FOOTBALL
GAME OF
THE WEEK
WHO
Merino Rams, ranked No. 2 in The Denver Post/9News Class A 8-man poll, vs. Haxtun Fightin’ Bulldogs, A 8-man’s No. 1
WHEN
7:30 p.m., Friday
WHERE
Haxtun High School, 201 W. Powell St., Haxtun
WHAT’S AT STAKE
While it is not a view into the 8-man postseason crystal ball, this game will offer insight as to where the best two teams at this level over the past decade match up. Since 1997, Haxtun or Merino has played in every title game except one, including last season, when the Fightin’ Bulldogs shut out the then-defending state champion Rams.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Defense is the focus, but it will be the offenses feeling the heat. Haxtun has not given up a point in four games, and Merino has allowed fewer than five points per game. Middle linebacker Gerry Brown is Haxtun’s defensive leader, and Ross Brunkhardt makes plays from the same position for Merino. Both teams are big, fast and experienced, and the lines match up fairly evenly. Both offenses have put up points on other teams – 58.7 a game for Haxtun and 46.5 per for Merino – but the question will be whether they can score on each other.
KEY MATCHUP
Merino’s defense, which has half of its starters back from last season, will need to slow Haxtun’s running backs, namely Cameron Ham and Brian Krier. Rams linebackers Brunkhardt and Chris Michel will need to cut off the corners and prevent Ham, who has rushed for more than 100 yards in every game this season, and Krier from breaking big plays. Defensive ends Nathan Schmidt and Coby Amen, both experienced seniors, will be in charge of controlling how much room the Fightin’ Bulldogs have to get outside.
HISTORICAL LOOK
Defending state champion Haxtun has won seven state football titles since 1975, five of those at the 8-man level. The Fightin’ Bulldogs won three in a row from 1989-91. Merino has five titles since 1972, including one in 2003. The teams split two games last season, but Haxtun got the win when it mattered most – a 30-0 shutout in the title game.
COACHSPEAK
Haxtun’s Dave Shafer
“Ross Brunkhardt is their kid that you have to stop on every play. It seems like he is in on every tackle. … We just have to stay consistent with everything we do. In a game like this we can’t give up big plays and we can’t have any turnovers.”
Merino’s John Barber
“This is a big rivalry. … Last year we beat them in the first game and they zonked us in the last one. We are a big team but not very speedy, and they are. We are going to have to contain them if we can. It’s the same old clichés, and I wish I could tell you something different, like I will be wearing something fancy. But whoever wins the line play will win the ballgame.”
ALSO …
Boys golf
Ladies and gentlemen, will you please welcome to the first tee, schoolboys from all over Colorado … state championship No. 1 (of nine) of the fall season will be Monday and Tuesday. Class 5A will be at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, 4A at Wellshire Golf Course. Medalists should be crowned approximately 3 p.m., barring sudden death.
Cross country
Let’s run to the next round of Friday invitationals, notably at Columbine, Loveland, Pikes Peak, Thornton and Wasson, in after-school specials for boys and girls.
COMPILED BY BRADY DELANDER
AND NEIL H. DEVLIN
