One of the things I’m guilty of lately is probably still sticking with the idea that if it doesn’t fit in the paper, then maybe don’t write it. Well, based on that old-style of thinking, I’d never get to do my sports column which is kind of ironic since that’s how I got my foot in the door with the Independent back in 2002. Dan and Kim Dockstader just celebrated 40 years with the Independent. If I count my contributions with my column prior to being full time, this is my 23rd. So, here’s to a renewed effort to write about some of the things that are on my mind in my sports-cocoon of an office. 

• The Wyoming Cowboys are just as frustrating as ever. If you follow me on X (formerly known as Twitter), I should probably apologize for last Saturday night’s rant. But the Pokes’ first half against UNLV was as ugly a stretch of football for a Wyoming fan as I can ever remember. Just ineptitude in a lot of ways. From being outclassed on the icy layer of hail by the Rebels to not being able to score for the fifth first-half in a row, it bubbled over. Mainly because I still talk myself into Wyoming doing what I think they can do instead of watching what they will do. 

This week the Cowboys host San Jose State and quarterback Walker Eget, who looked like the best signal-caller in the country last weekend as he threw for over 330 yards and three touchdowns and had only four incompletions against New Mexico. This figures because before that game, the Spartans have not looked like a team the pre-season media expect to contend for the Mountain West title game. Of course they are rounding into form as they head to Laramie to take on a Wyoming team who has lost three in a row and are searching for answers on offense. 

Looking at the schedule, the Pokes need to win four of their final seven to earn bowl eligibility. This game is currently standing at Wyoming +1.5. If the home team can slow down the Spartan passing attack and limit turnovers, they have a chance. But if their offense sputters again, all bets are off because the SJSU passing game is lethal. I really like the Wyoming running back room and personally I hope the trio of Sam Scott, “Tote” Harris and Terron Kellman get 40 carries between them this weekend.  The next two games are on the road against Air Force who is struggling in the win/loss column and then the Border War against csu. Those are likely must-win games for a bowl game down the road. No idea what happens this week. But the Wyoming fans who continue to show up, even in an ice storm, deserve a good game. 

• Star Valley at Cody is one of the few games on the schedule that still causes butterflies these days. The Braves are riding a 27-game win streak and in a lot of cases, those of us not playing or coaching have the luxury of assuming they will win in a match up like last week against a young and rebuilding Powell squad. This week, the Broncs will be the biggest test that Star Valley faces each year along with Sugar-Salem. Both offenses have the ability to be explosive but the Star Valley run game has been a bit of an ace up their sleeve in the last few games against the Broncs. Truthfully, I don’t think we’ve seen a sliver of the full capability of the Star Valley run game yet this season. That might change on Friday night. That’s only my personal opinion. Usually when I say stuff like this over the winning streak, the team throws for 5 touchdowns, so what do I know? This game will likely decide a semifinal home game versus a road trip in the second round of the playoffs if the last decade is any indication. After two straight home games, dare I say the Braves are excited for a trip on the bus? I think they are. 

•The Pink Night game for the Lady Braves volleyball team was one of the best environments the program has had in a string of great environments. Last year’s homecoming week match was packed in an afternoon game because let’s face it, the kids had to be there. This year, it was a night game and it was still pretty full. And loud. And energized. I’ve been to all three home matches this season for the Lady Braves and the students have shown out, even in a Saturday afternoon contest against Riverton. Kudos to them. Also praise to the seniors and those who organized the night to benefit Susan Loveland who was there front and center for the win. Unless you’ve witnessed it first-hand, I don’t know if some people understand what a big ask that might have been for her to be there sitting in the bleachers for a couple hours. Tough as nails. It was a big reminder that cancer affects nearly everyone and it hit me like a ton of bricks that night as the team gave me a pink shirt of my own. Hopefully this next week’s paper has a total that the evening was able to generate, but it’s come a long way and continues to raise its own bar every year. That takes commitment to the cause. Excellent job ladies, it was a great night. Senior Night is coming up on October 23 with Evanston coming to town. I’d love to see a full gym to welcome the Devils who nipped Star Valley in five sets on their own court. 

•I can’t bring up the football and volleyball team without talking some cross-country, led by a trio of guys who might just shock the 4A class and win the programs fourth in a row later this month in Colton Cranney, Brigham Hahn and Sullivan Wilson. Cranney notched the fastest time ever for a Wyoming runner a couple weeks ago, and he has to be the favorite to become the ninth individual champion from Star Valley in their last ten seasons of competition. Read that again. It’s an incredible testament to what’s been built in a sport that wasn’t even around 20 year or so years ago. So, as the football team tries to do something that’s never been done before by winning four in a row at SVHS, the distance runners may do it first. If nothing else, thinking about the possibility makes me try and come up with something better than four-peat. That’s just lazy. I’ll work on it. 

Follow @DahlErickson on X for mostly high school coverage and the occasional Wyoming Cowboys rant or chide him on Instagram for not posting enough @Sportsllama.