In the spotlight:
New York’s Shea Stadium may be closed after the National League’s Mets chokedagain — but the Colorado version figures to rock. The Southern isn’t the fastest or most-skilled group in 5A, but its determination, physical play and following may be second to none among big schools. The winner of this game takes control of the Southern with three games to play.
Key matchup:
The team that does the better job of stopping the other’s rushing game should win. ThunderRidge’s Chris Nwoke and Highlands Ranch’s Mike Jose are the featured runners, but don’t be fooled. These teams are well-coached and can pencil in at least a half-dozen skill players each to make plays. In addition, the close-to-the-vest approach may be masked. Dropback passing and trick or novelty plays are in their repertoires.
Coaching:
The Grizzlies’ Joe Johnson is 140-53, primarily at ThunderRidge, with three 4A state titles. The Falcons’ Darrel Gorham led Rifle to the playoffs 11 times in 14 seasons, including the 2004 3A championship, and is 21-15 — 13-3 since 2007 — at Highlands Ranch.
Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post
Game facts
Who: ThunderRidge Grizzlies (5-0 overall, 4-0 in the Southern League), ranked No. 7 in The Denver Post/9News Class 5A poll, vs. Highlands Ranch Falcons (5-0, 4-0), 5A’s No. 8.
When: Friday, 7 p.m. Where: Shea Stadium, 3270 Redstone Park Circle, Highlands Ranch.
Historical perspective: These programs have never faced each other in football. In the 1980s, emerging Highlands Ranch (the city) began with the Falcons and eventually produced city team No. 2, ThunderRidge. The schools see each other regularly in every other sport. While the Falcons quickly made their way to big-school football, the Grizzlies are in their first year. What makes this matchup most intriguing is it’s the first meeting between players who banged heads in peewee, have known or heard of each other for years and now get to do it as teenagers.
