Reid Kahl’s borderline insomnia provided him with a little clarity Saturday night.
The first-year Wheat Ridge football coach has fielded numerous questions during the season and playoffs about if he ever imagined the unranked Farmers could go from 5-5 in 2005 to Invesco Field at Mile High a year later. Kahl’s answers centered on the potential he saw in his new team and the dedication exhibited from a battle-tested core of seniors.
But a 12-1 record and a share of the Mountain Plains League title – arguably the toughest conference in Class 4A over the past five years?
With the buzz of the Farmers’ 28-7 victory over Ralston Valley in the state semifinals wearing off, Kahl said the realization of what his team had accomplished finally found him – predictably – in bed.
“For it to happen, so many things have to go right,” Kahl said. “I remember thinking: ‘What just happened? Is this real?”‘
The Farmers might be living the dream, but their coach is hardly catching a wink. It has been more of the same this week as the Farmers prepare for Loveland (10-3) in a matchup of programs that both missed the playoffs last season but have ridden the backs of some strong seniors for a shot at history. Both avenged regular-season losses in the semifinals.
Whereas the inaugural 4A title game at Invesco Field last season brought together offensive opposites in run-dominated ThunderRidge and Grand Junction’s spread offense, Saturday’s game will be simple and smashing.
The advantage will be won in the trenches, where both teams believe they have yet to meet their match when it comes to intensity and brawn.
Wheat Ridge’s general is quarterback Dylan Orms. The senior leads the team in rushing a season after thriving when the Farmers were more of a passing team. Orms is multidimensional, but singularly the reason behind Wheat Ridge’s offensive success.
Running back Beau Stevens and fullback Connor Wright are bruisers who chew up yardage.
Loveland quarterback Collin Klein is 6-feet-5 and 208 pounds, and has enough mobility to get first downs. The Indians rarely pass, but Klein is one of the better throwers they’ve had.
Fullback Daniel Freismuth powers the inside game along with halfback Garrett Knight. The X factor is sprinter Jesse Lewis, a game-breaking junior halfback who loves to block despite his 5-6, 159-pound frame.
Wheat Ridge’s defense has been its bedrock. The Farmers have given up just a single touchdown in 11 games this season. Loveland hasn’t been as dominating, but the Indians have never let an opponent get away. Two of their losses this season were by one point, and the other was by six.
CLASS 4A | CHAMPIONSHIP STARTERS
WHEAT RIDGE FARMERS (12-1)
Offense
QB Dylan Orms, 6-2, 195, Sr.
RB Beau Stevens, 5-11, 180, Sr.
FB Connor Wright, 6-2, 215, Sr.
LT Jake Richmeier, 6-3, 290, Sr.
LG R.J. Trione, 6-0, 220, Jr.
C Cameron Brown, 6-0, 210, Sr.
RG Dave Thies, 5-11, 290, Sr.
RT Mike Field, 6-5, 250, Sr.
TE Matt Wright, 6-2, 210, Sr.
WR Justin Long, 5-8, 150, Sr.
WR Mac Land, 5-11, 160, Jr.
K-P Matt Wright, 6-2, 210, Sr.
Defense
DE Connor Wright, 6-2, 215, Sr.
DT Mike Field, 6-5, 250, Sr.
DT Jake Richmeier, 6-3, 290, Sr.
DE Everett Altman, 6-1, 190, Sr.
LB Zak Oletski, 5-10, 210, Sr.
LB Matt Wright, 6-2, 210, Sr.
LB Donny Bauer, 5-10, 170, Jr.
LB Beau Stevens, 5-11, 180, Sr.
CB Justin Long, 5-8, 150, Sr.
CB Mac Land, 5-11, 160, Jr.
S Parker Orms, 5-10, 175, So.
Coach: Reid Kahl
STATISTICS
Rushing – D. Orms 164-1,184-18 TDs; Stevens 157- 820-7; C. Wright 68-395-5; P. Orms 35-290-5.
Passing – D. Orms 158-92-1,290-13 TDs.
Receiving – Long 29-535-6 TDs; M. Wright 24-330-5.
Championship game appearances (5-0) – 1966, 1967, 1973, 1994, 1996
LOVELAND INDIANS (10-3)
Offense
QB Collin Klein, 6-5, 208, Jr.
HB Jesse Lewis, 5-6, 159, Jr.
HB Garrett Knight, 6-2, 190, Sr.
FB Daniel Freismuth, 6-1, 205, Sr.
LT Andrew Keirns, 6-6, 225, Sr.
LG Justin Newhall, 6-0, 265, Sr.
C Simon Rivas, 5-3, 174, Sr.
RG Logan Pitner, 5-9, 222, Sr.
RT Cullin Kelly, 6-2, 214, Sr.
WR Steven Warren, 5-11, 150, Sr.
WR Jonathan LeBeau, 6-2, 171, Sr.
K Samantha Miller, 5-8, 135, Sr.
Defense
DE Kodi McPherson, 5-11, 193, Jr.
DT Heath Stephenson, 5-8, 220, Jr.
DT Steven Collins, 6-3, 230, Sr.
DE John VandenBerg, 6-0, 188, Sr.
LB Blaine Eppel, 5-9, 176, Sr.
LB Travis Nuziard, 5-11, 215, Jr.
LB Michael Bockelmann, 5-7, 160, Sr.
S Jeffrey Ruiter, 6-2, 160, Sr.
S Lucas Tungesvick, 6-1, 207, Sr.
CB Seth McEntee, 5-10, 148, So.
CB Oliver Tromp, 5-10, 160, Jr.
P Daniel Freismuth, 6-1, 205, Sr.
Coach: John Poovey
STATISTICS
Rushing – Freismuth 203-1,244-17 TDs; Lewis 123-1,162-17; Klein 74-444-5.
Passing – Klein 108-62-1,020-12 TDs
Receiving – Lewis 14-307-4 TDs; Jonathan Dennis 12-220-1; LeBeau 11-151-3.
Championship game appearances (6-5) – 1933, 1936, 1938, 1939, 1942, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 2000, 2003
