AURORA — Not surprisingly, Hayden Blubaugh remains quite pleased about his transfer from Smoky Hill to Grandview.
The junior continues to show his glee — for the second consecutive week, he surpassed 300 yards rushing. On Friday night, in front of a good crowd at Legacy Stadium and part of the Denver Broncos’ prep game of the week, he rushed 31 times for 307 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-7 blistering of Cherokee Trail in the Class 5A Centennial League.
“That’s a very good defense, and I’m pleasantly surprised at how we ran the ball,” Wolves coach John Schultz said. “Hayden’s a pretty special running back and our O-line is starting to grow up, get things done.”
Said Blubaugh, who ran for 313 yards a week ago against Eaglecrest and has 1,271 in 2015, of his transfer: “We were moving anyway. I really felt Grandview was going to be the best option for me.
“The offensive line came through again. I honestly can’t do this without them.”
The Wolves, ranked No. 8 in The Associated Press 5A media poll, are now 5-1 overall, 2-0 in league. The defending league champions also have won eight Centennial games in a row and 17 of their past 19 games overall. Cherokee Trail (3-3, 0-2), the state runner-up in 2012, has dropped its past seven league games.
Blubaugh had 159 of his yards and two of his touchdowns by halftime, when the Wolves erupted for a 21-point second quarter to take a 28-7 lead.
Defensively, they also were dominant, permitting just 133 total yards. Deandre Shorts, Domanic Chappa and Garrett Goulding led a charge that created turnovers, blocked a punt, gave field position and kept the Cougars chasing all night.
Defending state champion Cherry Creek is next week’s Grandview foe.
“Yes, a big one,” Schultz acknowledged.
Neil H. Devlin: ndevlin@denverpost.com or @neildevlin
