To answer the question you posed on the Havre game thread, Shu: Probably in some part because I haven't been posting on MC.com.
My thoughts on the game tonight against Belgrade:

1.) Belgrade is a good team. Matt Thibault is gone, but this is largely the same team that beat the Cowboys in the playoffs last year.

2.) That having been said, I am not terribly impressed by their No. 3 ranking or their scoring margin (118-18, as mentioned by Shu). Why? Because they've beaten Hardin (56-6) and Anaconda (49-12). Yes, they've beaten Frenchtown, but let's not kid ourselves - the Broncs are a shade of their former selves.

2a.) Keep in mind that Hardin is 0-2 and has been outscored 13-82 this season. Anaconda has been even worse (3-0, 12-124 scoring margin).

2b.) Hardin was 0-9 last year and Anaconda was 2-7. They're off to similar starts this season. Belgrade whipped both teams by similar scores (35-7 and 55-8, respectively) last year and Miles City won, in Belgrade, 20-13. I would say that the 2010 Cowboys are better than the 2009 Cowboys, while this year's Panthers aren't as good as last year's team.

3.) Belgrade has a good amount of talent and they hit hard. I'm not entirely sure that they've been hit back, though. I think Belgrade is going to come into the game with a little more swagger than they should and will be in for a rude awakening, kind of like Havre did.

This should be a good test for Miles City, but if the Cowboys play the way they're capable and avoid getting stung by the big play (their return game is still solid) the Pokes should be able to win by at least two scores. Here's hoping being ranked fifth (behind some questionable teams) is somewhat insulting to the boys in blue and gold.

Prediction: 35-13, Miles City.

For those who are interested, Powell is 2-0 so far this season after having been absolutely mauled in the truncated game against Miles City. According to the Powell Tribune, the Panthers are one of only four 3A teams in Wyoming with a "perfect" record.

Despite having been handled 21-7 by Miles City, Dickinson is 2-1 and off to their best start since 2007. And I'm sure everyone now knows how impressed the Cowboys were with Havre's 66-21 win over Whitefish.

I'll take the Cowboys' strength-of-schedule over the opinions of poll voters anyday.

Here's the series history against Belgrade:

2002 - MC 41, Belgrade 7
2003 - MC 33, Belgrade 10
2004 - MC 26, Belgrade 7
2005 - Belgrade 13, MC 7
2006 - Belgrade 14, MC 7
2007 - Belgrade 34, MC 13
2008 - MC 40, Belgrade 14
2009 - MC 20, Belgrade 13; Belgrade 7, MC 0 (playoffs)

Overall record vs. Belgrade: 5-4 (187 points for, 119 points against).

Hey Brian long time no hear man. Where did you find that the boys were ranked #5. The only poll I can find is BC, Laurel, Dillon, Polson, Belgrade. It showed how they fared with Laurel losing to Dillon I thought it would change but I can't find a poll.

The AP Poll came out yesterday I think. It goes BC, Dillon, Belgrade, Polson, MC. It'll change this week.

I really don't see this one being close, somewhere in the 34-7 range.

Nevermind I found it. Thanks.

I forgot to vote this week, but if I had it would be: MC, BC, Dillon, Belgrade, Polson

Really? What is Central looking like? I have absolutely no idea.

Frankly, Central looks like a team that's going to get dismantled in six days. They're solid, but they're not great. Their ranking is based on the last couple of seasons.

Dang, Brian...you weren't kidding! 27-0 Cowboys...sounds like they were pretty solid. by the way, welcome back.

Thanks, Shu. I'll only be checking in and contributing to sports-related threads, though.

Glad to see the Cowboys were able to take care of business tonight. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to Thursday's game against Central.

The Rams need to be humbled.

Was not able to go to the game last night because of other
commitment so tried to listen to it on the radio.

Not sure what was wrong with KYUS but they were basically off the air.
KATL was on and how frustrating it is when they won't give the score!!
During one segment I listened for OVER 15 minutes and they never once said the score.
There were 2 time outs with commercial breaks and they STILL did not give the score.
Great explanation of what was going on. Who had the ball, where the ball was located, time on the clock, type of play, direction of the play, those kinds of things. Just never said what the score was!!

Maybe if you could listen to the whole game you would know the score, but when you have to check in once in awhile it sure would be nice to hear it.

Standing at the game in mud, I can tell you it was total domination by the Cowboys. What impressed me was our Cornerbacks.

The team has worked hard, are playing great and having a great time! We are all looking forward to watching some outstanding Football!