Name: Brian Christensen
School: Class 1A Akron, North Central League, ranked No. 2 in The Denver Post/9News 1A poll.
Record: 7-0 overall, 5-0 in league; 106-22 career, including 24-8 in the state playoffs.
Coaching résumé: Akron assistant from 1993-94; Rams head coach since 1996.
Life lines: Age 35. Born in Brush. Graduated from Akron High School in 1989 and the University of Northern Colorado in 1996 with a degree in social science; social studies teacher.
Back in his day: Lineman in the Rams’ single-wing offense until senior season, 1988, when he was switched to spinner (fullback); all-Lower Platte League linebacker. Reserve H-back at UNC (1989-91).
What he has done lately: The Rams, who went into No. 3 Lyons on Friday night and earned another solid road victory (20-7) within the classification’s upper crust, also are a game away from clinching at least a share of the league title for the eighth time in nine seasons.
It’s a 1A routine. Since 1996, Akron has been in the playoffs 10 times, won two titles and finished runner-up four times.
In their usual fashion, the Rams won at the line of scrimmage on both sides against Lyons. They ran for nearly 250 yards and three touchdowns; their defense held the Lions to 11 yards in the first half and didn’t permit a second first down until late in the third quarter.
How does Christensen do it? The Akron area continues to hold its collective breath, keep its fingers crossed and light candles in hopes of maintaining enrollment from a limited area.
“The kids have bought into the program,” Christensen said. “They have pride.”
Steven Hall led Akron’s rushers with 144 yards, but Christensen’s offense of choice requires team play.
“It takes all of them,” he said.
Note: The Denver Broncos high school coach of the week, in its 11th year, will have 10 honorees in the regular season. NFL Charities will present a check for $1,000 to the school’s program. Lakewood’s Mark Robinson, Pueblo East’s Rick Upchurch, Cherokee Trail’s Monte Thelen, Wheat Ridge’s Reid Kahl, Pueblo County’s Jeff Wilson and Limon’s Mike O’Dwyer are previous winners in 2006. A coach of the year will be announced at the Broncos’ Dec. 31 game against the San Francisco 49ers at Invesco Field at Mile High and receive $2,000. Coaches are selected from a panel consisting of Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post; Billy Thompson, the Broncos; Marcia Neville, KCNC-4; and Andy Lindahl, KOA 850 AM.
