In the spotlight.
The state’s midrange schools have provided some of the most interesting tough-guy football. Believe it, 2A teams must stop the rush. The play has been so basic, so true, all that seems to be missing is viewing it in black and white.
Key matchup.
Eaton’s defense, which sparkled in last week’s decision of Holy Family — the Bulldogs get Erie next week in an ambitious schedule — will have an ACT test of sorts against the Platte Canyon double-wing offense that has three experienced rushers, including A.J. Melillo, and wears down the opposition, settles for short gains, regularly goes for it on fourth-and-3 and eats time off the clock as if it’s summer between school years. The Bulldogs have underrated speed on defense, which could be a factor when cheating toward the line of scrimmage, a regular occurrence when playing the Huskies.
Straight from Platte Canyon coach Mike Schmidt:
“(The Bulldogs) are troublesome and have a good quarterback (Seth Lobato), who’s big, fast, strong and has an arm.”
Straight from Eaton coach Bill Mondt:
“(The Huskies) are a strong team, they’re very similar to Erie. They play hard, they’re fast and their defense is extremely good.” Neil H. Devlin/Denver Post file photo
Game facts
Who: Eaton Bulldogs (1-0), ranked No. 3 in The Denver Post/9News Class 2A poll, vs. the Platte Canyon Huskies (1-0), 2A’s No. 5 team, in nonleague
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Where: Platte Canyon High School, 57393 U.S. 285, Bailey
Historical perspective: No other head-to-head meeting, but these programs nearly went at it in last season’s finale — Platte Canyon lost to champion Platte Valley, which downed Eaton late in the semifinals. Overall, Eaton has had a splendid decade, winning it all in 2000, then three consecutive runner-up finishes. The Bulldogs also have two semifinal showings. As for the Huskies, a nice, steady climb has been brewing in the canyon, one of Colorado’s prettier settings for Saturday afternoon football.
