A year ago, several DPL teams found themselves in the next-to-highest class for the first time since the early 1990s. Ever-changing demographics and the game’s overall power evolvement in the suburbs forced their hand. GW won the league while the Rebels continued to struggle – entering 2007, South was 4-26 the previous three seasons.
In the spotlight. The drop-in class has created a rebirth of sorts within the city. GW has remained competitive despite its struggles against suburbanites; the Rebels, who had three head coaches in 2006, have gathered themselves, found success and are eager for their first league title since LenDale White (now with the Tennessee Titans) was a Rebels 10th-grader in 2000.
Keep an eye on … GW’s better nonleague schedule – the Pats took on defending state champion Wheat Ridge, Dakota Ridge and Monarch – may come in handy. Its lines are battle-tested in front of running backs Joe Harris and Ken Henderson. For South, it needs to keep the chains moving behind the passing of Derek Robinson and receiving of Jevon Reynolds.
Game facts
Who: George Washington Patriots (5-4, 4-0) vs. South Rebels (7-2, 4-0), in the Class 4A Denver Prep League.
When: 4 p.m., Friday
Where: All-City Stadium, behind South High School, 1700 E. Louisiana, Denver
Historical perspective: GW has won the last three meetings against its longtime city rival and four of seven in the 2000s. If it’s any indication, Friday’s winner should take it handily – those seven games have been decided by an average of nearly 25 points. The Pats have never won a Colorado title. The Rebels have won one, in 1958, in the old AAA class.
