So you thought Bear Creek wouldn’t be a factor when the state football playoffs rolled around?
Think again.
A disappointing 2-4 start to the season appeared to have the Bears in hibernation. However, facing longtime rival Columbine on live TV Thursday, Oct. 15, at Jeffco Stadium did something the rest of the competition didn’t want to see happen — the Bears awoke.
It wasn’t the accurate right arm of quarterback Zach Thenell that propelled Bear Creek to the 34-7 victory over Columbine. The Bears beat the Rebels playing a smash-mouth style of offense more similar to what Columbine coach Andy Lowry has been so successful with over the last decade.
Running back Lukas Lockett ran through gaping holes, rushing for 221 yards and five touchdowns on 26 carries. While Lockett sure looked like a Division I talent Thursday at Jeffco Stadium, the Bears’ offensive line was just as impressive, pushing around the Rebels.
It’s nearly impossible for Bear Creek (3-4, 2-3) to win a share of the conference title with Arvada West, Chatfield and Pomona all with one league loss with two games left in the regular season. While a league title is nice, it’s the postseason that has the Bears hungry.
Bear Creek might not get a top-10 seed in the 32-team state tournament, but it will be the one team that no one will want to face.
I’ve got to give props to the entertaining 5A Big 8 League. There was no question at the start of the season it would be the deepest conference in the state. Four teams still have a shot at winning the league title.
That can’t be said for the 4A West Metro, 4A North Metro or 3A Metro conferences that other Jeffco teams are currently in. Those leagues are a story of the haves and have-nots.
Wheat Ridge (7-0, 6-0) and Heritage (6-1, 6-0) have dominated the 4A West Metro League. The title will be determined in a showdown at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Littleton Public Stadium between the Farmers and Eagles. Either Dakota Ridge (5-2, 5-1) or Golden (4-3, 4-2) could sneak into the playoffs. It will all come down to a head-to-head battle at 7:30 p.m. Friday,