“I really think our league is better than I thought it would be,” Wayne Voorhees said.
The Legacy coach, whose Lightning will host Fairview on Friday night at Five Star Stadium in Thornton, has a point about the Class 5A Front Range League, and not just because his team can challenge for the lead.
There was as much unknown in the northern-area group as in any of big schools’ other five conferences. In particular, graduation losses at key skill positions ravaged the FRL, which last season placed Rocky Mountain in the quarterfinals and Poudre in the semifinals (both lost to eventual champion Mullen). Plus, a mix of newer players learning on the fly led to an “anybody’s league to win” approach to 2009.
Into Week 6, Fairview and Legacy are indicative of a resurgence few envisioned. Said Voorhees, “Absolutely, quite a big surprise.”
Fairview, which hasn’t had a winning record since 2005 and was 11-19 from 2006-08, has been pointing to 2009 for multiple seasons. The Knights, ranked No. 8 in The Denver Post/9News poll, lost top-flight athlete Kenny Bell to a broken collarbone in Week 1, but they have strung together a streak that includes a 98-18 scoring edge in the past two weeks.
True, Fairview foes (including 4A Loveland) are a combined 10-15, but its athleticism has been obvious. Quarterback Ben Schumacher, running back Tucker Tharp and wide receiver Lucas Peña-Gonzales are, Voorhees said, “the best 1-2-3 punch of anybody we’ve played.”
Tharp, a son of former Colorado athletic director Dick Tharp’s, has rushed for six touchdowns and caught a pass for another despite missing the opener.
Legacy, which sent lineman Nick Kasa to CU and lost other solid seniors, is making its run with a younger group headed by Colton Chavez and Jake Levin. The Lightning’s only setback was to undefeated Fort Collins and included four turnovers and costly penalties.
“We’re still under the radar,” Voorhees said, “and that’s OK.”
Prep football games of note
7 p.m. today,
North Area Athletic Complex
The Class 5A Big 8 League has provided the most high-end matchups by far, and this one will be for sole possession of the league lead — both are 3-0 — with four games to play. Third-ranked Chatfield, terrific in victories over Bear Creek and rival Columbine, has used its speed and underrated line corps for big plays. No. 2 Pomona, behind quarterback Nathan Grimes and running back Tyler Pace, cruised early before handling Bear Creek and Regis (late). The Panthers’ defense has two shutouts, and their offensive mix is real.
Ponderosa (4-1) vs. Chaparral (5-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Stadium
Just as in the Big 8, traffic will clear at the head of the 5A Southern (each team is 4-0). No. 9 Ponderosa’s only blemish was 17-10 to Chatfield. Otherwise, the Mustangs mostly have had to work for competitive victories, including 19-9 over ThunderRidge in Week 5. Chaparral has its highest big-school ranking (fifth). The Wolverines, with Andrew Loudenback, left, (who was at Ponderosa in 2008) throwing for 11 TDs — eight to Jordan Serena — and Spencer Duran running for 10 others, are as confident as a Denver red-light runner.
Overland (3-2) vs. Grandview (3-2)
7 p.m. Friday, Legacy Stadium
Clearly, the race here is to nab the 5A Centennial’s No. 2 playoff seed behind Mullen. However, both Overland and Grandview have dropped consecutive games. Overland (1-2 in league) hopes to welcome back quarterback Ky Rodriguez, left (concussion), and talented back Michael Hall (high ankle sprain) after a dreary offensive showing. Grandview (2-1 in league), surprised by a point against Eaglecrest in Week 4 before blowing a 13-point lead against Fort Collins, has offensive concerns of its own, but a nice defense.
Monarch (5-0) at Ralston Valley (3-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday, NAAC
Tied with Brighton for the North Metro lead (at 2-0), No. 3 Monarch and No. 9 Ralston Valley are usual 4A challengers. And as always, what you see is what you get with Monarch, a pack of Coyotes intent on pounding the ball with the closest approach to 3 yards and a cloud of dust on upper levels as it gets near Denver. Conversely, the Mustangs and quarterback James Robinson, left, have incorporated improved offensive balance after an 0-2 start (including to 5A Pomona), to get into a three-game roll, 5A Cherokee Trail among the victims.
Pine Creek (5-0) at Pueblo West (4-1)
7 p.m. Friday,
Cyclone Stadium
Does anyone else agree that the Pikes Peak rivals the Northern for 4A’s top group? Here are examples: Sixth-ranked Pine Creek has throttled five opponents, including Fountain-Fort Carson (35-0) by a combined 231-41; and No. 8 Pueblo West, which was hammered by No. 5 Montrose in nonleague the past week, remains in contention. Pine Creek (3-0 in league) hasn’t permitted a point in its past two games and features rusher Josh Chance, left. Pueblo West (2-0 Pikes Peak) and Colton Vaughan is averaging 30 points per outing.
Pueblo County (4-1) at Cañon City (5-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Citizens Stadium
Through five weeks, the rock ’em, sock ’em 3A Southern has these two and Pueblo Central in a three-way tie for the top at 3-0. Third-ranked Pueblo County was drubbed 35-14 by 4A Pueblo West, but its four wins include downing Palisade in Week 1. The Hornets buzz behind quarterback Austin Wallingford, left. No. 8 Cañon City is hosting the fourth of five consecutive home games. The Tigers are fresh from a 35-0 whipping of Alamosa in which quarterback Mitch Uhland ran for two touchdowns and threw for another.
Elizabeth (4-1) at
R.V. Academy (4-2)
1 p.m. Saturday
The 12-team 3A Metro is too large for a full league schedule. Consider a usually sound Elizabeth, which also serves as an example of why it’s best to look beyond the scores — the Cardinals lost to No. 10 Conifer 25-20 after downing Evergreen 14-10. Conifer just crushed Evergreen 47-0. The Cardinals won’t see D’Evelyn, which is tied for the league lead, but get co-leader Valor Christian in a couple of weeks. Ridge View Academy (Brandon Sanchez) was pasted by D’Evelyn in Week 3 and will finish in Week 9 with Valor Christian.
Strasburg (5-0) at Platte Valley (4-1)
7 p.m. Friday
Class 2A Patriot power will be on display. Both teams enter Week 6 tied with Weld Central for the league lead at 2-0. Strasburg has revved up its offense, averaging 35 points, as quarterback Matt Dunning has thrown for eight touchdowns and run for five more, and top rusher Julian Lopez has added four running scores. Platte Valley was thisclose to staying unblemished — the No. 10 Broncos fell 16-13 in overtime at top-ranked Faith Christian in Week 3. The past week they easily measured Eaton 44-7 as Jordan Smith ran for five touchdowns.
Dayspring Chr. (5-0) at Caliche (4-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
Dayspring Christian, the reigning power in 8-man, has won its past 17 games, tied with 6-man Hi-Plains for Colorado’s second-longest current streak (Akron has won 44 in succession). The Eagles, headed by veteran coach Mick Holmes, a former running back at Northern Colorado, have permitted only five touchdowns, no small feat considering the class. It’s of particular concern to No. 6 Caliche and Corey Stump, who are coming off a 39-6 defeat to co-North (Plains Division) leader Merino.
Hi-Plains (5-0) at Idalia (5-0)
7 p.m. Friday
Recent history between the two has been full of success and tragedy. Six-man No. 3 Hi- Plains, with Kraig Tagtmeyer, left, earning MVP honors, downed Idalia 74-24 in the 2008 title game. The Patriots were inspired by the memory of multisport star Evan Bancroft, killed in a construction accident the previous summer. A summer later, top-ranked Idalia lost former coach, teacher, principal and superintendent Tim Gribben to Lou Gehrig’s disease. It will be an emotional night in the East Central for a small town near the Kansas border.
