Northglenn – How do they do it?
“I don’t know,” Northglenn football coach Vince Vieyra said. “They’re just tough kids who like to work and fight hard.”
As far as I can tell, it’s what the Norse do. There’s no other way. I know it when I see it – the Norse have heart and their expectation of effort is as assumed as the sun coming up in the morning.
And it’s needed now.
Over recent weeks, senior Shane Schofield, a promising two-way lineman, was informed – after a dentist’s appointment – that he had leukemia. There was the sudden death of former star footballer Adam Matthews, who was just 25 years old. Vieyra lost another student in one of his classes.
“It has just been one thing after the next,” he said in trying to complain with compassion during an emotional time, if there is such a thing. “Last week, we were just in a fog.”
So it was surprising the No. 26 Norse overcame seventh-seeded and Front Range League foe Legacy 16-15 on Friday night in the opening round of the expanded Class 5A state playoffs.
Then again, it wasn’t.
Since 1965, Northglenn has put sweat into its football program. If it seems the Norse have constantly produced solid football teams forever, they have. Their one championship, in 1984 behind Jason Whitmer, has been one of the most memorable into the current era. Northglenn’s runs in the early 1990s in 6A included a semifinals defeat of two-time defending champion Cherry Creek. Former star Tony Federico won The Denver Post Gold Helmet in 1977. Ironman running back Doug Simcik still ranks second in the state’s season rushing attempts (415) 34 years later.
Colorado-sky-blue-collar Northglenn has been beaten, but rarely beaten down. Outclassing the Norse is one thing; breaking their spirit is another. And they have always traveled well.
“A lot of old-timers after the game said, ‘Whatever you do, don’t let Northglenn hang around, they’ll come back and get you,’ ” Vieyra said.
Last weekend, Northglenn trailed Legacy, a newer rival that won the regular-season meeting 35-3 (the Norse’s worst loss of the season), the majority of the time, yet took advantage of miscues and the Lightning’s inability to finish as they remained within range. It bought time down the stretch for University of Colorado pledge Anthony Perkins, who played running back, returner, receiver and quarterback on offense, and was in on or caused a couple of dozen plays on defense in the backfield, near the line of scrimmage, in the secondary or wherever he felt like it. In the second half, the Five Star Stadium announcer told the crowd: “Once again, tackled by Anthony Perkins!”
Vieyra, who has experimented with the senior throughout the season, only hopes for a seat on Perkins’ back alongside teammates gaining inner strength and confidence.
“We have to ride him,” the coach said. “Anthony took control of the game and we wanted the ball in his hands. We wanted him to take charge and everybody followed.”
In particular, Colin Nunley backed Perkins by returning a squibbed kick 72 yards in the final minutes for the game-winning touchdown through the middle of the field and a stunned Lightning coverage team.
Elimination football always seems to have the biggest plays.
“Colin looked absolutely cool,” Vieyra said.
It’s simple for Perkins and the Norse (5-5), who began the season 1-4 but are returning to fun.
“We don’t want our season to end,” he said.
Northglenn had an added boost last week. Schofield, enduring chemotherapy, attended the game and was with his friends, teammates and coaches on the sideline.
He also received a get-well letter from coach Bob Stoops of Oklahoma, Schofield’s favorite college program.
“Oh, man,” Vieyra said while trying to gather himself. “We dedicated the whole rest of the season when we found out. … The kids visit him all the time. He has great parents. And we love having him. We’re all real close.”
Amid attending funerals, Vieyra said he would work “and not back off” the Norse all week leading to Friday’s second-round game against Bear Creek, the 10th seed.
It’s the most unlikely matchup of 5A’s second round, but remember that it involves Northglenn.
“And we’ve got a home game,” Vieyra said. “Who would have thunk it?”
How do they do it?
Staff writer Neil H. Devlin can be reached at 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com.
5A football
MULLEN (10-0) AT CHERRY CREEK (6-4)
Colorado’s best big-school rivalry, including two title game matchups since 1998, had to happen again, didn’t it? Mullen, which ran past the Bruins 47-13 in the regular season, clearly has the best offense in 5A behind quarterback Clint Brewster, running back Phil Morelli, wide receiver Devin Aguilar and tight end Steve Watson. Defensively, they aren’t as big as they are quick to the ball. The Bruins are coming off an uplifting, last-play victory against Arvada West, one in which Karl Heimbrock excelled on both sides and quarterback Jack Elway returned from an injury to head a game-winning drive. Cherry Creek’s secondary knows it needs a big game running with the Mustangs’ receivers.
CHAPARRAL (7-3) AT OVERLAND (7-3)
The Wolverines started 1-2 but have rallied nicely, including knocking Mountain Vista from the undefeated ranks in Week 7. Danny Lanskey’s two touchdowns led last week’s offensive effort, and the Chaparral defense has allowed only 45 points in its past five games. Meanwhile, the Trailblazers, who have lost in-state only to Mullen and Grandview, used an array of big plays to get past Fairview. Jared Campbell and Justin Cooper head another batch of speed and quickness, an Overland staple over the years.
MOUNTAIN VISTA (9-1) AT TJ (7-3)
The Golden Eagles, who earlier ended defending champion Douglas County’s winning streak at 20 games, are one of 5A’s top stories, having successfully jumped up with the big boys. Quarterback Danny Beck and running back Eric Longoria have been terrific, and the Mountain Vista defense has flourished playing with the lead and maintaining it. TJ, which rallied late last week to outlast Rocky Mountain, is looking for its first quarterfinals showing since 2002. Nigel Nelson has been one of 5A’s most effective, toughest running backs.
DOUGLAS COUNTY (9-1) AT ARAPAHOE (5-5)
They first met in Week 2, but it seems long ago. The Huskies, who have won 22 of their past 24 games, seem to be looser in executing their brand of power football and solid defense behind Kieffer Garton, Ryan Misare and Luke Diehl. They have given up more than nine points only twice in 2006. As for Arapahoe, the Warriors are a world away from earlier problems of suspensions and injuries. The Warriors dropped five of six games at one point this season, but have reeled off three straight victories behind Matt Johnson, Blake Mentor and Bill Mercer. They have nothing to lose and Douglas County would do well to realize it.
DOHERTY (5-5) AT FORT COLLINS (10-0)
Up and down? Ask the Spartans, who opened by winning two games, then lost two, won one, lost two and won the past three. Alex Osterle and Darius Turner have been effective at the skill positions and the Spartans’ lines have been rocking. The host Lambkins, in establishing themselves as a premier power, are tough to keep up with – they rank fourth in scoring offense and defense. Their speed and quickness is good, particularly with quarterback Matt Yemm at the controls, and they survived tough challenges by Legacy and, last week, four-decade-long rival Poudre.
BEAR CREEK (7-3) AT NORTHGLENN (5-5)
These two have gone at it in nonleague in recent seasons, so familiarity throughout the round remains a dominant theme. The visiting Bears are rolling with a well-rounded offense, although quarterback Jake Spitzlberger is capable of throwing early, often and all over the field. Bear Creek also can be sturdy up front. The Norse won’t necessarily choose to run up and down the field with the Bears, who must keep tabs on University of Colorado-bound Anthony Perkins. He’s a threat on offense, defense and special teams, and the Norse as a group have turned to playing inspired football.
LAKEWOOD (6-4) AT GRANDVIEW (9-1)
Will the real Lakewood Tigers please stand up? And stay up? They haven’t won back-to-back games since the first two weeks of the season, but their skill – quarterback Lawrence Montoya and wide receiver Donnie Reed can play – and willingness in their first classification jump in 17 years is considerable. As for Grandview, its defense is as good as any in the state, with power and speed that covers ground, fills holes and forces punts. Offensively, the Wolves haven’t been as crisp as they would like through 10 weeks, but Bo Bolen, Lloyd Bias and the boys have the goods to progress through the bracket.
COLUMBINE (9-1) AT POMONA (7-3)
This is a recording: The Rebels’ rock ’em, sock ’em approach is working. Their ground attack has paved the way to nine consecutive victories, notably 17-15 over the Panthers three weeks ago. Jeff Cicchinelli, Chad Korodaj and C.J. Gillman can be a handful. However, Pomona, which is getting to be this close to rejoining the 5A elite, can counter, and in multiple ways. Blake Krenke and Matt Castillo have paced five victories in their past six games. It’s hard to make the Panthers go away – their three losses have been by a combined nine points.
(NEIL H. DEVLIN)
Playoffs: In bracket order
FIRST ROUND
Mullen 48, Rangeview 21
Cherry Cr. 23, A-West 21
Chaparral 35, Eaglecrest 10
Overland 31, Fairview 28
Mountain Vista 57, Horizon 3
T. Jefferson 14, Rky. Mtn. 10
Douglas Co. 49, Fr. Mon. 14
Arapahoe 10, H-Ranch 7
Fort Collins 17, Poudre 14
Doherty 17, Ponderosa 7
Northglenn 16, Legacy 15
Bear Creek 47, Heritage 31
Grandview 49, Boulder 8
Lakewood 42, Palmer 21
Columbine 35, Chatfield 6
Pomona 35, East 27
SECOND ROUND
(1) Mullen (10-0) at (16) Cherry Creek (6-4), Saturday, 1 p.m., Stutler Bowl
(8) Chaparral (7-3) at (9) Overland (7-3), Friday, 7 p.m., Stutler Bowl
(4) Mountain Vista (9-1) at (13) Thomas Jefferson (7-3), Friday, 6 p.m., All-City Stadium
(5) Douglas County (9-1) at (21) Arapahoe (5-5), Friday, 7 p.m., Littleton Public Schools Stadium
(15) Doherty (5-5) at (2) Fort Collins (10-0), Friday, 7 p.m., J. Ray French Field
(10) Bear Creek (7-3) at (26) Northglenn (5-5), Friday, 7 p.m., Five Star Stadium
(14) Lakewood (6-4) at (3) Grandview (9-1), Friday, 7 p.m., Legacy Stadium
(6) Columbine (9-1) at (11) Pomona (7-3), Friday, 7 p.m., North Area Athletic Complex
Quarterfinals: Nov. 18
Semifinals: Nov. 25
Championship: Dec. 2 at Invesco Field at Mile High
