Pre-Season Football Rankings 2015 [POLL]

Football games have not yet started, but practice is underway, and it's the right time to begin discussion, on which teams that the coaches and media have ranked in the top 5 in each class to start the 2015 season.

Three out of the 5 2014 state champs, start the season at #1.

The Natrona County Mustangs own the longest active win streak in the state, and they hope to carry over the momentum of their undefeated season into this year. The voters put them at #1 to start the 2015 campaign. Sheridan was the only other 4A team to get 1st place votes, and the Broncs check in at #2. Last year's state runner-ups from Gillette are ranked #3, while Cheyenne East will begin the post Tevis Bartlett era ranked #4. Their cross town rivals, Cheyenne Central, comes in at #5, and have a huge challenge in game #1, when they host NC. In each of the last 5 seasons, it's been NC, Gillette, Sheridan, and East in the state semi-finals, while the Indians have arguably been the most consistent #5. Their opportunity to change the tide will present itself on August 28th.

It's a bit crowded on top of the 3A rankings...which could make for some good competition this season. Defending champ Cody is the team that every other team is looking up to. Douglas is behind them at #2. A rematch of last year's state championship game, is schedule for week 2 at Douglas, but both teams have to focus on the game before that first. Jackson and Torrington also got some first place votes, and they will occupy the #3 and #4 spots, while Riverton rounds out the top 5.

Could this be the year that Wheatland win its first title, since 1984? The 2A pre-season voters think so. They put the Bulldogs at #1. Elsewhere, #2 Big Horn has been in the mix for the past several years, and it may be a bit early to talk about a 1 vs. 2 showdown at the end of the regular season, but it's a nice thought. Defending champ Mountain View is right behind them at #3. Lovell got 1 first place vote, and ended up with the #4 ranking. Their first regular season game is at BH. The #5 ranking is a bit in the air. Newcastle takes the ranking, by 1 vote ahead of Thermopolis and Greybull.

Until someone can beat them, Cokeville will remain on the top of the 1A rankings. The streak is at 21, and they have a good season opener on September 4th. That game will be champion vs. champion as last year's 1A champs host last year's 2A champs (Mountain View). The remaining 5 spots in the rankings belong to east teams. Lingle-Ft. Laramie will start the season at #2, while 4-time 1A state runner-up Lusk is at #3. The Tigers have a lot to replace from last year. Upton-Sundance is the #4 team, while #5 Southeast has something to prove this season. Last year was the first time since 1996, that they did not make the playoffs.

Twelve of the 13 6-man teams got a vote in the pre-season rankings (Rock River was the lone team)...but it's the 4 teams that made the semi-finals last year, that occupy the top 4 spots. There's a tie for the #1 spot, between Little Snake River and Dubois. Defending champ Guernsey-Sunrise will start the season at #3, but must also start the season against the team they beat for the championship last year...at Dubois. 1 vote separated #4 from #5. Meeteetse gets the nod ahead of Kaycee.

Disclaimer: The polls have no official say or use on post-season positioning, and are only to be used as a measuring stick on the regular season. Please don’t read too much into the rankings.