Class 8-man state championship game preview

A current dynasty goes for its sixth consecutive state title in recent history, and a newcomer looks to play spoil in a historic appearance in the championship game. For many, the 8-man championship game with Sedgwick County and Sanford has a David vs. Goliath feeling. One has dominated its competition all season long and over the last five seasons. The other is battle tested and are ready to make a statement on the biggest stage it has ever been a part of. Here is a look at some of the players to watch in the 8-man title game on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. in Pueblo. <h2><strong>Sedgwick County Cougars</strong></h2> <strong>How they got here:</strong> The Cougars have rolled this season, and it continued in the playoffs. The offense was clicking and moving the ball down the field at will while the defense was locked in. Their first playoff game was a 45-12 win over Crowley County, and last week they beat Dove Creek, a team from the opposite end of the state, in a convincing 46-6 win. The win puts the Cougars in the state championship game for a sixth consecutive season. They have won all five of the previous games in convincing fashion, and they hope to do so again this week. <strong>Offensive stars:</strong> There is plenty of star talent for a Sedgwick County offense that has averages over 48 points per game. One of the top 8-man players in the state is <strong>Terrance Heath</strong>. The 6-foot, 200-pound receiver has solid hands and can run well after the catch with the ball for some big plays. Throwing to him is senior quarterback <strong>Jared Ehmke</strong> with his career 60 percent completion rate and 16-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. When the Cougars run the ball, look for <strong>Tate Goddard</strong> and <strong>Brody Parker</strong> to lead the way. The two are part of a running back committee that likes to rotate to keep guys fresh and strong for the whole game, another positive trait that allows Sedgwick County to run well late to close out games. <strong>Defensive stars:</strong> Many of the players mentioned before are also strong defensive players for the Cougars. Heath plays well in coverage and will deliver a hit in the open field when locked on his target. Goddard and Parker are strong linebackers who have put up big numbers and can play well against the run and the pass with their versatility. One player who has helped up front is <strong>Nolan Carlson</strong>. The junior defensive end, coming off recording 67 tackles last season, is on a similar pace for the team this year. He will battle and grind against linemen bigger and smaller than him, and he does a good job getting off blocks to get to running backs in the run game. The Cougars are allowing just 8.5 points per game. <h2><strong>Sanford Indians</strong></h2> <strong>How they got there:</strong> Sanford joins Sedgwick County in the championship game with a 7-0 record, and both wins in the playoffs came down to the wire. The Indians held off Mancos 36-28 in the opening round and were forced to hit the road last week against Merino. The semifinal game was a defensive battle that saw Sanford hold on for a 16-14 victory. This is the first ever appearance in the state championship game for Sanford in program history, according to Dan Mohrmann in a story posted to CHSAANow.com. <strong>Offensive stars:</strong> There is a solid one-two punch running the ball in the backfield for Sanford this season. Running back <strong>Kelton Gartrell</strong> is built well for the 8-man game at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds. He has a good balance of speed and strength that allows him to run well between the tackles for hard yardage as well as getting to the edge and by defenders. Quarterback <strong>Josh Holman</strong> is a similar athlete at 6-foot and 170 pounds who does a good job making his reads in the option game with Gartrell. When he runs with the ball, he is decisive and will lower the shoulder to get extra yardage after contact. While Sanford relies heavily on its run game, don’t forget about their tall, athletic wide receivers on the outside. <strong>Ruben Chavez</strong> and <strong>McCray Larsen</strong> are tall targets at 6-foot-4 that Holman can throw to when they decide to attack through the air. <strong>Defensive Stars:</strong> There is some size and lengthy along the defensive front for the Indians. <strong>Ethan Larson</strong> is lengthy and athletic at the defensive end spot, giving him the skills to set the edge and battle with smaller offensive lineman. <strong>Omar Guerrero</strong> brings the size inside at defensive tackle and has an important job of holding his ground and preventing the inside blockers from getting to the linebacker level. Look for the front line to be critical for Sanford to have a chance at slowing down the explosive offense from Sedgwick County. Another player to watch at the second level is senior linebacker <strong>Brett Price</strong>, who does an excellent job in pursuit against the run and will find his way to the ball carrier on a consistent basis. &nbsp;