Gridders head into ‘week zero’ with high hopes

Pads have been popping in practice for nearly two weeks now as local football teams gear up for the 2025 season, and this weekend the hitting will be real as the Lovell Bulldogs and Rocky Mountain Grizzlies open play with “week zero” contests.

Lovell will host the Buffalo Bison Saturday at noon in a controlled scrimmage, and Rocky Mountain will play under a similar format at Greybull Saturday starting at 10 a.m.

Lovell

Lovell head coach Nicc Crosby is working with 42 players this fall: 10 seniors, 10 juniors, nine sophomores and 13 freshmen. The team practiced two on Monday and Tuesday of last week after practice opened on August 18. The Bulldogs practiced once Wednesday and twice Thursday before holding an intrasquad scrimmage Friday evening.

Crosby said the Bulldogs have either eight or nine starters returning on offense, depending on the formation, and seven on defense with do-it-all players Davin Crosby and Braxton Felkins leading nine graduating seniors, along with tight end Jarrett Allen. The challenge on offense is straightforward: finding a quarterback to replace Davin Crosby.

“When you have to replace a four-year starter at quarterback, it’s awful nice to have several kids back (at other positions),” Coach Crosby said. “With essentially our entire offensive line returning and several skill position players back, it makes it a lot easier to transition to a new quarterback.”

Four players saw time at quarterback Friday night: sophomore Kyson Crosby, senior Cash Wassmer, junior Joaquin Scheeler and freshman Mac Morgan.

“Kyson did a good job with ball placement and decision-making, and our other quarterbacks played well also. All of them showed great potential at the quarterback position.”

It will take several players to replace the versatile Felkins, Crosby said, adding, “We’re trying not to put all of our eggs in one basket and develop some other guys. We’ll fill Braxton’s shoes by committee.”

Crosby said a major team strength is the offensive and defensive line, which is big and experienced. The Bulldogs also have several “home run threats” among the skill players whether on the ground or through the air. Both areas have plenty of varsity experience, he noted.

Challenges include replacing Davin Crosby, Felkins and Allen, among the graduating seniors, leaving holes to fill at quarterback, running back, tight end and linebacker and/or safety on defense.

“We’re going to try to be a little more diverse on defense, especially when we see more dynamic players,” Crosby said. “We need to tighten things down in the secondary, and we need consistency and confidence.”

After the week zero game Saturday, the Bulldogs will open the regular season the following Friday, Sept. 5, at Big Horn with kickoff set for 6 p.m.

Rocky Mountain

Numbers are excellent for third-year head coach Jessee Wilson and the Rocky Mountain Grizzlies, who boast 35 players on a nine-man football roster: nine seniors, eight juniors, 12 sophomores and six freshmen.

Wilson said the team practiced twice last week on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, once on Tuesday and Friday.

“It’s going good,” he said. “We, as a coaching staff, are focusing on the little things, the details. That’s where our emphasis is now. I’m really happy with the way things have been going. We have a way to go yet, but we’re trending in the right direction.

“The kids retained information from last year, so our installs are going smoother. It’s easier to teach the finer points.”

The Grizzlies lost four seniors in Lafe Files, Hayden Wambeke, Matthew Crosby and Hudson May, but Wilson said they retain seven (of nine) starters on offense and defense, “which is nice,” he added.

Wilson listed line play among his team strengths noting that seniors Tayt Beall and Juan Rodriguez return and Masen Twomey is looking to replace Wambeke. Another strength is senior running back Triffen Jolley, who Wilson said is learning how to use his blockers and find holes “instead of just running into guys.

“I’m excited about him,” Wilson said. “I saw some good stuff during summer camps.”

With Joaquin Scheeler transferring to Lovell, sophomore Mason Moss is the likely starter at quarterback, and Wilson said it bodes well for a young quarterback to have a strong line in front of him, because, Wilson added, “You’ll always have a running game, which will keep Mason clean up front.”

On defense, the Grizzlies are blessed with depth at most positions including the line, with five or six players able to rotate onto the field without a significant drop-off. There are four players vying for three spots at linebacker.

“It’s weird. We don’t usually have two guys for one spot,” Wilson said. “This year the competition is good for everybody.”

As for the scrimmage at Greybull Saturday, Wilson noted, “I don’t love playing a conference opponent on week zero, but we’ll keep things pretty basic.”

Regarding the season, Wilson said, “I’m cautiously optimistic. Nine-man football (in Wyoming) is wide open.”

After the week zero game at Greybull, the Grizz will travel to Lusk on Friday, Sept. 5, to open the regular season with kickoff set for 6 p.m.