(CHSAANow.com)
At first glance, the Class 2A football championship game between No. 5 Eaton and No. 7 Lamar is an unexpected matchup.
At least to those who have never seen the teams play. Those that have will certainly argue that the potential for each squad to advance to the finals was thriving since Week 1 of the football season. And even all the way through the playoffs.
For Lamar (7-1 overall), the success of the season almost felt as if it would go the way of a broken down play when Zane Rankin is handling the ball. There could be cause for concern at any moment and even a scare where things look they’re going off the rails. But the result somehow ends up positive.
Rankin has been the unquestioned heart of the offense all season and has battled through even the toughest of times. He tossed three interceptions in a game twice, once in a win over Elizabeth and once in Lamar’s loss to Pagosa Springs, its only loss of the season.
But he’s also thrown for five touchdowns in a game when Lamar beat Trinidad. He also had three 100-yard rushing performances through the course of the year.
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
He hasn’t been alone as both Damian Ramos and Jesus Reyes have also been essential to the team’s success, even when things looked at times like they weren’t going according to plan.
“How you overcome adversity, that’s what this team is all about,” Rankin said early in the season. “We can battle through adversity and push through, that’s why this team is so good.”
To claim a state title, Lamar will have to beat another good team and a team that did what not a lot of people thought could be done.
Eaton was never scared of Resurrection Christian despite the fact that the Cougars defense hadn’t surrendered a point in the regular season. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around in the semifinal clash, Eaton had scored 27.
While Ethan Florez had been the standout back for Eaton during the course of the regular season, it was Juan Maravilla stepping up against Rez. He rushed for 165 yards and a touchdown in the win. Short yardage situations were also beneficial considering that quarterback Scott Grable could hand the ball to a tank in Tanner True. True scored two touchdowns on Saturday to help Eaton punch its ticket to championship weekend.
“The look on the players’ faces, it’s classic. It just brings tears to your eyes. Excited for them, that their hard work is playing off. You just love to see that look on their faces,” Eaton coach Zac Lemon told the Colorado Preps Scoreboard Show on Saturday.
Eaton’s last state championship came in 2000 when the team beat Roosevelt 21-7 to capture the 2A crown. It’s been a bit longer for Eaton’s opponent. Lamar’s last football title came when it beat Delta for the AA title back in 1961. It last played in the title game in 1963 leaving the program with a prolonged absence when it comes to football success. And absence that the players hope will be erased come Friday.
(David Johnson/davidjohnsonphotography.org)