Tigers take down Natrona County

Though they have yet to play a conference game, Encampment Tiger football appears off to a strong start this season.

After taking down the Riverside Rebels, the Tigers dealt a nearly 40-point loss to the junior varsity team of Natrona County High School on September 10. Throughout the entire match, Encampment kept their scoring in double digits, only being outscored in one quarter.

“It was good to start fast again in this game,” said Head Coach Kegan Willford. ‘I felt like we gained the momentum early, which let us build on our lead throughout the game.”

In the 1st quarter, in fact, the Tigers scored four times more than the opposing team. While a group effort, Gunner Knotwell played a pivotal part in the high scoring for Encampment. It was Knotwell who put the first points on the board for the Tigers with a touchdown following a 7 yard rush. This, along with a successful point-after-touchdown (PAT) from Knotwell put Encampment up 8-0 to start the game.

Baylin Sifford scored next with a 6 point conversion following a 13 yard pass from Knotwell. Another successful PAT from Knotwell and the Tigers were up 16-0. A 6 point conversion from Natrona County following a 25 yard pass allowed the junior varsity to put points on the board, the only ones they’d put up during the 1st quarter. Brian Smith, with a 2 yard rush, scored a touchdown for Encampment followed by yet another successful PAT from Knotwell.

The Tigers ended the 1st quarter leading 24-6.

In the 2nd quarter, it was more of the same for Encampment as they threw points up on the board, but this time leaving Natrona County completely scoreless.

Sifford made the first score in the 2nd quarter with a 6 point conversion following a 38 yard pass from Knotwell. Another PAT from Knotwell and the score was 32-6. Dashaal Baysinger secured another 6 point conversion following a 19 yard pass from Knotwell. With another successful PAT, the score was 40-6. Finally, Sifford scored for the third time before the end of the first half, completing a 6 point conversion after a 25 yard pass from Knotwell.

Going into halftime, the Tigers led 46-6.

As both teams returned to the gridiron, Natrona County fought back with a touchdown following a 43 yard kickoff return. Encampment answered back as Korbyn Barkhurst secured a 6 point conversion following a 16 yard pass from Knotwell. Natrona County secured another 6 point conversion and a 1 point conversion after a 6 yard pass and 3 yard pass, respectively. To end the 3rd quarter, Knotwell scored a touchdown following a 43 yard rush.

As the game entered the 4th quarter, Natrona County had scored 13 points to Encampment’s 12 points. It wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit however, with the Tigers leading 58-19.

In the final quarter, Baysinger began the scoring with a 6 point conversion following an 8 yard pass from Knotwell. Then, a 1 point conversion followed with a 3 yard pass from Knotwell to Barkhurst.

Barkhurst then scored a touchdown for the Tigers with an interception and a 53 yard return to put Encampment up 71-19 over Natrona County. This would be the last time the Tigers would score, but it would do little to help the opposing team. Natrona County scored a touchdown following a 47 yard rush, then a 1 point conversion with a 3 yard pass and a 6 point conversion following a 26 yard pass.

It was too little too late for the Natrona County junior varsity, as the game ended 71-32 in favor of Encampment.

“We still need to get better in certain areas,” said Willford, “but I like where we are at right now.”

Knotwell led the Tigers in rushing with 120 yards while Sifford was the receiving leader at 160 yards. Knotwell was also the passing leader, throwing for 297 yards in the game against Natrona County.

Following the win against the Natrona County junior varsity, the Encampment Tigers are 2-0 for the season. The Tigers will hit the road for their first conference game as they are hosted by Casper Christian (1-1, 0-0) at 5 p.m. on September 27.