LYMAN — At the beginning of the season, Lyman head football coach Dale Anderson wasn’t sure if his young team would be capable of making a playoff run.

Now, he’s just happy the Eagles are still in the postseason discussions.

“We’re just happy that we’re still in contention at this point in the season and a team that matters,” Anderson said. “That’s key for us.”

Lyman (3-4, 2-3 2A West) will have to beat Big Piney (5-2, 4-1 2A West) when the teams meet at 3 p.m. today in Lyman in order for the Eagles to make the playoffs. 

Mountain View has secured the No. 1 seed in the West while Big Piney, the No. 3 team in Class 2A, is locked in at No. 2.  

“You try to focus on that one game and let the chips fall where they may,” Anderson said. “I give our kids a lot of credit that we’re still in contention this late in the season and still have a chance to make the playoffs. That’s something you try to accomplish each season.”

Greybull, Lyman (3-4, 2-3) and Lovell (3-4, 2-3) are all competing for the No. 3 and 4 seeds in the 2A West. One of those teams will not make the playoffs.

“Our last couple of games, we’ve just been in a little bit of a funk and struggled a little bit,” Anderson said. “We’re hoping to get back on track and play a good game, regardless of whether it’s the end or we keep moving on.”

Lyman is coming off a 36-8 loss to Greybull last week and suffered a 42-0 loss to Mountain View in Week 6. Opponents have outscored the Eagles 172-46

Big Piney is coming off a 39-21 loss to Big Horn. The Punchers’ only other loss was to Mountain View (22-21) in Week 2. They have outscored opponents 249-122 this season.

“They have some really good team speed,” Anderson said. “That’s not one of our strengths. We play hard and try to be physical, but team speed is not one of our strengths.”

Big Piney is ranked third in team offense with 321 yards per game. The Punchers are also third in team defense, allowing 237 yards per contest.

Lead running back Chancy Hunt has rushed for 715 yards on 101 carries and has scored 14 touchdowns on the ground. Jake Pape has 366 yards rushing on 74 carries with nine touchdowns, and Adam Willoughby has run for 130 yards on 26 carries with three scores.

Quarterback Tristan Barney is 46 of 116 through the air for 818 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions.

Zane Meisner has 14 receptions for 289 yards, while Willoughby has seven catches for 223 yards and Pape has 14 catches for 213 yards with three touchdowns. 

“They have some kids that run really well,” Anderson said. 

Lyman sophomore BeauDee Bluemel is fifth in the state in defensive points with 120. He leads the state with eight sacks.

Bluemel continues to anchor the Eagles’ offense with 603 yards rushing on 151 carries with three touchdowns. Last week, he also took some reps under center. On the year, Bluemel is 3 of 11 for 36 yards and two interceptions.

Quarterback Hagen Lamoreaux is 10 of 23 for 100 with seven interceptions. 

“We’ve got to be able to establish our offense a little better than we have the last couple of weeks,” Anderson said. “That will take a little pressure off our defense.”