2016 Wyoming Outlaws

 

After a disappointing 2 win season in 2015, the Wyoming Outlaws look to improve on their efforts for 2016.  As a member of the RMFL AA last season, the Outlaws finished 2-6 and were able to compete in the playoffs with the five-team format.  The Outlaws were forced to travel to Elko, Nevada to face the Warriors in the first round, which ended in a 40-6 defeat that would send the Outlaws into an early off-season.  However, despite these losses and setbacks, the Outlaws were able to earn their first and second RMFL victories last season.

 

Wyoming joins the RMFL in 2016 as one of the four Utah division teams in the Great North.  Head coach Joel Marler will help manage the Outlaws as a team leader this season. “Since it is officially our first year we don’t have much in the line of any rivalry,” said Marler of his expectations for the 2016 season.  “After last year, considering some of the challenges we had due to work schedules and injuries, we never fielded our starting players at any single game.  This year we hope to have a much deeper depth chart to replace missing players.”  

 

The Outlaw offense looks to use more of a spread offense with “lots of read option,” according to Marler.  Offensively, the Outlaws return several core offensive players from last season, including standout running backs in Shad Anderson and John Herrera. Anderson led the Wyoming ground efforts in 2015 with 58 carries for 387 yards and 4 touchdowns.  Herrera came in second as one of the team’s leading rushers with 311 yards on 43 carries and 2 touchdowns.

 

Also joining the Outlaw offense from 2015 are quarterback and offensive coordinator, Hugo Herrera, and offensive lineman Chris Griffin.  Hugo completed 33 passes for 504 yards and 2 touchdowns last season, as well as 46 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown in his efforts to boast the rushing aspect.  His abilities to both run and pass will help build on the team’s offensive strategy this season.  Griffin adds to the experience and familiarity of the offensive strategy with many of the same individuals from last season to improve on in 2016.  Last season, Griffin also performed on the defensive line to help the Outlaws aside from his role on the offensive line.  He finished with 22 tackles and 2 sacks in 2015.  “These guys have taken on the responsibility of mentoring new players,” said Marler of his returning impact players for 2016.  “We literally have ost no players with the small core group that all returned for the new season ahead.”

 

The Wyoming defense returns with many players from last season, as well as some new faces.  “We are strengthening the defensive backfield to reduce the pass threat,” said Marler of his new defensive outlook for 2016.  “We will accomplish this by rushing three and adding a linebacker.”  Of the new and returning starters for 2016, the Outlaws look to have Zach Marler and Wayne Cook at linebacker, and Nate Jeppsen at defensive end.  Zach Marler will also step in as the team’s defensive coordinator.  Last season, Marler led the defense with 34.5 tackles and 7 sacks to anchor the defense.  Cook was runner-up as lead tackler on the team with 24, as well as sacks with 3.  He is playing in his eighth year as a Wyoming player; once a member of the defunct Wyoming Thunder team that joined the RMFL for the 2010 and 2011 seasons, and now part of the Outlaws organization.  “The most important player, we feel, is Wayne Cook,” said Marler.  Wayne brings a high level of leadership, motivation, knowledge and morals to this team.”  These two players will add the experience necessary to improve the defensive strategy for 2016. Lastly, the addition of Jeppsen at the defensive end position will help bolster the pass rush in the trenches. “Nate Jeppsen took a 10-year hiatus from the sport,” said Joel Marler.  “He walked onto the field and brought with him intensity, knowledge and a great attitude.  We expect a lot from him and look forward to his intensity rubbing off on his teammates.”  Jeppsen previously had experience with the Brigham City Devil Dogs and the Bear River Valley Rockets, former RMFL organizations from the 2005 and 2006 seasons. The Outlaws recently planned for a pre-season contest to help set the pace for 2016.  Last 

weekend (Saturday, March 5), Wyoming traveled to Idaho Falls to face the Idaho Phoenix for a pre-season scrimmage.  Their planning paid off as the Outlaws prevailed over the Phoenix, 19-6, to generate confidence for the 2016 season.  

 

On Saturday, April 2, the Outlaws open the new RMFL season with a road contest in Elko, Nevada, where they will face the Nevada Warriors (the same team that ended their 2015 campaign).  “Our goals are to improve communication with players and commit them to traveling to field better road teams,” said Marler.  “We also want to encourage participation from experienced and non-experienced players to create a bond.”