LYMAN — The LHS Eagles fought hard on a cold, blustery day last week on Friday for their Homecoming game on the gridiron, but the magic didn’t fall their way and they took a loss, 31-8.

The Eagles hosted the MVHS Buffalos. Both teams were predicted early to be at the top of the conference. And, so far both are, but the Eagles have suffered two successive losses, while the Buffalos have a no-loss record. The Eagles entered last week’s battle with a 3-1 overall and a conference record of 1-1 after being edged out of the win the week before by Lovell. But last week’s game was a new opportunity to up their win record. As for the loss against Lovell, LHS head coach Dale Anderson had said it was a “hard fought battle.” He added the team had some things to work on during the interim and would concentrate on holding down Mountain View’s defensive line. He also said the guys had played hard, and “at the end of the day, that is all we can ask out of them.”

Mountain View entered the battle with a 4-0 record and have only allowed their opponents to a total of 13 points so far in the season, in addition to shutting out Thermopolis. Now the Buffalos have a 5-0 record and have moved up to the #1 spot in the conference after the Eagles’ loss to Lovell.

This was the 50^th time the Eagles and Buffalos have faced each other on the gridiron in what is now called the Bridger Valley Bowl. In the last three times the two teams have faced each other on the gridiron, the Eagles had taken the wins.

In reference to last week’s game, LHS head coach Dale Anderson said Monday afternoon, “Mountain View is a very good team. They have speed, size and physicality. I thought our kids battled throughout the game, though. After the game we identified some areas where we need to improve on, both as coaches and as a team, as we move on to our next test.”

This test is against the Kemmerer Rangers today at Kemmerer.

In accessing the Buffalos play so far this season, head coach Brent Walk said Monday afternoon, “Obviously we are pleased to be 5-0 right now...couldn't be better right now in terms of wins and losses. Last week was the most efficient game in terms of execution that we have had thus far, but still have many things to improve. Yes, we are still emphasizing limiting our mistakes (MV not beating MV) and getting better each and every week...that will be critical to our success as we go into the second half of the season.”

The kickoff last week on Friday in the LHS Homecoming game sent the ball into the Eagles’ hands, and they capitalized on this first possession of the game. On the snap, Carter Bradshaw handed the ball to Sam Gregory who made a long drive down field. In one of the succeeding plays, Kyce Hurdsman cradled the ball and carried it into the end zone for a 25-yard rushing TD. A successful 2-point conversion put the score at 8-0. The Eagles were on the board in the first few minutes of the game.

The Buffalos fought back and pushed their way down the field with 7:10 left in the first quarter. MV quarterback Justus Platts handed the ball to Jayce Schultz, who was brought down by Eagle Bradshaw. The time was clicking down, but the Buffs still controlled the ball. Gus Redden handed the ball to Schultz, and Schutz made a 51-yard rushing touchdown to put the Buffs on the board. The PAT was blocked so the score was 8-6 with the Eagles in the lead.

The rest of the first quarter was a defensive battle by both teams. Each team tried to push up through their opponent to add to their score. With 2:20 left in the first quarter, Platts handed the ball to Buffalo Carson Eardley who carried the ball for 15 yards down to the Eagles 15-yard line. Then Platts sent the ball into the end zone, with Eardley catching the pass, giving the Buffalos their second touchdown of the game, 12-8. This was the score at the end of the first quarter.

The Eagles had the first possession in the second quarter. Eardley intercepted an Eagle pass so the Buffs got possession of the ball. Eardley was taken down behind the line of scrimmage. A fumble, and the Eagles recovered gaining good field position with 6:05 left in the first half.

The teams continued to battle offensively and defensively, holding the other scoreless and trying to add points to their own score. The Buffalos aced another TD, but the Buffs’ PAT by Landon Solaas was again blocked. The score at the end of the half was 18-9.

The Buffalos had the first possession of the second half. A flag due to a false start sent the Buffs back on the field. A second flag on the Buffs during the Eagles’ possession pushed the Eagles up 15-yards to Mountain View’s 31-yard line. Both teams were plagued by flags changing their positions on the field and stifling their gains of 1^st and 10s.

With 3:27 left in the third, Lyman kicked the ball to Mountain View, with the Buffalos gaining four yards on a carry by Eardley. He then received a hand off from Schultz and made a 54-yard line drive to the end zone to add another six points to the Buffalos’ score, 24-8. The Eagles again blocked the PAT by Solaas. The score at the end of the third was 24-8, Buffalo favor.

The Buffalos added another TD to their score near the mid-point of the fourth quarter following a pass by Platts to Eardley in the end zone, moving the Buffs score to 30. The PAT by Solaas was successful, adding another point to the Buffalo score, 31.

With 4:19 left in the game, Eagle Bradshaw kept the snap and carried the ball for a 22-yard gain. With less than two minutes in the game, Bradshaw’s pass was intercepted by Buffalo Isac Linford stopping the Eagles push down the field. The clock continued to mark the passing time and with less that a minute left on the clock, Buffalo Platts took a knee to end the game, 31-8.

“I think last week we kind of ‘scratched the surface’ of how good we can be and also feel we have the potential to improve a great deal as the season progresses and (hopefully) through the playoffs...have to make sure we are getting after it each week,” Walk said in reference to the game against the Lyman Eagles and added,