In the spotlight.
Colorado’s most successful league remains that way for a reason. While other 5A loops have been similar in maintaining size and power, the difference in Centennial teams winning 18 championships the past three decades and finishing runner-up 14 times has been speed, and not just on offense. Its weekly grind is faster, as is its progressionsix of its eight members have won state.
Key matchup.
These are the two top defenses in Colorado because of superior perimeter pressure, unmatched acceleration and savvy from sideline to sideline. While Mullen rolls with a slew of one-platoon skill players, Grandview’s offense has been slow to evolve and is best when defensive ace Matt Tucker doubles at quarterback.
Coaching.
Dave Logan, The Denver Post Gold Helmet winner in 1971 while at Wheat Ridge, is 68-8 in his sixth year with the Mustangs, including a title (2004), two runners-up (2005-06) and two more semifinal showings (2003 and 2007). John Schultz became Grandview boss in 2004. After a 5-5 debut, the Wolves are 38-12, 23-5 in league. They were a semifinalist in 2005.
Game Facts
Who: Mullen Mustangs (7-1, 6-0 Centennial League), ranked No. 2 in The Denver Post/9News Class 5A poll vs. Grandview Wolves (8-0, 6-0), 5A’s No. 1
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Where: Legacy Stadium, adjacent to Cherokee Trail High School, 25901 E. Arapahoe Road, Aurora
Historical perspective: Head-to-head, it has been all Mullen since Grandview joined the Centennial in 2002. The Mustangs are 6-0. Interestingly, the past season’s 36-14 score (in Week 3) was the last in which the Wolves, who began 1-2, were on the wrong end. The defending 5A champions have won 19 games in succession, and a 20th would be accompanied by their first league title, but it must be earned — Mullen has won the past five Centennial championships (sharing it with Fairview in 2002), and 40 of 41 league games.
