The Class A 6-Man state championship game looks a lot like the 2008 version, as Idalia will play host to defending Class A 6-Man state champion Hi-Plains in a rematch of last season’s championship game.
Hi-Plains beat Idalia 74-24 in last year’s final, but Idalia returned the favor in Week 6 this season when the Wolves beat the Patriots, 35-26. It was the closest game of the season for each team. Playing in the championship game is nothing new for Idalia. The Wolves have won five titles during the past 10 seasons (2000, 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2006) and were runners-up in 1999, 2002 and last year. On the other side, Hi-Plains also won the title in 2004, but reaching the championship game has been a struggle. This is only the third appearance for the Patriots during the past 10 seasons.
"As always, this is a huge game," said Idalia’s Perry Allen, who is in his second season as the Wolves head coach. "We have a long, fine history and rivalry with Hi-Plains. They are strong on defense and offense and we have a lot of fun playing against them."
Idalia (11-0) has outscored its foes 584-201. The Wolves opened the playoffs with a 68-28 victory against Edison and drubbed Otis, 42-6 in their semifinal. Hi-Plains (10-1), under coach Dave Sheffield, has tallied 556 points while allowing 267. The Patriots defeated Weldon Valley 66-22 in the quarterfinals and Eads 59-47 in the semifinals.
"Our key this season has been eyes focused on what we needed to do and to take it game-by-game," Allen said. "Over the season we have gotten better week by week. And, we spend a lot of time on tackling practice, that‘s a super necessary in such a wide open game as 6-Man. As a second-year coach, I feel fortunate to have this fine a talent to work with."
Depth certainly has been a key for Idalia, a squad that has only four seniors. The Wolves can run and pass effectively behind Logan Ramseier and Landon Shaffer. And, leadership is at its height with Luke Terrell. Ramseier has passed for 756 yards and eight touchdowns, and he has rushed for 966 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. He was certainly on target last week against Otis, rushing 17 times for 222 yards and scoring four touchdowns.
"Logan is a special runner in 6-Man," Allen said. "He is shifty and very quick and extremely hard to tackle. He can cut on a dime. And when guys do get a hold of him, he knows how to break free."
Terrell, who has rushed for 323 yards and scored six touchdowns, also is the team’s top receiver with 14 catches for 315 yards and an additional six touchdowns. According to Allen, he has been the emotional team leader from the start.
"Luke is that leader from start to finish," Allen said. "He is one of the hardest workers on the team and so versatile. He could, and has played in the past, any position we have asked of him. He also leads the team in tackles this season."
Hi-Plains coach Dave Sheffield knows a victory against Idalia will not be easy, even if his team is the defending champion.
"I think we are evenly matched, and it’s just going to be a matter of who makes the fewest mistakes wins," said Sheffield, who is in his ninth season. "They have an incredible offense and solid defense. And, they’ve got a quarterback who can find receivers in this quick-paced game.
"We need to get our running game going," Sheffield said. "That’s our base. I think we are where we thought we would be. We have one of the best physical teams we’ve had in several seasons with good size and speed."
Helping to pace Hi-Plains this season has been Kraig Tagtmeyer, who has rushed for 1,294 yards and scored 31 total touchdowns, and Zeb Baylie. Baylie has passed for 752 yards and 18 touchdowns and has yet to throw an interception.
"Everyone looks to Kraig and Zeb," Sheffield said. "Kraig has been starting for three years. He is highly focused and dedicated and has the ability to overwhelm opponents."
Tagtmeyer also leads Hi-Plains in tackles, but Josh Rodriguez is not far behind. He’s been a leader up front, both ways, and has proven to be tough for opposing linemen. Tanner Thomson, who is the team’s leading receiver with 447 yards, 10 touchdowns is also among the leaders in tackles, behind Tagtmeyer and Rodriguez.
Games of the Week
The playoffs are a full tilt again, and here are the games we like best:
Class 5A:
Arvada West (10-1) at (20) Regis Jesuit (7-4), Friday. Regis certainly has been one of the big surprises this season. The Raiders knocked off Eaglecrest last week 49-0 in a snow storm after upsetting Ponderosa in the first round. Running back Marcus Walker scored three touchdowns in the victory against the Raptors while rushing for 106 yards (1,099 this season), and he will draw a lot of attention from the Arvada West defense. Quarterback Davis Brendel has passed for 1,228 yards and 11 touchdowns, 504 of those yards to receiver Casey Young. Young is also a threat on kickoff returns, as last week he returned the opener against Eaglecrest 94 yards for a touchdown. When it comes to passing, though, Arvada West’s Gavin Glanz has been superb. He ranks No. 4 in 5A with 2,031 yards and 21 touchdowns. In the Wildcats 20-0 victory against Mountain Vista, he passed for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Justin Castor, who leads the team in scoring as a receiver and kicker with 113 points, has caught 28 passes for 560 yards. Running back Issac Fairbairn is also solid rushing (879 yards) and receiving (364 yards). Arvada West beat Regis 20-6 during Big 8 League play.
Class 4A: Wheat Ridge (10-1) at Greeley West (11-0), Saturday. Wheat Ridge and Greeley West will have to bring out their best once again in this rematch of last season’s state championship game. Wheat Ridge won 35-31 on a touchdown by Parker Orms with 19 seconds left in the game. Greeley West was ranked No. 1 all season in the MaxPreps coaches poll. Wheat Ridge lost only to Heritage (35-7) in the regular season. Greeley West defeated Pueblo West 29-0 in its playoff opener, while Wheat Ridge topped Rock Canyon, 27-6. Steffan Bunting leads Greeley West in rushing with 1,549 yards and 20 touchdowns, but the Farmers must also contain fullback Max Morgan, who makes big plays rushing and receiving. Eric Ghent leads the Spartans in receiving (26 catches, 530 yards). Kyle Mews leads Wheat Ridge in rushing with 605 yards while Eric Shannon has tacked on 588 yards on the ground. Quarterback Charlie Land has thrown for 1,143 yards and 17 touchdowns and has only been intercepted twice. Mews rushed for 186 yards and scored on a 26-yard run in the Farmers victory against Rock Canyon.
Class 3A:
Falcon (10-1) at Mountain View (11-0), Saturday. The closest game Mountain View has had this season was in a 7-6 victory against Berthoud. Falcon has lost only to unbeaten Pueblo Central, 28-20, so look for a close encounter in this one. Mountain View whipped Pueblo Centennial 40-7 in its first-round playoff game, while Falcon defeated Conifer, 12-7. Aaron Blevins has been dynamic for Falcon rushing for 1,710 yards and 22 touchdowns. But the Falcons can effectively throw the ball, too, behind quarterback Joey Caron (1,375 yards, 15 touchdowns and only two interceptions). Mountain View quarterback Brennan Stine has been effective, as well, passing for 998 yards, 12 touchdowns and rushing for 468 yards and seven scores. The main ball carriersfor the Mountain Lions have been Steve Ryan (746 yards) and Joey Hlushak (503 yards). Defensively, Kohlman Scribner and Daniel Landry have excelled. Scribner has been in on 148 tackles while Landry has recorded 13 sacks.
Class 2A:
Holy Family (9-2) at Platte Canyon (11-0), Saturday. This one can be called a toss-up from the opening kickoff. Platte Canyon advanced with a 40-14 first-round victory against Weld Central, while Holy Family took the measure of Lamar, 39-15. Both teams like to run the football, but Holy Family might have the slight edge with its passing attack behind quarterback Joseph Sommers (1,065 yards, nine touchdowns) and receivers Bryan Murphy and Andrew Melcher. Nick Welder and Johnathan Gerry lead the ground attack with 742 and 658 yards rushing, respectively. Mikey Gunkel leads Platte Canyon in rushing (1,287 yards, 15 touchdowns), but Travis Robl (603 yards) and Alan Debs (458 yards) have made fine contributions. Quarterback Michael Clark (559 passing, 280 rushing) has been solid in option situations, helping the Huskies score 415 points this season.
Class A:
Akron (10-1) at Rye (11-0), Saturday. Rye hopes to keep its unbeaten season going when the Thunderbolts take on three-time defending champion Akron. Rye defeated Burlington 38-13 last week, while the Rams advanced with a 42-22 victory against Lyons. Rye has to believe it can compete, as Akron beat Burlington in the regular season, 24-21. Jourdan Hottinger, Akron’s leading rusher this season with 1,679 yards, rushed for 145 against Lyons while Kendall Monasmith had the bigger day with a 226-yard performance and scoring three touchdowns. Akron must deal with Rye’s Van brothers, Jake and Luke. Jake had 184 yards against Burlington, while Luke chipped in with 79. Jake Van is seventh in the state in rushing, regardless of classification, with 1,802 yards, and his 198 total points tops the state leaderboard.
Class A 8-Man:
Merino (11-0) at Elbert (9-2), Saturday. Elbert defeated previously unbeaten Antonito 30-14 in the quarterfinals, and the question is can the Bulldogs make it two in a row over an unbeaten team? State runner-up Merino whipped rival Caliche 49-8 last week, and the Rams will again be favored. Running back Dawson Weber, who has rushed for 1,287 yards, and quarterback Travis Hutchens, with 902 yards rushing and 671 passing, have been leaders for Elbert. Weber rushed for 177 yards against Antonito, while Hutchens tacked on 177 on the ground. Complete season stats have been unavailable for Merino, however Blair DeSanti and Wyatt Barber have stood out on offense, Cody Propst and Austin Fritzler have helped lead the defense. The Rams have allowed only 87 points this season.
