FOOTBALL
CHERRY CREEK
An unusually slow start for Bruins
History has proven good to Cherry Creek, which has won a whopping 452 games since debuting in 1956 and eight big-school titles since 1982. However, while the powerful Bruins aren’t immune to dubious honors, those glitches remain relative to their distinguished success. In 2006, they stand 1-2. If they lose to host Mullen tonight in the Class 5A Centennial League, it is their worst start to a season since 1989. It also means the Bruins will have lost three games in a row, which has occurred only twice over 17 years – they dropped their final three games in 1997 and their first three in 1989. As for the possibility of a losing season, well, even Bruins-haters must marvel. Cherry Creek hasn’t had one since 1970, and only three overall (others from 1958-59).
FLORENCE
Reigning champ to be in Watkins
Veteran coach Mark Buderus will bring his 3A defending state champion Florence Huskies to Watkins on Saturday, 1 p.m., to meet Ridge View Academy in a South Metro League opener. Florence’s team is something to see – the Huskies are as good a midrange power in 11-man play as Colorado has. In addition to winning their past 15 games, their next victory will be their 90th since the start of the 1998 season. With only 15 losses during the span, Florence has failed to reach double figures in victories only twice the past eight seasons. The Huskies also were state champions in 2002 and runners-up in 2003. They were 21-3 from 1999-2000 in a two-year stint in 2A.
SOFTBALL
ERIE
Tigers readying for stretch run
Six-time defending 3A Colorado champion Erie will continue its tour of top-flight programs regardless of class today, when the Tigers will be at 3A Holy Family, 6 p.m., in nonleague play at Broomfield’s Industrial Park. With seven state titles since 1998, Erie remains the state’s benchmark.
BOYS GOLF
THUNDERRIDGE
Grizzlies’ streak alive at five in 5A
By the time you read this, all but four of the 5A-4A regionals will have been completed, the tickets to next month’s state tournaments. In 5A, ThunderRidge, which has won the past five state team titles, the longest streak since the game was sanctioned in 1947, qualified as a team on Monday with three individuals. The Grizzlies were third in the regional, although the challengers are many, including Legacy, which also has defending medalist Steve Ziegler. The senior recently shot a state-low 64 at Highland Meadows Golf Course in Windsor.
