PhotoFest: Natrona Knocks off Central in 4A Football Playoffs

Natrona County played host to Cheyenne Central in round one of the 4A football playoffs on a very chilly night in Casper on Friday. In the regular season meeting, NC prevailed over Central 14-13 and the Mustangs needed all they could muster to prevail in this postseason game.

Natrona's first touchdown was set up on an interception and Beau Russell later found the end zone from a yard out to give NC a 7-0 lead. Central countered with a first-half field goal from Brock Pedersen so the Tribe trailed 7-3 at the halftime intermission.

In the 2nd half, Russell had another short TD run and their defense did the rest. And that was no easy task as Central had a sound running game for a vast majority of the season. Mason Counter and Miles Porwall combined for 98 rushing in the contest. as the Tribe dropped a 14-3 decision.

Natrona is the #3 seed in the 4A playoffs and sits at 7-3 and will be on the road at Cheyenne Central in the semi-finals on Friday, The Mustangs lost to East in the regular season 45-7. Central completes its season at 4-6 after going 7-4 in 2022.

We have some fabulous photographs of the NC-CC game thanks to Libby Ngo and Shannon Dutcher. You can find them in our gallery below. Enjoy!