James Lopez
School: Class A 8-man Manzanola Bobcats, South League, Southern Division
Record: 1-0 in 2009, 35-26 career
Coaching resume: Assistant at La Junta from 2000-02; head coach at Swink, 2003-05; head coach at Las Animas, 2006-07; in second year as the Bobcats’ head coach.
Life lines: Age 33, native of Denver. Graduated from La Junta High School in 1995, and McPherson College in Kansas in 1999; case manager for adult services in Otero County.
Back in his day: Running back and defensive back for La Junta from 1991-94, all-state as a junior and senior; running back at McPherson from 1995-98.
Last week: The Bobcats had plenty of playing time available Friday night at McClave — almost too much. In an 8-man nonleague game, Manzanola dressed just eight players: one junior, three sophomores and four freshmen. It would have been nine, but a player was recently in an automobile accident and sat out.
So much for platooning.
“We were warming up and the officials were asking us if we would be OK with eight kids,” Lopez said. “Even the chain guys didn’t think we’d play.”
But play the Bobcats did — they won 58-54 in true ironman style. With no substitutions, the Bobcats actually used six plays in which they sent only seven players onto the field: four on offense, one on defense and one on a special-teams play. It was the only rest they managed.
“We had no clue how we would do,” Lopez said. “We did well in scrimmages. Then we sat down (with school administration) and decided we’d be OK to play.”
Manzanola led 35-34 at the half, then trailed by 12 points late in the third quarter. But the Bobcats rallied for a unique football victory.
However, help is on the way. The Bobcats actually have 18 players on their team. Only half went through preseason drills and managed the mandatory number (nine) of practice sessions.
Sixteen should be eligible for this weekend’s game at home against La Veta.
“I guess the kids didn’t want to come out for two-a-days (practices),” Lopez said. “But it was amazing how the game played out. I expected to compete; if we won, it was a bonus. We just wanted to get out of the game with no injuries.”
Compiled by Neil H. Devlin, The Post
The Denver Broncos high school coach of the week award, in its 14th year, will have 10 honorees during the regular season. NFL Charities will present a check for $1,000 to the school’s program. Lopez is the first winner in 2009. A coach of the year will be announced at the Broncos’ final home game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 3 at Invesco Field at Mile High and receive $2,000. Coaches are selected from a panel consisting of Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post; Billy Thompson, the Broncos; and Andy Lindahl, KOA 850 AM.
