Plainsmen Seek to Stop Long Losing Streak to Gillette [VIDEO]

It’s been a feat that’s eluded the Laramie Plainsmen for 21 years. That would be a victory over the Gillette Camels on the football field.

Laramie (0-2) takes on an opponent that’s in a similar place, as they travel to Gillette to face the Camels. Both teams are seeking their first win of the season.

The Plainsmen are trying to avoid their third consecutive 0-3 start.

Meanwhile, the Camels are in unfamiliar territory with the splitting of Campbell County High School to make way for the new 4A school Thunder Basin.

Gillette (0-2) has already allowed 141 points and scored only six. They are winless through two games for the first time since 1996. Ironically that is also the same year of Laramie’s last victory over the Camels in football. It was a game played in Gillette on Sept. 13, 1996. The final was 31-24 Plainsmen.

Laramie head coach Clint Reed understands it’s been a while since they’ve had a win over the Camels. He reflects on that, plus what his team is going through, how they’re preparing, a brief glimpse at Gillette and what he feels is key for LHS.

The Plainsmen are led by senior QB Nathan Burman, who is second in class 4A in passing yards per game at 226.5 and second in all-purpose offense at 243 yards per game. He’s coming off a 311 yard, four TD, one interception performance at Rock Springs. Most of that came in the second half rally last week.

Laramie will not have the services of junior Jason Upton, junior Brady Epler or senior Alex Mendoza. All are out due to injury.

Gillette is led by wide receiver Trey Hladky and quarterback Cameron Kirkwood. Hladky is averaging 76 receiving yards per game, while Kirkwood is rated ninth in passing, but averaging only 80 yards per game.

Neither team has produced a good ground game (LHS 38 ypg-CCHS -22 ypg), but Laramie has an advantage in their passing game, at 226.5 to 109 yards per game. Defensively, both teams are in the bottom four (LHS No. 10-CCHS No. 7), but the Camels actually allow 80 yards less per game, at 403 compared to 484 for the Plainsmen.

This meeting is slated for Camel Stadium in Gillette Friday night. Kick-off is at 7 p.m.

KOWB radio (AM 1290) will broadcast the game. David Settle and VerDon Hoopes will call the action. Coverage will start at 6 p.m.