Denver Post staff writer Jon E. Yunt takes a look ahead at the action in high school sports:
FOOTBALL
Eagles soaring
The Pueblo East Eagles are just a win away from a guaranteed spot in the Class 3A state playoffs. Amazing, when you consider the Eagles were a combined 4-46 over the previous five years, including back-to-back winless seasons in 2004 and 2005 in Class 4A. 3A’s a charm.
Tonight’s game against Woodland Park (5-4) at Dutch Clark Stadium will break a third-place tie in the Southern. For the Eagles (6-3), who lost to 4A Pueblo South just 37-31, to succeed, quarterback Jordan Ward will have to be at his best. He has a good target in tight end Nick Taibi.
MORE FOOTBALL
Mi Kasa es su Kasa
Legacy’s 6-foot-7, 245-pound lineman Nick Kasa, above, will be the lone Colorado representative at this year’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio on Jan. 3. Kasa, who has yet to make a college decision, will hold a news conference Friday at the school to talk more about the game, which will air nationally on NBC.
BOYS SOCCER
Hotchkiss’ improbable ride
Hotchkiss boys soccer coach Elaine Wood was in the middle of a celebration soon after her No. 8 Bulldogs knocked Faith Christian from the Class 3A state tournament, but she was more than willing to talk about her players. The 6-year-old program enters uncharted waters tonight in Colorado Springs against top-seeded C.S. Christian in the quarterfinals.
In Class 5A’s unlikely field, the Nos. 8, 11, 15 and 20 seeds are still alive. CHSAA’s Super Soccer (semifinal) is Saturday at Pirate Stadium at Englewood High School. The 3A semifinals will be at the North Area Athletic Complex.
VOLLEYBALL
Regional breakdown
Many fans’ eyes have to be focused on Cherry Creek and the Bruins’ run at perfection. Coach Sally Moos’ team is 23-0 heading into Saturday’s regional. Two teams from each of four regionals in each of the five classifications advance to the state tournament at the Denver Coliseum.
The top three seeds in Class 4A — Cheyenne Mountain, Berthoud and Roosevelt — are a combined 65-3 this season. In 3A, Colorado Springs Christian is still the team to beat and earned the top seed even though No. 2 Faith Christian is a perfect 22-0.
In 2A, the drive to Fountain Middle School on the south end of Colorado Springs for Region D will be well worth it Friday. Colorado Springs School (23-0), two-time 2A champion Hoehne (22-1) and perennial powers Fowler (21-2) and Simla (19-3) will take turns taking it to one another.
