BRIDGER VALLEY — The LHS Eagles topped the 2A preseason WyoPreps coaches and media poll, which was released this week.

Although the Eagles wings were clipped by the Big Horn Rams, last year in post season, and they were stopped from claiming two consecutive championship trophies, the Eagles are still a team to reckon with when they step on the gridiron.

When the Rams beat the Eagles last year, the Rams were jettisoned to the championship game against the Lovell Bulldogs who lived up the last season’s projections they would capture the championship.

In this recent Wyo Preps poll, the Eagles earned six first-place votes, but it was their seven votes for second that put them at No. 1. Defending champion Big Horn was second with seven first-place votes. Mountain View earned five and Lovell four first-place votes. The Buffalos and Bulldogs are third and fourth, respectively. Tongue River completed the 2A top five.

And as for cross-county team, Evanston competes in the 3A in football, and the Red Devils didn’t receive a nod. Defending champion Star Valley received 16 of the 20 first-place votes in Class 3A. The Braves start as the favorites. Cody got three first-place votes, and that put the Broncs in second. Douglas, Powell, and Buffalo rounded out the preseason poll.

WyoPreps gives every head coach in each classification and media from around the state a chance to vote in the rankings which determine the outcome of the polls.