Granada football coach Manuel Gonzales had a hunch following the 2005 season.

That hunch came in the form of Tyndan Marquez.

Gonzales, one of the most successful coaches in state history, met with Marquez at the end of the 2005 campaign and told the freshman he was going to be the starting quarterback the next year.

"Coach said it was mine if I was up to the job," Marquez said. "I was a little nervous, but I wasn't going to say no."

Hoping that the surrounding senior leadership would bolster Marquez, Gonzales stuck with the decision through the offseason.

"I knew he was a good athlete and a real tough kid," Gonzales said. "He was young but already a real leader."

Gonzales' feeling wound up turning into a long-term solution for the eventual 2006 Class A 8-Man champion.

From the get-go, Marquez displayed the moxie of an experienced quarterback. He passed for 1,395 yards, throwing 15 touchdown passes while being intercepted only four times.

His running skills (1,119 yards) also made him one of the best dual threats at the position while earning the respect of his older teammates.

"I knew I had to earn their trust and respect, and I could do that by playing my best," Mar-quez said.

While Marquez illustrated the proper physical skills for the position, he also was a critical piece of the Bobcats' leadership. He displayed it most impressively in the semifinals against Haxtun, then again against Stratton in the championship game.

Marquez broke his non-throwing wrist at the beginning of the fourth quarter against Haxtun. In the 35- 20 victory, he passed for 222 yards and four touchdowns and amassed eight tackles on defense before the injury.

Against Stratton, Marquez wore a soft cast on his left hand.

"He's just taped it up and said, 'Let's go'," Gonzales said. "That's the type of leader you want out there."

In the championship game, Marquez overcame some early fumbles and mistakes caused by the cast to rush for 158 yards and a touchdown in a 47-46 triple-overtime victory.

Most notably, Marquez rushed for a 51- yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter and directed a late drive to send the game to overtime.

"The end of the game was all a blur," Marquez said. "I had teammates telling me to keep my head in the game and to hold on to the ball and just make plays, and luckily, I was able to."

Marquez helped lead Granada to a 13-0 season and its first football championship since 1988.

"It was a dream season," Gonzales said. "But I think we can still get better."

While Marquez makes Granada a favorite to repeat, much will depend on the team around him.

The Bobcats lost two key linemen to graduation, but with the combination of returning starters Logan Dorenkamp and Kevin Merritt, as well as the seasoning of reserves Riley Widener and Cody Baker, Granada seems more than prepared to handle the losses.

"Running the ball and keeping possession is what we do best, so we need all the big guys we can get," Gonzales said. "Having that kind of depth is a real asset."

Junior Tyson Thrall makes the switch from tight end to running back. Last season, Thrall (686 yards receiving) was one of Marquez's favorite targets.

"He's a good athlete and can do more than just catch the ball," Gonzales said. "Making the move shouldn't be a problem for him."

NOTEBOOK

• Although Stratton lost two key offensive weapons (including 2006 Class A 8-Man offensive player of the year Todd May), the state runner-up Eagles shouldn't be expected to slide.

In fact, Stratton is relying on bloodlines for assistance. Phillip May, Todd's cousin, will take over at quarterback. While Phillip should be more than able at the position, it means he moves from his usual wide receiver position.

"It's tough every season having to fill holes," coach Dave Gottman said. "But Phil is the type of player that can make the transition."

The Eagles still possess one of the top offensive and defensive lines in the classification, led by J.C. Ely.

"He's a good, smart kid and knows how to play the game," Gottman said.

• Merino doesn't boast the seasoned talent from previous years, and that could be a challenge for the Rams. Merino plays six teams that made the playoffs last season, including league-rival Haxtun.

"I know it looks difficult, but I'd rather play that sort of schedule," Merino coach John Barber said. "If we can win those games, it means we're going to be difficult in the playoffs for anyone to face."

The 2005 champion begins the season against Stratton.

"Playing tough teams like that to start the season is always good," Barber said. "It gives us a chance to see if we're ready."

• Simla's Jake Toney dislocated his shoulder early in the 2006 season but still managed to rush for more than 1,200 yards. After successful surgery in the spring, it's not hard to envision Toney improving on those numbers.

"It really hampered him, but Jake did what he could and still did well," Cubs coach Shane Zimmerman said.

Despite the injury, Toney also competed in track and basketball. Just as important as Toney's health is the return of five starters, giving Simla the kind of experience the team has lacked in previous seasons.

"It bodes well for us, especially playing in such a tough league."

• Since the 2000 season, no team has repeated as champion in 8-Man. It's an interesting trend, because in the previous decade, Stratton won five titles, four consecutively.

The playoff system installed last season will make that feat even more difficult. With a loaded squad like Southern League power Granada having to face the likes of Northern League teams Haxtun, Merino or Sedgwick County as early as the quarterfinals, repeating as champion will prove to be a tough task.

The breakdown has drawn the ire of some coaches, including Dennis Hill of Sedgwick County, whose team lost 34-28 to Stratton in the second round.

"It gives you a tough draw early on," Hill said. "You still get eight good teams in the second round, but it makes it more difficult for the good regular-season teams to advance."

• Dayspring Christian emerged from the tough Plains Division to find itself in the playoffs for the first time. Even more impressive: The Eagles accomplished the feat playing six of their nine games on the road.

But that isn't what has many coaches around the classification paying attention to the Greeley school. Dayspring Christian traveled to Stratton and nearly upset the eventual runner-up, taking a 13-12 lead late into the fourth quarter, only to lose 20-13 in the final minutes.

Back to Top