Cody Football Out for Redemption vs. Powell in the Big Horn Brawl
Written by Cole Havens on September 25, 2020
It’s rivalry week in the Class 3A Ranks as conference play gets underway in Wyoming. Park County Rivals will clash on the Gridiron Friday night in Powell as the Cody Broncs are on the road to face the Panthers. Cody is looking for redemption after Powell knocked them out of the playoffs a year ago. This week I caught up with both Coach McFadden and Nic Talich to preview this match-up. Coach talks about the magnitude and impact this game has, not only on the field but off as well.
“It’s Powell. It’s a great competition. It’s a great rivalry. It’s 24 miles away. We’ve got all the respect in the world for those guys. They’re a great program. We want to play great programs. We want to play physical football. I love it. I think this is what makes football, football. High School football and competition where the rest of your life you get to see those kids and talk to them about the game. This is what we want. It’s 24 miles away, there’s a traveling trophy on the line, it’s the first conference game, it’s homecoming for them, we’re both undefeated. It doesn’t get any better than that. This is why America wanted football back so bad during a pandemic, is games like this and we’re excited to be a part of it.”
Cody comes into this contest 3-0 on the season and is averaging 33.3 points per game while giving up just under 12ppg. Last week Cody defeated Buffalo 14-6. Nic Talich on the undefeated start.
“So I think our effort was there. I mean we always are working as hard as we can and that’s the biggest piece of it. Just some things we need to clean up like fundamentals. That’s easier than the effort, so I’m glad the effort’s there. Proud of everyone. It’s cool to get 3-0 and that’s over, like you said.”
The last time these two teams met was not a pleasant experience for Cody and Nic says he hasn’t stopped thinking about it since.
“All year, Cole. So we’ve been thinking about it all year. It hurt walking off the field last year and it’s gonna be good to play these guys again.”
With such a big game on the horizon Nic goes on to talk about how the coaching staff allows the players to block out the noise.
“Yeah, we just gotta stay focused on football and not the whole mental piece of last year and just focus on this game. All the coaches are awesome. Coach Trotter did a really good man up talk this week on privilege and gratitude. So that was cool. We just focus and get one percent better each day. That kind of keeps us grounded and something to work on each day.”
Powell is 2-0 on the season averaging 36.3ppg while giving up 6.5 ppg. Powell did not play last week and coach McFadden previews their strengths.
“They’re going to try to pound the rock at you. Got a very athletic quarterback. Good arm and great speed. He can hurt you with his arm and hurt you running. Big tall receiver on the edge that can hurt you up top. Can run the ball, can throw the ball. Their O-line is big and physical. “Defensively, they’re the same they’ve always been and that’s a compliment. They’ve always had a terrific defense. They’re very sound. They don’t do a lot of stuff but the stuff they do, they do very well. You have to beat them. They’re not going to beat themselves and that’s the trait I think of a good program.”
Park County rivals clash on the gridiron in Powell in what looks to be a state championship preview. It’s the 122nd edition of the Big Horn Brawl and you can listen to all the action on KODI AM 1400, 96.7FM and online at mybighornbasin.com. Join Mac Morey and myself for all the play-by-play action. Pre-game at 6:40, kick-off at 7pm. Here’s the link to listen: https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?stationcallsign=KODI
