All we can ever ask for is to have a chance to win a state title and we have earned the right to have that chance. We are excited about that.”

Coach Brandon Gifford

LINGLE – The Lingle-Fort Laramie (LFL) Doggers punched their ticket to the 1A 9-man state championship game following a 52-6 semifinal victory against the Big Piney Punchers on Saturday, November 9.

The season-culminating matchup between the Doggers and the Pine Bluffs Hornets at the University of Wyoming’s War Memorial Stadium on Saturday, November 16 marks the first title game for LFL since 2009 and the fourth in the 122-year history of Dogger football.

Saturday’s semifinal game briefly tied at six in the first quarter before the Doggers shifted into high gear to establish an overwhelming 30-6 lead at halftime. Three additional touchdowns by LFL in the second half topped off the win.

Once again, the Dogger offense characterized itself by explosive plays, coordinated drives and command of the game on the ground and in the air. An unyielding LFL defense showed no mercy and held Big Piney to 108 yards rushing and 64 yards passing. Multiple tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage, coupled with relentless pass coverage culminating in an interception and a pick six, ground the Punchers’ talented offense down.

The Doggers kick off against Pine Bluffs in the state title game in Laramie at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

“I am proud of our kids and the way they played Saturday,” coach Brandon Gifford said. “They continue to improve and are doing the little things well. Defensively, we played very well against a very good running back. We have played together as a team and family and don’t let things get in the way of our goals.”

The Doggers are “excited” to play the championship game on Saturday, Gifford added.

“All we can ever ask for is to have a chance to win a state title and we have earned the right to have that chance. We are excited about that.”

God, family and team

The Doggers remained humble as they gathered by the heaters for a quick post-game interview after battling the Punchers for two hours on a cold, wet field with occasional freezing drizzle.

While each Dogger on the starting lineup notched exceptional plays on Saturday, none of the athletes placed the spotlight on themselves and instead gave all credit to their teammates and a higher power.

“Same message as always,” senior Louden Bremer said. “Give all the glory to God and we’re taken care of.”

Several players highlighted exceptional blocking by the Dogger offense throughout the game.

“My O-line blocking and executing what they do and letting me do my job,” senior Kaiden Riggs noted.

Junior quarterback Brady Cook agreed.

“The blocking was really good today, especially on the outside,” Cook added. “This was just a group effort – everyone trusting in each other, trusting in God.”

Senior Brody Roberts and junior Anthony Arnusch gave shoutouts to the Dogger defense after both expressed gratitude to God.

“Our defense got the job done today,” Roberts said. “We had one purpose and we did it.”

“We had a stellar defensive performance,” Arnusch remarked. “We’ve gotta keep our chest up, eyes up and look for the next thing.”

Senior Cooper Smith praised the team’s ability to regroup from setbacks.

“We might have had some plays that didn’t go as planned, but overall, we got the job done,” Smith said. “We can only owe it to the team.”

Freshman Lincoln Speckner attributed the victory to the Doggers’ strong bonds.

“We all played as a family and a team and we all pushed really hard for this win,” Speckner said.

Junior Colt Brown also highlighted teamwork.

“I thought we played as a family today,” Brown added. “I thought we played down hill, hard nose football.”

Fellow juniors Brayden Posten and Colter McFarlin compared the team to family as well.

“Give it all to God,” Posten said. “No big plays – it was all playing as a family and making sure we got the job done.”

“We played together as a team,” McFarlin replied. “It was a family win and a job well done.”

The season is far from over as the Doggers gear up for the title game, senior Ned Nelson pointed out.

“I was just really proud of everybody,” Nelson added. “I thought we responded really well. I think there’s a lot we can still get better at, but the job’s not finished. We have another game next week.”

First half

The Punchers opened Saturday’s game in possession but quickly ran into a formidable wall of LFL defenders. Brown, McFarlin and Smith each stopped a Big Piney runner at the line of scrimmage. A tackle by Nelson and a sack from Smith resulted in significant losses and Big Piney turned over the ball.

On the Doggers’ ensuing drive, Riggs carried the ball to Big Piney’s one-yard line on the first play. Bremer took a handoff from Cook on the next play and swept up the right and into the end zone for Dogger touchdown No. 1.

Big Piney prevented the extra point and LFL found itself ahead, 6-0.

A touchdown pass play by the Punchers briefly tied the game, 6-6, after a wall of Doggers shut down Big Piney’s attempt to convert two extra points.

LFL responded on its subsequent drive with Riggs, Brown and Cook driving the ball deep into Puncher territory. Cook handed the ball off to Bremer. Breaking tackle, Bremer charged into the end zone for Dogger touchdown No. 2. Riggs reached the end zone for the PAT-2 and LFL widened its lead, 14-6.

Tackles for loss or no gain by Smith, Brown and McFarlin and pass coverage by Posten stalled out Big Piney’s ensuing drive and the Punchers punted.

Gaining possession in the second quarter, Bremer found an opening the Big Piney defense and rushed 11 yards into the end zone for LFL’s third touchdown. Moments later, Bremer drove the ball into the end zone again the PAT-2 and the Doggers pulled ahead, 22-6.

A solid LFL defense prevented Big Piney from making gains on the Punchers’ following drive, including tackles by Smith, McFarlin and Bremer.

The Doggers took possession again. Riggs chewed up the remaining 20 yards to the goal line for another Dogger touchdown. Cook launched a pass to Roberts for two extra points and LFL led, 30-6.

A touchback by Arnusch set Big Piney up at its own 20-yard line on the Punchers’ subsequent drive. Tackles from Brown, Riggs, Arnusch, Smith, Posten and Bremer shut down Big Piney’s attempt to advance.

The Doggers regained possession and Cook sent the ball spiraling to Nelson for a 17-yard pass play. The Punchers intercepted the next pass as the clock ticked down.

With seconds remaining in the first half, Big Piney attempted to pass. Roberts intercepted the ball and LFL ended the second quarter in possession.

The teams headed for the locker room with LFL up, 30-6.

Second half

The Dogger offense set the momentum in the second half with a touchdown on LFL’s opening possession. Riggs, Bremer and Brown drove the ball to Big Piney’s three-yard line. Riggs bulldozed up the middle and into the end zone for Dogger touchdown No. 5. Bremer sprinted into the end zone for the PAT-2, expanding LFL’s lead, 38-6.

The Dogger defense closed ranks on the Punchers’ ensuing possession, with tackles for no gain by Smith, Riggs, Brown and McFarlin. Big Piney attempted to pass the ball. Bremer jumped up and intercepted the ball within three yards of the Dogger’s goal line. Leaving his opponents in the dust, Bremer sprinted across the field 97 yards into the Puncher’s end zone for a pick six.

Riggs reached the end zone for the PAT-2 and LFL found itself ahead, 46-6.

The LFL defense hammered away at Big Piney on the Puncher’s final drive of the third quarter, consisting of tackles by Brown and a sack from Riggs. A tackle for no gain by Smith, McFarlin and Brown forced Big Piney to turn over possession.

The Doggers drove the ball into the end zone as the fourth quarter opened. Brown, Bremer and Riggs advanced the ball to Big Piney’s four-yard line. Taking the handoff, Brown dove into the end zone for Dogger touchdown No. 7.

The Punchers only gained a few yards on their subsequent possession in the face of a tenacious Dogger defense. A tackle for no gain by Smith and Roberts resulted in a turnover on downs.

LFL ate up most of the remaining time in the fourth quarter with a long drive and positive gains by Bremer, Brown and Riggs. Big Piney ultimately took over, but with only 30 seconds remaining in regulation, took a knee.

Stat highlights

The Doggers tallied 365 yards rushing against Big Piney. Riggs collected 203 yards rushing on 15 carries. Bremer totaled 111 yards rushing on 10 carries with Brown collecting 37 yards on seven carries.

Cook completed two passes for 18 yards with Nelson on the receiving end for 17 yards.

On defense, Brown set the pace with 14 tackles. Bremer and Smith both tallied 12 tackles with five apiece by Riggs and McFarlin.

Smith recorded four tackles for loss along with a sack. Riggs, Bremer, Nelson, McFarlin and Roberts each contributed one tackle for loss. Arnusch and Roberts each broke up one tackle.

Bremer and Roberts both intercepted a pass with Bremer running in the 97-yard pick six.