All systems are fallible. Just ask the coaches around Colorado’s Class A 6-man ranks, who have had to put up with just about every type of playoff qualifying format out there.
With all apologies to Peetz and Eads, Saturday’s Kit Carson and Idalia game has all the makings of a classic that will do no more than launch one of them into the 6-man title game.
Just how big is it? Idalia coach Tim Gribben made the nearly three-hour drive from Idalia (located 38 miles north of Burlington) to CHSAA headquarters just to watch a coin flip.
“We’ve never won one,” said Gribben, who hasn’t lost at home in seven years, “and I just wanted to make sure they actually flipped a coin.”
Indeed they did, and for the first time Gribben’s Wolves, winners of their past 22 games, will host a playoff game.Ironically, if Idalia wins Saturday, it will have to travel to Peetz or Eads, but on the basis that those teams have fewer home games, not on a lost coin flip.Saturday’s game is a rematch of a 32-18 game in Week 1, played in rainy conditions out on the plains.
“What that game did was essentially open our eyes,” said Kit Carson coach Jim Trahern, who is 0-3 against Idalia in the playoffs dating to 1991.
“We knew we had to get back to work.”
Trahern will try to guide Kit Carson back to the title game for the first time since 1995.
Andrew Maxcy scored twice in the second half of the Week 1 game, which Idalia led 18-0 at the half. After each of the Wildcats scores, all-state kicker Josh Hammer had his extra points blocked.
“Special teams play was a big area of focus,” Trahern said.
If the Wildcats are going to make a run, this year would be it. With nine seniors on its roster, including Antonio Arroyo, Damon Dechant, Maxcy, Hammer and end Stetson Mitchell, Trahern’s team knows if it lives to play another week, it will do so at home.
“I think the kids knew that before I did,” said Trahern, who won both the coin flips against Eads and Peetz. “I’d be lying to you, if I told you that wasn’t a big deal around these parts.”
All eyes for Idalia will be on Lucas Devlin. The latest of the Devlin clan scored three times in Week 1, and was even bigger last week with five scores against Pawnee in a 2005 title-game rematch.
“He’s been a real leader for us,” said Gribben, who was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease last October. “Both on and off the field.”
6-man football
PEETZ (10-0) AT EADS (8-1)
A fabulous game that not many people are going to pay attention to simply because of the other 6-man game. The visiting Bulldogs, traditionally known for their power running attack, have an excellent duo in Gage Roelle and Levi Whitman. The tandem accounted for five Peetz touchdowns last week against Hi-Plains. Eads, down from 8-man, is back in the semifinals for the first time since 2001 and trying to get back to a title game for the first time since 1988.
KIT CARSON (8-1) AT IDALIA (9-0)
Both teams were aware this matchup was inevitable. That’s why they rescheduled their Week 9 game to Week 1. Idalia’s Lucas Devlin scored three times on big plays in the Wolves’ 32-18 win. The senior had a hand in five scores last week against Pawnee. Kit Carson’s weaponry is impressive, starting with Andrew Maxcy. The senior missed the first half of the Idalia game, but scored twice in the second half. Damon Dechant and Curt Connelley also will make it tough on the Wolves defense.
Playoffs: In bracket order
QUARTERFINALS
Peetz 46, Hi-Plains 16
Eads 46, Woodlin 32
Kit Carson 63, Otis 13
Idalia 72, Pawnee 12
SEMIFINALS
Peetz (10-0) at Eads (8-1), Friday, 6 p.m.
Kit Carson (8-1) at Idalia (9-0), Saturday, 1 p.m.
Championship: Nov. 18
