Colorado’s Class 5A quarterfinals aren’t necessarily the Big 8 League Open.
Then again, they are.
If the trick remains to unseat defending champion and undefeated Mullen — and it does — then the group primarily based in Jefferson County is in position this round to head a series of four Friday Night Lights bound to be bright and full of fight.
“They played great football week in, week out,” Fairview coach Tom McCartney said.
His Knights (11-0) will get their Big 8 taste when they host Columbine (8-3). It will be the first meeting between the two since the Rebels’ glorious 14-0 run in 2002 was capped by blasting Fairview 38-10. The Knights’ current record is a first for the program. They won the Front Range, withstood two testing playoff outings and have ridden a seasoned, gritty group, featuring the athletic Kenny Bell and Tucker Tharp.
However, McCartney knows mistake-free play is a must against the Rebels, who have withstood the loss of injured star Danny Spond, enjoyed better ball protection and come together as if they’re glued, a usual trait of Columbine teams.
“They know how to find a way to get it done,” McCartney said.
In addition, there will be two Big 8 rematches — Arvada West at Regis Jesuit (A-West won the first one, 20-6) and Bear Creek at Pomona (Pomona won 34-26).
A-West (10-1) has been riding particularly high. Generally devoid of acclaimed high-enders, quarterback Gavin Glanz works with one of the state’s deeper skill corps as well as a defense that deserves its due. Coach Casey Coons senses a special finish but realizes the quarterfinals have been making and breaking big-school seasons since before the expansion of classifications in 1990.
“Without a doubt,” he said. “I think Regis is underrated, it’s getting good results from all areas, and they’ve always been good on defense.”
The Raiders (7-4) have won six straight games and whipped two postseason foes by a combined 83-13.
As for its do-it-again game against Bear Creek, Pomona (10-1) may have been handled by A-West 31-14, but the Panthers quickly got back on track and have stayed there. Quarterback Nathan Grimes is a playmaker, and the Panthers are sound in virtually every vital area, including on defense, where linebacker Daijon Tyler roams at will.
“The last game means nothing,” said Pomona coach Jay Madden, whose team has since changed five starters. “We have a lot more kids going both ways, but you want your best kids on the field. You worry about it, but you worry more about losing than being banged up.”
Change also is relevant for the Bears (6-5), who have fixed some things on defense and used Lukas Lockett on the ground more to augment their usual passing attack when facing an army of defenders dropping in coverage. Bear Creek’s lines, too, have been stout.
Meanwhile, ThunderRidge (9-2), in its second season in 5A, earned its inaugural try against Mullen (11-0). The Grizzlies, behind quarterback Alex Waner, have returned to their rushing ways that proved so successful in a long, dominant run in 4A. However, they will be up against a Mustangs defense that clearly owns the state and an offense that is starting to unleash junior power runner Adonis Ameen Moore, who muscled his way to 213 yards and three touchdowns in Round 2.
