Game facts
Who: Columbine Rebels (8-0, 8-0), ranked No. 1 in The Denver Post/9News Class 5A poll, vs. Bear Creek Bears (7-1, 7-1), 5A’s No. 3, in the 5A South Metro League.
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Where: Jefferson County Stadium, Sixth Avenue and Kipling Street, Lakewood
Historical perspective: During the past decade, both teams have been in the big-school finale multiple times. The Bears lost to Arvada West in 1997 and Columbine in 2000. The Rebels also won titles in 1999 and 2002. Head-to-head, Columbine has won nine of the past 12 meetings, including the past three, each by a touchdown. Bear Creek also beat the Rebels in the 1997 quarterfinals.
This will be Columbine’s 99th game in the 2000s, and the Rebels have won 85 times. It’s one of the great runs in Colorado annals, and the current winning streak is 21 games, beginning in Week 2 of 2006. For Bear Creek, relevance in league as well as the class has been a near constant throughout coach Tom Thenell’s 16 years.
In the spotlight. It should be another classic in terms of rush (Columbine) versus pass (Bear Creek). This is easily one of the 2007’s best regular-season matchups.
Key matchup. Columbine’s Orenzo Davis, left, arguably the most important 5A running back, has been terrific. Backfield mate Jeff Cicchinelli is another constant. Plus, a Rebels defense with three premier up-front players (Matt Birkeness, Curtis Cunningham and Ben Tedford) draws the widest line in Colorado. So it’s up to running back Tommy Flanagan, receiver Dajuan Mack, quarterback Zach Thenell and linemen Jeremiah Sirles and Cameron Browne to put up the points.
