The other is simply glad to finally be in the big dance.
That’s the backdrop for Saturday’s intriguing State 4A first-round football playoff matchup between No. 4 seed Montrose and No. 13 Standley Lake-Westminster. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Montrose High School.
 MHS's Braxten Franz runs for a gain against Glenwood Springs earlier this season. (William Woody / Daily Press) Advertisement |
The Gators (8-2) have finally arrived in the postseason for the first time in 21 years. Standley Lake, founded in 1988, flirted hard to get into the “Sweet 16” each of the past two years. Back-to-back 6-4 seasons left them just outside of the bubble in the No. 17 spot.
“This was a great breakthrough for us as a program,” said fifth-year coach Don Morse, who has Western Slope ties himself. “And we’re not just glad to be here.
“These kids have worked extremely hard ... They’d like to make a run.”
A Colorado Springs native, Morse played himself back in the early 1990s at Western State and then hung there locally to assistant coach at Gunnison through the end of the decade. He actually was on staff for several Gunnison victories over Montrose before Casebier & Co. arrived.
“But this Montrose program is of a far different caliber today, obviously,” Morse said. “We got good looks at their quarterback in 7-on-7 camps over the summer, although we know they primarily run the ball now. They’ve got some impressive athletes at the skill spots.”
Montrose won that particular tournament at the University of Colorado. Standley Lake made it to the semifinals.
“They are not an unknown any longer,” said Montrose coach Todd Casebier, referring to Standley Lake. “It’s a hungry program right now. With their size and execution, they demand respect right now.”
Third-year starters Koltin Fatzinger (quarterback), Dylon Johnston (linebacker) and Brandon Lechuga (tailback) sum up the Gators’ rise best. Fatzinger is closing in on another 1,000-yard passing season, Lechuga averages six yards per carry and Johnston has led the Gators in tackles for two straight years.
The playoffs mean everything to them, especially after coming so close the past two years. Closing the season with five straight wins “ including a thrilling 26-23 victory over Littleton two weeks ago “ pushed them through this time.
“We knew we’d get a first-round matchup on the road, so we’re making the most of it,” said Morse, whose squad will stay over tonight in Grand Junction. “A long road trip for us right now will do us good. It gives us some time to reflect together after a great regular-season.”
Casebier believes his Indians, winners of four straight, can plan for a deep run while still focusing on the immediate task at hand.
And he can partly thank 90-year-old Mo Scarry for that. The retired Floridian who carved a lifetime of coaching through the NFL ranks is the father of current assistant Montrose coach Jim Scarry.
“He let us know over the phone that it’s not about a four-game playoff right now,” Casebier said. “It’s about four different one-game playoffs.
“And we’re focused on the one that is right square before us.”
Indian Fan wrote on Nov 14, 2009 1:22 AM: