The chances are slim that there are many ties between the towns of Cotopaxi and Idalia, which are separated by nearly 260 miles, other than the fact they are matched up against each other in the first round of this weekend’s Class A 6-man playoffs.
But first-year Cotopaxi coach Steve Fieth’s sister Mary just happens to have a home in Idalia and is a big fan of the Wolves.
So whom is she rooting for Saturday?
“Hopefully she’s rooting for me,” said Steve, who has guided the Pirates to their first playoff appearance since an 8-man showing in 2001.
One other link in this matchup is that before the season, Fieth went to Idalia before the season to chat with Idalia coach Perry Allen about how to build and run a successful 6-man program. Cotopaxi dropped down from 8-man and went 7-1 in its first 6-man season.
“We talked a little football, not a lot of specifics,” said Fieth, whose wife and daughters will get quality time with Aunt Mary this weekend. “We really didn’t get into many X’s and O’s.”
The Pirates, like everyone else in the eight-team field, understand that Idalia is the team to beat and has had that label since winning it all last year.
The Pirates have been looking forward to the challenge.
“The kids have been talking about it for a while. They want to see where they stack up,” Fieth said. “Obviously, you’ve got to beat the best to be the best.”
The seven-time champion Wolves (9-0) have put a dominant regular season behind them, and Allen knows the playing field levels from here on out.
“What happened in the regular season is history,” said Allen, who knows of the expectations. “The kids have been hearing it from everyone around the state, in the community, and they know if they just try to walk through, we are going to get it handed to us. There won’t be any letdown.”
Quarterfinals
Saturday at 1 p.m.
(8) Cotopaxi (7-1) at (1) Idalia (9-0)
(5) Bethune (6-3) at (4) Otis (8-1)
(6) Deer Trail (6-3) at (3) Eads (8-1)
(7) Hi-Plains (4-4) at (2) Fleming (8-1)
