2017 Cheyenne Football Capsule

CHEYENNE

League: Class 3A Sunset

Head coach: Carlton Lamb, first season (0-0)

2016 record: 5-5 (4-1 Sunset League, second)

Returning starters: Six offense, five defense

Base offensive set: Pistol

Base defensive set: 3-5-3

Top offensive players: RB Clarence Rose (Sr.); OL Chris Rose (Jr.); OL Denzell Brown (So.); OL Donyell Brown (So.)

Top defensive players: LB Clarence Rose (Sr.); DL Adrian Brightwell (Jr.); LB Larry Stewart (Sr.); LB Khalil McKenzie (Sr.); DB Anthony Walker (Sr.); DL Jesus Esquivas (Sr.)

Key losses: QB Matthew LaBonte; WR/RB Deriontae Green; RB/WR Corwin Bush; WR/S William Federson

Outlook: The second-seeded Desert Shields were upset by Chaparral in the first round of the playoffs last season. They will look to make their seventh consecutive playoff appearance this season.

Lamb, in his first year coaching the Desert Shields, will look to his offensive line to open up holes for Clarence Rose to get the ground game going.

Cheyenne must find a way to replace its top passer in LaBonte (1,201 yards passing, 11 touchdowns), its top rusher in Green (805 yards, seven TDs) and its top receiver in Bush (499 yards receiving, four TDs) from last season.

“If our young players mature quickly and we stay together as a team and avoid injuries, we think we can be very competitive,” Lamb said.