At the moment, a rare tie between Palmer and Sierra is still in the optional stage.
Colorado Springs’ Class 5A-4A football matchup last weekend was halted in the third quarter because of too much lightning, with the score tied 28-28.
It’s interesting. The game was called and ended in a tie, odd in that the sport’s system was specifically designed to prevent just that — any type of draw.
This isn’t soccer, where ties are commonplace. In case you don’t know, high school football, when experiencing a level score at the end of regulation, gives each team first-and-goal at the 10-yard line. It makes for winners quickly, as it’s not unusual to have a game decided after one extra session.
And since this is nonleague football, officials weren’t texting and cellphoning to set an alternative date for a finish. It’s not as easy for a contact sport to pick up where it left off, unlike baseball.
However, according to Colorado High School Activities Association assistant commissioner Harry Waterman, the teams are “encouraged” to complete the game in some fashion to avoid a tie or having the game ruled a no-contest. State officials worry about what a tie would do to the wild-card points in the playoff system.
So it probably won’t go into the books without a winner; a deadlock would be one of the few on state record since one of the state’s more infamous ties, the 1979 3A (in a 4A system) championship held jointly by Broomfield and Mullen.
But how about considering a couple of semi-wild ideas?
Wouldn’t it be something if the two programs got together later in the season, say, on Tuesday or Wednesday in Week 7, and either picked up where they left off or played it off to break up the monotony and doldrums of weekly practice?
Or, better yet, what about a throwback to the innocent time of kids running around in open fields wearing ripped sweat shirts and dungarees? The prep players could organize themselves to end the crosstown meeting on a Sunday morning before a Broncos kickoff. Alas, I’ll guess coaches and officials would choke on the idea.
Otherwise, the highlight of the round, The Denver Post game of the week, will be Saturday in Bailey, where No. 5 Platte Canyon awaits No. 3 Eaton in 2A nonleague.
In addition, some others are highlighted below to be viewed and enjoyed:
Today:
The inaugural Anvil Trophy will go to the Aurora winner of Gateway against Rangeview in the new Central Metro. . . . It’s Week 2, and the 5A Thomas Jefferson-Columbine matchup is one of the few nonleaguers of the round.
Friday:
Of the locals in the latest batch headed to Florida for the prep equivalent of bowl-style play, Overland coach Tony Manfredi will be after his 190th career victory, against American Heritage in Disney’s land. . . . Remember the South-Heritage winner when the 4A West Metro is said and done. . . . Kevin Clark-led Arvada ended a 17-game skid last week by downing Denver West. The Bulldogs, who haven’t defeated anyone other than a Denver Prep team since Sept. 3, 2005 (Steamboat Springs), next get Centaurus in the 3A North Metro. . . . The east side of the state, an early September evening and a big crowd for Burlington at Wray in 1A helps colorful Colorado remain unique.
Saturday:
Arvada West, prepping for the new Big 8, will host Montbello, which has dropped 19 of its past 22 games. . . . Defending 2A champion Platte Valley will be in the area, at Denver Christian.
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
