Class 5A Second Round
Weekend state playoff lineup by Neil H. Devlin. In bracket order; seeds and records in parenthesis:
(1) Columbine (10-0) at (16) Pomona (7-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Jefferson County Stadium
What’s up? Top-seeded Rebels have won 23 in a row and their past six postseason games. … Each member of their backfield rotation – Jeff Cicchinelli, Chad
Kordaj and Orenzo Davis – would probably be the main guy on so many other teams. … Same matchup a year ago in same round with basically same regulars – of 44 starters, 29 returned. Columbine won 21-7. … Pomona junior Donovan Bowens is an emerging star as the Panthers may be smaller up front, but tough, too.
What’s next? Pomona head coach Jay Madden knows the Rebels are loaded up front on defense with Matt Birkeness, Colorado recruit Curtis Cunningham and Ben Tedford. Controlling them will be key.
(9) Bear Creek (8-2) at (8) Mountain Vista (8-2)
When: Saturday, 6 p.m., Shea Stadium
What’s up? Bear Creek’s Bears have skill and size. Sophomore Zach Thenell has been solid, getting the ball to do-it-all Tommy Flanagan and a deep receiving corps. … Bears’ overall team speed underrated. … Senior running back Eric Longoria (16 touchdowns) has been a workhorse for the Golden Eagles. … Few patrol the secondary like Mountain Vista’s Patrick Mahnke, bound for CU, and the team’s overall performance this season and in 2006 (after jumping from 3A) has been one of the biggest big-school eye-openers.
What’s next? Mistakes have put the clamps on the Bears in each of their losses. Mountain Vista wouldn’t mind taking advantage.
(13) Rocky Mountain (8-2) at (4) Heritage (9-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Littleton Public Schools Stadium
What’s up? Make no mistake – the skill on the field will be substantial. Heritage quarterback Mitch Griebel has been terrific as a sophomore, junior wide receiver Brandon Kaufman is a vacuum cleaner and running back Ryan Skogg, a senior, enjoys veteran, battle-tested status. … Meanwhile, the Lobos’ Alex Kelly is a pesky lefty at quarterback, and their long line of talent among ball-handlers includes junior Alex Stewart. … Neither outfit is that big, but both are above average at skill in the speed department.
What’s next? Both teams would probably be willing to settle for draws up front and let their skill players win it.
(12) Cherry Creek (8-2) at (5) Grandview (8-2)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m., Legacy Stadium
What’s up: A late field goal settled the first meeting, in the Centennial League. … Cherry Creek quarterback Jack Elway has proven he owns the best arm in the state – witness his deep outs – and compiled 24 touchdown passes against only four interceptions. … Receiver Alex Johnson catches and runs like he’s an outfielder. … Bo Bolen’s credentials as a running back (he was the 5A rushing champion last year as a junior and has nearly 1,800 so far in 2007) are superceded only by his prowess as a student (he gets A’s). … Year in, year out, Wolves reload nicely up front and on defense.
What’s next? Both teams were hoping for a rematch and here it is. The first one ended 37-34. So many sequels are lame, but perhaps not this one.
(2) Mullen (10-0) at (18) Chatfield (7-3)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m., Jefferson County Stadium
What’s up? Mullen’s Mustangs, who played in the past three 5A title games, returned no skill players from 2006, yet can run past – and score with – anyone. … Their offensive line has been terrific, even with tackle Bryce Givens battling a broken hand. … Kudos to junior quarterback Timmy Tancik, who took over because of injury and made the most of it. … Chargers battling food poisoning that made more than 30 coaches and players violently ill beginning last weekend. … So they have had a sketchy week of practice. … Color Chatfield scrappy – it’s not that big, fast or skilled, yet the Chargers have been in every game, a tribute to their resolve and the open-minded leadership of coach Bret McGatlin.
What’s next? Chargers, who played Arvada West, Bear Creek, Columbine and Pomona in league, won’t blink, but this will be their fastest foe as well as one of the most powerful outfits they have faced.
(10) Legacy (8-2) at (7) Highlands Ranch (8-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Shea Stadium
What’s up? Visiting Lightning knows it blew a chance to secure the Front Range, but playoff victories can cut bad memories short. … Luke Bublitz does Legacy’s dealing, primarily to either running back Vince Gallegos or receiver Bryson Romero. … Defensive end Nick Kasas is a 6-foot-7 specimen. … Credit coach Darrell Gorham for revitalizing the Falcons. … The core of Highlands Ranch’s offensive line is stout and speedy back Jace Davis presents a dynamic aspect to the ground game.
What’s next? Not that much overall speed here, so slugging it out, being patient and handling assignments will be huge.
(14) East (8-2) at (3) Thomas Jefferson (10-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., All-City Stadium, FSN
What’s up? Yes, we did this one earlier, as TJ won 34-22 in Week 4. … East won last week despite surrendering 676 yards and 39 first downs, an upbeat victory over Overland. … East’s Angels have size, speed and talent among the likes of Quentin Hildreth, Koree Ross, Josh Russell and DaVaughn Thornton. … TJ rocks with Michael Mankoff at quarterback and his brother, Matthew, at center. … Devon Fitzgerald is a tough, smart runner who’s indicative of the Spartans’ workmanlike effort.
What’s next? They toiled in the obscure Denver Prep/Southwest League, which included a ridiculous six nonleague games, but each has grown, gained confidence and is here through inspired performance.
(11) Arvada West (8-2) at (6) Douglas County (8-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Douglas County Stadium
What’s up? Call it a hitters’ matchup, as both have rock-and-rolled on both sides, which clearly are the strengths of their teams. … Both also went through demanding leagues, the Continental for the host Huskies and the South Metro for the Wildcats. … Huskies finally healthy, according to coach Jeff Ketron. … Ryan Misare, who will head to the Air Force Academy, and Jose Astorga are seasoned Douglas County backs, and flier Tyler Jackson is among the state’s top athletes. … Luke Campbell leads the gritty Wildcats.
What’s next? Ultimately, it may be vanilla in terms of top-flight action, but the winner will earn it.
