Cheyenne East quarterback Graedyn Buell throws downfield during the Class 4A state championship game against Thunder Basin on Nov. 14, 2020 at Okie Blanchard Stadium in Cheyenne.
Cheyenne East senior Graedyn Buell added another award to his growing list of accomplishments recently as the quarterback was named the MaxPreps High School Football Player of the Year for Wyoming.
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound signal caller threw for more than 3,000 yards this season in leading the Thunderbirds to the Class 4A state championship. Buell completed 199 of 293 passes (67.9 percent) for 3,063 yards and 38 touchdowns with just five interceptions for East (11-1). He also rushed for 968 yards and 16 scores to finish with more than 4,000 all-purpose yards.
In the state championship game — a 29-15 come-from-behind victory over Thunder Basin — Buell carried the ball 22 times for 235 yards and four touchdowns.
His performances throughout the season not only earned him all-state honors but allowed Buell to capture the Star-Tribune’s Super 25 Offensive Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive year. Buell is the first player in the 30-year history of the Super 25 to win two player of the year honors.
As a junior, Buell threw for 2,989 yards and 35 touchdowns in helping lead the T-Birds to the state semifinals. He finished his prep career with 8,891 passing yards and 94 touchdown passes, more than 10,000 all-purpose yards and 25 rushing TDs. He also has the No. 2 and No. 3 passing yardage marks in state history.
Buell is now eligible for the MaxPreps All-America team, which will be released Jan. 29. He has numerous offers from regional colleges, but has yet to make a decision.
Jack Nowlin
Sports Editor
Jack Nowlin returned to the Star-Tribune in 2007 after eight years covering Michigan State University athletics. A Wyoming native, and a graduate of Jeffrey City High School and the University of Wyoming, Jack serves as the Star-Tribune’s sports editor.
