Caught East High vs. Sand Creek soccer in the first round of the playoffs tonight (Tues).

Despite a second half of driving sleet and icy rain, CU recruit Zach Grossnickle scored a hat-trick against Sand Creek, and also had three assists. In addition to soccer, he kicks and punts for East's football team. 

East won the match 9-1 and goes to second round of state soccer playoffs Thursday night. Following that, Grossnickle will next play in East's football grudge match Friday night against cross-town rival Thomas Jefferson. TJ soundly beat  East in last year's football playoffs, with a score something like 9 million to 3. The only reason the 3 was memorable is Grossnickle kicked a 52-yard field goal - the offensive (and only) highlight of the night for East, and the new school FG record.

When I see him out on a slippery, icy wet turf field I wonder if his football coach must hold his breath every time the kid goes out to play "futbol", since the risk of injury is somewhat higher for a soccer striker than for a football kicker.