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LISTEN HERE: Lander travels to Star Valley in playoff quarterfinals

LISTEN HERE: Lander travels to Star Valley in playoff quarterfinals

Lander football set to take on Star Valley in playoff quarterfinals

Lander football will travel to Star Valley Friday for the Wyoming 3A Football Playoffs quarterfinals. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff at Star Valley High School in Afton, Wyoming.

Lander (7-2) earned a first-round bye in the playoffs after finishing the regular season as the No. 2 seed from the West Conference. Star Valley (6-3) upset No. 3 seed Lyman, 27-20, in the first round of the playoffs last week.

The game will be a rematch of a regular-season matchup between the two teams on Sept. 23, which Lander won 28-14.

Lander is led by a strong offense that averages 35 points per game. The Tigers are led by quarterback Jaxon Ball, who has thrown for 1,450 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. Running back Mason Moore has rushed for 850 yards and 12 touchdowns, and wide receiver Tyler Denning has 40 catches for 650 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Star Valley is led by a balanced offense that averages 27 points per game. The Braves are led by quarterback Bridger Smith, who has thrown for 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. Running back Bridger Lyman has rushed for 700 yards and 10 touchdowns, and wide receiver Cole Larsen has 35 catches for 500 yards and seven touchdowns.

The game is expected to be a close one. Lander is a slight favorite, but Star Valley is capable of pulling off the upset.

The winner of the game will advance to the semifinals of the playoffs, where they will face the winner of the game between No. 1 seed Lovell and No. 4 seed Jackson.