Demon Football Notebook

Looking ahead to Valor

Looking ahead to next weekend's state quarterfinal game against Valor Christian, Glenwood Springs head coach Rocky Whitworth feels his Demons will be up against a complete package.

“They're probably the most complete football team we'll see all year,” he said. “It'll take our best effort.”

Glenwood Springs senior Taylor Parsons thinks the Demons still have their best football left in them.

“We haven't played our best game yet,” he said. “We've got to eliminate those turnovers and penalties and we'll get there.”

Valor, the second seed in the 16-team state playoffs, likes to pass the ball and boasts size up front.

Elizabeth coach Chris Cline, whose Cardinals play in the Metro League alongside Valor, anticipates quite the battle next weekend.

“That'll be an interesting one,” said Cline, whose team lost to Valor, 21-14, in league play. “Valor is big up front and they throw the heck out of the ball. It'll be interesting to see.”

The Demons will travel to face the Highlands Ranch school — which improved to 11-0 with a 45-13 win over Cañon City on Friday — next weekend. The game's date and time had not been announced as of late Saturday.

Paving the way

In the aftermath of Saturday's first-round playoff win, Glenwood Springs players could not stop raving about the Demons' offensive line.

Paving the way for 276 rushing yards, the Glenwood front opened up big holes all afternoon long.

“Our offensive line was fantastic tonight,” senior running back Garrett Kobobel said. “If I had like a million dollars, I'd give it to my offensive line. They were just amazing today.”

A gratifying season

Regardless of what the future holds, Whitworth will never forget what his 2009 Demons have accomplished. Making the state quarterfinals despite losing 20 seniors from last year's state championship team is a big accomplishment in the coach's eyes.

“You know, this is probably one of the most gratifying seasons I've had, ever,” Whitworth said. “It's great to see.”

Big weekend for the Slope

Three of the 3A Western Slope League's four teams won their first-round playoff games this weekend.

Glenwood's win over Elizabeth was complemented by a 14-6 Delta win over D'Evelyn on Saturday and a 24-13 Steamboat Springs win over Berthoud on Friday.

Palisade was responsible for the league's lone defeat, getting shut out by No. 1 Pueblo Central, 34-0.