Our Cheyenne East Thunderbirds (4-1, 4-1 in 4A) return home to Okie this Friday to take on the Kelly Walsh Trojans (1-4, 1-4 in 4A) in a key conference matchup. Kickoff for the varsity contest is scheduled for 5:00 PM MDT.

The Thunderbirds enter the contest riding a wave of momentum after a hard-fought 14-13 victory last week against a tough Natrona County squad. East, currently ranked 6th in the latest state polls, continues to lean on the explosive play of running back Keyshawn Brown, a noted “game-breaker” who leads the team’s powerful ground attack. While the T-Birds came into the season replacing many starters on defense, they have shown grit and a steady hand under the leadership of veteran coach Chad Goff.

For Kelly Walsh, this game represents an opportunity for an upset and a chance to gain ground in the competitive 4A standings. The Trojans are in the second year of a building process under Head Coach Randy Roden, with a high number of returning starters, particularly on defense. They are seeking more consistent performance against the top teams in the state after falling to Sheridan last week and look to key returners like Carter Alvar and Ethan Hague to spark their effort.

The game is crucial for both teams as the season enters its final stretch and teams jockey for playoff seeding. For East, a win would further solidify their position near the top of the conference standings, while Kelly Walsh will be fighting to climb back toward the playoff bubble.

The weather forecast calls for clear conditions, setting the stage for what is expected to be a high-energy football night in Cheyenne.