Name: Ric Cash.
School: Class 5A Mountain Vista Golden Eagles, Continental League.
Record: 7-1 overall, 7-1 league; 41-49 career.
Coaching résumé: Assistant at North Kansas City, Mo., High School (1987-92), Shelbyville, Mo., (1993) and Trenton, Mo., (1994-96); head coach at Sheridan (1997-2000); Mountain Vista head coach since 2001.
Life lines: Age 41. Native of Independence, Mo. Graduated from William Chrisman (Independence) High School, 1983, and William Jewell College (Liberty, Mo.), 1987, earned degrees in physical education and health and science; master’s degree in administrative supervision from the University of Phoenix. Teaches strength and conditioning at Mountain Vista.
Back in his day: Tight end and outside linebacker for Chrisman’s Bears, all-league as a tight end and honorable mention all-district as an outside linebacker, 1982; strong safety and outside linebacker for Jewell’s Cardinals, 1983-84.
What he has done lately: By edging defending 5A state champion Douglas County 7-6 on Saturday night, the Golden Eagles ended the Huskies’ 20-game winning streak, moved within a game of their first league title, won their biggest game in school history and, well, realized there will be more.
“The irony is, we haven’t played our best game,” Cash said.
If Mountain Vista hasn’t proved a point to anyone else, the Golden Eagles made it clear to themselves their leap into 5A from 4A is becoming special.
“We still hadn’t crossed that milestone as far as establishing ourselves with our community, our immediate area, and to beat the No. 1 team in the state has got to rank right up there,” Cash said in reference to his district that includes two of the past three 5A champions (Ponderosa won in 2003) and back-to-back 4A titles (ThunderRidge) and Mountain Vista’s earlier – and first – victory over Highlands Ranch.
Assorted mistakes by both teams Saturday helped keep it close, particularly fumbles, failed kicks and missed assignments. But having withstood Colorado’s reigning power a week before the playoffs and a week after suffering their first loss has the Golden Eagles’ anticipation at a new high.
“It’s kind of exciting to know we can play better than we have been,” Cash said.
Mountain Vista gave up 329 yards of offense, yet just the one score, on an 85-yard pass play in the first quarter. A touchdown in the fourth quarter by running back Eric Longoria and conversion kick by Dan Moffitt were the difference.
A victory in the regular-season finale Saturday night against Heritage will give the Golden Eagles at least a share of their first Continental title.
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, Limon’s Mike O’Dwyer and Akron’s Brian Christensen 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.
