Plainsmen Are No Match For Mustangs, Lose 61-3

The speed, size and strength of the second-ranked Natrona County Mustangs was too much for the Laramie Plainsmen Friday night, as they lost 61-3 in Casper.

The Mustangs led 44-0 at halftime and tacked on three more scores in the fourth quarter. All the Plainsmen managed was a 32-yard field goal late in the third quarter.

Laramie (1-2) was hurt by four turnovers. Two of those were turned directly into N-C touchdowns, as the Mustangs returned an interception and a fumble for a score.

Natrona (3-0) senior Josh Harshman threw two touchdown passes and returned an interception for a t-d, all in the first quarter, as the Mustangs built a 21-0 lead. They added three more touchdowns and a field goal in the second quarter.

Chase Andersen caught three passes for touchdowns of 25, 28 and 29 yards, respectively. Casson Burgen tossed a pair of t-d passes. Cody Wilkinson kicked a pair of 51-yard field goals. There were also two other t-d runs in the game, and the fumble return for a score that happened early in the fourth quarter.

Laramie's only points capped a 13-play, 65-yard drive in the third quarter. Colton Wostenberg kicked it through, and he is now 2-2 on field goals this season.

The Mustangs rolled up 435 yards of total offense and held the Plainsmen to only 170 yards.

LHS QB Treyven Armijo was 16-29 for 155 yards, but was picked off three times.

The game actually started off well for Laramie. On the game's opening possession, they picked up two first downs and drove inside the N-C 30-yard line, but turned the ball over on downs. Two plays later, Andy Pearson sacked Harshman and forced a fumble that was recovered by Danny Bradfield. The Plainsmen couldn't capitalize on the turnover.

Then, Natrona scored on their next six possessions.

After last Friday, Laramie has still not had a win on the football field against a big four team (Natrona, Gillette, East or Sheridan) in class 4-A since 2009.

The Plainsmen are back on the road for their next game. Friday, September 19, LHS heads west to Evanston to take on the Red Devils. Kick-off is at 7 p.m.