A top-five showdown with playoff seeding on the line takes place in Sheridan Friday night when the No. 5 Laramie Plainsmen take on the No. 4 Broncs.

Laramie (4-3) is in the midst of its most successful season since 2005. Now they have a shot at a home playoff game, but two tough opponents on the road over the next two weeks stand in their way.

Sheridan (5-2) is Class 4A’s three-time defending state champs. The Broncs won their first two games this season, but then dropped two in a row. They’ve rattled off three straight victories with blowout wins over Kelly Walsh, South, and Gillette.

Plainsmen head coach Clint Reed knows this is a big game. He visited with KOWB’s David Settle about preparation, adjusting to no Baxter Tuggle due to injury, the Sheridan Broncs, and some of their key personnel in the video above.

Laramie features the No. 2 rushing attack in Class 4A right now at almost 200 yards per game, but that will be impacted by Tuggle not playing. Plainsmen QB Jason Upton is averaging 73 yards per game rushing and another 67 passing.

Sheridan has a balanced attack that averages 174 yards per game on the ground and 138 through the air. Senior Parker Christensen leads the way with 73 rushing yards per game. Junior quarterback Jacob Boint is throwing for 135 yards per game. He has 12 touchdowns to only four interceptions. The Broncs have an edge in total offense and defense by 45 and 20 yards per game, respectively.

Senior Ben Kruzich anchors the Laramie defense and is No. 1 in defensive points in Class 4A at 15.3 per game.

Senior Garrett Coon leads the Sheridan defense and is No. 6 at 13.6 defensive points per game.

Laramie is trying to accomplish something for the first time in 13 years, beat the Broncs on the football field. Sheridan has won 13 straight in the series.

Kick-off is at 6 p.m. from Homer Scott Field.

KOWB (AM 1290) radio brings you live coverage from Sheridan. David Settle will call the game. The broadcast starts at 5 p.m. In addition to the radio, you can also listen online, listen through the KOWB app or on any Amazon Alexa-enabled device.

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