Natrona County Seeks 19th State Title Against Cheyenne East

Natrona County holds an 11-0 record, the longest active winning streak in Wyoming high school football. The Mustangs will defend that mark on Saturday when they play No. 3 Cheyenne East in the Class 4A state championship. The game is scheduled for 4 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie.

It will be the second time these two Cheyenne teams meet in a title game. The only previous championship matchup occurred in 2013, a contest Cheyenne East won by a score of 14-13. The two schools have a long history, having first played each other in a varsity game in 1960. Natrona County leads the all-time series 47-28, but the Thunderbirds hold a 6-5 advantage in postseason play.

Cheyenne East earned its spot in Laramie by defeating five-time defending champion Sheridan in overtime last week. The Thunderbirds won that game 15-14 to reach their 12th state championship appearance. Their most recent title came in 2020, when they defeated Thunder Basin 29-15. Head coach Chad Goff is in his 21st year leading the program, which has won five state championships in its history.

Natrona County is one of two undefeated teams playing in a 2026 championship game. Head coach Steve Harshman is in his 36th year as head coach. The Mustangs have won 18 state titles, with their first coming in 1928. They are making their 8th appearance in a Class 4A championship game at War Memorial Stadium. The team has won the title in Laramie in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2018.

Statistical comparisons show different strengths for both offenses. Natrona County ranks No. 1 in rushing offense with 276 yards per game, while Cheyenne East ranks No. 1 in total offense with 354 yards per game. The Mustangs also rank No. 1 in scoring defense, allowing only 4.3 points per game. Cheyenne East ranks No. 2 in scoring defense, allowing 15.7 points per game.

Brodey Wilcox leads Natrona County with 150.3 rushing yards per game and 26 total touchdowns. Patton True adds 77.6 rushing yards per game and 18 touchdowns. For Cheyenne East, Trace Eldridge is the primary threat. He averages 126.1 rushing yards and 97.7 passing yards per game. Eldridge accounts for 25 total touchdowns and ranks No. 1 in all-purpose yards at 230.4 per game.

The regular-season meeting between these schools took place in Week 1. Natrona County won that contest at Cheyenne East with a score of 28-14. The teams are now meeting in Laramie for the 12th time in the postseason. Cheyenne East is 1-4 in its previous visits to War Memorial Stadium. The Thunderbirds lost their last three trips to the stadium, all to Sheridan, in 2022, 2023, and 2024.