Bobcats celebrate homecoming with blowout win against Pinedale

Sometimes, you just can't help feeling sorry for those unfortunate folks, who have to live in the big city. Sometimes, an event comes along, which makes it impossible to not realize how great it is to live in a community like Thermopolis, Wyoming. Indeed, such an event occurred this past Friday.

If you were not aware, last week was Homecoming for the Bobcats. The week culminated, Friday night, in a football game for the ages. The boys from Pinedale came to town, intent on deflating that buoyant jubilance that accompanies Homecoming Week. The outcome of the game, however, left them sorely disappointed.

If you were one of the lucky ones, you found yourself sitting in the west stands at LeRoy Hayes Field, enjoying a balmy 74 degree September evening, looking out over a brilliantly lit and perfectly manicured field being treated to an eyepopping, pumpkin orange, super moon, gloriously rising over the foothills to the east. They do not have that in the city.

You could have, understandably, been forgiven, if that truly idyllic scene sent your mind in contemplation of that proverbial "Field of Dreams." And while indeed, it was late September, this was not the end of a long baseball season – this was football. The home stands were not populated by famous Hollywood types - they were filled to the brim with the hometown faithful, intent on seeing those boys from Pinedale go down in defeat.

Both teams spent much of the first quarter feeling out their opponent: battling to a draw, with each team being negatively impacted by penalties – those self-inflicted wounds, that make for a frustrating experience on the turf. Both defenses stood strong, and by the end of the quarter, the score remained at zero-zero. If anything, the Pinedale boys came away feeling optimistic, by virtue of the quarter being played primarily in the Thermopolis end of the field. But, feelings can be fleeting.

The second quarter began with Pinedale continuing to keep the ball, primarily, on the ground. A passing play on first and 10 from the Thermopolis 20 yard line, however, was intercepted by Thermopolis, and taken 80 yards to the house. A two point attempt was unsuccessful, and the score was Bobcats, 6 and Pinedale zip. The Bobcat's Anthony Cheatham then kicked off to Pinedale, and made the ensuing tackle himself. Pretty impressive.

After trading possessions with Pinedale, and moving the ball downfield, the Cats found themselves on the Pinedale twenty-three. A great pass from quarterback, Armani Dukes, found Del Dukes in the end-zone for another touchdown with thirty-three seconds left in the half. The extra point was good for kicker Anthony Cheatham, leaving the good guys up by a score of 13 to nothing at half-time.

The third quarter brought the teams back to sparring for field position, without much being gained by either side, and no change in the score of the game.

The fourth quarter saw the Bobcats' fortunes rising, along with that heavenly harvest moon. After picking up a Pinedale fumble on their own forty-eight yard line, the Cats put together an impressive drive that culminated in another touch-down with 3:35 left in the game. The extra point was again good, and the score went to Bobcats 20, Wranglers 0, which turned out to be the final score of the game.

The Bobcats will be at home against Lyman, Friday night, October 5, at 5 p.m. If you're looking for another chance to feel sorry for those city folks, and want an opportunity to see another great game, you know where to be.