WHERE
Kent Denver’s Justin DeSorrento Memorial Field, 4000 E. Quincy Ave., Cherry Hills Village
WHERE THE TEAMS STAND
Faith Christian Eagles (0-0), ranked No. 1 in The Denver Post/9News Class 2A poll, vs. Kent Denver Sun Devils (0-1), 2A’s No. 5-ranked team.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
There are no league implications anymore, but these two former Metropolitan League powerhouses will help each other figure out where they stand in 2A. A green Kent Denver team will try to get its offense jump-started, and Faith Christian hopes to show its early-season ranking is deserved.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Faith Christian is huge across both lines. In a 5-2 defensive scheme, the interior linemen average 260 pounds and the ends are both about 6-feet-4 and 215 pounds. This is a defense that gave up only 60 points last season and returns largely intact. The young Sun Devils will need to hold their own in the trenches if they are going to notch their first victory.
KEY MATCHUP
Kent Denver quarterback Will Deevy is a recognized player, and the senior with good size and a good arm will be tested. With the pressure on Deevy, it will be up to senior linemen Amal Gumbs (6-3, 265), Pete Jankowski and Sam Swomley to keep Deevy protected. It won’t be easy with Faith Christian’s Levi Ostrom, who recorded 15 sacks last season, rushing in from the end of the line.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Faith Christian won 2A state championships in 1999 and 2004, and the Eagles have made the playoffs five of the past six seasons. Kent Denver, 3A state champion in 1991 and 2A champ in 1986, is another playoff regular, and split games with the Eagles in 2004. Both schools reached the state semifinals this past season.
COACH SPEAK
“We don’t match up with them up front. … We are hoping that our young guys can come out and fight hard.” – Scott Yates, Kent Denver coach
“We think it’s going to be difficult for teams to move the ball on our defensive line.” – Blair Hubbard, Faith Christian coach
BRADY DELANDER, SPECIAL TO THE POST
