The Longest Yards

In the movie "The Longest Yard" Burt Reynolds was the loveable quarterback of a group of inmates "forced" into action to play football against the hated, classless, dirty and lacking in any moral fiber whatsoever guards of a southern prison. The game was dirty. Cheap shots rained all over the field. Now imagine that kind of atmosphere in a little town in New Mexico. Only this time the good guys were wearing all white. Also those wearing white were the upstanding pillars of college football playing against a group of talented washouts in home colors from big time programs as well as gypsies from junior colleges. These vagabonds were talkative and brazen in both their swagger and vocabulary. This group of borderline football degenerates started the season flying high but had fallen on hard times of late losing four straight. To most who play the hard nosed game of football such a losing streak would perhaps make them take a step back and respect their opponent. New Mexico Highlands University is not that kind of team. They chirp. They strut around like they are future number one draft picks. They yell obscenities at opposing coaches. They take cheap shots behind plays when they think no one is watching. When they were winning football games this was all an acceptable trade off for a first year coach trying to make a name for himself in NCAA Division II after being a winning juco coach. But now it looks just like it should look. Disgraceful. Make no mistake about it this was a win for the good guys. But from the start it was perfectly clear this was going to be no easy task. Highlands defense is arguably the best group of individuals the Thunderwolves have played against all season long. The Cowboys played fast and dominated the line of scrimmage against the much heralded CSU-Pueblo offensive line. Pack QB Ross Dausin was harassed constantly in the first half. Running back Jesse Lewis was bottled up. But the NMH offense was just as inept in the first half against the number one defense in the country. The teams combined for 16 first half punts. Kyle Major missed a long field goal attempt in the games only real scoring threat for the first 28 minutes of action. It was fitting that the games first big break happened on one of those punts as Cowboy return man Abdul Kannah muffed the catch and Thunderwolves cornerback Stephan Dickens pounced on the ball at the NMH 27 yard line. It took one play for the Pack to capitalize as freshman sensation J.B. Mathews took a pitch to the left and cut back into the middle of the gridiron to break the ice and give CSU-P the halftime lead. The second half started much the same way as both teams searched for offense. But again fittingly the game turned on another Highlands punt. This time Josh Sandoval's great catch and 11-yard return set up CSU-P at the Highlands 34. It would take the Thunderwolves just four plays to cash in the great field position as once again it was Mathews taking it in from 20 yards to push the lead to 14-0. CSU-P's defense which was stellar all night long forced another punt giving their offense great field position at the CSU-P 44. Suddenly the swagger was gone on defense for NMH. And as the swagger melted away the stupidity and lack of discipline came to the forefront. A personal foul penalty for an ill-advised horse collar tackle gave the Pack new life and again it was Mathews punching it over from seven yards out early the 4th quarter to more or less seal the deal. But the signature play of the game would come on the Cowboys 13th punt of the evening. Again it was the former East Eagle standout Sandoval doing his thing taking the ball in the middle of the field at the 17 yard line. The sophomore started up the middle then cut to the sideline and beat the final tackle attempt of NMH punter Ernesto Guerra on the sideline to help finish off the 83-yard punt return for a touchdown. A real feel good moment closed out the touchdown scoring for the game as senior running back Jamaal Johnson scored on a 41 yard reception. Guerra added comedy to the final moments letting a snap go through his legs on what would have been his 15th punt of the night. Instead of trying to pick the ball up Guerra swung his leg and sent the ball out the side of the endzone to give the Pack a safety to finalize the scoring at 37-0. Highlands finished the game with 15 penalites for 149 yards including seven personal foul penalties. CSU-P wasn't completely sin free as junior tackle Ryan Jensen was ejected late in the game for a personal foul and will have to miss this weeks game versus Western State. It was an ugly way to end an ugly game agaisnt an ugly team at an ugly antiquated stadium. CSU-Pueblo head coach John Wristen was nearly ashen faced as he conducted the post game radio interview with me on 590KCSJ. All he could do was praise the way his team played the game. But it is also very apparent that coach Wristen wont tolerate the play Highlands displayed witness his walking lecture down the track to Jensen as he made his way to the locker room following his ejection. The Athletic support staff at Highlands are steadfast in their support for their head coach Eric Young. But it is very apparent that the culture of disrespect for the game and the indivduals who play it must be addressed by someone outside the university if no one at the institution sees fit to do it.
.
----------POLL TAX-----It was a taxing week for teams in the most recent top 10 Divsion II poll as four teams went down to defeat. No 3 Bloomsberg, No 5 North Alabama, No 6 Minnesota Duluth and No 10 Wayne State-Michigan all lost. Look for the Thunderwolves to move to No 4 in the polls this week as well as maintain their No 1 seed in Super Region Three. The only real mystery will be whether Nebraska-Kearney maintains their No 2 seed in the region due to St Cloud State (Minnesota) victory over defending national champion Minnesota Duluth. Look for Indianapolis and Saginaw Valley to move into the all important top six in the region.
.
----------TV TIME-----The Center for New Media will provide tape-delay television coverage
of this weeks game at home versus Western State. Broadcast schedule is still TBA as is the play-by-play talent to be used for the broadcast. CSU-P would like to see Joe Cervi and me do the game on a simulcast setup but neither Clear Channel or CNM have come to an agreement at this time. If a deal cant be struck veteran pueblo sportscaster Jeff Orman will call the game on the television side. Stay tuned.........
.
----------TEBOW DID WHAT-----The feel good week that was Denver following Tim Tebow's magical comeback win against Miami lasted about 10 minutes in the Broncos embarrassing 45-10 loss at home to the upstart Detroit Lions. Tebow started the game well but as the game pregressed all of the former Florida Gator's flaws were exposed. And as his game slid backwards so did the entire team as the defense was equally as horrid as Denver's sorry excuse for an offensive line. Couple that with no Willis McGahee and ordinary weapons in the receiving corps and you had the recipe for what transpired. It doesnt get any easier next week as a trip to Oakland is waiting.
.
----------HEADING SOUTH-----During Friday nights broadcast of South vs Fountain-Fort Carson I opined if you had just awakened from a five year coma you would not believe what you were seeing from the boys on Hollywood Blvd. South was outmanned and outclassed and borderline embarrased in the 36-6 drubbing at the hands of the Trojans of CSU-Pueblo alum Mitch Johnson. Of course Colt Nation has been spoiled all those years of undefeated regular seasons and league titles. Those teams didnt always have the best talent but what they did have was total discipline and heroic effort from all involved. That resolve they once displayed is sorely missing this season. It is painfully obvious they are affected immensly by all the injuries and murderous schedule they have faced this year. But what is also painfully obvious is the apparent surrender to the fate dealt them. Fans can accept losing as long as it appears total effort and preparation are there. But when you witness three straight hand offs to the fullback on more than one occasion totally ignoring down and distance it begins to raise red flags. South has a proud football tradition and will rise to the top again I am confident in saying. But what all of us witnessed Friday night against a superior opponent leaves an uneasy feeling. We will have the final regular season game this Friday versus cross-county rival Pueblo West. Much like they did against East in the battle for the Cannon I expect a great effort by the wounded Southsiders.
----------PROGRAM REMINDERS-----John Wristen Show presented by Miller Lite is set for Wednesday night at Buffalo Wild Wings. We invite everybody to be there to eat, drink and be merry while you listen to Coach Wristen comment on Saturday nights big win over Highlands and look ahead to this weeks game versus Western State. We take to the air on 590KCSJ-AM and www.590kcsj.com at 706pm on Wednesday night. As mentioned before CNM will be at the Neta and Eddie DeRose Thunderbowl Friday night for Pueblo West vs South. Broadcast premier is Saturday Morning at 1000am. Our next broadcast of Thunderwolves football will be Saturday at 200pm from the Thunderbowl on KCSJ. Pregame show is set for 130pm. Once again this game will be televised on tape-delay basis on Comcast 19. Broadcast premier is TBA. When the schedule is finalized I will publish the dates and times on the Jim Brooks Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jim-Brooks-Fan-Page/233638253346424 .

Just What the Doctor Ordered

When this year's CSU-Pueblo schedule was analyzed it was clear the key to the season would be a gigantic three game gauntlet. Games on the road versus Chadron State and Nebraska-Kearney coupled with a national television date against Colorado Mines would determine if this season would be a great one, a good one or a disappointing one. As we all know now this season has the chance to be that great one. Mission Accomplished. But as the Bush Administration failed to realize, the Thunderwolves know the really hard work is only beginning. The first leg in the rest of the season began with a date with an underachieving Colorado Mesa on Saturday night. The Pack opened the game just fine with the defense forcing an early punt. Thunderwolves QB Ross Dausin and the rest of the offense went to work carving through the physical Mavericks for an early 7-0 lead. It was a calming feeling getting off to a great start. But it would only last long enough for the teams to line up for the ensuing kickoff. If there is an achilles heel to this year's Thunderwolves ball club it is kickoff return coverage. It reared itself again as Maverick Jordan Price raced 100 yards to tie the game at 7-7. On their next possession more unease filled the stadium as sure-footed placekicker missed a 40-yard field goal attempt. The next possession ended with a punt. Then Domonique Lewis burst through to sack Dausin to end the next series to create doubt that hasn't truly been felt at home this season. Following the sack Mesa's offense put together its only real good drive of the game marching 53 yards in 11 plays before stalling out. Caleb Pavy missed from 44 yards and the game stayed tied at 7-7. The Pack answered with a brilliant drive that mixed run and pass capped off by Dausin hitting Roger Pfannenschmid in the back of the endzone for a 14-7 Thunderwolves lead. A Jon Bailey interception return to the Mavericks seven had the Pack poised to increase the lead but inexplicably Dausin floated a third down and goal pass into the endzone that was picked off by Maverick Travis McRae. The Thunderwolves went to the locker room with nearly double the numbers of Mesa in every key statistical category yet only led 14-7. CSU-P punted on its initial second half possession to only add more fear to the 6737 fans in attendance. That is when Josh Costa decided to take matters into his own hands picking off Maverick QB Steve Romero near midfield and returning the ball 39 yards to set up first and goal. Jamaal Johnson then went to work out of the "Wild Pack" formation hitting Pfannenschmid for big Bubba's second TD reception of the game. A botched fake field goal would give a little life support to Mesa but the Thunderwolves defense held them in check the rest of the game. Major would add two more field goals to finalize it at 27-7. The Pack had survived the first of four opponents quasi playoff games. Mesa was jacked up for this one. They hit hard. They also did their fair share of jaw jacking the first three quarters. But in the end their mouths were left to gasp for air as CSU-Pueblo pounded them into submission. Thunderwolves head coach John Wristen had told me earlier in the week that this was the game that he feared. But then again he most likely will tell me again this week is the one he truly fears. And you know what? I will believe him because it is the next potential "land mine" on their schedule as the Pack travels to the other Las Vegas for a battle with unpredictable New Mexico Highlands.
.
----------MIGHTY MEISNER-----All American candidate Lee Meisner seemed to take the Mavericks smack talking personally as he raised his quiet intensity to register 15 tackles. It was a struggle early on this season for the senior middle linebacker just to get loose let alone play at his customary high level. But as this season continues onward and upward Meisner is seemingly oblivious to whatever pain he is feeling and continues to raise his game in the stone cold silence he always has. It should also be noted that fellow inside linebacker Buster Thede played a fantastic game filling in for injured Damon Schiele. The junior from Pomona in Arvada delivered several crunching hits in recording 12 tackles on the night.
.
----------WILD PACK ANYONE-----During last night's broadcast of Thunderwolves football I tried out a new way of describing the formation in which the Pack lines up without a QB and direct snaps the ball to a running back. It is commonly called the "wildcat" formation and has been used in one variation or another for over 100 years. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildcat_formation ) Jeremy Capo contacted me early last week with his idea that the formation should be called the "Wild Pack" formation here at CSU-Pueblo. I liked the idea but immediately told Capo that my partner Joe Cervi would hate it. But I decided to go with it anyway without discussing it with him. Oh man, if looks could kill! Needless to say we had a spirited conversation about it on the air for a few plays that followed. Later in the broadcast I more or less relented and went back to calling it the "wildcat" formation. But according to my facebook fan page poll the public likes the new title of "Wild Pack." All you Facebookers can continue to way in on the Jim Brooks Fan Page. As for the others feel free to leave your comments right here in the Brooksy Blog comments section.
.
----------TEBOW TIME-----For three and a half quarters the Broncos-Dolphins game was a cure for insomnia. I should know. I passed out cold right here in this chair I am writing at about midway through the third quarter. I awoke to the Broncos recovering an onside kick setting them up for a potential "miracle" finish by the former Gator in front of a crowd that was mostly cheering every move he made. It is painfully obvious Tebow at this point in his young career doesn't possess the skill set needed to win consistently in todays NFL. But for this day, in this game, against a brutal Dolphins squad, Tebow had that special quality that very few of us will ever know or possess. The reactions alone of all those grown men running and jumping around celebrating the victory speaks volumes in my mind. Next week I will be sure to get my nap in before the game starts.
.
----------SPILLED KOOL AID-----Previously in this blog I told you I was convinced Centennial had the goods to go deep in the 3A playoffs. Now they are in the fight for their postseason lives after dropping a 41-26 decision at Palmer Ridge Friday night. The Bulldogs started fast leading 7-0 after the first quarter. The teams went to the locker room tied at 14-14 but Centennial failed to answer the second half bell as Palmer Ridge scored 24 unanswered points before the Bulldogs could respond. As it has in the past few seasons the Bulldogs defense in particular against the run let them down. Centennial will most likely have to win next week versus 1-4 Classical Academy and then again in the season finale on the road against number one ranked Canon City.
.
----------BEST TWO OF THREE-----The World Series so far has been pretty darn good. For the most part the pitching has been outstanding. Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols provided much needed muscle slugging three home runs in game three to erase somewhat the stain he left by not facing the media following his error that enabled the winning run to get into scoring position. I am sticking with my prediction of St Louis in six.
.
----------PROGRAM REMINDERS-----The John Wristen Show presented by Miller Lite is Wednesday at Buffalo Wild Wings at 7pm. As always you can listen to the show while enjoying wings and a cold Miller Lite over the BWW's in house sound system. We would love to have you join us. If you cant be sure to tune in on 590KCSJ-AM or www.590kcsj.com . Our next broadcast of Thunderwolves football is Saturday night from Las Vegas, New Mexico as the Pack takes on New Mexico Highlands. Pregame show is at 530pm and kickoff at 600pm. Our CNM television game this week is South vs Fountain-Fort Carson. Broadcast premier is set for next Saturday at 1000am. Prime time premier is Sunday evening at 600pm.

Momentous Win

Late in our broadcast of CSU-Pueblo's 27-14 victory on the road vs Nebraska Kearney I spent some time trying to capture just the right word to describe the Thunderwolves win. It was bigger than big. Huge didn't quite do it justice. Monumental? Perhaps. My good friend big George Schanze called it epic. At first I thought that's it. But upon further review I have settled upon momentous--Of utmost importance; of outstanding significance or consequence: a momentous occasion. That was it. The word my mind searched for but couldn't produce in a timely fashion. How important? In simple terms it gives the Thunderwolves the outright lead in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference with four games to go all against opponents they will be considerable favorites over. Of significance is the CSU-P if it wins out will at the very least host a NCAA division II playoff game in mid or late November. D2 playoffs now consist of a 24-team field divided into four regions or pods of six teams each. The top two in each region receive a bye and host second round games. Seeds three and four from each region host first round games. CSU-Pueblo will most likely be ranked 9th when this weeks poll comes out and it is not far fetched to believe they could make it to the top five if they win out in convincing fashion. Of course long standing bias against the RMAC in those "smoke filled" rooms of the selection committee may knock them back a peg or two but there is no way in my mind they can be kept out of at worst a four seed. This rosey scenario and outlook pose a certain problem for John Wristen and his staff as they must somehow convey the importance of not letting down against opponents that are no way near the caliber of UN-Kearney, Chadron State or Mines. A single loss in the next four games will erase all of these possibilities and could very well leave them on the outside looking in. One need look no further than last season when Kearney was left out of playoff field despite sharing the RMAC crown and owning only two losses both of which were in overtime. Step one will be at home Saturday night versus Colorado Mesa. Kickoff at 6pm.
.
----------DEFENSE REWARDED-----Early the fourth quarter of yesterday's battle Kearney had taken a 14-10 lead and CSU-P's offense responded with a dismal three and out. The Lopers took over at their own 20 and picked up eight easy yards on first down. It was second and two and things seemed to be bordering on desparation on the road and in a hostile environment for the Thunderwolves. UNK QB Jake Spitzlberger was poised and determined to deliver a dagger to the hearts of Pack players and fans. But sophomore cornerback Stephan Dickens stepped in and made the first of four CSU-P fourth quarter interceptions. It was at this point the offense responded with the go ahead drive. It opened with an interference call, was aided by a bonehead personal foul penalty but was ultimately defined by the Thunderwolves staple....punishing runs. J.B. Mathews capped off with a knifing two yard run to put the Pack back in front. On the next series senior LB Lee Meisner forced Spitzlberger out of bounds short of a first down forcing a Loper punt. Again the offense would respond but this time it was through the air as Josh Sandoval made one of those circus catches he seems to make look oh so routine for 27 yards to the UNK 26 yard line which helped lead to a Kyle Major 41 yard field goal to make the score 20-14. On the next possession again it was Meisner who stepped up picking off Spitzlberger and returning it inside the Loper 15 yard line. But a personal foul penalty for a chop block moved the ball back toward midfield. A holding penalty on offense ultimately led to the Thunderwolves punting the football back to Spitzlberger and company. The fourth ranked Lopers had the ball back in the hands of their shifty play maker and 3:12 still on the clock for what surely the faithful partisans and perhaps an announcer or two thought would be the inevitable heroic game winning drive. That thought was short lived as again Dickens worked his magic picking off Spitzlberger at the Loper 44. But this time he wasn't content to fall down with the ball instead he made a brilliant return to the house to seal the deal and the celebration began in earnest across the way for the gang of Thunderwolves fans and their marching band who made the seven hour pilgrimage to Kearney. Fittingly the "Fort Morgan Flash" Jon Bailey would send the Loper partisans to the exits with the fourth pick of the quarter and setting off gatorade baths for Coach Wristen and his staff. Hopefully someone smarter than I videotaped the players and coaches singing with the fans and marching band after the win. I was too busy soaking it all in trying to pick out Joe Cervi searching for Wristen for our post game interview on KCSJ.
.
----------ANYBODY NERVOUS------Through the years I have had the pleasure (and pain sometimes) of witnessing wild and emotional finishes to many a football game. South made many runs at titles during the early part of this century. Central came close a couple of years back. County lost to Alamosa in a state title game. If you go way back I was a young pup doing color alongside Barclay and the late Sandy Clark as Centennial won a state title in 1987 at Dutch Clark Stadium. Of course what could possibly duplicate the fantastic finish Trent Thompson and the Central Wildcats gave the opportunity call on CNM Sports a couple years back. But never in any of those broadcasts was I as nervous and on edge than I was on Saturday in Kearney. Judging by the texts and facebook posts that both Joe and I were receiving you the fans were, too. You know what? That is a great thing to have. Somehow, someway this feeling needs to continue on into December. I have been a vocal critic of the apathy Pueblo fans have toward many of the events including football games at CSU-P. The same city that will fill 13,000 or so seats at Dutch Clark for two high school games has trouble filling 6000 at the Thunderbowl. Sure they will at least buy the tickets for the big TV extravaganza which is great but then they left in droves when it got a bit nippy. Okay it was miserable but I think you get my point. Forgive me for preaching here but this team is on the cusp of something very, very special. A raucus, passionate crowd for the final three home games is a just reward for this band of brothers that has delivered so much. Remember, this is the final year for a group of four year seniors that started this whole ball rolling. It will be emotional indeed on November 12th for that final regular season home game and in my mind this city owes them a tremendous debt of gratitude that can be repaid by showing up. Not just on that day but for all three.
.
----------CANNON FIRE-----I just finished watching the replay of our CNM broadcast of the Cannon Game and once again it was somewhat sad to see all those Eagle fans looking on at the end (those that stuck around) shaking their collective heads in disgust. There was a tremendous sense of resignation and anticipation this would be the year the paint thinner would be put to use and nice shiny new coat of "gold" paint would be applied to the big gun. It was going to be a coronation. They said hey we are 5-1. They said we are bigger and stronger this year. They said we have play makers on offense. They said South is banged up and beset by injuries. They said it's a weak argument to say South had played a far tougher schedule. In the end, they would all be saying what the heck just happened to us. This was not at the end of the game. This was about five minutes into the second quarter when the Colts put up their fourth touchdown of the night. In the final analysis it was a heavy dose of inspired line play led by senior Jesse Gribble that spelled doom for the Eagles. It followed an all too familiar script for the Eagles. This wasn't the first time in the past 10 years it was going to be different up front. Head coach, Paul Andrada, hoping to cash in on perhaps his only chance at this game, preached to anybody who would listen that they were ready to not only match South in the trenches but they were ready to be better. South would have none of it wreaking havoc the entire first half. To its credit Andrada's Eagles came out smoking in the second half and put up a quick score. It wouldn't be hyperbole to say that a potential third quarter pass that fell inches short of a touchdown might have turned this game on its head. Instead the pass fell incomplete and the brute force of Brandon Castro running up 183 yards on 30 carries would slowly take the air out of any chances the Eagles had. Now South has won 15 in a row and as it always does the conversation will turn on whether this game should be played. But I give you 13,000 reasons why it will continue to go on. As long as South doesn't jump to 5A it will continue. Sooner or later, things will change and this city will begin to grow again. To my way of looking at it there is tremendous growth potential on the city's northeastern quadrant. Someday, it's gonna happen. East will get the job done. The problem is they always have to wait 365 days to get another shot.
.
----------PROGRAM REMINDER------The John Wristen Show presented by Miller Lite is Wednesday night at Buffalo Wild Wings. We take to the air at 7:06 pm on 590KCSJ-AM and www.590kcsj.com. But what coach Wristen, Joe and myself really want (as well as BWW of course) is for you to show up in person. Wear your Thunderwolves colors. You can hear the show on the restaurants sound system while enjoying the dinner and a nice cold Miller Lite or beverage of your choice. Plus, with all those screens you wont miss one single pitch of game one of the World Series between the Texas Rangers and CSU-P women's basketball coach, Kip Drown's, St Louis Cardinals.

It is here. Gameday has finally arrived for the 2011 edition of the Cannon Game. Two games every year bring out the same question asked to me over and over. So who's gonna win? It is no secret I am a South Alum and at times have accused of being too much of a "fan" in the booth for the Black and White. I beg to differ on most accounts as I think I call it pretty fair except on those occasions I offer to sing the fight song for Joe Cervi and our viewing audience at the end of another Colts victory. With that said one of the more amazing things about my 30 year broadcast career is the fact that I have never been in the booth calling the game, doing color or sideline reports when East has won the Cannon Game. Of course at first glance this seems impossible. East had a nice four-year run from 1993-1996. The Eagles also won five straight from 1978-1982. Well in '81 and '82 I was just cutting my teeth in the field and was assigned to doing live reports of Pueblo County football. 1992 was my last full season doing high school broadcasts on the radio before my industry imposed hiatus (I refused to work for free LOL). So in years '93 to '96 I was nowhere to be found on the airwaves. 1997 was my first year doing play-by-play for Channel 19 which just so happens to be the first year of South's current 14-game winning streak. Most years during this span it was pretty much a given that South would win the game. Hell there was even talk of doing away with the series alltogether. But starting under David Ramirez and now with Paul Andrada at the helm there is a renewal of Eagle pride. Part of this is because of the drop to 3A where East has been able to experience something that South football fans have become used to and that is success. And the old saying is success breeds success. Last season East narrowly missed a playoff berth. This year they are right in the thick of it again at 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the 3A South-Central League. South on the other hand has fallen on hard times. They wont make the playoffs this year. They are beat up both mentally and physically. Sure they do get a handful of players back this week for this game but will that be enough. Now that we have covered all the background here is how I see the game unfolding. In years past East had to rely on going around or over the top of South. The past two seasons East had closed the size gap with the Colts but this year it is my opinion they have closed the pure physical and toughness gap. Eagles possess a dynamic playmaker in Rico Ramirez. South in some ways is still a mystery on offense going into this game. Quarterback Branden Mondragon is back in the fold although his true health is perhaps iffy at best. Branden Castro is a good strong runner. Clayton Smith is a potential gamebreaker if given enough touches. On defense South played a fantastic game last week at Cheyenne Mountain and probably should have won the game against the 6-0 Indians. I see this game unfolding as a slugfest. East must not be tempted into trying to trick the Colts. They must be patient early and then take their shots with Ramirez down the field. South on the other hand must be willing to take some shots down the field to loosen up the Eagle defense. I envision sophomore Garrett Krage coming up big on a deep slant/post pattern. QB Mondragon must come up big when this/these moments occur. Being a Colt means I give them an automatic seven points. My prediction is South in overtime 21-20. The difference will be the Colts converting/stopping a two-point play in overtime.

Pound That Rock

To the untrained eye Thursday nights 23-6 win by CSU-P over Mines might not have been a thing of beauty. To a football coach there is no such thing as winning ugly. All that matters is one more to the good side of the ledger. The Thunderwolves dont run the spread offense that is so much in vogue these days in college football. However they do something that very few college programs do these days and that is line up and pound the rock. Mines came into the game rated 6th versus the run nationally allowing less than 60 yards per game. 243 yards later and the Pack had laid waste to that lofty ranking. Perhaps what is more impressive right now is the balance the Thunderwolves show on offense. QB Ross Dausin bounced back after his "benching" a week ago vs Fort Lewis. His gorgeous little touch pass to J.B. Mathews was nothing short of sensational hitting the freshman in stride up the near sideline for a critical first half touchdown. As for Mathews it was just another day at the office for the budding superstar finishing with 116 yards on just 1o carries as well as hauling in three passes for 110 yards. And oh by the way Jesse Lewis rushed for 123 yards on 25 carries. Lost but by no means forgotten was another incredible night on defense for the 11th ranked Thunderwolves. All this sets up the big showdown Saturday on the road in Kearney Nebraska for most likely the RMAC crown and probable 1st round home game in the NCAA playoffs in November. The Lopers struggled mightily vs Chadron State before coming from behind to register a 20-13 win.
. --------RANKINGS-------CSU-P will most likely remain 11th in the AFCA poll coming out Monday. Every team in the top 10 won this week. In the D2.com poll the Thunderwolves will most likely move to number 14 up two spots from last week. Number 11 Albany State and number 14 Central Missouri both lost.
. --------BULLDOGS-------Centennial Bulldogs continue to impress me more and more each time I see them play. And now with the addition of Luis Ramirez this team is a definite threat to not only make the postseason but in my mind they have the makeup to go deep in 3A. As the weather gets colder teams that pound the rock get hotter. Quarterback Ben Tillman runs the triple option very well with tailback Brian Niccoli on the edge. Tillman is a bruiser listed at 5-10 215 but is probably closer to 230. But dont let that size fool you. He has quick feet and deceptive straight ahead speed and recently has shown a decent passing touch. For the Bulldogs to contend for what would be their fourth state title (1946,1987,1992) they will have to continue to get better defensively. Two games loom large on the schedule. In week eight the 'dogs travel to face one-loss Palmer Ridge. Should they win that game then the week ten matchup at Canon City could be for the league title.
.
-------CANNON GAME-------Friday night the big gun will be up for grabs as South will look to make it 15 straight over East in front of an expected sellout crowd at Dutch Clark Stadium. Now all things point toward this finally being the year. Head coach Paul Andrada has instilled a borderline cockiness in this group who currently sit at 5-1 overall and 3-1 in second place in the South-Central League standings. A 27-7 loss on the road to Lewis Palmer is the only blemish to this point. Since that loss they have bounced back to win two straight. East still has very legitimate shot at a league title with a game looming in two weeks vs Canon City. South on the other hand is reeling following another tough loss at Cheyenne Mountain. Injuries have decimated them but slowly but surely they are starting to get a few missing links back. South's schedule has been a back breaker to this point with their only win coming against 5A Doherty in the final 30 seconds. There will be no post season for South so this will pretty much define their season. Everyone loves an underdog but I think in this case three fourths of this city will be pulling for the boys in "gold."
.
---------TEBOW TIME--------Before this season began I was on record thinking Tim Tebow's time would begin in early December once the Broncos fell out of playoff contention. But thanks to a couple tough early losses and a leaky defense coupled with an absolute horrible first half by Kyle Orton vs the Chargers the Tebow experiment starts now. Trailing 26-10 to public enemy number one Phillip Rivers the former Florida Gator went to work with his legs. It is painfully obvious Tebow cannot hit the broadside of a barn with his throwing arm. But it is even more painfully obvious that Kyle Orton is terminally mediocre at best. I have often joked about the former Iowa Hawkeye's choice of vehicles he drives. You know its nice and warm and fuzzy that drives a fuel efficient hybrid. But to be great in football you want a quarterback that drives a Ferrari. Now sometimes you have spectacular crashes but it beats watching a Toyota Prius putzing around the gridiron. I have a feeling even if you gave Orton the keys to such a machine he would be that guy driving 65 in the fast lane down I-25 with all of fans passing him on the right telling him he is number one.
--------WALLBANGERS--------It was 1982 when the Milwaukee Brewers were last in the postseason losing to the Cardinals in the World Series. That team mashed the baseball and featured a slugger who was little paunchy to put it nicely. Gorman Thomas was to that team what Prince Fielder is to this group of Brewers. Fielder will be gone after this season due to the Brewers "small market" status in todays top heavy world of major league baseball. But this guy is special. He still says his dream is to win the World Series and sign a 10 year deal with the Brew Crew. But when he leaves after this season to play for the Angels, Cubs, Cardinals or Dodgers dont hold it against him. I for one hope these guys win it if for no other reason than to see Bernie Brewer slide into that cold one out behind the wall as well as seeing those highly entertaining sausages race in late October.
.
-------PROGRAM REMINDERS--------Cannon Game will be broadcast live Friday night on Comcast 19. Pregame show gets underway at 630pm followed by kickoff at 700pm. CSU-Pueblo's game with Nebraska-Kearney will kickoff at 12 noon MST. Pregame show at 11:30am on 590KCSJ-AM and www.590kcsj.com . If you aren't near a radio or computer but own a smart phone you are still in luck. Download the free app at www.iheartradio.com .

And Then There Were Two

Late in the third quarter of yesterday's 38-28 CSU-P victory over Chadron State it really hit me. This team, this program, these players all truly belonged on the big stage. Sure there had been victories the past two years against this same Chadron State team. Who could forget last years improbable goal line stand in overtime. And then the wild celebration after Kyle Major's game winner. All that was slightly tempered with the following weeks loss at Mines and then the quick strike blitz Nebraska Kearney inflicted the week after that. The Thunderwolves would win out after that and set the stage for this year. At West Texas it looked like blowout city after falling behind 10-0 to the Buffalos. CSU-P would somehow right the ship and pull out a dramatic fourth quarter win. Against Adams State the defense was outstanding and the offense just good enough to put up a crucial drive for three much needed insurance points in their 20-11 win in Alamosa. All that really wouldnt matter if this four year old program didnt take care of business against Chadron State. And to show you how far CSU-P has come it was consensus amongst all of us media types to say the Thunderwolves were slight favorites to go into the Eagles nest and do something that no other established college program had done since 1997. You see it was Homecoming yesterday in Chadron. 100 years of football history to be celebrated. Revenge was going to be extracted from this upstart program that dare come in two years ago and snap a 28 game home conference winning streak. Revenge for what they interpreted was "home cookin" on ruling those qb sneaks short of the goal line in overtime last year. The trap had been set. All that was left was to send this bunch of Thunderwolves back to the middle of the RMAC pack where it belonged. The first half was a seesaw affair that seemed destined to be tied at the break. Up stepped Jesse Lewis and 70 yards later CSU-P was in business in the redzone. Head coach John Wristen didn't settle for the sure three points and dialed up a little pass over the middle to Josh Sandoval that seemed to just make the field goal a bit easier. But the former East Eagle seemed to have eyes in the back of his head put on a little "spinorama" move that would make Peter Forsberg proud getting the sophomore into the endzone for a 21-14 lead. CSU-P would take the second half kickoff and drive it smartly down the field but the drive stalled and Major was called upon to do his magic and he delivered a 50yd field goal. Chadron looked up for the challenge and quickly cut the margin to 24-21. They had done it. Now surely these pretenders to the throne would cough up the lead. It was the exact opposite. This was winning time. This is when you drive down the opponents throat on the road and take the life out of the crowd. And that's exactly what the Thunderwolves did. Facing a crucial 3rd and eight QB Ross Dausin (18-20-0 272yds , 2tds) calmly hit Marcial Williamson for 16 yards and a first down. This set up a play that Wristen had talked about during the days leading up to the season, more explosive plays from the passing game. On 1st and ten from their own 48 the time had arrived. Dausin calmly delivered a deep strike over the middle to Jared Sperber who raced to the Eagles 4yd line. Freshman running back J.B. Mathews would score from one yard out on 3rd down to complete the quick seven play drive. It was the answer Chadron didn't want to hear to make the score 31-21 with 4:39 left in the third quarter. The Eagles would try to mount an answer drive of their own but somehow the home team was called for holding and the drive stalled out around midfield. Again Dausin would make them pay first hitting Matthews for 36 yards on another well executed screen pass to get the ball down to the 22. A couple of Lewis runs set up a first and goal at the seven. Da'Quan Cartwright then made a beautiful catch in the back of the endzone to push the lead to 38-21. Chadron would get another score with 5:41 to play to make the partisans somewhat interested again but interceptions by Lee Meisner and the "playmaker" Josh Costa sealed the 38-28 victory. The Thunderwolves confirmed and validated what my partner Joe Cervi, assistant coach Dale Cresswell and I agreed on before the game. This team not only looks like it belongs with Chadron State it plays like it belongs as well. Now the Thunderwolves must turn their attention to the two mentioned in my headline. CSU-P is a combined 0-6 versus this week's opponent Colorado Mines and next week against Nebraska Kearney. Last season the Pack went into these two games with an identical 5-0 record before losing a heartbreaker on the road to the Orediggers before falling to the Lopers at the Thunderbowl. To get where they want to go CSU-P will have to win at least one if not both of these next two games. But this year is different. This Thunderwolves team is not a pretender to the throne. They have proven they do belong.
.
------------SPOTLIGHT ON THURSDAY----CBS Sports comes to town Thursday evening for their game of the week. Formerly known as the CBS College Sports Network, it can be found at Channel 412 on Comcast and 613 on Direct TV. Altitude Sports will also pick up the feed of this game. Just a few "seats" are in play for the game but general admission for standing room as well as "bowl area seating" in the north endzone is still a great option to be at the big event. Kickoff is set for 6:06pm.
.
------------RANKINGS SHUFFLE------CSU-P has moved to 11th in the moste recent AFCA Coaches poll released Monday morning. Number one NW Missouri State dropped to seven this week after their loss Saturday. Other teams ahead of the Pack last week that lost were number three Sherman and number 4 Valdosta State who come in this week right behind CSU-P. Number 12 also dropped behind falling all the way to 23rd after losing Saturday. RMAC rival and Oct 15th opponent Nebraska Kearney jumped three spots to number four with their convincing win at Adams State. Take care of business this Thursday and CSU-P will travel to Kearney for what will surely be the headline game of the day in Division II.
.
------------BELL GAME---------What an amazing crowd Friday night at Dutch Clark Stadium Centennial kept the Victory Bell with its 51-22 win over Central. Pueblo City Schools athletic director Rick Macias made the decision to make available extra tickets to make it 6000 total for each school. As I had mentioned in a previous blog too many empty seats are seen each year at the big game despite it being declared a sellout. This was due in part because of all the so-called "freebies" that had to be accounted for. Macias rolled the dice and it worked out great. Also give credit to the Pueblo Police Department for the way routed traffic out of the stadium at the conclusion of the game. Sure it helped that the game was a blowout but still traffic flowed amazingly well. As for the game Centennial displayed it will be a force to be reckoned with in the second half of the season.
.
-----------PROGRAM REMINDERS--------The John Wristen Show presented by Miller Lite will take place this week only on Tuesday night at Buffalo Wild Wings in the Northgate shopping center. We go on the air at 706pm on 590KCSJ-AM and as always at www.590kcsj.com . If you do plan to join us live at BWW you will be able to hear the program while dining in the restaurant. Thursdays game broadcast will get underway at 530pm followed by kickoff scheduled for 606pm.