Wildcats make big statement

FRUITA MONUMENT 42, STANDLEY LAKE 8

The powerhouse Class 4A football teams across the Front Range have drawn most of the classification’s attention this season, and rightfully so. Top-ranked Ponderosa keeps racking up runningclock blowouts and No. 2 Pine Creek has won three of the last four state titles, while No. 3 Windsor and No. 4 Chatfield also have demonstrated superior talent and physicality.

But it’s past time to look to the Western Slope for a critical analysis of another bona fide championship challenger, as No. 5 Fruita Monument blew out No. 9 Standley Lake 42-8 on Friday at the North Area Athletic Complex in the latest example of the Wildcats’ state title potential.

“I know our schedule hasn’t been like some of those other teams — I get that,” coach Todd Casebier said. “But all we can do is play the teams on our schedule, and Standley Lake came in here and I feel like we did a great job against them. We’re trying to get a top-four seed, which we should, and we’ve got a group that can make a run.”

Fruita Monument (8-0, 3-0 Mountain) dominated every single aspect of the game in the top-10 bout against the Gators (6-2, 2-1). Senior Braeden Graham ran for two touchdowns, junior defensive end Kaden Jolley had two fumble recoveries and one scoop-and-score play, and the Wildcats’ defense stifled Standley Lake from scoring until garbage time late in the fourth quarter.

It was a performance indicative of the historic season the Wildcats could be amid as they chase their second state title and first since 1966 — and a season they had been building toward since Casebier arrived in 2015.

“The season before I got there, they were 1-9 with their one win coming in a play-in game at the end of the year,” Casebier said. “Year one, we were 5-7 and won a playoff game against Westminster, and last year we were 7-5 and go to the final eight.”

While Graham and Jolley are very much the centerpieces of the Wildcats’ offense and defense, respectively, Fruita Monument has depth of talent to hang with those aforementioned 4A powers.

Junior quarterback Zach Rush, senior tight end Cameron Kenney, junior wideout Cason Gisner, sophomore linebacker Max Belshe and senior linebacker Ryan Ficken are all key contributors, while Graham and junior fullback Treyton Queen continue to have field days running behind a stout offensive line.

“The offensive line is the foundation of this offense, and you’ve got great senior leaders there like Daniel Haas and Zakil Nkana,” Rush said. “We’re constantly generating big runs behind them, and that allows our running backs to do their thing and gives me time to make plays as well.”

And the scene that unfolded Friday as Fruita Monument broke down its postgame huddle and prepared to head back to Grand Junction from Arvada spoke volumes about the incremental focus of the Wildcats as they turn their attention to George Washington (1-6, 0-2) next week.

“Guys, you’re still undefeated, and 8-0 is good,” Casebier told his team. “But you know what’s better? Nine-and-0.”