rush Defense
Rawlins 127 ypg (5th)
Star Valley 97 ypg (2nd)
Pass Defense
Rawlins 135 ypg (6th)
Star Valley 72 ypg (1st)
Team Defense
Rawlins 262 ypg (3rd)
Star Valley 169 (1st)
