Robbie Owens, Grand Junction
School: Grand Junction Tigers, Class 5A, ranked No. 1 in The Denver Post’s 5A media poll, 5A-4A Southwestern League
Record: 5-0 in 2011, 28-19 career
Coaching resume: Assistant at Mesa State from 1996-2006; head coach at Coconut Creek High School (near Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) in 2007; head coach at Grand Junction since 2008
Life lines: Age 38. Born in Shoshone, Idaho. Graduated from Shoshone High School in 1991; attended Boise State from 1991-92 and Mesa State from 1992-95, where he earned a degree in physical education; obtained a master’s degree in sports administration from Northern Colorado in 2000. Progress monitor at Grand Junction.
Back in his day: Quarterback at Shoshone from 1987-90, earned all-conference honors; played at Boise State from 1991-92 and Mesa State from 1993-94.
Last week: It’s a craved yet interesting switch, going from hunter to hunted. Ask Grand Junction. The top-ranked Tigers realize everyone is lining up to take their best shots.
“We’ve talked about it, we’ve kind of embraced it,” Owens said. “We have to realize that we have a target on our chests. It was a lot easier to sneak up on people last year.”
On Saturday, an athletic, speedy Fountain-Fort Carson had the Tigers down 7-0 at halftime before they rallied for a 28-14 victory. Quarterback Sean Rubalcaba (182 yards rushing and a touchdown) and Jerreon Davis (177 and two TDs) again led the way.
Grand Junction now is trying to clean up a few areas — among them penalties, which helped keep it off the scoreboard in the first half — as well as get ready for league play. And keep it simple.
“(Fountain-Fort Carson) was by far the best defense we’ve faced, and I think we overwhelmed our kids mentally,” Owens said. “The kids realized they weren’t doing anything special, and we just went out and played in the second half. (Senior wide receiver-returner Chandon Rose) got up and spoke to the team (at halftime).
“At the end of the day, a win is a win.”
The Tigers — 10-2 a year ago and the first Western Slope team to win a big-school playoff game — are looking to defend their league crown, prepare for the postseason, spell key players and confirm their top spot in a deeper than expected 5A field.
“I get phone calls from people who probably think we’re ranked too high,” Owens said. “We told the kids that they just have to go out and prove it.
“This year’s wide open. About 10 teams have a chance, and it has been a long time since you could say that about 5A in Colorado.”
About the award: The Denver Broncos high school coach of the week award, in its 17th year, will have 10 honorees during the regular season. The NFL Youth Fund will present a check for $1,000 to the school’s program. Grand Junction’s Robbie Owens joins Denver East’s Ron McFarland, Grandview’s John Schultz, Florence’s Mark Buderus and Trinidad’s Randy Begano as winners in 2011. A coach of the year will be announced at the Broncos’ Jan. 1 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High and receive $2,000. Coaches are selected by a panel consisting of Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post; Billy Thompson, the Broncos; and Andy Lindahl, KOA 850 AM.
