FOOTBALL
DOUGLAS COUNTY
Huskies open 5A defense in Aurora
More Douglas County history will be made Friday, when the Huskies begin defense of their first championship. After more than a century of existence, in 2005 the school won its final 13 games, including the inaugural finale at Invesco Field at Mile High, to become one of the most surprising big-school champions in years. But all that is over, said coach Jeff Ketron. The Huskies, playing in the now 10-team Continental League, will be at Gateway at 6 p.m. Friday. With 14 starters returning, eight on defense, expectations remain high in Castle Rock. Offensively, quarterback Keiffer Garton and lineman Ethan Adkins, who has committed to the University of Colorado, lead the way. Defensively, the core is solidified by linebacker Luke Diehl, who has committed to Colorado State.
CHERRY CREEK
Bruins at familiar foe from the city
Since establishing a high-profile, nonleague series in 1998, in many ways symbolizing the different plight of the struggling city and its flourishing suburbs, Greenwood Village’s Cherry Creek will take on Denver’s Montbello at 6 p.m. today at All-City Stadium. Since 1990, the Bruins have beaten Montbello 10 of 12 times, including seven of the past eight. The Bruins have won five titles and played for two others the past 16 years. They defeated the Warriors twice in 1990, notably 14-0 in the new 6A title game, as Montbello was in its third consecutive finale under Ben Gregory. The Warriors begin anew under veteran coach John Pounder, one of the innovative offensive minds in the local game.
VOLLEYBALL
GRANDVIEW
Wolves’ reign not rained out
Two-time 5A champion Grandview recently had floor problems in its gymnasium after a gully-washer in southeast Aurora made its way through school doors. So the Wolves, 58-4 the past two seasons, instead will travel to Arvada West at 7 p.m. Friday in nonleague play. They have four Division I oral commitments, notably 6-foot-5 senior Lindsey Licht.
SOCCER
BROOMFIELD
4A Eagles to pace significant openers
Boulder County’s Broomfield, which won the boys and girls 4A titles in 2005-06, will try for a another beginning at 7 p.m. today when it welcomes Niwot in Northern League action. The reigning power in the middle of three classifications is fittingly strong up the middle – the Eagles are led by senior midfielders Ryan Aweida, Marlin Boyer and Nathan Kafer, each all-state the past season by The Denver Post. Elsewhere, 5A’s top opening game on the pitch will involve Chatfield at Cherry Creek at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
NEIL H. DEVLIN
