AURORA — The current era of Class 5A football is ruled by Valor Christian, a two-time defending state champion that’s alive for a third.
Before that it was Mullen, a three-time state champion from 2008-10 that also enjoyed a 34-game winning streak, and Columbine, which won five titles from 1999-2011.
But what about Grandview? The Wolves have been winning with machinelike consistency. Since 2005, while playing in the Centennial League, Colorado’s strongest group, the Wolves have made it at least to the state quarterfinals eight times. They also have been to five semifinal games and a title game appearance, resulting in winning the 2007 crown.
If it’s mid-November, count on leaves falling, cold weather moving in and Grandview being in the late rounds of the big-school playoffs.
The Wolves (12-0) lead three Centennial teams into this weekend’s semifinals. They will meet Valor Christian, which they defeated in the final week of the regular season, for the right to play in the 5A championship game Nov. 30 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
The Wolves almost always are among the state’s defensive leaders. There is no secret formula to their success.
“It’s just a great program and a great place to be,” senior Cody Summers said of the school on East Arapahoe Road. “Basically, we don’t rebuild. We just reload.”
Said running back Ben Marshall, who ran for 137 yards in a victory over Fountain-Fort Carson on Saturday: “It all starts from the very beginning of the summer working hard. It starts with the weight room at 6 a.m. … We’ve just been working hard the last couple of years.”
In his 11th season in command, Wolves coach John Schultz likes the look of his program.
“I’ve got a great coaching staff, a great group of kids who really want to do something special. They’re coming through,” he said.
Schultz, formerly on a strong staff at Overland under Tony Manfredi, also is making it happen in an area that is booming with families moving into far southeast Aurora. The Wolves have to contend with the likes of Regis Jesuit, Cherokee Trail, Eaglecrest and Smoky Hill in the area for talent. Their school recently added a new wing that officials said could push enrollment to more than 3,000.
Neil H. Devlin: ndevlin@denverpost.com or
Football playoffs
Some dates, times and sites TBA
CLASS 5A SEMIFINALS Valor Christian (9-3) vs. Grandview (12-0), Saturday, 1 p.m., Legacy Stadium
Cherry Creek (9-3) vs. Ralston Valley (12-0)
CLASS 4A SEMIFINALS
Pine Creek (12-0) at Falcon (8-4)
Broomfield (9-3) at Longmont (9-3), Saturday, 1 p.m., Everly-Montgomery Field
CLASS 3A SEMIFINALS
Pueblo East (9-3) at Discovery Canyon (12-0), Saturday, 1 p.m., D-20 Stadium
Fort Morgan (10-2) at Rifle (11-1), Bears Stadium
CLASS 2A CHAMPIONSHIP
Kent Denver (12-0) at Brush (12-0), Saturday, 1 p.m., Beetdigger Stadium
CLASS 1A CHAMPIONSHIP
Buena Vista (12-0) at Paonia (12-0), Saturday, 1 p.m.
8-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Caliche (11-1) at Granada (11-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.
Updated Nov. 19 at 8:40 a.m.The following corrected information has been added to this article: Because of an error by a reporter, the number of Grandview’s state semifinal and final appearances was misreported. The Wolves have been to five semifinal games and have one final appearance.
