For two schools separated by 110 miles, the rivalry between Granada and Stratton is something to marvel.
Two of Class A 8-man’s best teams for as long as there has been 8-man football will meet Saturday in the state championship game for the fourth time.
“They’ve kind of had the upper hand on us,” said Granada coach Manuel Gonzales, who is in his 35th year leading the Bobcats and in search of his first title since 1988.
That’s an understatement. The host Eagles are 5-1 all time in the playoffs against Granada and are 3-0 in title games, winning in 1993, 1994 and most recently in 2002.
“As rivalries go, this one is pretty friendly,” said Stratton coach Dave Gottmann, whose team won the 2002 edition of the rivalry 48-22. “There is a lot of respect for both sides, from the crowd, the kids and the coaches.”
Despite their playoff woes against the Eagles, the Bobcats have a 1-0 advantage on Stratton this season.
But the Bobcats’ 27-16 victory in Week 2 in Prowers County is a distant memory for both coaches and teams.
“I didn’t take a whole lot from that game,” Gottmann said. “That’s not to say things aren’t going to change drastically, but both teams will have some different wrinkles.”
Said Gonzales: “Both teams have gotten better. It’s going to be a different setup, with a lot more on the line.”
Stratton senior quarterback Todd May has thrown seven touchdown passes against just one interception in the past two games, including the eventual winner late in the fourth quarter to favorite target Seth Isenbart to complete the Eagles’ comeback in the quarterfinals against Sedgwick County.
But it was the Eagles’ defense that shined last week against Nucla and bruising back Daniel Herron.
Stratton limited Herron, who gained more than 600 yards in his first two playoff games, to 77 yards on 18 carries.
“Overall, Granada will be the best ‘team’ we’ve played,” said Gottmann, who watched May throw three interceptions against the Bobcats in Week 2. “They just keep you off balance, and before you know it they’ve lulled you to sleep and you’re down.”
Granada quarterback Tyndan Marquez is the central figure in the Bobcats’ offense, which includes running backs Ryan Schultz and Dustin Bohlander and end Tyson Thrall.
“It’s going to be a big chess match between the coaches,” Gonzales said. “It should be a good football game, and we are going to have to play four full quarters.”
Jon E. Yunt can be reached at 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com.
