Class 5A football’s past three title games have been decided by six points or fewer, including one in overtime, a nice interruption to frequent blowouts since the number of classes were expanded in 1990.
The popular thinking in 2009 is that this is a month-long race to see which team will take on Mullen on Dec. 5 at Invesco Field at Mile High.
The Mustangs, the defending champions, are aware of the class-wide feeling.
“I would say we’ve been very consistent on defense, and I think we continue to improve on offense with only three starters back from last year,” Mullen coach Dave Logan said. “We’re excited about the playoffs.”
So are 31 other teams in preliminaries that will begin today. Following is a guide to the big-school playoffs:Why they’re the top seeds.
1. Mullen (9-0): Duh! There’s no argument that it has Colorado’s best defense. Their offense, spotty at times, also has talent everyone else would love to have.
2. Fairview (9-0): Select core of the Knights’ senior class made its point through regular season and now ventures outside the Front Range League.
3. Pomona (8-1): The Panthers’ lone loss came against Arvada West, seeded fifth and with the same record. They are capable of making the championship game.
4. Fort Collins (8-1): Who said the Front Range was weaker than in 2008? Not this year. The Lambkins, along with Fairview, occupy two of the top four spots.
5. Arvada West (8-1): Of the top-seeded teams, the Wildcats clearly are the most underrated. They are receiving contributions from most every area of their game.
The hot.
Mullen has won its past 14 games. Next closest is Fairview, which has won nine in a row.
The not-so-hot.
Boulder began 2-0 but finished 3-6. The Panthers are seeded 32nd.
Pay no attention to their seeds
18. Grandview (5-4): The Wolves’ considerable defense will be big trouble for at least one unlucky opponent.
20. Regis (5-4): The Raiders have impressed more than one foe. They’ve won their past four games and showed very well in losses to A-West and Pomona.
22. Bear Creek (4-5): The Bears have plenty of offense. If they stop anyone, advancement is assured.
24. Cherry Creek (5-4): A rare, up-and-down year for the Bruins, who are attempting to avoid their first losing season in 39 years. But they have material that can win in elimination play.
10 players to know and tell about.
Adonis Ameen Moore, Mullen, RB: Hands down the most important rushing force in 5A.
Kenny Bell, Fairview, Slot-DB: Back from injury and bakery fresh.
Kain Colter, Cherry Creek, QB: Tough guy? He has played multiple positions with a torn labrum.
Brian Caggiano, Mountain Vista, LB: A legitimate terror.
Gavin Glanz, Arvada West, QB: Big opportunities right in front of him.
Chris Martin, Grandview, LB: Wolves hoping his talent can carry them.
Nduka Onyeali, Mullen, LB: Defensive player-of-the-year leader.
Billy Sprague, Thomas Jefferson, Slot-LB: Not big or fast, but strong and good.
Zach Thenell, Bear Creek, QB: If he gets on a roll, so will the Bears.
Daijon Tyler, Pomona, LB: He finds opposing ball carriers as if they owe him money.
The hurting.
Starting quarterbacks Danny Spond (Columbine, concussion) and Sam Stratton (Chatfield, knee) remain out, so does Mullen home run threat John Greer (knee) as well as ThunderRidge offensive tackle Dillon Bonnell (kneecap).
Top five first-round matchups.
Grandview-Rangeview: Both have a view and are based in Aurora, but that’s about it — the crosstown rivals will meet for the first time.
Bear Creek-Highlands Ranch: It’s the score-happy Bears, who didn’t have the regular season they thought they would, against the upbeat Falcons, who had the regular season they didn’t think they would.
Regis-Ponderosa: Regis’ personnel is sound and coming together; the Mustangs are coming off a 12-point loss to Mountain Vista, the No. 12 seed, one ahead of them.
Legacy-East: The 17th and 16th seeds, respectively, right in the middle, so it has to be close, right?
Cherry Creek-Chatfield: There’s a sneaking suspicion that the Bruins can get it done. Meanwhile, the Chargers have dropped three of their past four games.
History lessons:
• Thomas Jefferson, which began play in 1960, enters the preliminaries with a program record of 399-143-4. The Spartans, whose only losing season was in their opener, have won Denver’s most-recent state titles, in 1980 and 1989.
• Fort Collins has won the most big-school championships, 12. However, the Lambkins, even with a couple of recent semifinals appearances, haven’t won it all since 1953.
• Since 1990, the Centennial and Jefferson County (now Big 8) leagues have won every championship but two. The Centennial has won 11 and Jeffco six. The Continental’s Ponderosa (2003) and Douglas County (2005) won the other two.
