The Cody High School Broncs are headed to the 2026 WHSAA 3A State Football Championship this Friday, where they will face the Star Valley Braves for the fifth year in a row. The game, held at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, is a focal point for Cody residents, who have come to view the annual showdown as a hallmark of community pride and local sports excellence.
According to hyperlocalloop.com, the Broncs earned their championship berth by defeating Riverton 35–7 in the semifinals, a dominant performance that underscored their readiness for the title game. The rivalry with Star Valley has become one of the most celebrated in Wyoming high school football, turning each November championship weekend into a major event for fans throughout the Big Horn Basin.
WyomingNews.com noted that Star Valley entered the season with a 10-1 overall record and a perfect 5-0 mark in the Class 3A West, riding a 35-game winning streak that ended only after a 27–14 loss to Idaho’s Sugar-Salem High. Coach McKay Young, who likened the recurring matchup to the “Pirates of the Caribbean” saga, highlighted the team’s humility after that loss, saying, “My wife doesn’t like undefeated seasons because we’ve had two of those that didn’t end well.”
The Braves boast a high-powered offense led by senior quarterback Ross Hilton, who tops the state with more than 3,000 passing yards, 39 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 73% completion rate, averaging 434 yards per game. Defensively, Star Valley has allowed just 1,776 total yards and 13 touchdowns all season, posting four shutouts and conceding only 29 points since the start of October.
Cody’s own strengths are reflected in the statistics shared by WyomingNews.com. Senior quarterback Cache McFadden leads the Broncs in both rushing (76.2 yards per game) and passing (183.3 yards per game), completing 65.9% of his throws (135-for-205) with 26 touchdowns and only three interceptions—the best ratio in the classification. Coach Matt McFadden praised the offensive line’s development and the receivers’ performance, noting improvements in accuracy and efficiency over the winter.
Defensively, the Broncs rank second in the state, allowing an average of 13.7 points per contest, with three shutouts and just 14 total points given up in the playoffs, including the 35–7 semifinal win over Riverton. Coach McFadden highlighted the team’s tackling and turnover creation as key factors in their success.
Last season’s title game ended in a narrow 26–21 loss for Cody after a 28–27 defeat to Star Valley, a game in which the Braves forced five turnovers. Coach Young expects both teams to limit mistakes and emphasizes the importance of special teams. He also anticipates that Cache McFadden will play a pivotal role on both offense and defense.
What’s next: The championship game kicks off on Friday at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie. Residents are encouraged to attend and support the Broncs as they vie for the state title for the fifth consecutive year.
Sources: hyperlocalloop.com, wyomingnews.com
