Although Fort Lewis has grabbed the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football lead with a 2-0 record, Chadron (Neb.) State seeks a chance to make inroads with its conference debut at home Saturday against Colorado School of Mines.
Chadron State, ranked No. 20 in the American Football Coaches Association Division II coaches’ poll, is 3-0 in nonconference play, including a 35-24 upset of I-AA Montana State. The Eagles are led by tailback Danny Woodhead, a 5-foot-9, 200-pound junior from North Platte, Neb., who has won RMAC offensive player of the week honors for three consecutive weeks.
The nation’s Division II leader in rushing with 708 yards on 92 carries, Woodhead also is tied for the lead in scoring with eight touchdowns and leads in all-purpose yards with 754.
“I think they have the best player in the country playing for them with Woodhead. It’s like when we had Chad Friehauf,” Mines coach Bob Stitt said, referring to the 2004 Harlon Hill trophy winner, given to the Division II college football player of the year.
“We went a long way on Chad’s shoulders, and players rallied around him. With Woodhead, they have a chance to win every single game.”
Stitt and first-year defensive coordinator Marty Heaton have implored their players to tackle Woodhead, who averages 7.7 yards per carry, en masse.
“You’ve got to get a lot of people to the ball,” Stitt said. “You can’t expect one person to bring him down. He’s elusive, fast and strong.”
Mines (1-2, 0-1) is coming off a 26-7 home loss to Adams State (2-1, 1-0). Senior quarterback Garrett Mehl missed the game because of an undisclosed injury and is questionable for Saturday.
“Whenever he’s ready, we’re going to play him, regardless of whether he’s practiced,” Stitt said.
Mehl’s replacement, Rowdy Arciaga, completed 34-of-49 passes for 206 yards against Adams State, with two interceptions and a touchdown on a shuffle pass.
Adams State countered with two quarterbacks, Clint Buderus, a sophomore from Florence High School, and Billy Lindquist, a junior from Poudre High in Fort Collins.
Lindquist has gained increased snaps the past two games.
Familiar names
Mines receiver Brent Chacon (seven receptions for 68 yards) is a cousin of former Rockies pitcher Shawn Chacon’s. Teammate Freddie Steinmark is the son of the late Freddie Steinmark, a former Wheat Ridge High and University of Texas star. A sophomore transfer quarterback from Air Force, Steinmark will probably redshirt as he adapts to a drop-back passing system.
Footnotes
Friehauf, who spent time in the Broncos’ camp in 2005, is working out at Mines in hopes of a call from an NFL team. … The Metro State women’s soccer team has increased its home win streak to 55 games. Kylee Hanavan, a Thornton High alumna, is the new school record-holder for career goals (68), assists (32) and points (167).
Men’s star Antonio Porras, a senior midfielder from Littleton’s Heritage High, increased his career school records with a goal and assist in Wednesday’s 3-0 victory over Regis. Porras’ records are 41 goals, 32 assists and 114 points.
