FOOTBALL
WHO
Arvada West Wildcats, ranked No. 5 in The Denver Post/9News Class 5A poll, vs. Columbine Rebels, 5A’s No. 1
WHEN
7 p.m. today
WHERE
Jefferson County Stadium, Sixth Avenue and Kipling Street, Lakewood
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Why not expect the best from the latest in an interesting array of big-time 5A matchups down the stretch of the 2005 season? We’ve already seen Bear Creek-Mullen and Cherry Creek-Arvada West. Both were wonderful; the former a double-overtime thriller and the latter a three-hour, five-minute marathon shootout. This one will be a bid for early control of a top-heavy Jefferson County League as well as possibly shuffling the top half of the big-
school poll.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
It’s a classic struggle of the approach to big-school football – a commitment to rushing against a balanced attack. Unless you’re new to Colorado, you know Columbine is all about strength up front and option football, with an emphasis on being the biggest and baddest across the offensive line. Arvada West offers just about everything there is on offense – misdirection, multiple formations, backside screen passes, throwing deep and reverses. But don’t be fooled. Columbine can also throw it a little, and A-West isn’t afraid to test the opposition between the tackles.
KEY MATCHUP
There’s no need to think too deeply. The game involves Columbine, which means that standing up to the Rebels’ offensive front is the first order of business. Period. No matter what A-West attempts with defensive formations, stunts, stacking the box or creating piles, the Wildcats realize they must neutralize Columbine’s offensive line. Subplot: A-West will be more than willing to deal with Columbine’s rushing wave if it can continue to come up with quick scores – playing from behind against the Rebels has proved fatal. Some of the names you’ll hear repeatedly tonight over the public address system: Columbine’s J.T. Baum, Jeff Cicchinelli and John Fink; and A-West’s L.D. Briscoe, Sean McDougal and Trevor Zott.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
A year ago, A-West scored on the opening drive with a mix of rushing and passing, and things looked promising. However, Columbine scored the next six times it had the ball – aided by A-West turnovers – in a 42-21 laugher. It was the seventh consecutive regular season in which the Rebels handled the ‘Cats. A-West had won every year from 1994-97, when Columbine returned to big-school play from a previous classification setup,
COACHSPEAK
Arvada West’s Casey Coons
“Obviously, we’re excited about it. It’s a tremendous challenge. We have to take care of the football, and sometimes you have to do radical things against them defensively.”
Columbine’s Andy Lowry
“We’d better score. A-West is very explosive. … Sometimes the best defense is a strong offense.”
ALSO …
Boys soccer
The top of 3A, otherwise known as the Metropolitan League, has a biggie on Saturday, 3 p.m., when Kent Denver will be at Faith Christian.
Softball
In the final week of regular-season play, much remains to be decided, including the Denver Prep League title. It will be determined today, 4:15 p.m., when East (8-0 league), hosts Kennedy, a game off the Angels’ pace.
Coming up
With boys golf completed Tuesday, softball and boys tennis are next to get into championship rounds. Regular-season play will be completed Saturday and followed by a week of qualifying. The two sports will contest the second and third state championships of the fall season. Softball will be Oct. 21-22 at the Aurora Sports Park, and boys tennis Oct. 20-22 at Gates Tennis Center (Class 5A) and Pueblo City Park (4A).
