Lander Valley High School’s 2024 football home opener had just about everything for Tigers fans: 75 degree sun, long rushing touchdowns, a one-score game throughout, an onside kick (preceded by a win-or-lose two-point conversion attempt).
And a 14-13 Lander win over the Evanston Red Devils.
“These kids just keep fighting,” LVHS Head Coach Jim Burton told County 10 after the Tigers’ second win in three games. “We have setbacks… We have to clean that stuff up for conference play, but the kids just keep fighting.”
“(Evanston is) a good, quality team, but we’ve got some boys. They’re turning into men real quick,” Burton said.
A 20-yard touchdown pass from the hand of Evanston senior quarterback Braunson Sims brought the Red Devils to within one point of Lander, 14-13, with 2:48 remaining in the game.
A PAT attempt away from tying the game, Evanston Head Coach Steve Moore used a timeout to change his mind. The Red Devils instead opted for a two-point conversion attempt, and the potential lead, but Lander’s defense stopped Evanston’s run play short.
LVHS junior back Brayden Baker opened scoring for the Tigers with an 82-yard sprint to the end zone midway through the 2nd quarter, and closed Lander’s scoring with a 70-yard counter scamper in the 4th quarter.
“My line made a great hole for me and I just saw daylight and just ran for it,” Baker told County 10 after the game, of his first TD. “It ended up working out; using my speed as an advantage, and put it in the end zone.”
“We knew right off the bat if we came out hard, we could beat these guys,” Baker added.
Lander improves to 2-1 on the season.
The Tigers host Torrington Friday, June 27th. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Listen on 1330 AM/107.7 FM KOVE, or watch live streaming video at County10.com.