Nick Kasa of Legacy and Parker Orms of Wheat Ridge were two of the state's most highly regarded players when the 2008 season kicked off. Throughout the season, they only enhanced that standing.

Kasa and Orms, both seniors, head the 2008 Rocky Mountain News All-Colorado football team as the defensive and offensive players of the year, respectively.

Kasa, a 6-foot-7, two-way lineman headed for the University of Florida, makes the elite squad for the second time at defensive end. Kasa led Class 5A Legacy to a 9-2 record.

"This is an honor, but I think, actually, I could have had a better year," said Kasa, who ended his prep career with 35 sacks and 50 tackles for losses. "Going both ways kind of took a toll on me some nights. Our defense was just amazing this year (allowing only 11 touchdowns and shutting out four opponents) and that's what helped to keep us going.

"I wasn't so sure about playing offense when the year began," said Kasa, who will be Colorado's sole representative in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January. "But I wanted to do it for the team, and it turned out pretty good."

The season was better than good for Wheat Ridge, as the Farmers (14-0) won the 4A state title. They beat Greeley West 35-31 in the championship game behind a five-touchdown, 280- yard rushing performance from Orms.

It capped a season in which Orms, headed for the University of Colorado, could have been selected All-Colorado at running back, defensive back and kick returner.

The winning touchdown in the title game certainly was special for Orms and his teammates and will be remembered for years to come. He scored on a 52-yard run on fourth-and-2 with only 19 seconds remaining.

"It was a storybook ending to a great season," said Orms, who rushed for 2,813 yards and scored 32 touchdowns. "We all worked hard from Day 1, and that last run was an example of the heart behind our whole season. It was all heart and determination, and I gave it all I could to help the team win. For me, I couldn't have done it without my teammates, and to them go much of the credit.

"It think it was unexpected for what we were able to do this season," said Orms, who earned first-team all-state honors for the third consecutive season, twice as a defensive back. "Halfway through the season, there were people looking at us thinking we can't get it done."

Of note, running back Tommy Flanagan and offensive lineman Jeremiah Sirles, both from Bear Creek, and Rocky Mountain wide receiver Jacob Stewart are repeat selections.

The All-Colorado team is selected by the Rocky staff, with input from coaches around the state. Players are eligible regardless of classification and year in school.