The WyoPreps Coaches and Media preseason football poll was released Saturday, offering the first look at the 2026 Wyoming high school football rankings. Coaches and media representatives from across the state cast their votes, producing a snapshot of expectations before the season kicks off.
Defending Champions Lead the Rankings
Three of the five defending state champions opened the year at the top of their classifications. In Class 4A, Sheridan earned the No. 1 spot. Class 3A saw Star Valley repeat as the leading team, while Pine Bluffs topped the 1A 9‑man division. Each of these programs entered the season as the team to beat, reflecting strong coaching continuity and returning talent.
Other Class Leaders
In Class 2A, Big Horn, the runner‑up last season, secured the No. 1 ranking and was the only unanimous top choice in the poll. Burlington claimed the No. 1 position in the 1A 6‑man class, also a runner‑up from the previous year. Both teams demonstrated the ability to rebound after falling short in the championship game.
The poll also highlighted several notable trends. Five different teams received at least one first‑place vote in the 9‑man class, indicating a competitive field. Additionally, the only semifinalist from last fall that failed to break the preseason top five appeared in that same class.
Full Class Rankings
Class 1A 6‑man:
1 = Burlington
2 = Little Snake River
3 = Encampment
4 = Hulett
5 = Riverside
Class 1A 9‑man:
1 = Pine Bluffs
2 = Greybull
3 = Rocky Mountain
4 = Big Piney
5 = Saratoga
Class 2A:
1 = Big Horn
2 = Mountain View
T3 = Lovell
T3 = Torrington
T5 = Cokeville
T5 = Thermopolis
Class 3A:
1 = Star Valley
2 = Cody
3 = Riverton
4 = Jackson
5 = Lander
Class 4A:
1 = Sheridan
2 = East
3 = Campbell County
4 = Central
5 = Natrona County
Community Involvement
The poll invites fans, parents, and community members to weigh in on their own preseason favorites by casting votes through the WyoPreps website. This participatory element underscores the strong local support for high school athletics across Wyoming.
Beyond the rankings, WyoPreps continues to feature preseason tours for several programs, including the Rock Springs Tigers, Kemmerer Rangers, Cokeville Panthers, Star Valley Braves, and Jackson Broncs. Photo galleries from these tours, credited to David Settle of WyoPreps.com, showcase the teams’ preparations and community enthusiasm.
As the 2026 season approaches, the rankings set the stage for a competitive year of football across the state. Fans will watch to see whether the top‑ranked programs can live up to expectations and how the closely ranked teams in each class will battle for postseason glory.
Original reporting: K2 Radio (Casper) — read the source article.
