LAKEWOOD — Saturday’s 6 a.m. wake-up call was more of a wake-up tackle from Cameron McDondle, who, upon shaking his snoozing little bro, seemed to be the only person to get a good grip on the guy all day.
Bernard McDondle awoke to the voice of his sibling and fellow Columbine running back: “We got to give it to them right off the bat. Bring it.”
And by the end of the first quarter, Columbine led Grandview 21-0 in the 5A state semifinals, thanks to a 4-yard touchdown run by Bernard, an 86-yard run by Cameron and yet another touchdown from Bernard — this one for 88 yards.
Columbine (13-0) is headed to next Saturday’s state title game against Lakewood, thanks to a 35-7 win at Jefferson County Stadium against gritty Grandview. As one media member joked in the press box: “They got McDondle’d.” Indeed, each McDondle ran the ball 20 times — senior Cameron finished with 173 yards rushing, while sophomore Bernard rushed for 196.
In fact, Rebels quarterback Justin Brown attempted only one pass all day — it was a completed swing pass to Bernard, who galloped 54 yards for, yep, another touchdown.
“It’s amazing that they can weasel their way through whatever holes we’re opening,” Columbine left guard Dylan Baker said. “It was difficult (in the trenches), got a little scrappy — but it comes down to who’s tougher and who wants it more. And it makes everything worth it, when they’re running down the field.”
Grandview (11-2) lost its season opener at Valor Christian but proceeded to have a stellar season, not losing again until Saturday — against the team it beat a year ago in the second round.
“Anytime you get this far, it’s been a successful season,” Wolves coach John Schultz said. “We didn’t do the little things right today. Columbine was the far better team and the far more patient team.”
The Rebels arose on defense in the biggest game of the year, forcing three fumbles (recovering one), while intercepting three Jordan Schlehuber passes (he finished 11-for-23 for 117 yards and one touchdown).
Perhaps the most painful pick came with 10:36 to play in the third and the score the same as it was after one quarter: 21-7. Grandview receiver Tanner Gentry zoomed down the left side of the field and Schlehuber lofted a deep pass, which looked like it would be good for six — except defensive back Michael Burns swooped in and snatched the pass at the 6-yard line.
“The defense has come a long way this year,” Cameron McDondle said. “They’re finally starting to get it together and be that ‘Dirty D’ that we call them.”
Columbine will play for its fifth state championship since winning an emotional title victory in 1999. And Columbine coach Andy Lowry, sure enough, previously coached at Lakewood as an assistant in 1987 until being promoted in 1992 to head coach, a job he had for two years.
When you coach at Columbine, Lowry understands the importance of strong football and the importance of strong community is intertwined.
“We’ve been very blessed — we had one bad day in ’99 and from there we’ve had so many blessings,” Lowry said. “God has taken care of us. He’s looked over us. God puts people in places for a reason. It took me a while to figure that one out. (Winning) does bring a ton of joy — and I’m so proud of these kids.”
Grandview 0 7 0 0 — 7
Columbine 21 0 0 14 — 35
C — B. McDondle 4 run (Holden Kick). C — C. McDondle 86 run (Holden kick). C — B. McDondle 88 run (Holden kick). G — Gentry 11 pass from Schlehuber (Williams kick). C — C. McDondle 54 pass from Brown (Holden kick). C — Miller 3 run (Holden kick).
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
