Chalk one up to perseverance.
The Woodlin Mustangs opened the season ranked No. 4 in The Denver Post poll, then lost their first three games by a combined 127-50 score.
“We’ve finally hit our stride,” Mustangs coach Paul Griese said.
To say the least.
Woodlin won its final six games, knocked off previously unbeaten Otis in Week 8 and captured the West Central League.
“I’m happy we overcame all that,” Griese said, “and glad we made it to this point.”
Now the Mustangs have another point to prove Saturday against Eads in the first round of the Class A 6-man playoffs. Woodlin went 1-3 against non- West Central League teams and the perception across the state is that the league is overrated.
“I guess I can understand that line of thinking,” Griese said. “We just have to go out there and prove them wrong.”
Part of the reason the Mustangs struggled out of the gate this season, besides the fact they opened against playoff teams Pawnee, Peetz and Idalia, was that Griese installed a new offensive scheme.
The Mustangs went from a high-flying spread offense that averaged 65.2 points during the 2005 regular season to a more conservative tight formation.
“We had to relearn everything,” said Griese, whose team gained zero passing yards on four attempts against Otis.
Patience has paid off. Running back Tim Kalous, Caleb and Ethan Burgess, Tony Griese and even fullback Gabe Turner play vital roles in the new offense.
Kalous, who has 658 yards rushing this season, has benefitted the most.
“We haven’t worried so much about stats this season,” said Paul Griese, who watched last season as player of the year Harry Klausner rumbled through a record-setting season.
Jon E. Yunt can be reached at 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com.
