It also presents Layton and her husband, Mike, the Cavs' general manager, with the opportunity to showcase the organization and demonstrate to the league that the Cavs can put on a first-class championship event.

The Laytons, who have been involved with the Cavalry since the team's inaugural season in 2000, believe they know how to do just that.

"We are doing this from an experienced standpoint," Argeri Layton said. "These players and these coaches need a championship environment.

"I'm not saying we're going to do it the best, but we are going to give them the best experience, because it is a championship game. We're going to put our best foot forward and do everything first class."

It's a sentiment shared by the players, especially after their championship-game experiences the past two years.

"We could blame [last year's loss in the championship game] on a lot of different things," running back James Jones said. "But on game time it was on us and we didn't perform well.

"This year, it's going to be different.

"The fans in Casper are unbelievable, and it's about time they got a chance to have a big game like this at home. They finally get a chance to see us play against another good team and showcase how good we really are as a team."

It would be a welcome turnaround.

Contact sports reporter Jack Nowlin at (307) 266-0528 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

AIFA Bowl III Lookahead

WEDNESDAY: Reading coach Bernie Nowotarski offers his early thoughts on the championship game.

TODAY: Cavalry players and administrators hope to make their third consecutive trip to the title game a winning one.

FRIDAY: Die-hard fan Amanda Humphrey has never missed a Cavalry home game and also helps make sure the players don't go hungry.

SATURDAY: Quarterback Matt Strand has thrown 425 touchdown passes in his indoor football career, all of them with the Cavalry.

SUNDAY: Wyoming coach Dan Maciejczak goes after his first indoor football championship.

AIFA Bowl III Tracker

SUNDAY: AIFA Bowl III, Casper Events Center, 5 p.m.

WHO'S HERE: Wyoming Cavalry (13-2) vs. Reading Express (13-3).

AVOIDING A THREE-PEAT: Wyoming has lost in the championship game each of the past two years.

HE SAID IT: "� Coming into this year our mind set was not just making it to the finals, but winning the dang thing." Cavs coach Dan Maciejczak.