Eads – Sometimes winning is the best medicine.
Tim Gribben’s legacy at Idalia will not soon be forgotten. The Wolves’ coach, who is battling Lou Gehrig’s disease, likely coached his final game Saturday and his players sent him out in style. Idalia captured its sixth title since 1998, trouncing the host Eads Eagles 69-6 and putting a stamp on what has been the state’s premier 6-man program for the past decade.
“This feels really good for me. This is probably my last game coaching,” said an emotional Gribben, whose team hasn’t lost since 2004, a span of 23 games. “These kids are really something special, and I want it more for them. They deserve it.”
Said an equally emotional Lucas Devlin: “You never know what’s going to happen with Gribben, you can’t predict that stuff. It’s been an amazing ride.”
Eads (9-2) jumped on the Wolves on their first drive. Eagles quarterback Jacob Buck exploited the Idalia secondary, nickel-and-diming short passes that eventually resulted in a 20-yard strike to A.J. Bolin just 1 minute, 37 seconds into the game.
On the next drive Eads drove to the Idalia 4-yard line, but stalled when Rodney Wade forced Buck to throw a fourth- down incompletion. The Eagles and their short passing game never recovered.
“We score there, you don’t know, we might play above our heads and do something,” Eads coach Shawn Randel said. “(Idalia) came out and they battled. Their coach does a great job with them.”
It was Devlin and his offensive line that told the rest of the story. The senior scored Idalia’s first three touchdowns on runs of 1, 66 and 6 yards to quickly answer Eads’ opening score.
“It was the O-line today,” said Devlin, who matched his older brother Phillip with three state titles. “They deserve this win.”
Todd Shively, R.J. Kleweno and Scott Cure gave Devlin all sorts of room to roam and gave sophomore quarterback Jonathan Castillo time to throw the ball as well. Castillo connected on 6-of-7 passes in the first half, including a 14-yard pass to Cure in the back of the end zone.
Idalia scored on its first five possessions. Cure made it 40-6, going 57 yards on the first play after Eads had the ball for 10 plays and couldn’t score.
“After their first drive, I thought we were in trouble a little bit. It was like Peyton Manning against our Broncos,” said Cure, whose team scrimmaged the Eagles in Week 10 in Vona. “Our D-backs recovered and tore them down.”
Devlin, who was named the championship game MVP by The Denver Post, added to his already impressive numbers with only two touches of the second half.
On the second play of the second half, he ran 59 yards around the left side for his fourth score. Two series later, on the same toss play, he went 60 yards. Devlin finished with 253 yards on 12 carries and five touchdowns.
“We worked on that play all week in practice,” Randel said, “but we didn’t work on it well enough, I guess.”
Castillo finished 9-of-11 for 125 yards and one touchdown. Buck finished 16-for-38 for 205 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
MVP
It’s always tough living up to your big brother, especially in the Devlin household. Lucas matched his big brother, Phillip, with three state titles and did so in style. The senior finished with 253 yards on 12 carries and five touchdowns. Devlin, who gave every ounce of credit to his offensive line, carried the ball twice in the second half for 119 of those yards.
Idalia 16 24 16 13 – 69
Eads 6 0 0 0 – 6
E – Bolin 20 pass from Buck (pass failed). I – Devlin 1 run (Jo. Castillo kick). I – Devlin 66 run (Jo. Castillo kick). I – Devlin 6 run (Jo. Castillo kick). I – Cure 14 pass from Jo. Castillo (Jo. Castillo kick). I – Cure 57 run (Jo. Castillo kick). I – Devlin 59 run (Jo. Castillo kick). I – Devlin 60 run (Jo. Castillo kick). I – Harrel 34 run (Rittenhouse run). I – Farness 30 interception return (no attempt).
Jon E. Yunt can be reached at 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com.
