November 18, 2008 5:14 PM
Rocky Preps chat, football thoughts
Make sure to join the Rocky Preps chat at 8 p.m. Wednesday to talk about the upcoming state football playoffs. If you can't login at that time, feel free to post questions below.
Ok, be honest. When the playoffs started, did anyone pick the remaining four teams in their Class 5A football bracket? I had Mullen, and it's always hard to pick against Columbine, but I'm not sure even the faithful for Cherry Creek and Poudre thought they would be in the final four.
Cherry Creek's run has been the most noteworthy. Yes, the Bruins are playing solid football from top to bottom, but the difference-maker undoubtedly has been quarterback Kain Colter. He adds a dimension to the Cherry Creek attack that opponents really can't game-plan against.
When plays break down, he simply makes things happen, and, of course, he was involved in the two biggest plays in the upset of Grandview. His desperation heave at the end of the first half that resulted in a 44-yard touchdown to Charlie Zeller shocked the Wolves, and his 36-yard run to end it in double overtime was one of the best individual efforts I saw all season.
If there is a more complete football player in this state than Wheat Ridge's Parker Orms, I haven't seen him. He continues to raise his level of play weekly. Orms gives the Farmers a swagger that I'm not sure any other Class 4A team can match. That being said, Dakota Ridge is a completely different team with Bolton Howes under center. Last team with the ball in that one might have the best chance to win.
Give us your thoughts on the other playoff games this weekend. The 3A and 2A fields are as strong as any in recent memory, and Akron looks to be rolling to title No. 3 in a row and its 39th consecutive victory. The Rams haven't surrendered a point in three playoff games. Unbelievable.
Also, the fourth meeting in the past two seasons between league rivals Dayspring Christian and defending champion Merino for the 8-Man title should be special.
One final thought: congratulations to Legacy's Nick Kasa for choosing Florida. Yes, it's always nice to see the state's best stay at home and play, but you can't fault a player for wanting to play at one of the nation's top programs, either.
A few final notes: FSN Rocky Mountain will televise the Cherry Creek-Columbine on a tape-delay basis Saturday. The game, which begins at 1 p.m. at the Stutler Bowl, will be shown at 4:30 p.m. . . . Thornton is looking for a new football coach to replace Jeff Priestley . . . Look for coverage of all the playoff games Saturday at RockyPreps.com.
November 19, 2008
11:10 AM
Trish writes:
Kain is absolutely sensational, no doubt about it. However, the thing some of us value about him isn't only his outstanding athletic talent, but that's he's a really nice kid. He'll go out of his way to acknowledge parents and siblings of his fellow players. He's polite, respectful and
a team player. He's been the perfect addition to our Cherry Creek team in every way.
November 19, 2008
3:17 PM
jayarejones writes:
1st I want to hear who your final 2 teams will be and why?
November 19, 2008
3:20 PM
jayarejones writes:
2nd.. does this Ford kid form Mullen, have a chance at a D1 school? It's like he came form nowhere. I've only seen and heard about him the past 4 weeks or so.
November 19, 2008
3:22 PM
jayarejones writes:
FYI... Creek and Mullen would be nice to see!
November 19, 2008
4:18 PM
Pat writes:
Final 2 in 4A = Wheat Ridge and Pine Creek
November 19, 2008
4:48 PM
Russ Franson writes:
It seems to me that 3A Mountain View is finally being noticed. They have a real tough one this week against the best QB in 3A in Dakota Stonehouse, but don't be surprised if Mtn. View takes it all home if they pass this test. My guess is:
Mountain View 28
Glenwood Springs 24
November 19, 2008
9:54 PM
Dominic writes:
somehow im never surprised when any team outside of denver gets little respect or recognized for anything they do, but its kinda hard not to notice the #1 team in 4A in Pine Creek. Yeah, that Pine Creek in Colorado Springs, which is in Colorado. To put it lightly, they are scary good. They line up and either proud it right at your or dare you to defend Josh Chance on the edge. Will there ever be a point where football is covered in this state fair and balanced?
November 20, 2008
7:31 PM
JD Football writes:
Talk about teams outside of Denver getting no respect, notice the leader board lately? Greeley West has two of the top 4 tacklers in the state regardless of division. And one of their lineman has 93 tackles going into Saturday's game. The defense has been stellar in their playoff games. While Pine Creek is seeded #1, both the Rocky Mountain News and the Denver Post put Greeley West at the #1 position. Their conference and schedule was much tougher than Pine Creek's. The northern conference had four teams in the playoffs and GW beat all of them. How many other conferences can say that?
November 21, 2008
1:44 PM
JEFF writes:
What kills me is that 3 of the 4 teams in the 4A state football playoffs play 5A in everything else but football. That should be proof that something needs to change with the classifactions. If you are a 5A school play 5A in everything dont play down. That goes for 4A,3A and so one if you are class that you should play that. Why is football differnet then all the other sports.
Dont know but i think that some things need to change.
November 21, 2008
7:04 PM
Rodney writes:
A couple of comments on the discussion so far;
For JD Football....I agree that Greeley West is a heck of a football team. They don't win the northern league or get to the state semi-finals without being good. However, the way the state wildcard points work (which determines the seeding) they take into account all of the records of your opponents and how you did against them. So based on wildcard points (PC ended with 73.6 and GW ended with 67.8) should have the higher seed. Just some thoughts on how the state seeds teams.
For JEFF; the reason teams that are 5A in everything else besides football is due to the fact that there are 6 man and 8 man football teams. The numbers for the classification for football are different than all others for this reason. All of the 6 man and 8 man football teams are 1A in everything else. Don't know if this makes sense but, that's the way it has been explained to me.
Feel free to make any comments or ask any questions!