In the spotlight.
Its appeal may never go away. Friday night kickoff. Late summer on the plains. Small Town, Colorado. A big game in high school football, where it seems like a Super Bowl even if somebody’s mom made everything in the only concession area. Every city-area player should be required to see at least one. Longer term, and prior to league play, the matchup between the two powers is a probable tell-all for the rest of the season.
Key matchup.
Akron, with its single-wing offense, attention to detail and seemingly endless supply of blockers and rushers, is going to move the ball on the ground. Period. Think Columbine. Limon can only hope to contain it, which is more than a cliche. The Badgers’ higher sights are set on scoring often. Junior quarterback Matt Brown offers the Badgers balance, and it will be needed. Trailing a ground- and time-eating unit is never a good idea.
Coaching.
The two head men have records that would make most coaches cry. Brian Christensen, heading Akron since 1996, is 128-22 (four state titles). Mike O’Dwyer, in command of the Badgers since 2002, is 75-8 (three titles).
Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post
Game facts
Who: Akron Rams (3-0), ranked No. 1 in The Denver Post/9News Class 1A poll, at Limon Badgers (3-0), 1A’s No. 3, in nonleague
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Where: Lloyd Gaskill Field, 874 F Ave., Limon
Historical perspective: Colorado’s smallest 11-man group has been under the thumbs of Akron and Limon, or big AL, for nearly a decade. The programs have combined for six of the past seven 1A titles and at least one has been in the finals since 1999. They took turns making a championship-game appearance before Akron won it all in 2001 and 2002, then had a 38-game victory streak halted in the 2003 finale against Limon, which was on its way to three consecutive titles and a record 50-game undefeated spree.
