BIG PINEY – The Big Piney High School Puncher football team showed no mercy against Wyoming Indian High School (WIHS) while defending its home turf on Friday, Oct. 13.

A ferocious Puncher offense scored on each possession in a fast and furious first half while the Big Piney defense refused to yield a single yard.

The Punchers led by an overwhelming 54-0 margin at halftime, setting the momentum for a crushing 66-6 victory when the final buzzer sounded.

“It was a good team win this week,” said Head Coach Jeromy Moffat. “Our biggest goal was to take care of business and get our varsity kids out by half. We accomplished that goal early and I was proud of the varsity kids both on offense and defense for coming out ready to play.”

The Big Piney football and cheer teams honored their seniors on Friday. The Punchers dedicated their victory to the memory of Joan Mitchell – a true superfan and member of the team. Each helmet carried the letters “A” and “J” to pay respects to “Auntie Joan.”

“Our seniors have been such a great group,” said Coach Moffat. “They are so coachable and have really laid the groundwork being an example to our JV kids as far as the culture we are trying to build. It was a tough week losing our Joan, but I thought the kids all played inspired football in her honor.”

Senior quarterback Champ Snively completed a 27-yard touchdown pass to senior Jerrett Fear for the Punchers’ first touchdown on Big Piney’s opening possession. Senior Karsyn Gurr converted 2 points after touchdown.

Junior Caden Clifford churned up 37 yards, reaching the end zone for Big Piney’s second touchdown.

On the Punchers’ ensuing possession, senior Jackie Meador took the handoff from Snively and charged into the end zone for touchdown no. 3.

Taking a handoff from Snively, senior Seth Stoutenburg ate up the remaining yards to score the Puncher’s fourth touchdown.

As the first quarter progressed, Gurr returned WIHS’s punt and rushed 60 yards into the end zone for touchdown no. 5.

Taking possession early in the second quarter, Meador raced into the end zone to score another Big Piney touchdown.

On the Punchers’ subsequent possession, Clifford rushed 20 yards up the left side of the field and into the end zone, widening Big Piney’s lead, 47-0.

Clifford topped off the first half by rushing 30 yards into the end zone for a touchdown.

Field goals kicked in by senior Roger Young contributed 4 points after touchdown during the course of the game.

The halftime scoreboard favored the Punchers, 54-0.

Defensively, Big Piney completely shut down WIHS in the first half.

“We held them to negative yardage in the first half and gave up the lone score late in the second half with the junior varsity kids in,” said Coach Moffat.

A solid Big Piney defense stopped WIHS in its tracks on the Chiefs’ opening drive, including tackles by seniors Dylon Woodward and Zack Murphy, Meador and junior Ben Ferguson.

Senior Trigger Peden intercepted a pass by WIHS on the Chiefs’ next drive.

Senior Preston Bennett, Young and freshman Gerardo Galvan halted WIHS’s third drive in the first quarter. Murphy and Young took down WIHS running backs in the backfield on the Chiefs’ final two drives of the first quarter.

Second-quarter defensive highlights included tackles for no gain by Young, Galvan and Murphy.

Big Piney’s junior varsity squad entered the fray in the second half. Galvan completed a pass from freshman quarterback Zach Ferguson and sprinted 60 yards to the end zone to score a Puncher touchdown.

Midway into the fourth quarter, Zach Ferguson kept the ball and dove into the end zone for Big Piney’s final touchdown.

On defense in the fourth quarter, senior Ivan Silvas made a sack in the backfield and junior Karsyn Busby intercepted the Chiefs’ pass.

Big Piney plays its final conference game against Riverside on the road in Basin on Friday, Oct. 20.

“This is a big game for us this week in Riverside,” said Coach Moffat. “The winner gets the No. 2 seed (going into the playoffs) and a first-round home playoff game. This should be a fun one under lights Friday night at 6 p.m.”