Predictably, he wasn’t that thrilled about it being mentioned, but he knew it had to be mentioned. So, yes, he responded.
After his team’s 40-11 whipping of host Denver North in the Class 2A Colorado League at All-City Stadium Saturday afternoon, Kent Denver coach Scott Yates talked briefly about his 299th career victory as well as No. 300.
“You know what? … All I want us to do is get ready for the next game,” he said. “The other thing will happen when it happens.”
He wasn’t crabby, testy or negative. His milestone, he said, will be simply a by-product of his longevity and generations of outstanding Sun Devils.
Now 6-0 overall, 4-0 in league, Kent Denver, top-ranked in The Associated Press Class 2A poll, next gets Faith Christian at home on Friday at 3 p.m. But don’t think the Sun Devils are as modest as their coach — they want to win it for him and be a part of it.
“You know, Coach Yates is the kind of kind of guy who doesn’t want us talking about it or thinking about it,” senior quarterback and free safety Rob Casey said. “But it would be quite an honor to get 300 for him.”
On, Saturday, Kent Denver and Yates (299-73) faced the Vikings (2-5, 1-4) without starting backs Will McKissick and Luke Wilson, who sat out with injuries, and they rolled anyway. They managed six interceptions and a fumble recovery and cruised to 511 yards of offense, 336 rushing.
Now the Sun Devils will face a rival to make their coach the fourth in state history to win 300 games.
“It represents a lot of guys who worked hard for him, and we think he’s the most-amazing coach this state has ever seen,” Casey said.
