During a preseason scrimmage, Dayne Cordes, a manager for the Chatfield football team, pointed out to coach Bret McGatlin that the anniversary of his mother’s murder was nearing. Cordes doesn’t play because of sensory integration disorder.
McGatlin agreed to mark the moment this past week against rival Columbine in the Class 5A Big 8 League. Cordes, a sophomore, wore No. 16, walked out with team captains for the pregame toss and capped the night by leading the school fight song. In between, Chatfield edged Columbine, 16-13, on a late field goal.
The irony was thick. Cordes lost his mother in September 2001. The last time Chatfield defeated Columbine was in 2001. Cordes, 16 years old, wore No. 16, and the Chargers scored 16 points.
“I couldn’t have written it any better,” McGatlin said. “He said that his mom won that game. He was more excited than we were. Everybody loves him, gives him high-fives, just a special kid.”
Said Michelle Cordes, Dayne’s stepmother: “The sense of belonging the team gave him will stay with him forever.”
Coming home.
For the first time since 1978, Evergreen will have a football game at home. The Cougars will welcome rival Conifer on Friday in the 3A Metro; then the Lobos will return the favor in 2010.
Capital idea — both foothills programs and enthusiastic communities are unique to 18-school Jefferson County and can at least momentarily thumb their noses at its sometimes dreary, impersonable district venues.
According to Evergreen athletic director Tony Barnett, temporary seating for about 2,000 fans has been secured. (Feel free to bring lawn chairs).
“We need to handle it, put on a good show,” Barnett said.
Slides stop.
Playing just once per week makes football losing streaks seem longer than they actually are. Ask Battle Mountain and University, which each went more than a year without victory.
This past week Battle Mountain tamed Highland, 37-13, to snap a 19-game skid, and University beat Estes Park, 28-7, to end a 13-game winless run.
Footnotes.
Heritage’s Mitch Griebel had a season of highlights in the first half this past weekend against North. In less than 24 minutes of 4A Metro play, Griebel threw two touchdown passes, returned a punt for a touchdown, returned an interception for a touchdown and ran 10 yards for another touchdown in a 51-0 victory. . . . Estes Park has a player named Tylox Holler. . . . True, Eaglecrest was waxed, 39-7, in Zero Week by Mullen, but the Raptors have shown character by winning their last three Centennial games by a combined four points.
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
