In anticipation of tonight's game between the Cowboys and the Laurel Locomotives, here are some preview tidbits that you might find useful:

Series History (since 1980, the first season the teams met regularly as division opponents):

1980 - Cowboys 31, @Laurel 6
1981 - @Cowboys 16, Laurel 14
1982 - Cowboys 6, @Laurel 0
1983 - @Cowboys 35, Laurel 0
1984 - Cowboys 35, @Laurel 8
1985 - @Cowboys 38, Laurel 14
1986 - DNP
1987 - Cowboys 9, @Laurel 7
1988 - @Cowboys 14, Laurel 13
1989 - Cowboys 17, @Laurel 2
1990 - @Cowboys 50, Laurel 26
1991 - Cowboys 37, @Laurel 6
1992 - @Cowboys 28, Laurel 0
1993 - Cowboys 21, @Laurel 21
1993 Semifinal playoff - @Cowboys 31, Laurel 8
1994 - @Cowboys 41, Laurel 0
1995 - Cowboys 28, @Laurel 13
1996 - @Cowboys 26, Laurel 7
1997 - Cowboys 28, @Laurel 7
1998 - @Cowboys 21, Laurel 15
1999 - @Laurel 62, Cowboys 0
2000 - Cowboys 45, @Laurel 18
2001 - @Cowboys 28, Laurel 24
2002 - Cowboys 31, @Laurel 14
2003 - @Cowboys 41, Laurel 6
2004 - Cowboys 49, @Laurel 14
2005 - Cowboys 40, @Laurel 21
2006 - @Cowboys 24, Laurel 19
2007 - @Laurel 27, Cowboys 15
2008 - @Cowboys 13, Laurel 0
2009 - @Laurel 27, Cowboys 7
2010 - @Cowboys 14, Laurel 7
2011 - @Laurel 28, Cowboys 7
2012 - Laurel 34, @Cowboys 14
2013 - @Laurel 27, Cowboys 21

Cowboys lead series, 28-6 (Laurel has won 4 of last 5, including three in a row). Miles City is 14-1 at Denton Field against the Locomotives, the Cowboys' only loss coming in their last meeting there in 2012.

The Locomotives (4-1 overall, 1-0 Eastern 'A') come into tonight's game ranked as the #1 team in Class A. Here is their schedule to date:

@Laurel 13, Cody 0
Laurel 33, @Stevensville 0
@Dillon 28, Laurel 27
@Laurel 67, Livingston 0
@Laurel 21, Sidney 7

The Cowboys (4-1/1-0) are presently unranked, but were considered the No. 3 team in Class A prior to their loss to fourth-ranked Belgrade to weeks ago. Here is Miles City's schedule thus far:

@Cowboys 43, Powell 7
Cowboys 27, @Havre 19
Cowboys 47, @Livingston 0
@Belgrade 34, Cowboys 25
@Cowboys 42, Hardin 7

As is often the case, Miles City and Laurel are very evenly matched this season. The Cowboys are averaging 36.8 points per game on offense, which ranks second in Class A behind Columbia Falls (38.8 ppg). Laurel averages 32.2 ppg, good for fifth in the state. The Locomotives boast the best scoring defense in the state at 7.0 ppg allowed, while the Cowboys rank third (13.4 ppg). Laurel has the second-best scoring differential in Class A (+25.2 ppg) and Miles City ranks third (+25.2).

Passing Offense

Miles City: 45-76-729-13-4 (145.8 ypg)
Laurel: 41-82-560-9-3 (112.0 ypg)

Rushing Offense

Miles City: 187-998-13 (199.6 ypg)
Laurel: 191-1083-12 (216.6 ypg)

Total Offense:

Miles City: 263-1727-26 (345.4 ypg)
Laurel: 273-1643-21 (328.6 ypg)

Passing Defense

Miles City: 45-89-607-5-4 (121.4 ypg)
Laurel: 37-80-426-4-7 (85.2 ypg)

Rushing Defense

Miles City: 187-446-5 (89.2 ypg)
Laurel: 155-561-1 (112.2 ypg)

Total Defense

Miles City: 276-1053-10 (210.6 ypg)
Laurel: 235-987-5 (197.4 ypg)

In terms of individual players, Laurel is led by senior quarterback Tyler Thompson, who has completed half of his passes (41-for-82) for 560 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions. He is a threat to run the ball, as he's rushed for 176 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries.

Michael Buster (6-0, 215) is the Locomotives' leading rusher, having gained 539 yards on 88 carries to rank him second (behind Billings Central's Holden Ryan) among Eastern 'A' rushers. The senior has a team-leading seven rushing touchdowns.

Thompson's primary receivers are senior wideouts Brandon Kubitz (5-10, 165) and Jonah Oberg (5-10, 180). Kubitz leads the team with 20 receptions for 234 yards and four scores. Oberg has added 11 receptions for 178 yards and two touchdowns.

The Cowboys are enjoying a fantastic first year from Matthew Blunt, who has completed 36 of his 63 passes (57.1%) for 600 yards and nine touchdowns against just four interceptions.

Senior offensive do-it-all Alec Haughian has lined up at quarterback, receiver, and running back this season and has been outstanding at all three positions. Haughian has passed for 129 yards on 9-for-12 passing, including four touchdowns and zero interceptions. He's also rushed for a team-leading 355 yards on 58 attempts and has eight rushing touchdowns.

Far and away the most productive receiver in CCDHS history, Haughian hasn't been as prolific catching the ball this season, but he still leads the team with 17 catches for 334 yards and four scores. Haughian is the only player in CCDHS history to pass, rush, and receive 10 or more touchdowns in each category. He's also the only Cowboy with more than 1000 yards rushing and receiving in his career.

But the Cowboys aren't devoid of offensive weapons besides Haughian. Jared Bartlett (39-267-1) and Tyler Burk (42-257-2 rushing, 8-105-3 receiving) have taken turns as the Cowboys' featured ball carrier. Brett Keith has been a great threat to take the ball to the house, as he's made the most of his seven receptions by going for 144 yards (20.5 avg) and three touchdowns.

I can't see Laurel beating the Cowboys twice in a row at Denton Field, but I think the game will be close either way. If this game were being played in Laurel, I'd be inclined to reverse the score, but as it stands, this game will be at home, so my prediction is: Cowboys 27, Laurel 21.

Interesting statistical anomaly in 1999. Cowboys lost 62 - 0, but won in the adjoining years and quite handily in 2000. Anyone remember what was up in 1999?

Vince Hinman

It was more than Henman. That 1999 Laurel team was one of the three or four best Class A teams in history. They were loaded on both sides of the ball.

Locomotives 7, Cowboys 14 with a few minutes (the KATL announcers didn't say) left in the 3rd quarter.

Locomotives 13, Cowboys 21 with 9:49 left in the 4th quarter.

Locomotives 13, Cowboys 21 final.

Quite a game tonight. Congrats to the Cowboys for coming out on top!

Brian, thanks for the great pre-game analysis.

Thanks, David! It's been a great day for shaking things up. With Sidney beating Billings Central (the Rams' first Eastern 'A' loss since 2005 against Miles City, a streak of 42 games) and Butte Central beating Dillon, I think the new AP top 5 will be: 1.) Belgrade; 2.) Butte Central; 3.) Miles City; 4.) Laurel; 5.) Dillon (although I wouldn't be surprised to see Columbia Falls or Corvallis jump up to #5).

Here's a clinker: Sidney beat Billings Central tonight: 17-7

I was at the cowboy belgrade game and belgrade really didn't impress me, although they did beat the cowboys. it was a closer game than what the final score ended up. Belgrade has one player that stood out and it seemed he was their whole offense. The quarterback #5, if you stop him you stop belgrade.

Here's a statistical tidbit for all of you Cowboy Football fans:

Brennan Haughian (2006-08) presently holds the all-time CCDHS record for career yards from scrimmage with 3863 combined yards rushing (3344) and receiving (514).

With 189 yards rushing and 73 receiving against Laurel, Alec Haughian became just the second Cowboy to top 3000 yards from scrimmage in his career. He now has 3011 scrimmage yards (1312 rushing, 1699 receiving).

Congratulations, Alec!