AURORA — No Chuk Obinnah for Grandview? No problem.
On a snowy, frigid, windy day across from the Aurora Reservoir, it was obvious running the ball was going to loom large for both Fountain-Fort Carson and Grandview, a couple of programs that always rush first and pass second whether it’s August or November.
So when Obinnah, who has been bothered by a hip problem all season, went down early in the first quarter, the host Wolves were ready. Behind an offensive line that got stronger as the game wore on and inspired efforts by Ben Marshall and DeAndre Shorts, Grandview outslugged the Trojans 28-7 in the Class 5A quarterfinals at frozen Legacy Stadium.
Now 12-0, Grandview has earned a rematch with first-year Centennial League rival and two-time defending 5A champion Valor Christian at Legacy next weekend. Fountain-Fort Carson, which was 4-6 a year ago and will submit national marks in 2014 with five overtime games, including four in a row, ended 9-3.
“Coach (John Schultz’s) game plan was to run the ball and I’m not going to argue with him,” Wolves quarterback Cody Summers said. “He knows best.”
Said Schultz: “It was that kind of simple game where the team that ran the ball the best and tackled the best was going to win.”
It did. When Obinnah, who entered the game with 1,491 yards and 20 touchdowns, left in the opening minutes with a hip strain, the Trojans grabbed a 7-0 lead on a 91-yard run by the durable Drue Harris.
However, that was it for Fountain-Fort Carson. The Grandview offensive line gradually wore down the Trojans. Summers (ran for a touchdown and threw for another) played smartly at quarterback, Shorts came over from linebacker to serve as a key blocker and Austin Quarles (48 yards and a touchdown) and Marshall (a game-high 137 yards and a touchdown) handled the rushing.
“I’m always ready when my team calls my number and it’s always a privilege to have the opportunity to help them win,” Marshall said. “It has been fun. I’ve been waiting all season for a game like this.”
Grandview’s defense, which has permitted only Harris’ score and a conversion kick over three postseason games, kept the Trojans in check, generated a couple of turnovers and was able to match their speed.
Fountain-Fort Carson coach Mitch Johnson, who was denied his 200th career victory as his 28th campaign came to a close, said that his team “had a great season.”
Grandview, which won the Centennial in the final week with a 24-21 decision of Valor Christian, gets to see the Eagles again. “We’re looking forward to it,” Summers said.
Neil H. Devlin: ndevlin@denverpost.com or
No. 3 Fountain-Fort Carson (9-3): 7 0 0 0 — 7
No. 1 Grandview (12-0): 7 7 14 0 — 28
FFC — Harris 91 run (Rivera kick). G — Smith 9 pass from Summers (Pirrin kick). G — Marshall 5 run (Pirrin kick). G — Summers 1 run (Pirrin kick). G — Quarles 2 run (Pirrin kick).
