This one had to happen.
The beginning of the Class 5A Central Metro League is here at last, the logical grouping of four Aurora schools with Denver’s four biggest programs.
In Colorado’s ever-changing landscape that is big-school football, chalk one up for the two-year realignment that at least got most of this one correct.
With few exceptions, Aurora’s and Denver’s recent history lessons have included speed and talent at skill positions. But shaky line play clearly has been the bane of their performances.
It will be interesting to see how they compare up front against each other and how many teams they can send to the 32-team playoff bracket.
East of Denver, Aurora Central is back after trying to regroup in 4A; Gateway (Cameron White) is in its second season of reorganization of coaches; Hinkley will be more run-oriented; and Rangeview (Tim Mardon) should have one of the league’s sturdier groups across the lines.
In Denver, Thomas Jefferson (Brandon Lowe) has all but owned city big-school play and is a fair preseason favorite; East (DaVaughn Thornton) is just about bursting to re-establish a place among serious contenders; Montbello is going into another coaching change (Ryan Taylor); and George Washington (Sam Casillas), with veteran coach Steve Finesilver, has been the city’s most stable program.
