Wyoming High School Football Playoff Scenarios

With one game to go, it’s time to start figuring out which teams still have a chance to make the post-season, and what needs to happen.

There are 7 possibilities of a 3-way tie-breaker playoff game (2 in 4A, 2 in 2A East, and 1 each in 3A East, 3A West, and 1A West).

This happens when there’s a 3-way tie, and 1 or 2 of the teams involved will not make the playoffs.

All other tie-breaker options have been used, so all that’s left is to put the 3 teams back on the field again at a neutral site.

A team’s overall record is NOT used in the tie-breaking procedure.

3-way tie-breaker procedure: (WHSAA rulebook Page 47)

1. If one team beat or lost to both of the other teams involved in the tie, that team is promoted or demoted from the other teams. Use head-to-head tie-breaker for the remaining 2 tied teams.

2. Check record of tied teams, vs. the highest team in the conference not involved in the tie. If that doesn’t work, check vs. the next highest team, the next highest team, etc…

3. If the 3-way tie still exists, and all 3 teams have qualified for the playoffs, a 3-way coin flip will be done to determine seeding. The one who has the odd flip of the coin loses, and will be the lowest seeded team. Use head-to-head for the remaining 2 teams, to determine the remaining seeds.

4. If after step 1 and step 2, a 3-way tie still exists, and 1 or 2 of the teams involved in the tie, will not make the playoffs…the 3 teams will gather at a neutral site, to play each other again. The game will be played on the Tuesday following week 8 of the season. Rules of the game will be explained later, if it happens.

There’s even one possibility of a 4-way tie, but a 4-way tie-breaker game is not needed.

4-way tie-breaker procedure: (WHSAA rulebook Page 49)

1. If one team beat the other 3, that team is promoted out of the tie. Revert back to 3-way tie-breaker rules for the other 3 tied teams. (Although the rulebook does not say this…we assume that if one team lost to the other 3, that team is demoted out of the tie.)

2. Check records of tied teams vs. highest team in the conference, not involved in the tie. If that doesn’t work, check vs. next highest team, next highest team, etc…

3. 4-way tie-breaker playoff game.

Because the University of Wyoming has a home football game, on Saturday, October 27th and November 3rd, all playoff games must be played on Friday, October 26th and November 2nd.

The exception is…if your team has to play in the 3-way or 4-way tie-breaker playoff game…the teams that survive, get to play their first round playoff game, on Saturday, October 27th.

Here are the playoff scenarios heading into the final week of the season:

Click here to see the standings through week 7.

4A:

Gillette at Natrona: Winner is #1 seed, loser is #2 seed.

East at Sheridan: Winner is #3 seed and will host the Central-Kelly Walsh loser. Loser is #4 seed and will host the Central-Kelly Walsh winner.

Central at Kelly Walsh: Winner is the #5 seed and will travel to the East-Sheridan loser. Loser is the #6 seed and will travel to the East-Sheridan winner.

That leaves Evanston (2-6), Rock Springs (1-7), Laramie (1-7) and South (0-8), who all play each other (Evanston at Laramie, South at Rock Springs).

There are 4 scenarios that could happen…2 of which will result in a 3-way playoff tie-breaker.

Evanston and Rock Springs win: Evanston is #7 seed and will travel to the Gillette-Natrona loser. Rock Springs is #8 seed and will travel to the Gillette-Natrona winner. Laramie and South eliminated.

Evanston and South win: Evanston is #7 seed and will travel to the Gillette-Natrona loser. Rock Springs, Laramie and South would have a 3-way tie-breaker playoff game for the final playoff spot, because they all beat other (RS over Laramie, Laramie over South, South over Rock Springs). The survivor will travel to the Gillette-Natrona winner.

Laramie and Rock Springs win: South eliminated. Evanston, Rock Springs and Laramie would have a 3-way tie-breaker playoff game for the final 2 playoff spots, because they all beat each other (RS over Laramie, Evanston over RS, Laramie over Evanston).

Laramie and South win: Rock Springs and South eliminated due to having worse records compared to Laramie and Evanston. Laramie would get #7 seed over Evanston, due to head-to-head win, and would travel to the Gillette-Natrona loser. Evanston would get #8 seed, and travel to the Gillette-Natrona winner.

3A East:

Riverton: #1 seed.

Douglas: #2 seed. The Bearcats have have-to-head over both Buffalo and Lander.

That leaves Buffalo, Lander and Rawlins for the final 2 playoff spots. There are 4 scenarios, one of which would result in a 3-way tie-breaker playoff game.

Rawlins plays at Buffalo, while Lander plays at Riverton.

Lander is in regardless, if Buffalo beats Rawlins.

Rawlins is eliminated with a loss, regardless of what happens to Lander.

Buffalo and Lander win: Buffalo is #3 seed, while Lander is #4 seed. Rawlins eliminated.

Buffalo wins and Lander loses: Buffalo is #3 seed, while Lander is #4 seed. Rawlins eliminated.

Rawlins and Lander win: Lander gets #3 seed. Rawlins gets #4 seed. Buffalo eliminated.

Rawlins wins and Lander loses: 3-way tie-breaker playoff game involving, Rawlins, Lander and Buffalo, because they all beat each other (Buffalo over Lander, Lander over Rawlins, Rawlins over Buffalo).

Torrington: Eliminated.

3A West:

There could be a 3-way tie for first if Green River wins at Powell, and Star Valley wins at Jackson.

If this happens, the 3-way tie-breaker playoff game is NOT needed, because all 3 teams are already in the playoffs.

There would be a 3-way coin flip to determine seeding.

If Powell beats Green River, then Powell is #1, Star Valley is #2 and GR is #3. The outcome of the SV-Jackson game is irrelevant.

Green River can get the #1 seed with a win AND a Star Valley loss.

Powell and Star Valley win: Powell is #1 seed, Star Valley is #2 seed, Green River is #3 seed.

Powell wins and Star Valley loses: Powell is #1 seed, Star Valley is #2 seed, Green River is #3 seed.

Green River and Star Valley win: 3-way coin flip with Powell to determine seeding. The team that gets the odd flip of the coin is #3. Use head-to-head tie-breaker for the remaining tied 2 teams to determine #1 and #2 seeds.

Green River wins and Star Valley loses: Green River is #1 seed, Powell is #2, and Star Valley is #3.

That leaves Cody, Jackson and Worland battling for the final playoff spot.

Cody plays at Worland and Jackson is at home vs. Star Valley.

Cody: Gets the #4 seed with a win at Worland, and will travel to Riverton. In 3-way tie-breaker playoff game with a loss AND Jackson loses home vs. Star Valley. Eliminated with a loss AND if Jackson wins.

Jackson: Gets the #4 seed with a win home vs. Star Valley AND Cody loses at Worland. A 3-way tie-breaker playoff game will be played if Jackson loses AND Worland beats Cody. Eliminated if Cody wins.

Worland: The only way the Warriors can make the post-season is to win home vs. Cody AND Jackson loses home vs. Star Valley AND survive the 3-way tie-breaker playoff vs. Cody and Jackson. Worland is eliminated if Jackson wins.

2A East:

Newcastle at Big Horn: Winner is #1 seed, and will host Mountain View if MV loses, or either Kemmerer or Greybull if MV wins. Loser is #2 seed and will host the Kemmerer-Mountain View winner.

Glenrock plays at Moorcroft, Wheatland is home vs. Tongue River, and Wright is at Burns.

Glenrock: In with a win AND a loss by either Wheatland OR Wright. Eliminated with a loss AND if Wheatland AND Wright both lose.

Wheatland: In with a win AND a loss by either Glenrock OR Wright. Wheatland also gets in with a loss, provided Glenrock AND Wright lose as well. Eliminated with a loss AND Glenrock AND Wright both win.

Wright: In with a win AND a loss by either Glenrock OR Wheatland.

Burns: In with a win AND Glenrock AND Wheatland both lose. Eliminated with a loss OR if both Wheatland AND Glenrock win.

A 4-way tie for the final 2 playoff spots would happen, if Burns beats Wright AND Wheatland AND Glenrock both lose…but a 4-way tie-breaker game would not be needed.

If Glenrock, Wheatland and Wright all win, there will be a 3-way tie-breaker playoff game, because they all beat each other (Glenrock over Wheatland, Wheatland over Wright, Wright over Glenrock).

If 2 teams win and 1 lose, the loser is out, along with Burns. Use head-to-head tie-breaker for the other 2 teams.

Glenrock, Wheatland and Wright win: 3-way tie-breaker playoff game for 2 playoff spots. Burns eliminated.

Glenrock and Wheatland win, Wright loses: Glenrock is #3, due to having head-to-head win vs. Wheatland and travels to Lovell, Wheatland is #4 and travels to Lyman. Wright and Burns eliminated due to having worse conference records, compared to Glenrock and Wheatland.

Glenrock and Wright win, Wheatland loses: Wright is #3, due to having head-to-head win vs. Glenrock and travels to Lovell, Glenrock is #4 and travels to Lyman. Wheatland and Burns eliminated due to having worse conference records, compared to Glenrock and Wright.

Wheatland and Wright win, Glenrock loses: Wheatland is #3, due to having head-to-head win vs. Wright and travels to Lovell, Wright is #4 and travels to Lyman. Glenrock and Burns eliminated, due to having worse conference records, compared to Wheatland and Wright.

Glenrock wins, Wheatland and Wright lose: Glenrock is #3 and travels to Lovell. Wheatland, Wright and Burns are in a 3-way, but Wheatland gets the #4 seed and travels to Lyman, due to having head-to-head wins vs. both Wright and Burns.

Wheatland wins, Glenrock and Wright lose: Wheatland is #3 and travels to Lovell. Burns, Glenrock and Wright would have to play a 3-way tie-breaker playoff game, because they all beat each other (Wright over Glenrock, Glenrock over Burns, Burns over Wright). The survivor is the #4 seed and travels to Lyman.

Wright wins, Glenrock and Wheatland lose: Burns eliminated. Wright gets #3 seed and travels to Lovell. Glenrock gets #4 seed due to having head-to-head win over Wheatland and will travel to Lyman. Wheatland eliminated.

Glenrock, Wheatland and Wright lose: 4-way tie with Burns. Use 4-way tie-breaker rule #2. Glenrock eliminated, due to loss vs. Moorcroft. Revert to 3-way tie-breaker rules for Wheatland, Wright and Burns. Wheatland gets #3 seed, due having head-to-head wins vs. both Wright and Burns, and will travel to Lovell. Burns gets #4 seed, due to having head-to-head win vs. Wright, and will travel to Lyman. Wright is eliminated.

Moorcroft and Tongue River: Eliminated.

2A West:

Lyman: #1 seed.

Lovell: #2 seed.

Mountain View: In the playoffs. Can get #3 seed with win home vs. Kemmerer and would travel to the Newcastle-Big Horn loser. Will be #4 seed with loss home vs. Kemmerer and would travel to the Newcastle-Big Horn winner.

Kemmerer: In with a win OR a Greybull loss. Can get #3 seed with win at Mountain View, and would travel to the Newcastle-Big Horn loser. Can get #4 seed with a loss AND if Greybull loses, and would travel to the Newcastle-Big Horn winner. Kemmerer would be in a tie with the Pinedale-Thermopolis winner, but because the Rangers have head-to-head on both Wranglers and Bobcats, the Pinedale-Thermopolis game would become irrelevant….again provided Greybull loses as well, home vs. Lyman. Kemmerer is eliminated with a loss AND a Greybull win. The Rangers would be in a 3-way with Greybull and the Pinedale-Thermopolis winner, but Greybull would win the 3-way, because of 3-way tie-breaker rule #2 (Greybull would have a win vs. Lyman, whereas the other teams do not).

Greybull: The only way Greybull can make the playoffs is to win home vs. Lyman AND they need Kemmerer to lose at Mountain View. This would force a 3-way with Kemmerer and the Pinedale-Thermopolis winner. Greybull would win the tie-breaker, due to 3-way tie-breaker rule #2 (Greybull would have a win vs. Lyman, whereas the other teams do not).

Pinedale and Thermopolis: Both teams have been eliminated. They both lose head-to-head tie-breaker vs. Kemmerer, and in the event of a 3-way with Kemmerer, and Greybull…Greybull wins because of 3-way tie-breaker rule #2 (Greybull would have a win vs. Lyman, whereas the other teams do not).

Big Piney: Eliminated.

1A East:

Lusk is assured of at least 1 home playoff game.

Lusk at Upton-Sundance: Winner is #1 seed. Lusk is #2 seed if they lose. Upton-Sundance can get #2 seed if they lose, provided Southeast loses at Lingle-Ft. Laramie (U-S has head-to-head over Lingle). Upton-Sundance is #3 seed if they lose AND Southeast wins at Lingle-Ft. Laramie (U-S loses head-to-head vs. SE).

The only other game going on in the east is Southeast at Lingle-Ft. Laramie.

Lingle-Ft. Laramie: In the playoffs, but can do no better than the #3 seed and will be on the road to either Cokeville or Burlington. A win at home vs. Southeast locks up #3 seed (Lingle loses head-to-head vs. Upton-Sundance for #2 seed). If Lingle-Ft. Laramie loses vs. Southeast, the Doggers will be the #4 seed, because they have head-to-head win vs. Pine Bluffs.

Southeast: Can get #2 seed with a win at Lingle AND Lusk beats Upton-Sundance (SE has head-to-head on US). Can get #3 seed with a win at Lingle AND Upton-Sundance beats Lusk. Eliminated with a loss, because the Cyclones would be tied with Pine Bluffs for final playoff spot, and would lose the tie-breaker vs. Hornets due to forfeit.

Pine Bluffs: Does not play this week, and their playoff fate is in the hands of Southeast and Lingle-Ft. Laramie. If Lingle-Ft. Laramie wins, Pine Bluffs gets the #4 seed and will travel to the Cokeville-Burlington winner (PB wins tie-breaker over Southeast, due to forfeit). Pine Bluffs is eliminated if Southeast beats Lingle, because PB loses the head-to-head vs. Lingle.

Normative Services: Eliminated.

1A West:

Cokeville at Burlington: Winner is #1 seed. Loser is #2 seed. Both teams are assured of hosting a first round playoff game.

Shoshoni: #3 seed. On the road to either Lusk, Upton-Sundance, or Southeast.

There is the possibility of a 3-way tie-breaker playoff game involving Rocky Mountain, Saratoga, and Wind River (RM beat WR, WR beat Saratoga, Saratoga beat RM).

Rocky Mountain: #4 seed with a win at Saratoga and would travel to the Lusk/Upton-Sundance winner. In 3-way tie-breaker playoff game with loss AND Wind River wins at Riverside. Eliminated with loss AND Wind River loses.

Saratoga: #4 seed with a win home vs. Rocky Mountain AND Wind River loses at Riverside. In 3-way tie-breaker playoff with win AND Wind River wins at Riverside. Eliminated with loss.

Wind River: The only way the Cougars can make the playoffs is to win at Riverside AND needs Saratoga to beat Rocky Mountain, AND survive the 3-way tie-breaker playoff game. WR is eliminated with a loss OR if Rocky Mountain wins at Saratoga.

6-Man North:

Dubois: #1 seed. Will host H.E.M. in the first round.

The #2, #3 and #4 seeds will not be finalized until after Saturday’s game involving Hulett at Meeteetse.

Meeteetse beats Hulett: Meeteetse is #2 and will host Guernsey. Kaycee is #3 and will travel to Midwest. Hulett is #4 and will travel to Little Snake River.

Hulett beats Meeteetse: 3-way tie with Kaycee (Kaycee beat Hulett, Meeteetse beat Kaycee, Hulett beat Meeteetse). A 3-way coin flip will determine seeding. The team that gets the odd flip of the coin is #4 and will travel to Little Snake River. Use head-to-head tie-breaker for the remaining tied 2 teams to determine #2 and #3 seeds.

Kaycee: In the playoffs, but have no control over where they will be seeded. The Buckaroos’ Saturday game at Midwest is worthless, as far as playoff seeding is concerned, but there’s a chance that they’ll have to go back to Midwest the following week, for a first round playoff game.

Ten Sleep: Eliminated.

6-Man South:

All playoff spots are locked in. All games involving 6-Man South teams this week, will have no impact on playoff positioning.

Little Snake River: #1 seed.

Midwest: #2 seed.

Guernsey: #3 seed.

H.E.M.: #4 seed. Will travel to Dubois for first round game.

Farson-Eden: Eliminated.