Burlington coach Glynn Higgs knows that Saturday’s game at Wray’s Powell Field isn’t just for the Class 1A state football championship. It’s a rivalry game as well.
“We have played each other a lot. Obviously, we’re pretty familiar with schemes and personnel,” Higgs said. “The team that controls its emotions and does not make too many mistakes is going to have a chance for success.”
Success is something that these teams have experienced quite a bit of over the years, especially this season. Wray (12-0), after all, is the top seed and has outscored the opposition 138-13 in this year’s playoffs. But the Eagles haven’t enjoyed all that much success when it comes to the state finals. Wray has lost in its last three title- game appearances, including 21-14 to Burlington in the 2A finals in 1998.
Meanwhile, Burlington (11-1), which has won four straight postseason matchups with Wray and is coming off a 20-13 win over No. 2 seed Hotchkiss in the semifinals, was a powerhouse in 2A in the 1990s and early in the 2000s, winning four state titles between 1995-2001. But this is the first time since then that the Cougars have reached the finals. That means little to Wray coach Levi Kramer, however.
“They’re so well-coached. I’m expecting an extremely physical team,” Kramer said. “And they can run.”
That speed didn’t keep Wray from slowing down Burlington in Week 2 when quarterback Brett Vlasin threw for two touchdowns to Ben Jones in a 21-14 victory, avenging a first-round playoff loss in 2009.
What might matter is the play of the teams in recent weeks, especially Wray, which has scored 41 or more points in nine of its last 10 games while allowing just 19 points total in its last five. Led by Vlasin and receivers Jarret Cure and Jones, Wray poses a vertical passing attack to go along with a 1-2 backfield punch in Cade Reinick and Cole Beckman.
Not to be outdone, Burlington runs a balanced attack, led by quarterback Spencer Cure. Trent Rico and Coley David each have caught more than 20 passes for over 350 yards while going with a running back-by-committee approach. Whoever steps up, be it for Wray or Burlington, will likely lead its team back to state supremacy.
