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Steamboat Springs — In the big picture, Steamboat's 33-7 loss Friday night against Laramie doesn't necessarily mean a whole lot.

For one, it was a non-conference game. For another, it was against a team with an enrollment of almost double that of Steamboat. Perhaps most importantly, the Sailors essentially restart the season next week when league play begins.

But first, they'll first have to learn from Friday's blowout loss at the hands of the Laramie Plainsmen.

Laramie started quickly and kept pouring it on. Just 17 seconds into the game, the Plainsmen's Ryan Ivy took the opening kickoff 89 yards on a reverse for a touchdown.

It was the second straight year the Plainsmen have returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

"During the week, we kept talking about getting off to a good start," Laramie coach Neil Waring said. "We didn't think it would be a 99- or 100-yard return for a touchdown. But that's a good start."

Laramie added two more first-half touchdowns - including one on a 74-yard swing pass to Cody Suder - and a field goal to go to the break ahead, 23-0.

The Sailors were outgained 228 yards to 47 yards in the first half. In the second half, they showed glimpses of just what type of team they can be.

After stalling on their first drive and allowing another Laramie field goal, Steamboat looked like the team from the second half of the Kent Denver game. Nigel Hammond returned a kickoff to midfield, and the Sailors used only four plays to get in the end zone. The touchdown came on a 10-yard pass from Austin Hinder to Hammond.

Finally, with some momentum, Steamboat would move the ball into Laramie territory only to stall. In fact, the Sailors had the ball on the Plainsmen's side four other times besides the touchdown drive, and each time they came away empty handed.

"We're all varsity players now," said Hinder, who finished 16-for-25 with 121 yards and a touchdown pass. "We do not have youth as an excuse. If we just do our assignments, we should be fine. We have the talent. These two (non-league) games have been great experiences."

Steamboat coach Aaron Finch remained upbeat about the season.

"Everybody is .500 in the league right now. Everybody is 0-0," Finch said. "Obviously we start with a tough challenge in Palisade. I think we have to decide if we're going to come back and dedicate ourselves to being better, or are we happy with being mediocre? That's what the team has to decide. I am confident the team will pick the one I want."

The Sailors play Class 3A No. 1 team Palisade on Friday at Gardner Field.

"You have to try to lead with actions," senior Ben DeLine said, noting Friday's game against Palisade will be character-defining. "I'm excited (for Palisade). Excited and anxious. It's going to be a true test on whether we come together as a team and truly bond. It will be fun. It will be a test."

- To reach Luke Graham, call 871-4229

or e-mail lgraham@steamboatpilot.com