DC runs to the upset

When Mullen's starting QB Johnny Miller went down earlier in the year, Sophomore Tim Tancik stepped up to the plate for the Mustangs. With 14 TD passes to 3 interceptions, Tancik had yet to be rattled; Douglas County was able to do that Friday night at De La Salle Field winning 21-14.
Down 14-7 at halftime, the Huskies of DC rushed for over 225 yards in the 2nd half. The go ahead TD was by Jose Astorga on a 82 yard TD run in the 4th quarter. QB Will Arnold ran for the second TD in the 3rd quarter while Astorga scored from 7 yards in the 1st.
"It took a lot (to beat Mullen)," said Arnold. "We dug down and took it to them."
With under 3:00 to go, Mullen got the ball at their own 22 yard line with a chance to score. After converting on 4th down and 3rd and long, Tincik completed a 13 yard pass to Mullen senior Terrence Dent to get Mullen inside the 20 yard line. After nearly being intercepted by Douglas County LB Ryan Misare on a sideline pass, Tincik went back to the same rout only this time Misare hauled it in.
"I jumped it and came down with it, it was awesome," Misare said
With the win, Douglas County moves to its second state final in three years. As of Friday night, the Huskies look to face either Bear Creek or Grandview.

Action packed?

If you are well connected in the circle of Colorado prep sports, it's likely that you've heard about what happened on November 3rd when Highlands Ranch faced Rangeview on the gridiron. If not, then check out this video http://www.9news.com/video/player.aspx?aid=43553&bw= on 9news.com.

What you will see is following the play, a Highlands Ranch player grab the face mask of a Rangeview player and toss him to the ground using his strength and body weight. This action resulting in a serious neck injury (reportedly a broken neck) to the young man in the Raider uniform. What makes this so different then any other dangerous play on the football field that unfortunately results in serious injury? There was no penalty, and no response from CHSAA.

This was no ordinary action either. It is clear in the video, that this was done with malicious intent and you see the head referee come into view at the end of the video. Where was his flag? Did he leave it with his glasses in the car? There is no way that he did not see the act because the quarterback ran and was down just yards from the incident. This kind of action is inexcusable and the player should be penalized accordingly: career long suspension, anger management classes and his parents should cover the medical bill of the injured Rangeview player. This is similar to the incident in the NHL when Todd Bertuzzi attacked a player from the Avalanche and critically injured him. Criminal acts are criminal acts, whether they take place in a bar or on a playing field and whether they are premeditated or in the heat of the moment. The staff at CA/CO Prep Sports strongly encourages the justice department and the Highlands Ranch administration to do the right thing.

5A League Predictions

As basketball try outs near, it is time to look at the prediction champions in each 5A conference in Colorado.

Continental:
Favorite- ThunderRidge- Coach Ortiz returns a squad this year that is looking to help the Grizzlies return to Coors Event Center in 2008. David Arnold and Corey Stern will carry the Grizzlies.

Sleeper- Gateway- The Olympians are led by all everything player O'Rion Hughes. With a dominant showing at the Rocky Mountain Fall Showcase, Hughes is looking to lead his team to a possible Cinderella type season.

Centennial:
Favorite- I'm going to go out on a limb and pick Mullen here. I think Mullen has gained the competitive mental edge over Cherry Creek in the last few years even with the loss of All-State Devin Aguilar (right) and I love Coach Cutrell. Terrance Dent and Stan Jones headline the Mustangs this year.

Sleeper- Not much of a sleeper with Mr. Basketball candidate Trey Eckloff (committed to Colorado) on the squad. Cherry Creek could easily take the #1 spot from Mullen, but they will have to overcome the losses that they have suffered in the past few years.

Colorado Springs Metro:
Favorite- Doherty should be the overwhelming favorite on nearly every board. With a junior class that is probably the best in the state, the Spartans will make a run at state for the next two years.

Sleeper- Palmer, led by Reggie Jackson (committed to Boston College) will give Doherty all they can handle. Jackson, arguably the state's top player, will need to trust his supporting cast if Palmer plans on making a run at Doherty.

Denver Prep:
Favorite- The East Angels. Need I say more? The name alone brings chills to teams that have been conquered by Rudy Cary and company. Demetrius Thornton and Mookie Gilbert will lead the Angels into the season as the top ranked team in Colorado and defending 5A champions. This year is the most likely year that we will see a repeat champion since the early 2000's with ThunderRidge, but it will not be easy.

Sleeper- I am going to go with Manual. Oh wait, Manual closed. Well, that about shows who is going to be able to steal the city title from East.

Front Range:
Favorite- Poudre is lead by Mr. Basketball favorite Dallas Elmore (committed to Boston College) but will need to prove that they can get the job done as a team unit.

Sleeper- Legacy has their own star in Trevor Noonan (committed to Air Force) but will they have enough to stop the Impalas?

Jeffco:
Favorite- Chatfield is my pick here. They lose some talent but they also have some underclassmen that provide the new talent along with senior leadership. They will likely struggle outside of conference but the Jeffco is one of the weaker leagues in 5A Colorado.

Sleeper- Anyone.

Skyline:
Aurora Central- The Trojans lose nearly everything from the State Runner up last year, but new addition Kojo Mensah from Brooklyn, NY should give AC the athleticism, experience and talent to win the weakest 5A conference in the state.

Sleeper- Noone.

Southwest:
CA/CO Prep Sports has yet to evaluate teams from this conference.