Tigers dispatch Dubois

When the final buzzer sounded on the Encampment Tigers' home game against the Dubois Rams, the hosting team had won 61-26.

This win at the final home game of the season was more than just another victory under the belt of a program in its second varsity year. With a win over the Rams, Encampment was able to hold onto their No. 2 spot in the 1A West Conference for six-man football. It also meant, for the first time in school history, the Tigers would host a playoff game.

"This game was a must win for us and the boys really stepped up," said Head Coach Kegan Willford. "We played really physical and set the tone early. I thought our offense and defense really clicked."

Heading into the matchup on October 16, the Tigers had a season record of 4-1 and a conference record of 2-1, their only loss being to the Little Snake River Valley (LSRV) Rattlers. Dubois, meanwhile, came in with a season record of 4-2 and a conference record of 2-2. Just two weeks before, Encampment had secured a win over the Meeteetse Longhorns, who had dealt a loss to the Rams earlier in the season.

With plenty on the line, both teams came out competitive in the 1st quarter. Encampment was the first to score as Koye Gilbert received a 23 yard pass from Kaban Pickett, which was followed by a conversion from Quade Jordan. The Rams answered back with points of their own. A 43 yard rush from Caysen Barkhurst, however, secured a touchdown for the Tigers to lead 13-7. Though the Rams scored a touchdown of their own to tie the score again, Jordan completed a 65 yard rush before the 1st quarter ended and Encampment led 19-13.

The 13 points scored by Dubois in the 1st quarter would be their only scoring for the next two quarters as they were continually shut out by the Tigers.

In the 2nd quarter, Jordan would take advantage of Encampment being close to their goal line and put up 13 points on his own with two touchdowns and a conversion. Going into halftime, the Tigers led 32-13 over Dubois. 

The 3rd quarter was much of the same with the Tigers preventing Dubois from scoring while continuing to increase their lead. Michael Anderson received a 29 yard pass from Pickett. This, combined with a conversion from Jordan, put Encampment ahead 39-13 early in the second half. A 73 yard rush from Jordan and a point-after-touchdown from Anderson put the Tigers in a 47-13 lead as the game entered the 4th quarter.

Following a two quarter drought, the Rams would finally get points on the board as the final quarter began. Encampment answered back as Gilbert received a 21 yard pass from Pickett, Anderson secured another point-after-touchdown and Gilbert received another pass from Pickett.

By this time, the Tigers were ahead 61-19. Encampment would not score any more points as the game drew to a close. A touchdown and a conversion for the Rams, however, would get them 7 points before the game ended.

In their final home game of the regular season, the Tigers rushed for 391 yards with 298 of those coming from Jordan while Barkhurst rushed for 95 yards. Pickett was the passing leader with 76 yards out of 97 total yards for Encampment and Gilbert received for 68 yards.

Following Saturday's win over the Dubois Rams, the Encampment Tigers are now 5-1 for the season and 3-1 in conference play. Their final regular season game will be at 2 p.m. on October 22 as they are hosted by the No. 6 ranked Burlington Huskies.

The first round of the 1A Six-Man Playoffs will begin on October 29. The Encampment Tigers, as the No 2 West team, will host the No. 3 East team.

"It is exciting to be hosting a home playoff game in two weeks for the first time ever," said Willford.