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2018 Snapshot: Wyoming

This is the 100th year of Wyoming football. It should be the first of many celebrations this season. There are very few question marks for an accomplished Cowboys squad. There is a polished nucleus that has already been a part of back-to-back 12-1 campaigns which included undefeated regular seasons and a pair of CHL titles. Wyoming is a frontrunner to win the championship in Division IV. This season has destiny written all over it to close out a historic first century for the program.

“We are an experienced and close-knit group that works hard to be the best we can be. Defensively, our front seven is experienced and led by a very good position group at the linebacker positions. Offensively, our backfield is talented. we return four-out-of-five on the offensive line,” Cowboys head coach Aaron Hancock states.

Despite the success, the Cowboys have fallen in each of the past two Region 16 regional championship games. Wyoming won’t buy in to the hype, the Cowboys have a motivation.

Division IV, Region 16
2017 RECORD: 12-1, 7-0 CHL
COACH: Aaron Hancock (57-13 at Wyoming, six years; 57-13 overall)

TOP RETURNEES
Pierson Rogers, Sr, RB/LB – Was named the Division IV Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Ohio after running for 1,306 yards, catching 23 passes for 317 yards while finding the end zone 28 times (22 rush, six rec). He also recorded 52 total tackles, had a sack and an interception for the Cowboys defense. A dominating force on defense, Rogers heads into his senior year with 1,898 yards rushing, 29 receptions, 436 receiving yards, 2,434 all-purpose yards, 38 total touchdowns (28 rush, eight rec, two int ret), 218 total tackles (132 solo), nine-and-a half sacks, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and three interceptions.

James Smith, Sr, DE – A Third Team All-Ohio selection after tallying 87 total tackles (52 solo), with six sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries as a junior.  The 6-foot-4, 235 pound Smith has 160 total tackles (98 solo), eight-and-a half sacks and three fumble recoveries at the varsity level.

Eli Cupp, Sr, OL/DL – A valuable member on both sides of the ball Cupp uses his 6-foot-5 frame and length to his advantage. Cupp was a First Team All-Southwest District and Honorable Mention All-Ohio honoree as an offensive lineman last fall. He also has 133 total tackles and 13.5 sacks in a Wyoming uniform.

Hasan Black, Sr, LB – A gifted athlete from a gifted family, Black garnered First Team All-Southwest District and Honorable Mention All-Ohio honors as a junior. He recorded 106 total tackles, with three sacks and a fumble recovery in ’17. Black has offers from Air Force, Akron, Ball State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Indiana State, Mercer and Tennessee Tech.

Cam O’Gara, Jr, TE/LB – One of two junior captains on this squad. O’Gara was a First Team All-Southwest District and Honorable Mention All-Ohio selection last fall after getting in on 112 total tackles, racking up three sacks and coming up with six takeaways (four int, two fum rec). He also had 11 receptions for 157 yards and a pair of scores. O’Gara will be looking for his third straight season of 100 total tackles or more.

Evan Prater, Jr, QB – A real rising star, Prater capped of a fantastic sophomore campaign by earning First Team All-Southwest District and Honorable Mention All-Ohio accolades. The ’18 team captain threw for 1,638 yards, ran for 760 more yards and accounted for 37 touchdowns (26 pass, 11 rush) a year ago. The 6-foot-5, 180-pound Prater has offers from Akron, Cincinnati, Pitt and Toledo with many more on the way.

Joey Edmonds, Sr, WR/DB – The “glue,” Edmonds does so many things well for this team. His versatility is immeasurable. Edmonds was an Honorable Mention All-Southwest District pick as a junior. Back for his fourth year as a starter he has 983 yards passing, 54 receptions, 697 yards receiving, 62 total tackles, four interceptions while accounting for 26 touchdowns (14 pass, 10 rec, two int ret) in a Wyoming uniform. Edmonds has verbally committed to play basketball for Findlay in next fall.

Moe Mitchell, Sr, WR/DB – Has a knack for being around the action. Mitchell caught 13 passes for 206 yards, had four touchdowns (three rec, one punt ret), tallied 61 total tackles and snared three interceptions on his way to Honorable Mention All-CHL honors as a junior.

Perry McMichen, Sr, WR/DB – Reeled in 16 receptions for 217 yards with two touchdown catches on offense and came up with three takeaways (two int, one fum rec) on defense as a junior. The effort earned McMichen Honorable Mention All-CHL acclaim.

Jared Hall – SR OL/DL – The 6-foot-2, 260-pound Hall was a main reason why the Cowboys offense found the end zone 66 times in ’17. He was named Honorable Mention All-CHL as a junior.

Harrison Shepherd, Jr, DL/OL – Gave the Cowboys quality snaps on both sides of the ball in his first year as a starter. Shepherd was named Honorable Mention All-CHL for the effort. At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds expect the offers to start really flowing in for Shepherd the deeper the Wyoming gets into the season.

Luke Erny, Sr, OL/DL – A returning starter who cleared holes for an offense that amassed 4,339 yards of total offense a year ago.

NEWCOMERS
Brennan Pagan, So, WR/DB – Has too much speed to keep off the field. In mop up duty as a freshman, Pagan threw for 119 yards, ran the ball 12 times for 243 yards, averaged 20.3 per carry and accounted for five touchdowns four rushing, one passing) in four games.

Joop Mitchell, So, WR/DB – C’mon, what’s not to like? He’s “the Joop,” destined for big things.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(23 appearances, 19-22 overall) – 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2009 (Regional Champions), 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998 (Regional Champions), 1997, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1988, 1977 (State Champions), 1975 (State Runner-up)

2018 SCHEDULE
Fri – 8/24/18 COLUMBUS ACADEMY  7:00 PM
Fri – 8/31/18 at Taft  7:00 PM
Fri – 9/7/18 CHCA  7:00 PM
Fri – 9/14/18 at Taylor  7:00 PM
Fri – 9/21/18 FINNEYTOWN  7:00 PM
Fri – 9/28/18 at Deer Park  7:00 PM
Fri – 10/5/18 at Madeira  7:00 PM
Fri – 10/12/18 READING  7:00 PM
Fri – 10/19/18 MARIEMONT  7:00 PM
Fri – 10/26/18 at Indian Hill  7:00 PM

THE PROGRAM BY THE NUMBERS
Only Moeller has a higher all-time winning percentage than Wyoming, in Ohio football. In 99 seasons, the Cowboys have won 33 conference championships. They have made 23 playoff appearances with four regional crowns, one state runner-up and a state title.

7 UP
Last fall marked 26th time in the last 27 seasons that Wyoming has won at least seven games. They won six contests in ’11.

DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONS
One of the big reasons for the Cowboys success last fall was the play of the defensive unit. Wyoming recorded four shutouts, held six more foes to 14 points or less and gave up just 10.3 points per contest.

THE KINGS OF TAKEAWAYS
Wyoming created 33 turnovers in ’17. Players responsible for 20 of those return this fall.

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