Aurora – In multiple ways, Grandview’s second season blew in Saturday afternoon at windy Legacy Stadium.
The Wolves, ranked No. 10 in The Denver Post/9News Class 5A poll, had no trouble in roaring past Boulder 29-0 in Centennial League play during a constant wind that would have been better used for tee shots at nearby Saddle Rock Golf Course.
Plus, Grandview can howl a little bit now – it improved to 6-1, 4-0 in league, to tie Mullen for the Centennial lead, and welcomed back senior Aubrey Quarles, who got back on track academically after being ineligible for the first six weeks.
With their returned star – Quarles was on The Denver Post All-Colorado team in 2004 and remains a hot recruit nationally – the Wolves now have all their big challenges in front of them, finishing against the Centennial’s three playoff teams from a year ago.
Next up: a home game against Fairview on Thursday. Then, on Oct. 28, the Wolves will be at defending league and state champion Mullen, then cap the regular season against Cherry Creek on Nov. 4.
“I’m glad they won (without me),” Quarles said, pointing to his team’s record that contains only a loss against Arvada West. “That’s a good thing.”
Grandview displayed the traits that have carried it thus far with solid offensive line play in front of stellar fullback Ben Miller, who had 150 yards on 21 carries (plus a 52-yard reception), and stout defense that held the Panthers (1-6, 0-4) to first-half totals of 4 yards of offense and forced eight punts.
And all of it came during a wind more suited to the British Open.
“The wind was impossible,” Grandview coach John Schultz said.
“Ben had a great game, and having Aubrey back took some focus off him.”
Miller scored twice early on runs of 22 and 5 yards before being named homecoming king at halftime. Jake Veryser added a 45-yard field goal late in the first quarter to all but decide it.
Defensively, Marcus Morgan, Ethan Davis, Jon Simpson and Alex Mann were among the many Wolves who made life miserable for the Panthers, who also lost starting quarterback Brandon Gouin to injury in the second quarter.
As it was, Boulder was without Jamathan Lyle, who had 280 yards of offense the previous week but was nursing a bad hamstring.
Factor in the wind, and the Panthers had little chance.
“Some of the things we wanted to do coming out, (the wind) changed our game plan,” Boulder coach Bob Carskie said. “We got behind two, three scores and it hurt.”
Quarles, a wide receiver-returner, spent a lot of time lining up in the backfield. He had a 7-yard scoring run early in the second quarter when he swept left, then changed direction and cut across the field to make it 22-0 before Lloyd Bias added a 6-yard touchdown reception midway through the final quarter.
Beware, the rest of 5A.
“Man, it feels real good to be back,” Quarles said.
“It was a real long six weeks. I got my schoolwork done and I got in the weight room, but now I’m back.”
Boulder 0 0 0 0 – 0
Grandview 15 7 0 7 – 29
G – Miller 22 run (kick failed). G – Miller 5 run (pass failed). G – FG Veryser 45. G – Quarles 7 run (Veryser kick). G – Bias 6 pass from Jared Schlehuber (Veryser kick).
