A look ahead to Saturday’s state high school football championships:
CLASS 5A
Grandview Wolves (11-2) vs. Douglas County Huskies (11-2)
The first championship game showing by Grandview, an emerging southeastern Aurora power that began playing in 1998, follows Douglas County’s initial title foray by two years. The Huskies of Castle Rock won it all in 2005 for a school that first opened its doors in 1897. While a wolf howls over the public- address system to start the ceremonies before a Grandview home game, Douglas County’s tradition includes a double-deck purple bus that travels well.
CLASS 4A
Monarch Coyotes (12-1) vs. Pueblo West Cyclones (11-2)
It’s as if Monarch has Wile E. Coyote, Super Genius, as part of its defense — the Coyotes have won 11 games in succession, seven by shutout this season. The Louisville crew, which has been an annual contender and won it all in 2002, has allowed double-digit points only twice. Both are relatively new schools, arising in the 1990s, and the Cyclones, on the higher end of the Steel City, are attempting to further Pueblo’s long, proud and well-supported history that includes a championship by the original Pueblo Central in 1928.
CLASS 3A
Berthoud Spartans (11-2) vs. Falcon Falcons (13-0)
The tight community of Berthoud keeps coming — its first victory in the postseason since 1985 occurred three weeks ago, when the Spartans rallied from a 21-0 deficit on the road in the preliminary round. They knocked off Pueblo County, the 2006 runner-up, 35-33 last weekend and are in hot pursuit of their first boys title. As for the school with the mascot of the same name, moving into a new facility after fall break isn’t the only news — its first sports title is within reach. Falcon hadn’t enjoyed a winning record since 2000 but has made the playoffs for the first time in 15 years.
Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post
