There will be much at stake Friday when top-ranked and three-time defending champion Akron plays host to No. 3 Limon in a titanic clash of Class A powers.
Akron and Limon are both 3-0 this season, but more importantly, Akron is on a 42-game winning streak. Of note, the Rams’ last loss was to Limon in the 2005 state championship game.
Yes, both teams would like to keep on the winning track, but Limon coach Mike O’Dwyer and his players have a considerable motive to win this weekend. The Badgers own the state’s longest winning streak, regardless of classification, with 50 straight.
"We try to keep the (win) streak in perspective," Akron coach Brian Christensen said. "We always tell the kids we want to win every game in every season, like everyone does."
If Akron could finish unbeaten this season, the Rams would eclipse that with 52 in a row. Akron’s streak is No. 4 on the state list, according to the Colorado High School Activities Association’s record book. Following Limon is Stratton with 48 and Mullen with 44.
"No doubt, it should be a good game," O’Dwyer said. "Akron is one of the best-coached teams in the state with Brian Christensen. Their single wing is difficult to defend, and you have to beat them because they don’t beat themselves. They just don’t make mistakes. They come at you hard, and their kids know what they are doing and what they want to accomplish.
"They beat a real good Burlington team last week (24-21)," O‘Dwyer added. "I really admire them and the great job Brian has done with and for his kids. They line up and play the top teams. They just don’t back down to anyone."
Leading the way for Limon offensively have been quarterback Matt Brown, his brother, receiver Jason Brown, back Jerome King and linemen Cameron Grimes and Chris Bennett. Defensively, Trent Dohe and Austin Lopman have been among the top players.
"Matt has been doing things right for us, but we do need to run the ball better," O’Dwyer said. "Cameron is a three-year starter on the line and gives us excellent leadership up front. But all the kids have been playing well or we would not be where we are at now."
Christensen, too, speaks well of O’Dwyer and his program at Limon. And he knows his players will be facing a strong, determined team come Friday.
"My feelings are mutual when it comes to Limon and Mike’s program," Christensen said. "We have always had a great rivalry with Limon and we have great respect for their school and program. A lot of these kids are friends in the two schools, too, and Mike has always done an outstanding job.
"Right now, our defense is not quite where we want it to be," Christensen added. "Unlike some years past, we have more kids going both ways and we know we have to stay healthy."
Among the standouts for Akron have been quarterback Chance Friedly, backs Jourdan Hettinger, Kendall Monasmith, Brendan Monasmith, Lane Crumley and linemen Brock Burchard and Logan Merrill.
Games of the Week
Class 5A: Columbine (3-0) at Chatfield (3-0), Thursday.
Two of the state’s finest quarterbacks will be going against each other in this big-school headliner. Chatfield is led by Sam Stratton, while Columbine has excelled with Danny Spond calling signals. Stratton completed 10-of-14 passes for 162 yards and rushed for an additional 108 in the Chargers’ 34-21 victory against Bear Creek to push his team into the 5A rankings. But the running game can also count on the talents of Shaw Gilford, who rushed for 141 against the Bears. Spond completed 9-of-14 passes for 112 yards in the Rebels 27-10 win against Regis Jesuit. He also chipped in with a pair of field goals from 46 and 40 yards. Helping make the running game effective for Columbine has been Phillip Romero and Demetrius McDondle.
Class 4A: Fountain-Fort Carson (4-0) at Pine Creek (3-0), Saturday.
With apologies to Akron-Limon, this one might be the top game on the overall schedule this week. Two state title contenders clash in a Pikes Peak League classic, where points figure to be hard to generate. Fountain-Fort Carson is paced by senior running Quinton Lawson, second in the state in rushing with 705 yards, and a defense that has allowed only 39 points. Pine Creek counters with a stout option attack led by Kris Kentera, who also has been efficient in the passing game, and running back Josh Chance (310 yards). Pine Creek’s Kenny Klein should get plenty of opportunities to improve upon his 10 tackles per game average. Pine Creek beat the Trojans 17-0 last season en route to a perfect regular season. Honorable mention goes to top-ranked Greeley West at Loveland and Dakota Ridge against Wheat Ridge.
Class 3A: Canon City (3-0) at Pueblo East (3-0), Thursday.
Not long ago, Pueblo East was a struggling program, but the Eagles have turned themselves into contenders in the rugged Southern League under coach David Ramirez. Quarterback Dre Hall has emerged as one of the classification’s top dual threats with 520 passing and 412 rushing yards, with nine combined TDs. His top target has been Josh Sandoval, who leads the state with 389 receiving yards. The Canon City defense, which has yielded only 29 points, no doubt will focus its efforts on Hall. Offensively, the Tigers are led by Cody Sparks (248 rushing yards).
Class 2A: Erie (3-0) at Holy Family (2-1), Friday.
In order for Holy Family to be successful in this one, the Tigers will also have to contain Alex Ortega. The fleet running back has rushed for 578 yards in his first three games, including his six-touchdown effort in last week’s 60-27 victory against Eaton. Behind Ortega, Erie is averaging 378 yards rushing per game. Holy Family had a bye last week and being fresh could help the Tigers’ cause. Jonathan Gerry, who has rushed for 246 yards, and quarterback Joseph Summers, who has thrown for 334, lead Holy Family. Honorable mention goes to Platte Canyon at The Classical Academy and Strasburg at Valley. All four teams are 3-0.
Class A: Limon (3-0) at Akron (3-0), Friday.
Plenty of eyes will be on this one, as mentioned. Don’t forget Yuma at Lyons and Rye at Calhan in two other top 1A matchups, as all four teams also are undefeated.
Class A 8-Man: Antonito (3-0) at Sanford (2-1), Friday.
Antonito’s offensive production and defensive prowess has been nothing short of superb through three games. The Trojans, with running back Bryan Ruybal and quarterback Jose Uriarte helping to pave the way, average 62 points a game. They also average a whopping 376 yards a game on the ground. Defensively, they have allowed only one touchdown. Sanford’s loss was to No. 1 Merino, 46-13, but the Indians have rolled to wins against Fowler and Hoehne.
Class A 6-Man: Peetz (2-1) at Idalia (3-0), Friday.
Idalia is coming off a 65-18 victory against Woodlin, while Peetz comes in following a 25-8 victory against Fleming. Marcus Gavin and Kegan Carwin have helped Peetz average 38.7 points a game. Logan Ramseier, who averages 125 yards a game on the ground, has been one of the main cogs in a balanced Idalia attack. The Wolves are putting up an average of 59 points a game on the board.
Top performers
Here is a look at some outstanding performances around the state last week:
* Standley Lake looks to be for real this season. The Gators have surrendered just one touchdown through the first three games, and that’s because they fumbled on their own 2-yard line in a 16-6 victory against Northglenn last week.
"That’s been our forte the last three or four years," Gators coach Don Morse said about the defensive efforts. "Our kids are physical. We’re not big but we play hard and we hit hard."
* Monarch rolled to a 37-22 victory against 5A Cherry Creek. Running back Britt Shields scored on a 99-yard run on the Coyotes first play from scrimmage, as they piled up 234 yards rushing in the first quarter. Shields, who also scored on an 11-yard run, finished with a team-leading 174 yards on 12 carries. Teammate Chad Elder added an additional 103 yards on the ground on 22 carries.
* Fairview’s Mike Bastin caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ben Schumache with seven seconds left in the game to lift the Knights (3-0) to a 14-10 victory against Mountain Range in their Class 5A Front Range League encounter.
* Erik Brakee of Fort Collins kicked field goals of 27, 27, 22 and 39 yards, scored on a touchdown run of 34 yards and passed for 143 yards to lead the Lambkins to a 31-14 victory against Boulder.
Record breaking
This note comes courtesy of Mike Robuck, who writes for the Montrose Daily Press: The Montrose football team’s first quarter against Adams City last Friday was literally one for the record books. The Indians set a new state record for most points scored in one quarter by one team when they racked up 53 points against the visiting Eagles. The previous record was 49 points by Pawnee/Briggsdale in 1989 vs. Fleming. The Indians (3-0) went on to win the game 59-0.
"I think we had 11 offensive plays and we scored six touchdowns in the first quarter," Montrose coach Todd Casebier said. "I thought we did a good job, and our defense was outstanding, but those points had as much to do with Adams City as they did with us. It was obvious that Adams City was struggling. We called the dogs off on them. I’ve never had my starters out after the first quarter before."
MaxPreps Colorado editor Gerry Valerio contributed to this report. Follow Valerio on Twitter for Colorado high school sports updates.