Coaches Comments 2014

 

Pre-Season:

We had a great Winter and Spring of lifting and nearly all of our players participate in multiple sports.  That is really the key.  Learning in competitive situations and working hard.  Our Spring Ball was awesome, fast, crisp and snappy with older guys mentoring younger guys.  We had two great camps.  We took 9-12 graders to Black Hills State University and then took our Juniors and Seniors to the University of Wyoming team camp.  We played more football in those 5 days than any team in America.   Our guys got up in the morning and went to work every M, W, F in the weight room.  The dedication and commitment of your Mustangs is impressive.   We are developing strength, quickness and stamina.   Mustang Mini-Camp was changed to a morning format and our Senior retreat "Camp Victory", was the best ever.  

Fall Camp:

Fall Camp opened on Monday August 11th at 12:01 am with our Seniors participating in "Midnight Madness."  Seniors and Coaches took the final steps to be ready for the 140 underclassmen who reported at 7am.   What a great way to start the season.  You can read the trib article at http://trib.com/sports/high-school/football/natrona-kelly-walsh-football-teams-hold-first-practices/article_89601c8f-3aec-565f-bda0-ea6ab21b9666.html  and view the K2TV report at http://www.k2tv.com/sports.php?id=4441  The weather has been awesome!  With the late start of school we can actually practice in the morning in a combined format from 7am to Noon.  We have had one of the best fall camps in recent memory.  We have experience back at many positions but we have lots of work to do to add depth and experience at several key positions.  Enthusiasm is high and as well as expectation.  The beauty of high school football is that everyone grows up.  The young guys who go through this transformation in such a short time are amazing.  It is humbling to be a part of it and witness it.  Check out our Ice Bucket Challenge that ended our fall camp.  
 
Week One Central Indians:  
 
A beautiful fall evening at Mustang Stadium, temperature at kickoff was 75°.  We had a good week of practice with each day better than the previous.  Students are not back in school so we are still on what seems an odd schedule.  We had a great crowd, the student section was awesome and the band, ROTC and cheerleaders were great.  We appreciate your support.  It was a fun night as the Mustangs started fast and improved every series and every quarter.  The Indians have a first year head coach and he is a good man who will continue and add to the tradition at Cheyenne Central.  I have several links that you might enjoy.  
 
Week 2 Cheyenne East:  
 
We travel to East in an early season matchup of last years state title game.  We might play the game at South do to the fact that East's stadium is not finished.  We need to practice well and get better every day, stay healthy and take our game to the next level.  This week should we should show the most improvement.  Quite a battle, our guys are fast and tough.  We played into a driving rain storm the first quarter and lost field position.  Our guys battled hard and gave up only one TD and that was on the opening drive.  We left alot of points on the field and the exciting thing is we will only get better.  The following are several links  1st Article  2nd Article  Cheyenne Article
 
Week 3 Laramie:  
 
One of the most storied rivalries in Wyoming Prep football will take place this Friday at Mustang Stadium.  The Mustangs and Plainsmen are back at it.  The Laramie squad is 1-1 on the young season.  They are a much improved team and have some very talented players.  We are working hard trying to make each other better and trying to learn Laramie.  They have a dynamic offense and a sound defense.  It should be a great game.  Come out and support the Mustangs.  We will recognize Jr High Football teams at halftime.  
 
Cold and snow hit on Thursday, it cleared off and was nice on Friday.  We started with a couple of hiccups and quickly got rolling with 21 first quarter points.  We had lots of contributors and lots of great effort by the entire team.  We keep battling adversity and pulling together.  We appreciate the Love and Support of our families and friends.  Gallery Article  2nd Article
 
 
Week 4 Gillette:
We had a tough week of practice, several nagging injuries, hot weather and busy schedules.  We fought through some of that and got ourselves ready.  Gillette is undefeated with 3 blowout wins to start the year.  They are ranked 1 and we are ranked #2.  We have a nice rivalry with Gillette.  It is built on respect for their coaches and players and the memories of several great games over the years.  First Article  2nd Article   3rd Article
 
We traveled well and watched our Sophomores win the early game 16-14.  The weather was warm, with a south wind blowing down the middle of the field.  We deferred and took the wind.  We created a turnover on the first Gillette drive with a batted pass and a 2nd Trevor Morgan interception.  We scored a TD, a safety on the next possession and a 55 yard field goal on the third possession.  We built a 26-0 lead at half and had to work hard to keep the momentum.  We appreciate all the parents and fans who made the trip.  
 
 
Week 5 Evanston:
It is Homecoming week at NCHS.  The Red Devils are young and gaining experience each week.  We look forward to another great game.  The week looks to be beautiful and we hope to see all Mustangs come home to reconnect with our dear ole Casper High.  Perhaps the most beautiful night of the year.  Warm and calm, perfect weather.  Both teams looked sharp, the Mustangs in the traditional Orange tops and black bottoms as we celebrate a great tradition of homecoming.  We started fast again and turned the first Evanston drive into a turnover and a quick TD.  We built a 28-0 halftime lead and Cody Wilkerson broke the school record again with a 57 yard FG.  It was a great night to be a Mustang.  First Article  Gallery 
 
Week 6 Oil Bowl:  
 
We had a great week of practice concluding with our community service on Thursday.  The weather was great on M/T/W and blew in a fast moving cold front Thursday.  Friday was beautiful.  We had a pep rally in the stadium and a 6pm kickoff.  The bus ride over was special.  The pregame ceremonies were awesome introducing all of our former coaches at NCHS and KWHS as honorary captains for the coin toss.  It was a great game, total team effort, many great performances.  I am so proud of our guys, the way they prepare, the way they play and the way they conduct themselves.  It is impressive. They represent our great tradition of pride in excellence so well.  We still have more improvement left in us.  Our guys are pulling together and becoming better every day.   Thursday Article Second Article  Third Article  Gallery 
 
Week 7 Cheyenne South:  
We had a great week of practice, I think it was a week where we really focused on our poise, hard work, enjoying the journey, teamwork, gratefulness and humility.  We just had a renewal or sense of refocus.  It was awesome.  We also had a great week of community service as well.  We appreciate all of the opportunities we have.  We had a good trip, arrived early, had a short tour of the Air Guard Facility in Cheyenne.  The commitment and service of our military members and families is inspiring.  We had a great pregame and we started fast.  We scored 35 points in the first quarter, led at half 45-0 and the final score was 52-0.  You can read more about the game at   First Article  2nd Article  Cheyenne Article 
 
Week 8 Sheridan, Senior Night:  
The Broncs are having a good season with only one loss, a late TD by Gillette two weeks ago is the only blemish on a season where the Broncs have blown out all of their opponents.  Needless to say this is a big game.  The winner has number one seed through the playoffs.  The weather looks to be great and it will be a special night as we honor our Seniors and their families before the game.  We also have a special Flag dedication ceremony during the National Anthem that you won't want to miss.  This is definitely one pregame ceremony that you want to come early for.  
 
What a beautiful night.  The Senior parents did a great job of of recognizing their sons before the game. The flag dedication was fantastic, this new flag will hang in the SFAC for the next 50 years.  The fireworks were awesome.  The halftime featured our senior band, cheerleader and ROTC members.  Your Mustangs started fast, electing to play defense first, Layne O'Neal stepped in front of a Sheridan pass and got the ball right back to the Mustangs.  We quickly turned it into a 7-0 lead.  Halftime was 14-0 and the final 24-0. Sheridan is a very good football team and both teams played a good ball game.  We are grateful for all the support from our parents, the student body and Casper.  What a nice celebration of our outstanding young people.  Well Done!  First Article  2nd Article  Gallery
 
Week 9 Rock Springs:  
 
The Mustangs will hit the road on Friday for a trip to Sweetwater County to take on the Tigers.  The Tigers are under a new coach and have played tough all season.  They secured their first win last week.  Given their style of play it will be a tough physical game and we have to get better this week and be ready to go on the road and do a great job.  We had a great trip, a fast trip to Sweetwater County.  We scored quickly and pushed the halftime lead to 42-0.  We scored on Defense and Special Teams as well.  Great team effort.  The JV's ended another successful season with a victory in Gillette. It was a great regular season and we are sure proud of the effort put forth and good work our guys have done.  They have really improved daily and weekly.  Now the Regular season is over.  A new season begins we are excited, humbled and focussed.
 
Week 10  QUARTER FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP:
 
This week features a rematch of our week 5 homecoming opponent Evanston.  It is a unique game as it is held on Halloween, we are playing the Red Devils, in Casper (friendly Ghost), on Elm Street, our colors are Orange and Black and we have a defensive end named Franzenstein!  Good Stuff!  Kickoff is early at 5pm.  The Red Devils are well coached and have several outstanding players.  They have been playing outstanding football down the stretch.  We will have to come ready and work hard.  We did not have school on Halloween and accomodated Evanston's request for an early kickoff so they could get home after the game and not spend money on hotel rooms.  It was 70° at the 5pm kickoff.  Absolutely gorgeous!  We started fast with a defensive score and played everyone in a great team effort.  
 
Week 11 Semi-Final Championships:  
 
1pm kickoff at Mustang Stadium.  This semi-final looks to be a great one with two good, fast teams.  It will be a battle.  Our guys believe and are preparing like champions.  Sheridan will bring all they have and we will be ready.  It will be a classic high school game.  Our boys were ready, we practiced well and studied hard. We started fast, got the lead, worked the wind and clock and played a great game.  The weather was warm and sunny and it was a perfect way to end our last game at home.  What a great group of kids.  Let's finish this the right way with each other.  
 
Week 12 State Championship:  
 
The Gillette Camels defeated East in a 2OT game which saw several momentum shifts.  The Camels run a nice program and we have nothing but respect for them and how hard they work and how they play.  It will be a great game.  It will be cold so bundle up.  
 
It was cold, one of the coldest games ever with temps below zero and wind chills in the negative teens.   We had a great trip, the roads stayed good and we kept our itinerary as planned.  What an awesome experience with a great group of young men.  It is hard to put it in words but we are all grateful and humbled by the gift of team, the friendships forged, the relationships cemented and the memories made.  The fun is in doing it and it was fun.  Thank you to all the parents, greatest ever, really special, an apple doesn't fall far from the tree, your support was terrific.  Thank you to the students, the Fighting Mustang Marching Band and all the fans.  Your love and support is awesome!   Gallery  Article  2nd Article 3rd Article
 
Thank you for your support and More Later.

Thanks for checking in.   Trust that we will do our best, hang together, protect each other, inspire each other and strengthen each other as we make this a season of growth.  I can't tell you what a blessing it is to work for these kids at NCHS.  "All Hail to Casper High" and remember that "Every Day is a Great Day to be a Mustang."

Regards,

"On a Scale of 1-10, Be an Eleven"

Coach Harshman

"Trust"  Proverbs 3:5-6

Attitude and Effort

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