As Class 5A’s Big 8 League crosses the halfway point of the 2009 regular season by the weekend, the free-for-all continues.
The next bout of note will be Friday’s Arvada West-Columbine matchup, two of the league’s four teams among the top six in The Denver Post/9News 5A poll.
Big 8 fun is real. There are enough high-end games remaining to last into Halloween, the final day of the regular season, tricks and treats to keep the Big 8 the hottest of 5A’s six loops.
Arvada West had little trouble early, whipping three foes by a combined 121-17 — including Lakewood 42-8 in the league opener — before a legitimate taste of tension against Aurora’s Regis. The No. 3 Wildcats won 20-6, but it was the first situation in which their reserves weren’t getting loose before halftime.
“We were in situations we haven’t been in,” A-West coach Casey Coons said.
Despite leading only 7-6 at halftime, the Wildcats moved to 4-0 record-wise, probably higher mentally. It will come in handy Friday — the Wildcats, who have veteran skill players such as quarterback Gavin Glanz but perhaps have been more impressive on defense, haven’t downed the Rebels since 2005.
“So we’re due,” Coons said.
Due? Sixth-ranked Columbine lost one it won’t forget, 16-13 in the final seconds to Chatfield last week, its first against the Chargers since 2001. The ground-based Rebels also lost the inner battles of line of scrimmage, turnovers and field position, rare occurrences for those from South Pierce Street.
Primary ball carriers Demetrius McDondle, Phillip Romero and Danny Spond are set to take turns against the A-West front seven. Keeping them away from the secondary is one of A-West’s immediate goals.
The Rebels will have additional inspiration — a reunion for the 1999 state title team, the school’s first just months after the massacre that killed teacher-coach Dave Sanders and 12 students. Members of that team will lead this season’s Rebels onto the field.
Grandview (3-1) vs. Fort Collins (4-0)
6 p.m. today, French Field
Grandview took a hit last week, 19-18 to Eaglecrest in the Class 5A Centennial League, its first loss in 19 regular-season games and 16 league games. The Wolves managed only a field goal in the second half and Zach Nelson’s 102 yards rushing weren’t enough. Offense continues to be the main concern, but will try to stretch its legs in nonleague against the Lambkins, at the top of the Front Range. Sam Seeton, left, is fresh from running for 206 yards and four touchdowns. Fort Collins has a combined 71 points in two games.
Overland (3-1) at Mullen (4-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Brother Bernard Kinneavy de La Salle Stadium
In Week 5, Mullen has its first home game. The Mustangs, earning the only local sniffs from pollsters nationally, actually played a Centennial game in Zero Week, believed to be the league’s first; followed with two more league victories; physically handled Rockhurst Jesuit in Kansas City, Mo.; and had a bye. An as-yet quiet Adonis Ameen Moore, left,remains a running back load, and the front seven on defense have been a wall. Overland, which lost to rival Cherry Creek in Week 4, needs its top speed; Trailblazers’ toughest stretch is here.
ThunderRidge (4-0) vs. Ponderosa (3-1)
7 p.m. Friday, Stadium
ThunderRidge hasn’t dropped a regular-season game since joining 5A in 2008, 13 victories in succession. The Grizzlies’ recent 42-20 drubbing of Arapahoe was thorough and a warm- up for down-the-stretch 5A Southern play. Quarterback Alex Waner, left, had his best game, a promising sign in Highlands Ranch. He’ll need it against Ponderosa, a preseason Southern favorite. The Mustangs’ lone blemish is a one-touchdown loss in Week 2 to No. 4 Chatfield. Overall, the Southern remains cloudy, but more accurate forecasts are straight ahead.
Douglas Co. (2-2) vs. Mtn. Vista (2-2)
7 p.m. Saturday, Shea Stadium
They have arrived at the corner — it’s time for the visiting Huskies or the host Golden Eagles to establish a 5A Southern run. Douglas County has been known to begin slowly, and it did at 0-2. But Nimon Malouf’s 176 yards rushing and two touchdowns helped draw the Huskies even. Meanwhile, Mountain Vista has been bitten by big plays and pressed for points, but the Golden Eagles put up 27 the past week against Doherty and mainstay linebacker Brian Caggiano has been a force. Stopping the run will play a big role in a Saturday night special.
Montrose (4-0) at Pueblo West (4-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Cyclone Stadium
It’s the only time in the regular season that 4A No. 5 Montrose, a Western Slope power, will be anywhere near our side of the hills. The Indians have been dominant, compiling a 161-25 aggregate scoring edge, and their tuneups continue — they won’t have a league game (5A-4A Southwestern) for two weeks. The Pikes Peak’s Pueblo West, 5-5 in 2008, has had sloppy moments but ended Pueblo South’s 40-game, regular-season winning streak and rides senior quarterback Hans Ask, left, with a No. 6 ranking.
Palisade (3-2) at Steam. Springs (4-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Gardner Field
Three consecutive Palisade victories have been led by defense. The Bulldogs’ front has been active, permitting just six points the past two weeks. Offensively, Sean Dunn has rushed for 695 yards and 10 touchdowns, and he’ll be vital to consuming time and slowing down the quick-striking Sailors. California recruit Austin Hinder, left, has thrown 11 touchdown passes for Steamboat Springs, ranked second and on top of the 3A Western Slope. His receiving corps is versatile, but the Sailors’ lines are facing a midseason exam.
Pueblo Central (4-0) vs. P. Centennial (3-1)
7 p.m. Friday, Dutch Clark Stadium
None of you can say you were there for the first one, so here’s an opportunity to attend Pueblo’s 108th Bell Game. It’s the best in Colorado in terms of attendance, history and following — 10,000 folks may elbow their way into Dutch Clark with the added bonus of high-end Steel City play in the 3A Southern. Both teams were 3-7 a year ago, but fifth-ranked Pueblo Central has a piece of the league lead (TE-LB Trent Thompson, left, had a two-point catch to win the 2008 game) and Pueblo Centennial has put up 88 points its past two outings.
The Academy (4-0) at Faith Christian (4-0)
7 p.m. Friday Something will have to give here: Set for their second 2A Flatirons matchup, the two have combined for a 271-43 scoring advantage, 164-13 by top-ranked Faith Christian. It’s probably The Academy’s best chance at getting on the local football map, having never qualified for the playoffs. But the Wildcats will have to do it against an Eagles program that has won 16 of its past 17 games and contains its usual athleticism. Faith Christian senior quarterback Micah Twedell, left,is one of 2A’s top offensive threats; ditto versatile Derek LePore.
Limon (3-1) at Byers (3-1)
1 p.m. Saturday
Across the classification, the goal is universal — improve, earn a good postseason seed and realize three-time champion Akron is lurking. Limon was Akron’s latest victim, but the Badgers rocked, rolled and didn’t blink, much to the delight of coach Mike O’Dwyer. Sophomore Jason Brown is developing into quite a two-way player. The Badgers’ 1A South Central opener comes against the Bulldogs, who have missed do-everything Jordan Dodge (sidelined for the season with a knee injury from basketball), but fared well with Travis Adamson.
Caliche (4-0) at Merino (4-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
8-man’s recent high end has centered on the North (Plains Division) and it is continuing in 2009 with another wave of high-octane offense. Top-ranked Merino, the 2008 state runner- up, has blasted four foes by a combined 210-27, notably 46-13 over then fourth-ranked Sanford two weeks ago. Wyatt Barber, left, has been among those leading the assault. Sixth-ranked Caliche, back in the thick of things after a lull, has been unchallenged through four games (219-61 scoring edge), including putting up 70 against Potter-Dix, Neb.
