Enjoy the moment. That was the advice Monday to four upper-classification schoolboy football teams preparing for the fourth year of championship games at Invesco Field at Mile High.
With a combined history of 18 Colorado championships, a 2008 record of 47-5 and 88 years of postseason qualification, Saturday’s matchups are laced with history.
“No one ever remembers who made the semifinals, but they remember who made the championship game,” Wheat Ridge coach Reid Kahl said at a news conference.
Kahl’s Farmers (13-0) meet Greeley West (12-1) in the opener, the Class 4A title game, at 11 a.m. The classic rivalry of Cherry Creek against Mullen, another Centennial League rematch, will decide 5A, beginning at 2:30 p.m.
While Kahl realizes this year’s Wheat Ridge team isn’t similar to its 2006 title team, he’s looking for the same result.
He has one top-shelf player, two-way back Parker Orms, a pledge to the University of Colorado, “and a bunch of good ones surrounding him,” he said.
Greeley West coach Mark Roggy, meanwhile, found himself on the committee that developed the idea of neutral-site play for championship games early this decade. The Spartans, featuring standout linebacker Gavin Miller and a balanced offense, are making their first championship game appearance despite making the semifinals for the third time in five seasons.
“Surprised,” Roggy said of finally breaking through. “But what an honor.”
In Class 5A, more than one thing will give between Colorado’s top public football program, Cherry Creek, and its parochial counterpart, Mullen. Since 1983, the two have played 36 games, with each winning 18 times. It’s the third 5A title game between the two since 1998, with Mullen having won the previous two.
Mullen defeated Cherry Creek 21-7 in Week 7.
Attendance at Invesco increased to 13,523 in 2007 for the two games, and Bert Borgmann, assistant commissioner of the Colorado High School Activities Association, said officials foresee an even larger crowd this season.
State football playoffs
CLASS 5A
Championship
(9) Cherry Creek (11-2) vs. (7) Mullen (11-2), Saturday, Invesco Field at Mile High, 2:30 p.m.
CLASS 4A
Championship
(5) Greeley West (12-1) vs. (2) Wheat Ridge (13-0), Saturday, Invesco Field at Mile High, 11 a.m.
CLASS 3A
Championship
(2) Fort Morgan (13-0) vs. (1) Glenwood Springs (13-0), Saturday, Legacy Stadium, 2:30 p.m.
CLASS 2A
Championship
(4) Erie (12-1) vs. (3) Olathe (13-0), Saturday, Legacy Stadium, 11 a.m.
CLASS 1A
Championship
Akron 37, Wray 8
CLASS A 8-MAN
Championship
Dayspring Christian 26, Merino 8
