In the spotlight.
The Douglas County area, consisting of Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch and Parker, has grown exponentially — there was one district high school for nearly a century; now, it’s closing in on 10 — and so has its football following. It will be on display tonight. It’s all residents can ask.
Key matchup.
For years, ThunderRidge’s Grizzlies have been rough, tough and steady up front. Here’s where it will begin to get interesting for them. Handling the wear and tear week to week is the thing for all 5A newbies, and ThunderRidge will be facing a team that has gotten it together after taking some lumps. The Huskies have been solid across the lines the past three seasons. As they go, so will DC rusher Jose Astorga and Grizzlies counterpart Chris Nwoke.
Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post
Game facts
The Huskies are ranked No. 2 in The Denver Post/9News Class 5A poll. It is the season opener for both programs in the new Southern League.
When: 7 p.m. today
Where: Douglas County Stadium, 2842 Front St., Castle Rock
Historical perspective: It’s the first-ever meeting of the district schools. Douglas County, the area’s original school, which has recently emerged from decades of also-ran status, will take on the prolific area’s most successful newcomer, the Grizzlies from Highlands Ranch. The Huskies are 35-6 the past three seasons with a championship (2005) as well as semifinal (2006) and runner-up (2007) showings; the Grizzlies own three 4A titles. Big schools have been waiting for years for ThunderRidge to move up, and with good reason — the Grizzlies play rock-’em, sock-’em football with polish.
