Amber Currey has found herself in what could be the most unusual high school coaching position in Colorado.

Currey will be the head gymnastics coach for Colorado Springs schools Pine Creek, which competes in Class 5A, and Liberty in 4A. There have been others who have coached two schools within the same sport, but not, that we can recall, in different classifications.

Liberty originally dropped its gymnastics program this season, and its participants were set to co-op with Pine Creek. The Lancers, though, have enough girls to form a complete team.

"The main reason was that Liberty did not have a coach," Currey said. "The school does not want to drop its program, and we were presented with several options. Our schools put things together over the past two weeks, and it has been hectic getting all the pieces in the right place.

"It has presented a real challenge for us, but all the girls are excited. We are pleased our kids can specifically represent their own school. And, there is a very good opportunity we can qualify as teams for the state meet this season."

Pine Creek, led by All-Colorado and state uneven bars champion Kristin Milardo, placed seventh last season in 5A. But the Eagles could move up with the return of Hannah Brown, Kiki Conrad, Ave Hildenbrandt, Kayla Swadburg and Dayne Quello and the debut of freshman Tasha Borwec.

Liberty did not qualify as a team last season, but the Lancers have talent to lift them into the 4A state meet. State all-around qualifiers Kaitlin Stewart and Kelly Schilling return and will be joined by a Minnesota transfer, sophomore Sierra Day.

Day could make an impact right away. Her father, Doug, is the new assistant gymnastics coach at the Air Force Academy.

Currey would be able to work with each school separately at state. Team competition for 5A is Nov. 2, the 4A team competition is Nov. 3. The individual finals are the evening of Nov. 3.

Currey realizes this could be a one-season situation for her. She knows Liberty would like to have its program back and hopes it can be accomplished.

PROGRAMS DROPPED: The Norwood softball team made the Class 3A regional playoffs last season and hoped for an even more successful season in 2007. But athletic director Keith Williams said the school is dropping its program for lack of numbers.

"Holy smoke, I can't believe it," Williams said. "Between three communities, ours, Telluride and Nucla, we only had six girls come out. I hate to do this, but it is what we are stuck with, and I'm not too happy."

Sierra Grande, which was scheduled to field a Class A 8-Man football team, also has dropped its program this season because of low participation numbers.

REVISITING RIVALRIES: The oldest high school football rivalry in Colorado Springs will not be played again this year, but the second-oldest rivalry will.

The game between Wasson and Palmer, which dates to 1959, was suspended last season. Palmer plays in the 10-team Class 5A South Metro League, leaving no open dates for nonleague games. Wasson competes in the 4A Foothills League.

With the biannual reorganization of the state's football leagues, though, there is hope the rivalry is not dead.

"I do hope that we pick it up again in the future," Wasson athletic director Terry Henderson said.

The Helmet Game, between Wasson and Mitchell at Garry Berry Stadium, now becomes Colorado Springs' oldest active rivalry. First played in 1965, it features a helmet as a reward for the victor. One side of the helmet is painted in Mitchell's navy and orange colors, and the other side is decorated in Wasson's cardinal and gray.

The game will be played Sept. 27 this season. Wasson has won the helmet for the past four years, the longest winning streak in the rivalry.

While those rivalries are impressive, they pale in comparison with the state's longest. Pueblo Central and Pueblo Centennial first met in 1892, while Montrose and Delta have squared off since 1904.

GOLF DIGEST: The Douglas County boys golf team recently posted a four-player score of 276 at the Rock Canyon Invitational at the Headwaters Golf Course near Winter Park. The 12-under-par score is believed one of the best four-player totals ever in Colorado, according to coach Jeff Riley. Setting the pace were Taylor Wild, who shot a 67, Cody Kent (68), Derek Fribbs (69) and Bryan Fickle (72).

Also, at a recent Northern League tournament, David Oraee from Greeley West shot a 7-under 65 to win it. Impressive, yes, especially since Oraee aced the 148-yard fourth hole with an 8-iron.

RULES CHANGES: The National Federation of High Schools announced some rules changes for various sports. Here are some of the highlights:

In baseball, fielders without possession of the ball will not be allowed to deny access to the base that a runner is attempting to achieve. . . . Softball players will be permitted to wear metal cleats and metal toe plates beginning with the 2008 season, and batters will be required to take position in the batter's box within 10 seconds after the ball is returned to the pitcher in the circle. . . . Beginning with the 2008 track and field season, it will no longer be considered a foul if a pole vaulter leaves the ground without breaking the plane. Also, with regard to uniforms, a school's name or insignia may be worn on an undergarment, provided the insignia is not larger than 2 1/4 square inches. In addition, if more than one visible garment is worn under a uniform top or bottom, they all need to be the same, solid color under the uniform. . . . In lacrosse, a team must begin the game with at least 10 players, or it must forfeit. Also, when a loose ball goes out of bounds as a result of a shot or deflected shot at the goal, the ball shall be awarded to the team with an inbounds player's body nearest to the ball when it went out of bounds, at the point where it was declared out of bounds.

ETC.: Denver South had to forfeit its football victory against Denver West last weekend because it used an ineligible player. . . . Nominations for the Wendy's High School Heisman Award are being accepted, and for the first time, eligible seniors may nominate themselves in addition to being nominated by administrators. The award recognizes excellence in academics, athletics and community service. Apply by Oct. 1 at wendysheisman.com. . . . Go to RockyPreps.com to check out the weekly RockyPreps blog, post your thoughts on high school sports and submit game photos for your favorite team.

As the names of the players change from year to year, there are few constants in high school football.

One always could take comfort, though, when visiting Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood during the past four-plus decades. While the stadium itself has undergone renovations through the years, the distinct voice coming across the public-address system had remained unchanged until last season.

That voice belongs to Frank Palmeri, who hung up his microphone after calling Jeffco football games at the stadium for 45 years.

Palmeri was recognized during halftime of the Montrose-Wheat Ridge football game Friday and with a reception honoring him prior to the kickoff. He called the first series of the game and was presented with a bronzed microphone at halftime.

Palmeri also retired after 50 years of announcing the state wrestling tournament after doctors told him in February he was legally blind.

"Even if you have never met him, everybody knows that voice," said Dave Rulli, the manager of stadium operations, who has been with Jefferson County Public Schools for 28 years. "I think it's going to be a long time, if ever, before we see another person like Frank who is as dedicated to high school sports. He truly is deserving of all the accolades."

E.J. Boillot, a physical education teacher at Ute Meadows Elementary, took over for Palmeri last football season and will continue in that capacity. Boillot has a long association with Jeffco Stadium himself. Rulli said Boillot started helping the chain crew when he was 8 years old, working up to announcing duties more than 25 years later.

Not to be outdone, Don Packard is preparing for his 47th season behind the microphone for the Cañon City football team.

The 78-year-old retired teacher and principal told the (Cañon City) Daily Record he will continue to announce Tigers games "as long as I don't screw up or embarrass the kids or the school."

"I just love football," Packard said, "especially high school. There's no commercial timeouts, and you see some kids develop into good players. I've seen sophomores who can't tie their own shoes and leave pretty good players as seniors."

Brad Byler contributed to this report.

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