The last time Justin Murray played against ThunderRidge, the femur bone in his leg was broken while he was tackled.
Pain? The worst the then-sophomore had experienced.
“I held on to the ball,” recalled the Grand Junction senior wide receiver with a hint of pride. “After I got hit, I put it over my head and tried to get up, but it wasn’t really happening.”
Grand Junction coach Shawn Marsh wondered if Murray would ever play again. But two years and two weeks later, Murray and the Tigers (13-0) will line up against the defending Class 4A champion Grizzlies (13-0) – winners of 22 straight – in an intriguing collision of superpowers at Invesco Field at Mile High (11:30 a.m.).
Both teams have standout seniors at the skill positions, speed all over and have dominated offensively in vastly different ways.
ThunderRidge runs the ball like your basic medieval siege – battering the front gate with fullback Nick Lind before sneaking around the outside with quarterback Kyle Black or running back Mike Coffey.
Grand Junction prefers quarterback Isaiah Quigley in a shotgun formation, spreading out defenses for a diverse passing attack (see Murray) that can swing for the fences because defenses have to respect backfield wrecking ball Kris Means.
Buoying each team are swarming defenses with exceptional linebackers – James Tucker and Steven Savage for the Grizzlies, Means and Justin Reed for the Tigers.
Consequently, much of the million-dollar question, at least in part, lies at their feet. Which defense can come up with the most stops?
“I’m eager to find out myself,” said veteran Loveland coach John Poovey, whose Indians lost to the Grizzlies in Week 1 (14-3) and the Tigers in Week 3 (44-7).
Can Grand Junction stop ThunderRidge’s ground game without getting burned by a well-timed pass?
Marsh knows it would be too much to ask of any defensive line to try to stop the Grizzlies by itself. What the Tigers hope to do is make a ruckus inside and allow their speedy linebackers and secondary to make tackles without allowing the Grizzlies to break containment.
Sound easy? Well, no one has done it yet this season. However, the only thing in the Tigers’ favor is their team speed.
Lind, the reigning 4A player of the year, is a load to bring down at 5-feet-10, 210 pounds. Black is equally tough and displays the kind of gritty heart coaches dream about in an option quarterback.
“I can’t tell you or say enough about that kid,” Grizzlies coach Joe Johnson said. “I am going to miss terribly coaching him. I hope we can get him this last one.”
Black’s primary target in passing situations is speedy senior Eric Moats. Black was magical in last year’s state final win over Dakota Ridge, completing all eight pass attempts for 151 yards and two touchdowns.
Can ThunderRidge stop Grand Junction’s passing game without getting hurt by the run?
ThunderRidge’s Blackhearts defense has allowed just one 100-yard rusher this season. The Grizzlies, however, have struggled against the pass, Johnson said.
So how will the Blackhearts try to stop the Tigers? Most likely by blitzing Quigley to try to disrupt his timing and generate turnovers, something the Grizzlies have done this season.
“We expect them to blitz us,” Marsh said.
Quigley is no stranger to the tactic and has picked himself up off the ground many times. But Quigley also is good at delivering the ball despite the circumstances, whether it is deep to Murray and Shay Starr or a screen to Means.
Grand Junction’s biggest question mark in August was its offensive line, particularly sophomores Robert Tucker and Tyler Volkman on the right side. Both have been solid, and will need to be against a lively Grizzlies front.
“They’re the most talented team we’ve seen,” Johnson said of the Tigers.
