Cody Vs. Star Valley Football: By the Numbers
Written by Cole Havens on October 6, 2022
This Friday the Cody Broncs will travel to Afton to face the Star Valley Braves. This will be the biggest test of the season for the Broncs. Cody is No. 1 in Class 3A while Star Valley is No. 2. This contest has State Championship preview written all over it.
Let’s go more in depth with a look at these two teams over the last several years.
In the last decade Cody and Star Valley have combined to play in nine state championships, though never faced one another.
Cody won the title in 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2021.
Star Valley won the title in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019. They were runner-ups in 2012.
While the Broncs have the upper hand recently, Star Valley has, for the most part, dominated this match-up.
Cody’s won the last two match-ups, each at Spike Vannoy Stadium. They defeated the Braves in last year’s regular season 22-3. That was their first home win over Star Valley in 30 years (they didn’t always play against each other every year). Not only was it the Broncs first win against Star Valley at home since 1991 but it was the first time that Broncs Head Coach Matt McFadden has defeated the Braves at home since taking over the program.
The Broncs would then get the better of the Braves winning in the State Semi’s 24-17 on their way to the State Championship.
During the 2020 season, the teams would play just once with Star Valley winning 21-14 (that’s the last time Cody lost a football game).
Following last year’s contests the Broncs have won just 4 of the last 12 meetings against the Braves.
Heading into Friday’s clash both teams have 5 wins on the season. The Broncs are undefeated at 5-0 while the Braves sit at 5-1.
Entering Friday, Cody has beat Star Valley, on the road, twice under McFadden, in 2014 and 2017.
The Broncs have won 4 of their 5 games this year by 45 plus points. Their closest contest was a 35-13 road win over Buffalo.
Half of Star Valley’s opponents have been from outside the Cowboy State. Their lone loss was against Sugar Salem Idaho.
Offense:
Cody is No. 1 rushing the football at 281.4 per game.
Star Valley is No. 1 in passing the football at 304.2 per game.
The Broncs and Braves and No. 1 and 2 in total offense.
Defense:
Cody is No. 3 against the run and No. 6 against the pass.
Star Valley is third against the run and pass.
The two teams are 1 and 2 in Team Defense.
It’s the No. 1 Offense and Defense going head-to-head.
We also have quite the Quarterback battle in this one between Luke Talich of Cody and Taft McClure of Star Valley.
Talich is one of, if not the best athlete in all of Wyoming while McClure might be the best pure quarterback in all of Class 3A.
McClure leads Class 3A in total offense at 257.2 yards per game (all that is through the air).
Talich 4th in Class 3A in total offense (has only played 4 quarters once this season).
He averages 235 yards per game: 152 passing, 81 rushing.
As a team the Broncs are averaging about 55 points per game, while they give up about 6.5. Both first in Class 3A.
The Braves are averaging 33 points a contest and give up just under 15 a game. Both second in 3A.
My final score prediction for the game is Cody-26, Star Valley-12.
The Broncs are riding a 21-game win streak into Afton as they’re set for a big road test. Kick-off between the Broncs and Braves is scheduled for 5pm, pre-game at 4:40 and you can listen to the contest live on KODI.
Stay tuned to the Big Horn Radio Network tomorrow to hear from Head Coach Matt McFadden.
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