WHEAT RIDGE — It was a brilliant late-fall Colorado morning and not simply because of the glorious conditions. Practicing on Thanksgiving carries heavy meaning for in-state footballers, including coaches.
“Special” is how Wheat Ridge coach Reid Kahl described it. “We’re very fortunate.”
Kahl has experienced more than his share of them. The former two-way star at Fort Morgan served as an assistant for two lower-level Mustangs championship teams and has revived the always-proud Class 4A Farmers — they have spent four of the past five, including the most recent three, Thanksgiving mornings working up appetites for turkey, dressing and semifinals football.
“It’s one of my favorite parts of coaching,” Kahl said.
In his fifth season, Kahl’s Farmers are 55-8 and won the 2006 and 2008 Class 4A titles. They’ll meet local rival Dakota Ridge today at Jefferson County Stadium for an attempt at another as Colorado nears its final week of the 2010 season, the 90th on record.
Admittedly, Kahl said he had no idea what he was walking into five years ago in the west metropolitan area. His credentials also included a so-so two-year stint in command of Colorado Springs’ Coronado High, in addition to the influence of his father’s 24-year run heading Fort Morgan. Plus, brother Kent was The Denver Post 1989 Gold Helmet winner as a Mustang and is currently a regional scout for the San Francisco 49ers.
But his immediate fit, with long-term implications, has been a pleasant surprise as opposed to a fluke in the middle of one of the better self-sustaining local areas, a lunch-pail crowd with hard work as part of a daily routine.
“Reid has done a great job handling everything,” Farmers defensive coordinator and boys basketball coach Tom Dowd said.
Kahl also has caught on to the Farmers’ tradition. Father Rick, who never misses one of his son’s games, was sporting a Wheat Ridge jacket while in San Francisco. It was recognized by a former graduate. Another time, Reid, while purchasing nightcrawlers for a fishing jaunt, bought them from another alumnus.
The other day, unidentified men watching practice were discovered to be Farmers from the early 1970s. Previous stars and brothers Dylan and Parker Orms checked out Thursday’s practice.
The list goes on . . . and Kahl wants it that way.
“I get it when I go through the hallways — (Dave) Logan, (Fred) Steinmark, Red Coats, Eddie Stevens . . . it’s tradition,” Kahl said of some of the Farmers’ legendary former players and coaches. “It’s one of the things I wanted to bring back. It’s an open door here.”
Rick Kahl couldn’t be happier in retirement making regular trips back and forth on Interstate 76 and I-70.
“When he got that opportunity to be a head coach at Wheat Ridge, it was a perfect fit for him,” he said. “It’s very special to watch him coach. The thing about it is, they’re overachievers. He didn’t expect to be where he’s at. Their kids play hard, he has a great administration and staff, and it’s just so special to watch those kids compete.”
Said Reid Kahl: “I’m just honored to be the head coach here.”
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
