Friday, November 13, at 12:00 p.m., War Memorial Stadium in Laramie will host the 2A Wyoming State Football Championship. The Big Horn Rams of Sheridan County will meet the Cokeville Wildcats in a game that carries a rich history dating back to the 1980s.
Historical rivalry
Since the first meeting between the two programs, the rivalry has produced memorable moments. Cokeville secured the inaugural victory, but the Rams have since posted the largest margin of victory in the series, a 53‑point win (56‑3) in the 2018 state championship. Cokeville’s biggest win came in the 1983 semifinals, a 42‑point triumph (42‑0). Both schools have recorded shutouts against each other—Big Horn shut out Cokeville once last season, while Cokeville has shut out Big Horn twice, most recently in 1988.
Winning streaks and records
The Rams entered the championship riding a five‑game winning streak that began in 2017, a streak uninterrupted by the pandemic‑related hiatus from 2020 to 2023. Cokeville’s longest winning streak against Big Horn stretches back to the mid‑1980s, with two consecutive victories in 1986 and 1988. Neither team has ever required overtime to decide a matchup.
When it comes to scoring, the Rams’ highest point total against Cokeville remains the 56 points scored in the 2018 championship game. Cokeville’s record against the Rams is 42 points, achieved in the 1983 semifinal.
What the championship means for the community
This game is more than a contest of athletic skill; it is a gathering of families, churches, and local businesses that support youth development and community pride. In towns like Sheridan and Cokeville, high school football serves as a rallying point for families and a showcase of the values of teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship that align with the traditions of strong, faith‑centered neighborhoods.
Local churches and family groups have organized tailgate gatherings and prayer services ahead of the game, underscoring the role of faith and family in the lives of the student‑athletes. The event also provides a modest economic boost to Laramie, as fans travel to the stadium, patronize local restaurants, and support the city’s hospitality sector.
Looking ahead
Regardless of the final score, both programs will add another chapter to a rivalry that has shaped high school football in Wyoming for decades. The championship will also set the stage for the next generation of players, many of whom hope to continue the legacy of dedication to their schools, families, and communities.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early, respect fellow spectators, and uphold the spirit of friendly competition that has defined this matchup for over forty years.
Original reporting: Sheridan Media (Sheridan WY) — read the source article.
