Think Tom Brady and the boys are the only ones with their eyes on perfection. Out in Seibert, Class 1A’s top-ranked Hi-Plains Patriots are off to a 9-0 start after having all sorts of preseason accolades dumped on them in December. Just 10 months removed from watching Kit Carson cap a perfect 25-0 season against them in the state title game, Kendal and Nathan Rueb along with Wes Henry and Kent Herman are all well on their way to avenging last year’s defeat and claiming their second title in three seasons. On Saturday the Patriots travel to Lone Star (located just north of the Otis city limits) to take on the Longhorns. Other small- school games of interest this weekend include a Friday night tilt in Merino, where the Rams will host 1A No. 2 Caliche at 7 p.m. The Arkansas Valley will host a Saturday matinee with Manuel Gonzales’ No. 3 Granada Bobcats traveling north to take on the No. 4 Eads Eagles.
WRESTLING
Springs bragging rights. Last year it was the Pine Creek Eagles who stood atop the Colorado Springs podium as the best team in El Paso County. Friday and Saturday at the titled “Front Range Orthopaedics 2008 Colorado Springs Metro Wrestling Championships” (that’s right, we live in a day and age when even a wrestling tournament is sponsored) get underway. Saturday’s finals are tentatively set for 5:30 p.m. Other sites playing host this weekend include Brighton, Northglenn, Conifer, Smoky Hill and Valley.
GIRLS SWIMMING
Ram tough. Believe it or not, there is swimming outside the metro area. Sure Cherry Creek, Regis, Fairview, Arapahoe and Ralston Valley are chock-full of talent, but don’t forget Rampart. The Rams have turned out quality individuals over the years, including Kelsey Clarke last season. The Rams are stocked with young talent, including sophomores Kyrene Clarke and Jenna Gregoire, and it will be on display Saturday when they host their invitational.
ICE HOCKEY
Burning up the ice. Perhaps no team has enjoyed more success coming back from the holiday break than the Kent Denver Sun Devils. Coach David Labbett’s crew has impressive showings against Mullen, Regis and in Aspen, where it beat the defending champions 1-0.
Friday night at 6 p.m. the Sun Devils will play at Standley Lake, and Tuesday they travel to take on Steamboat Springs at 5:45 p.m. Also on Tuesday, the battle for the top spot in the Foothills League will have Regis at the Apex Ice Arena to take on top-ranked Ralston Valley at 5:15 p.m.
