Laramie Plainsmen Lose to Cheyenne Central Again, 45-6

The streak continued Friday night at Riske Field in Cheyenne, as the 5th-ranked Central Indians topped the Laramie Plainsmen 45-6 on a cold and damp night. It was the Indians 15th consecutive victory in the series dating back to 2002.

Central Junior Tayton Montgomery was a one-man wrecking crew. He finished with 329 yards of total offense and scored five touchdowns. He had 8 receptions for 194 yards and four touchdown catches. Montgomery added another 135 yards and a score on the ground.

Cheyenne Central (3-2) scored on their first offensive series when Sr. QB Dillon Kreiling connected with Montgomery on a 23 yard scoring pass in the corner of the endzone. Kreiling found Montgomery again, this time on a deep ball, for a 51-yard t-d pass, and the Indians held a 14-0 lead with 2:09 left in first quarter.

Central tacked on a Hayden Humphrey 29-yard field goal as the first half ended for a 17-0 lead at the break.

Laramie (1-4) fell apart in the third quarter, as the Indians tallied four times to break the game wide open. Montgomery scored on a 19-yard run just 1:43 into the second half. After a Plainsmen punt, Central marched right back down the field and Kreiling hit Montgomery from 32 yards out on a pass deflected by Laramie corner Tristan Eickbush. The pass went right into the hands of Montgomery for the score and a 31-0 lead.

The Plainsmen fumbled on their next two possessions, and the Indians capitalized on the short field. The second straight 32-yard Kreiling to Montgomery t-d pass made it 38-0, and then Junior Cooper Mirich added a 15-yard burst up the middle that gave Central a 45-0 lead with 2:42 left in the 3rd quarter.

Laramie head coach Chuck Syverson said, "It was a little disappointing that third quarter,  just because I thought we played well the first half, other than giving up a few deep balls. We moved the ball well at times with some of the young guys we had stepping in there. They did the best they could do, and that's all you can ask those kids to do."

A bright spot came on the ensuing kick-off for LHS, as Junior Andy Pearson returned it 95 yards for the only Plainsmen touchdown. That capped the scoring with 2:10 left in the 3rd quarter.

Syverson added, "It was nice to finally break one (a kick-off return). We do make a big emphasis on special teams. To get that opportunity to pop one in the end zone, in the type of situation we had when we weren't moving the ball very well, was really a big bonus for our special teams."

Central out-gained Laramie 540-to-110 in total offense. They took advantage of three LHS turnovers and held the ball for more than 28 minutes in time of possession. The Indians also piled up 24 first downs, while Laramie managed only eight.

LHS did play without three starters, including Senior QB and Free Safety Drew Burman, due to injury. Back-up Treyven Armijo started at quarterback.

The Plainsmen return to the Capital City next Friday night, as they'll take on Cheyenne South (0-5) at Bison Field. The game is set for a 7 p.m. kick-off.

Laramie Plainsmen football coverage will return to KOWB (AM 1290) next Friday night. The broadcast will begin at 5:30 p.m. with David Settle and VerDon Hoopes on the call.