They are smaller schools with smaller enrollments, smaller rosters and, generally, smaller players. But the smallest of Colorado’s five 11-man classifications doesn’t lack for travel, fans or large doses of old-fashioned rock-’em, sock-’em football.
It will be on display Friday night when Rye makes a four-hour road trip to perennial power Akron in the northeastern corner, a top-flight Class 1A nonleague game.
Consider it a return matchup of programs that made the 2009 semifinals — Akron downed the host Thunderbolts 28-21 — but this one will be about improving early and gauging this season’s upper field. Rye, which will unleash the double-wing offense, is ranked No. 4 in The Denver Post/9News 1A poll. Akron, king of the single wing, is No. 3.
This one may not take that long.
“They’re Akron as usual,” Thunderbolts coach Jeff Bailey said of the Rams.
Bailey should know. He is in his 18th season, 22nd overall at Rye, and has watched Akron go 150-24 with five state championships under coach Brian Christensen.
“It’s a tough road to go, but it’s going to be good for us,” Bailey said. “We need to travel up there. We have to scrap and claw and try to survive.”
Rye (1-0) has won 12 of its last 13 games, the most recent a 13-6 decision of 2A Gunnison.
The Thunderbolts are led by running back and linebacker — classic two-way positions for small-school players — Billy Jack Forell.
Akron (1-0), which had its 46-game winning streak ended in the 2009 regular season by Yuma — the Indians also beat the Rams in the state final — was idle last week. The Rams beat John Mall 28-7 in Zero Week, getting all the points in the second quarter.
“We won, but it was rough,” Christensen said after Jourdan Hottinger had 124 yards rushing and a touchdown.
Bailey’s not fooled, saying: “Technically, they’re perfect. They graduate a group, then the next group is just as good.”
