EVANSTON — The home opener for Red Devil football will take place tonight as the Rawlins Outlaws invade Kay Fackrell Stadium. Rawlins came from behind to defeat Evanston in Rawlins last season, 23-20. The Outlaws finished the 2017 season with a 7-3 record, their best season since winning the 3A state championship in 2000.

The Outlaws have a new head coach in Clayton McSpadden, a fairly-recent graduate of Rawlins High School, who desired to return to coach at his alma mater.

While Evanston opened up the season with a 48-6 road win at Altamont, Utah, the Outlaws more or less scrimmaged the Lyman Eagles in zero week competition, as no final scores were reported.

“They have the two backs returning,” Red Devil football head coach Pat Fackrell told the Herald, referring to Kadin Forney and Damon Taylor, who last year combined for nearly 100 yards of rushing per game. Forney will also shore up the Rawlins defense at linebacker, along with fellow returing all-conference selection Lorenzo Ebell at defensive back.

“They’re fundamentally sound and well-coached and will show us different looks. As with most games, it will come down to blocking and tackling. We need to stay disciplined,” Fackrell added.

The coach was glad to have the game experience from the past week and especially to come away injury-free, aside from the normal bumps and bruises which are inherent to the sport.

Evanston put up impressive numbers offensively, but much of their success on offense was a result of playing sound defensively and forcing turnovers which led to scoring opportunities.

The Red Devil defense forced at least four turnovers, including three pass-interceptions.

When quizzed about his ball-hawks, Fackrell attributed the successful take-aways to their work ethic and dedication.

“Our kids believe in their ability due to the time they’ve put in and the confidence they have gained,” Fackrell said.

Rawlins will have a new signal-caller at the helm in six-foot, three-inch senior, Jeremiah Forney, though Kadin Forney does have some experience at quarterback from last season. The receiving corp will likely be led by Ebell, although six-foot, seven-inch tight end Hunter Pixler is an undeniable target.

Evanston has the luxury of a returning quarterback in senior Seth Lloyd, who also saw time under center as a sophomore.

“Seth is a very good quarterback who demands a lot of himself and of his teammates. He’s a vocal leader for us,” Fackrell said.

Lloyd should be able to spread the wealth among a talented group of receivers in senior wide-outs Cris Periman and Reid Gross, slot Kody Smith and tight end Rylie Griggs, not to mention Tyus Cornia and Pablo Escalante, out of the backfield, along with Angel Rodriguez, who can line up as a receiver or running back.

Speaking of the backfield, while official stats were not kept in the game against Altamont, Cornia did have four touchdown runs and likely eclipsed 200 yards in rushing last week, giving Evanston a two-pronged, balanced attack on offense.

The offensive line is manned by seniors Ethan Moir and Bridger Barker at tackles and senior Brendan Thompson at center, but underclassmen will have to step up to fill spots lost to graduation. Those three seniors will also anchor the defensive line.

“Our offensive and defensive lines have gotten better each day,” Fackrell said. 

“They need to believe in each other and not play like five pennies, but play like a nickel, instead,” Fackrell said.

The linebackers will be led by Cornia, Griggs and Escalante, with junior Rigden Wagstaff. Evanston will have as many as eight players going both ways, on offense and defense, as the Red Devils look to build depth as the season progresses.

Fackrell is hoping for a great turnout from the student body and the community.

“We’re excited to play in front of our hometown crowd. That should be a real boost for our team and they’re looking forward to it.”

In other week one action, the number-one ranked team in Class 2A, the Mountain View Buffalos will travel to Cokeville to square off against the Panthers, who are the No. 4 ranked team in Class 1A, in a scheduled 4 p.m. kickoff. The teams have split in their last six meetings.

The Lyman Eagles have a Class 2A West Conference showdown with the Wranglers in Pinedale with a 7 p.m. kickoff. Pinedale has won the last two meetings, but Lyman had won six in a row prior to the last two seasons.

The Rich Rebels  will attempt to regain their winning ways after falling to the Bear Lake Bears, 31-6, to open the season at home last Friday. The Rebels will face their second consecutive matchup with a team from Idaho as they journey to Dayton to face the West Side Pirates in  7 p.m. start.

WyoPreps.com Coaches and Media Rankings

Class 3A

1. Cody

2. Star Valley

3. Torrington

4. Green River

5. Douglas

Class 2A

1. Mountain View

2. Glenrock

3. Buffalo

4. Wheatland

5. Greybull

Class 4A

1. Sheridan

2. Natrona County

3. Cheyenne East

4. Thunder Basin

5.Kelly Walsh