WHERE
Ray Patterson Field, at Thompson Valley High School, 1669 Eagle Dr., Loveland.
WHERE THE TEAMS STAND
Broomfield Eagles (3-0 overall, 2-0 Northern League), ranked No. 5 in The Denver Post/9News Class 4A poll, vs. Loveland Indians (2-1, 2-0 Northern), 4A’s No. 8.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Along with Greeley West, Broomfield and Loveland are undefeated in early Northern League play. It’s not a make-or-break game, but tonight’s winner takes the inside track to a league title.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Football players are a tight-knit group. So when one player gets sick, he shares the illness with the rest of his teammates and coaches, which happened at Broomfield this week. Vitamin C and chicken soup will play a big role for the Eagles.
KEY MATCHUP
Free safety Chris Grandinetti is the communication hub for Broomfield’s defense, and it is his job to check into coverages and move people into the correct positions. Grandinetti and inside linebackers David Marone and Taylor Kern will be in charge of slowing Loveland’s running backs.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
John Poovey is 224-98-1 with four state titles (1982, 1985, 2000, 2003) in his 29-year career at Loveland. Gary Davies, in his 19th year with the Eagles, has made the playoffs six of the past seven seasons. These monster programs have 10 state titles between them, dating to 1939.
COACH SPEAK
“The problem for us is they run the double wing, but they also line up in the shotgun with five receivers.”
Gary Davies, Broomfield coach
“I don’t know if we have an advantage anywhere. They look solid on offense and solid on defense. The only thing we don’t know much about is their punt team, and I’m sure that’s pretty good, too.”
John Poovey, Loveland coach
COMPILED BY BRADY DELANDER
