SIX-MAN FOOTBALL PREVIEW – CHAMPIONSHIP by Kerry Sherman

SIX-MAN FOOTBALL PREVIEW – CHAMPIONSHIP

BY: KERRY SHERMAN

The day after Thanksgiving will see the final two six-man programs standing descend upon Pueblo for the championship game at Dutch Clark Stadium. It might feel like a case of déjà vu, as the pairing is the same as last year, Cheyenne Wells and Stratton. It will be the third time in the last five years that the two will square off for the crown. Kickoff is slated for Noon.

(Main Picture is of the Higher Seed, Not who I am picking to win)

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#1 CHEYENNE WELLS (12-0) VS #2 STRATTON (12-1)

Last week… Cheyenne Wells had its hands full with #4 Idalia, as the Tigers needed an Ethan Garay touchdown run in the closing seconds to pull out a 28-24 victory. Ty Scheler ran for 129 yards and two touchdowns, and also recorded a big interception. After throwing a pick-six with just over a minute left, Zach Dickey made the game-changing play on defense.

Idalia had taken over by intercepting Scheler, but on the first play, Dickey got the ball back with an interception of his own. That set up Garay’s game-winning score. Dickey had tossed a TD to Corey Hill earlier in the game. Scheler finished the day with a team-high 13 tackles, and Chason Turner got into double figures with 10. Turner also had a fumble recovery to his credit. Hill added seven tackles, and Dickey tacked on six.

Stratton also had a stiff challenge, as the Eagles trailed #3 Otis 32-18 at the half. After Stockton Fye scored on a 12-yard pass from Von Isenbart just five seconds into the second quarter to give the Eagles a 12-8 lead, the Bulldogs returned the ensuing kickoff for a score. Otis scored three of the two of the final three touchdowns of the half, including one with four seconds to go after the Bulldogs blocked a punt. The second half was a different story, as the Eagles pitched a shut-out, and Brody Webb scored four of his six touchdowns on the day to cap a 49-32 victory.

Webb played the workhorse role in the backfield, carrying the ball 23 times for 162 yards and five touchdowns. He also had a receiving TD from Isenbart, who completed nine of 11 throws for 129 yards. Isenbart completed passes to five different receivers, including Fye, who had the first half touchdown. Defensively, Webb racked up 12 tackles and an interception, while Isenbart and Fye added nine tackles apiece. Fye had a forced fumble and an interception. Nolan Notter recovered the red zone fumble.

Series history… Stratton owns a 13-7 advantage in the MaxPreps era (2004-current), but the Eagles only have an 8-7 record with both teams in six-man. Cheyenne Wells won the 2021 title game 62-21, while Stratton earned a 69-14 win in last year’s championship game. The Tigers opened the season by handing Stratton a 53-40 loss. This is the seventh time the two have met in the postseason. Stratton is 4-2 in the previous six.