It can be funny how these things work out. Feel free to ask Reid Kahl’s opinion.
The Wheat Ridge coach is preparing his team for Friday night’s matchup against Monarch at Jefferson County Stadium in The Denver Post game of the week.
“It’s ironic, playing these kind of games in Week 10,” Kahl said. “It was a random draw; really wild how it has worked out.”
Is there a better way to end the regular season? The host Farmers (9-0 overall), ranked No. 1 in The Denver Post/9News 4A poll, matched against the No. 3 Coyotes (8-1 and winners of eight straight games). Both are regular postseason challengers and are at 6-0 in the Mountain Plains League with the championship and perhaps 4A’s top playoff seed at stake.
“This what you work for, two traditionally strong programs, and you have to come to win it,” Kahl said.
Wheat Ridge has been convincing. Kahl has gotten a lot of mileage from younger players who have obtained experience on the fly, and quarterback Nick Ossello has been in firm command, most recently leading a 20-10 victory over a stubborn Prairie View team.
The Farmers’ defense has given up double digits in points only twice over the past six weeks and is being asked to handle coach Phil Bravo’s double-wing attack, a popular implement in Louisville since the school opened in 1998.
“It’s exciting, and what a great team we’re playing,” Bravo said. “It’s a great opportunity for us.”
Since being tamed by second-ranked Broomfield in Week 1, the Coyotes have restored order by tinkering and, Bravo said, getting it together by Week 5.
Monarch has scored 40 or more points in three of its past four outings, and Cody Schneider and Gus Sawicki each ran for two touchdowns last week in a 42-14 pasting of Green Mountain.
Both teams have been convincing, having combined for a 287-point difference in Mountain Plains play. Bravo said his favorite number is the mean grade-point average of his starters — it’s better than 3.5.
