For the first time in three years, neither Merino nor Dayspring Christian is “favored” to make a fourth consecutive trip to the 8-man title game against the other, but that doesn’t mean coaches have forgotten about them.
“You catch Merino on the right day, they are going to give you heck,” said Caliche coach Paul Zink, whose team beat the Rams and Eagles en route to the No. 1 seed in the 16-team bracket. “Same thing goes for Dayspring.”
Caliche is carrying the flag for the mighty Plains League this season, enjoying the role of favorite while seeking its first title since 1994.
“We know we have the bull’s-eye on our back,” Zink said. “We know we just have to work hard and take care of business.”
Up first for Caliche (8-1) is Kiowa (4-5), which stunned Simla 21-20 in the cross-division round Saturday.
No. 3 Dayspring Christian (8-1) hosts Cheyenne Wells (6-3) on Saturday and the defending champs from Merino (7-2) — seeded sixth — host La Veta (7-2).
Hoehne (9-0) earned the No. 2 seed and finished the regular season No. 1 in The Denver Post/9News poll.
The return of running back Cody Roberts, who blew out his knee in Game 1 of the 2009 season, and the addition of Martin Waln gives the Farmers one of the most explosive offenses in the state.
“These guys worked their tails off this past year to have a shot at this,” said Hoehne coach Bob Schaffer, whose team opens with Sierra Grande (3-6) on Friday night. “Looking down the road, there are a lot of good teams, and in years past people overlooked us and we snuck into the final four.”
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com
First round
(16) Kiowa (4-5) at (1) Caliche (8-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.
(9) Elbert (8-1) at (8) Springfield (8-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.
(13) Sanford (5-4) at (4) Norwood (9-0), Saturday, 1 p.m.
(12) Sedgwick County (5-4) at (5) Walsh (8-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.
(14) Cheyenne Wells (6-3) at (3) Dayspring Christian (8-1), Saturday, 2 p.m.
(11) La Veta (7-2) at (6) Merino (7-2), Saturday, 1 p.m.
(10) Swink (8-1) at (7) Stratton (7-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.
(15) Sierra Grande (3-6) at (2) Hoehne (9-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
