WHERE
Five Star Stadium, across from Thornton High School, 9351 N. Washington, Thornton
WHERE THE TEAMS STAND
Fort Collins Lambkins (5-0 overall, 3-0 Front Range League), ranked No. 3 in The Denver Post/9News Class 5A poll vs. Legacy Lightning (4-1, 3-0)
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Front Range lead and perhaps its title. With three league games to play, Legacy has defeated Horizon (in third place) and none of the other four enter Week 6 above .500.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Northern-area games have proven competitive for years and the teams itch to rejoin 5A’s elite. The hope is both will flourish in the new 32-team playoff bracket.
KEY MATCHUP
Don’t look away for too long – the Lambkins have an abundance of speed and quickness. Two-way back Zach Donaldson and Fort Collins also have know-how and savvy. Legacy’s main objective is to keep the Lambkins’ offense off the field by winning the line of scrimmage and riding senior running back Joey Applehans, one of 5A’s top rushers.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
One of the oldest programs in Colorado, Fort Collins leads all big schools with 12 state titles, the most recent in 1953. It also won the state’s second championship, in 1922. Newer Legacy (in Broomfield) began play on a lower level (2000-01), joined 5A in 2002 (39-15 overall) and has split four games with the Lambkins, who have won the last two.
COACH SPEAK
“(Legacy) is a good, fast, physical, hard-nosed team; we have to be ready to stop the run.” – Eric Rice, Fort Collins coach
“(The Lambkins) are definitely an athletic team on both sides … we have to play our game.” – Wayne Voorhees, Legacy coach
