Mullen against Columbine for the Class 5A state championship Saturday at Invesco Field at Mile High has the similarities and contrasting styles necessary to warrant attention, a much- anticipated matchup that could prove classic or dud – either way.
It will be a finale between two teams with the best records in the 2000s. Mullen is 79-13, Columbine 76-13.
Mullen is the optimum run-pass schoolboy team. Columbine rushes more than holiday shoppers.
The coaches, Dave Logan of Mullen and Andy Lowry of Columbine, have combined to be in every big-school championship game but two (1998 and 2003) since 1996, none head-to-head.
Mullen (13-0) has five Division I-A commitments on offense – wide receiver and returner Devin Aguilar (Washington), quarterback Clint Brewster (Illinois), lineman Shawn Daniels (Colorado), running back Phil Morelli (Colorado State) and tight end Steve Watson (Michigan) – in a deep platoon system. Columbine (12-1) has Ryan Miller, a lineman Notre Dame drooled over before he orally committed to CU, among the leadership mix of two-way players who include Jeff Cicchinelli, Curtis Cunningham, C.J. Gillman and Chad Korodaj.
Mullen has blown out 11 of 13 foes. Columbine unexpectedly lost its opener, then gradually built momentum to hum along like a Colorado snowstorm.
However, most everyone in 5A agrees it will come down to Columbine’s ability to consistently run the ball against an athletic Mullen defense and keep the Mustangs’ offense, which can strike quickly from everywhere, off the field.
“It could be our best defense,” Lowry said of his Rebels’ rushing attack that can routinely consume more than a half-quarter on scoring drives. “(The Mustangs) are awful talented, aren’t they?”
Lowry said his team “must know where Aguilar is at all times and Morelli scares me, too. We’ve got our work cut out for us and, hopefully, we take care of the football.”
Columbine also has been a defensive beast in the postseason, having allowed a 5A-low 19 points, and is coming off a shutout. Meanwhile, Mullen’s offensive show has been the best in Colorado. The Mustangs have averaged 45.7 points, and their overall resilience in fending off defending champion and physical Douglas County in overtime in last weekend’s semifinals was the first time this season any team has come to testing their mettle.
Logan knows what’s ahead against the Rebels, who have been the 5A standard for execution and toughness for more than a decade.
“To me, when you see Columbine, you’ve seen them forever,” Logan said. “They have big, strong physical kids and they maul you on both sides of the ball. Physically, you’re really challenged with their size and strength.”
CLASS 5A | CHAMPIONSHIP STARTERS
COLUMBINE REBELS (12-1)
Offense
QB C.J. Gillman, 6-1, 210, Sr.
RB Chad Korodaj, 6-0, 210, Jr.
RB Jeff Cicchinelli, 5-9, 205, Jr.
RB Orenzo Davis, 5-8, 175, Jr.
TE Matt Birkeness, 6-3, 215, Jr.
TE Marcus Uribe, 5-11, 215, Sr.
RT Travis Duffy, 6-0, 265, Sr.
RG Steven Hughes, 5-11, 255, Sr.
C Joe Bieber, 5-10, 210, Jr.
LG Chris Rogers, 5-11, 270, So.
LT Ryan Miller, 6-7, 285, Sr.
K Scott Anundsen, 6-0, 185, Jr.
Defense
DE Ryan Miller, 6-7, 285, Sr.
DT Mitchell Sturm, 6-0, 215, So.
DT Curtis Cunningham, 6-2, 255, Jr.
DE Ben Tedford, 6-6, 215, Jr.
LB Chad Korodaj, 6-0, 210, Jr.
LB Adam Gunton, 6-1, 215, Sr.
LB Jacob Wright, 6-3, 185, So.
DB Jeff Cicchinelli, 5-9, 205, Jr.
DB Mitch Schubert, 5-9, 175, Sr.
S C.J. Gillman, 6-1, 210, Sr.
S Scott Anundsen, 6-0, 185, Jr.
P Scott Anundsen, 6-0, 185, Jr.
Coach: Andy Lowry
STATISTICS
Rushing – Korodaj 231 carries-1,339 yards, 19 TDs; Gillman, 128-878, seven TDs; Cicchinelli 149-882, eight TDs; Davis 48-379, five TDs.
Passing – Gillman, 12-for-33, 330 yards, seven TDs, two INTs; Kyle Brady 3-17, 62, zero TDs, two INTs.
Receiving – Birkeness, five catches-100 yards, two TDs.
Championship game appearances (3-1) – 1981, 1999, 2000, 2002.
MULLEN MUSTANGS (13-0)
Offense
QB Clint Brewster, 6-1, 190, Sr.
RB Phil Morelli, 5-10, 180, Sr.
RB Mike Goldy, 5-10, 180, Sr.
WR Devin Aguilar, 6-1 1/2, 185, Sr.
WR Bret Skene, 5-11, 175, Sr.
TE Steve Watson, 6-4, 240, Sr.
RT Bryce Givens, 6-6, 245, Jr.
RG Shawn Daniels, 6-3, 260, Sr.
C Alec Johnson, 6-2, 215, Jr.
LG Sean Gomerdinger, 6-1, 225, Jr.
LT Mike Duncan, 6-2, 225, Jr.
K Caleb Pavy, 5-9, 160, Jr.
Defense
DL Matt Gemperline, 6-1, 215, Sr.
DL Nick Nguyen, 6-2, 230, Sr.
DL J.T. Jones, 6-0, 210, Sr.
DL Kirk Ehrhart, 6-2, 215, Sr.
LB Kyle Theret, 5-11, 185, Sr.
LB Isaac Russomanno, 5-11, 185, Sr.
LB Matt McReynolds, 6-0, 205, Sr.
DB Coly Riggins, 5-11, 170, Sr.
DB Patrick Fisher, 6-0, 170, Sr.
S Nolan Brewster, 6-1, 190, Jr.
DB Casey Braun, 6-0, 175, Sr.
P Kirk Ehrhart, 6-2, 215, Sr.
Coach: Dave Logan
STATISTICS
Rushing – Morelli, 184 carries-2,090 yards, 25 TDs.
Passing – C. Brewster, 131-for-219, 2,319 yards, 31 TDs, seven INTs.
Receiving – Aguilar, 51 catches-1,289 yards, 18 TDs; Watson, 26-325, five TDs; Morelli, 20-299, four TDs; Skene 15-170, one TD.
Championship game appearances (4-1-1) – 1978, 1979, 1980, 1998, 2004, 2005.
