Anticipation has made Wheat Ridge and Heritage wait like no others in Colorado the past two football seasons. The suburban powers have been locked into a Class 4A West Metro League that has provided little competition and cries out for realignment.
They’ll wait some more, because after a snowstorm, the date and time of Heritage’s home game are to be determined.
A year ago, Wheat Ridge entered the matchup with a 416-61 scoring advantage. The margin for Heritage was 387-6. Wheat Ridge won 24-23 in a thrilling comeback. Heritage went on to the state quarterfinals, and Wheat Ridge won the state title.
In 2009, Wheat Ridge (8-0 overall, 7-0 league), winner of 22 consecutive games, has beaten eight foes by a combined 387-21. Heritage (7-1, 7-0), winner of 17 of its past 20 games, has beaten its opponents 350-68.
“We’ve been trying to put ourselves in this position, and here we are,” coach Reid Kahl said of his Farmers, who are ranked No. 2 in The Denver Post/9News 4A poll.
Both teams may be better overall than last year’s teams. Wheat Ridge rode Parker Orms in 2008, but Kahl said the 2009 Farmers are deeper and more experienced. Ditto, notably at skill positions, for Heritage, which dropped its opener to Class 5A Columbine.
Heritage coach Mike Griebel notes the effectiveness of the man on the other sideline.
“Wheat Ridge is solid, but one of the huge things (Kahl) has gotten is that they believe in themselves, and that’s a huge thing in high school sports,” Griebel said.
Farmers quarterback Charlie Land has been the starter in the 22-game run, and his efficiency has been apparent — he has thrown 16 touchdown passes and only one interception. For No. 4 Heritage, Mitch Griebel, a two-way regular since his sophomore season, the numbers are 21 and four. Against John F. Kennedy, he threw for 312 yards and six touchdowns in the first half — five to the skilled Shane Optiz, putting them both in the state record book.
