BEAR LAKE — The Lyman Eagles took it on the chin and suffered a loss in their non-conference game against out-of-state opponent Bear Lake last Friday.

Going into their game last weekend, the Eagles held a 20-0 record on wins. Bear Lake grabbed the lead, took control and handed the Eagles their first loss after 20 straight wins. Lyman did start the season with a 14-0 win over Malad, Idaho, but had all kinds of difficulty in Montpelier last week. Bear Lake quarterback Tayson Neal was 13-22 for 234 yards and three touchdown passes along with two interceptions. Lyman also threw two picks in the contest.

Due to their loss to Bear Lake, the Lyman Eagles dropped from the #1 slot in the 2A Conference and the Lovell Bulldogs moved up to No. 1, according to WyoPreps Coaches and Media poll. Lyman dropped to second place followed by Cokeville and Tongue River in third and fourth, respectively.

The Eagles kick off their conference season today in the Pinedale Wrangler arena. They then host the Wranglers as the two teams again meet on the Eagles home field next week on Monday evening, Sept. 12. Pinedale enters the fray this week with two losses, both non-conference games, one against Lander Valley and one against Rawlins.

The Lyman Eagles have won the 2A state championship in football for the last two years running and, according to pundits in the know, the Eagles are expected to a tough opponent as they have a trio of returning all-state selections – quarterback Ashton Houskeeper, receiver McCoy Smith and defensive star Braydon Bradshaw. Add the all-conference pick Morgan Hatch on defense, and the Eagles are expected to be tough.

Last week at Bear Lake, Bear Lake put its first TD and PAT on the board in the first quarter. Bear Lake added eight points in the second quarter leading at the half 15-0. Bear Lake added 13 more points in the fourth quarter, taking the win with 28-0 as they held the Eagles scoreless.