Class 1A State Championship Preview: Big Horn vs. Cokeville

The Class 1A State Championship football game is a rematch from a year ago, as the defending champion Big Horn Rams take on the Cokeville Panthers.

Last year’s game in Laramie was one of the most lopsided state championship games, 56-3, in favor of Big Horn. Cokeville seeks some redemption this year.

The Rams are 10-0 this season, while the Panthers have a 10-1 mark. Cokeville’s only loss came to Class 2A title contender Mountain View in week 1 of the season.

Big Horn will be playing in its seventh state championship football game this decade. They’ve won three state titles during the 2010s, including two of their last three appearances. Overall, the Rams have six state football championships in school history.

Cokeville is a traditional powerhouse in Class 1A 11-man. The Panthers have won 22 state football titles. That includes 20 under current head coach Todd Dayton, who began as head coach back in 1980. They haven’t won a championship since 2014, but until last year, Cokeville hadn’t lost a title game in Laramie.

One of the big stats to look at in this matchup is can Cokeville move the ball against Big Horn’s defense? The Rams are the No. 1 in total defense and allow only 153.3 yards and 8.9 points per game. Cokeville has the No. 3 offense that averages 357.5 yards and 30.1 points per game. For more on the stats of both teams, click the link below.

WyoPreps visited with Big Horn head coach Kirk McLaughlin before this rematch. He talked about the Rams’ season-to-date, their focus, their approach, his respect for Cokeville and Coach Dayton, plus what it will take to be successful on Saturday. WyoPreps reached out to visit with Panthers head coach Todd Dayton, but numerous attempts were unsuccessful. We apologize to Cokeville fans, it was not our intent to not hear from Coach Dayton.

Kick-off is at 1 p.m. Saturday from War Memorial Stadium in Laramie.

Series History

3-3: All tied up – all 6 meetings have been in the playoffs

Championship games

1986: Cokeville won 21-7

1988: Cokeville won 35-0

2018: Big Horn won 56-3

Championship Appearances in Laramie (including 2019)

Big Horn = 7

Cokeville = 6

Some series record information is courtesy of Wyoming-football.com.