CLASS 2A FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Broncos beat history, bring home title trophy
PLATTE VALLEY 21, PLATTE CANYON 7
By Brian Forbes
Special to The Denver PostKERSEY — Platte Valley waited a year for another shot at making history.
A microcosm of that patience was displayed Saturday as the Broncos were meticulous and methodical in their execution en route to a 21-7 Class 2A state championship victory over Platte Canyon.
The 12th-seeded Broncos, who were hammered 41-7 in last year's final by Faith Christian, got three rushing touchdowns from quarterback Parker Guttersen and bottled up the Huskies' potent ground game to win their first football title in school history.
"Just after that game was over we were on the bus and we wanted to win next year, and, I mean, here we are," said Guttersen, who guided Platte Valley to an 11-2 season and was The Denver Post's most valuable player.
Guttersen played his option reads to perfection, and the Broncos' defense stuffed nearly every lane the 11th-seeded Huskies' option offense tried to create. Guttersen, who was a standout on defense last season, rushed for a game-high 107 yards on 21 carries.
"I did," he said of making the right reads, "but it's not just me. The offensive line did most of the work, and I just followed the holes."
The Broncos' defense allowed just one gain of more than 20 yards and held the Huskies (10-3) to negative yardage in the fourth quarter.
"Our scout team did an excellent job giving us the look we were going to see," Broncos defensive end Kalvin Ratzlaff said.
In addition to Ratzlaff, the Broncos created havoc with junior Tate Mekelburg and Levi Greenly.
The Huskies trailed 14-0 at halftime but jumped back into the fray with Ben Wegener's interception and 69-yard return. Platte Canyon, which was playing in its first state football final, needed five plays for A.J. Melillo's 1-yard touchdown run to make it 14-7.
Platte Canyon's defense held the Broncos, but the Huskies earned just one first down in their next three drives combined.
The Huskies were held to less than 100 yards rushing. Mike Pollick led the visitors with 58 yards. Melillo, who torched Holy Family in the semifinals, had minus-15 yards on nine carries.
Guttersen iced the game with a 1-yard TD plunge with 46 seconds remaining.MVPIt took Platte Valley's Parker Guttersen a while before he finally admitted he did some good things Saturday. The senior quarterback praised his offensive line for giving him numerous holes to dart through en route to 107 yards rushing and three touchdowns. That probably says enough.
Platte Canyon 0 0 7 0 — 7
Platte Valley 8 6 0 7 — 21
PV — Guttersen 11 run (Guttersen run). PV — Guttersen 5 run (run failed). PC — Melillo 1 run (Reed kick). PV — Guttersen 1 run (Sitzman kick).
