FLORENCE — Bring extra batteries and extension cords when taking on the Florence Huskies.
They tend to drain the opposition’s power as if you left your car lights on or your children turned on the television, then left the room. Or maybe the refrigerator door was left open.
In any event, the Huskies absorbed and handed out more energy Friday night, when they gradually wore down Colorado Springs Christian in The Denver Post game of the week to take command of the Class 2A Tri-Peaks League. Their 28-6 victory at Husky Stadium was painstakingly slow and difficult for the Lions as the Huskies gradually established physical superiority, then let their talent and endurance do the rest.
“They’re good at what they do,” Lions coach Jayson Kersey said.
In improving to 8-0 overall, 4-0 in the league, Florence, ranked second in The Denver Post/9News 2A poll and two-time defending league champion, won its 21st Tri-Peaks game in a row and probably will move up to No. 1 with Aspen losing. And the Huskies did it in their usual manner by running the ball and sealing things on defense.
“It’s what we want to do, wear you down,” said running back John Alexander, who rushed for 163 yards on 22 carries and scored three touchdowns.
Mission accomplished. Florence, which platoons at every position but one and obviously enjoys contact, traded punches early with fourth-ranked Colorado Springs Christian (7-1, 3-1), and they eventually took their toll. Time-consuming drives and a punishing defense were felt down the stretch by the Lions.
“They’re a good team,” Kersey said. “They spread you out, they’re smart. . . . They’re the team you have to beat.”
Alexander and bruiser Tyler Faoro (127 yards) paced a Huskies attack that netted 315 yards on the ground.
It started to take effect in the second quarter, when Alexander scored on runs of 1 and 2 yards. Quarterback Cody Nichols scored late in the third quarter on a 6-yarder as Florence put it away, then added dressing when Alexander scored on a 36-yarder midway through the fourth quarter.
All the while, the Huskies’ defense was steady. A sack and a fumble led to the Huskies’ first touchdown, and they held the Lions to 6 yards after a quarter and only 60 by halftime.
“We had our chances,” Kersey said, noting a couple of penalties and dropped passes.
Florence veteran coach Mark Buderus said his defense “was really good tonight and this was a huge win, huge. . . . (The Lions) are better and faster than I thought they were.”
Said Alexander, “This one felt like a playoff game.”
Florence will be at La Junta on Friday, then finish at home in Week 10 against Colorado Springs’ St. Mary’s.
C.S. Christian 0 0 6 0 — 6
Florence 0 14 7 7 — 28
F — Alexander 1 run (Macura kick); F — Alexander 2 run (Macura kick); CSC — Young 1 run (kick failed); F — Nichols 6 run (Macura kick); F — Alexander 36 run (Macura kick).
