A house divided by high school football meets in Colorado 8-man championship

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- When it comes to football, many players will tell you their team is a family. But sometimes, the pigskin can also divide families.

When Hoehne High School takes on John Mall High School in the 8-Man state championship, one family has a contingency plan in place no matter what the outcome.

"John Mall all the way! If we win, I already found a place to stay for the night," said John Mall HS Principal Heidi Dasko. Heidi's cheering on her Panthers at the CSU-Pueblo Thunderdome Thursday night as they take on the Hoehne HS Farmers.

There's just one little detail: Heidi's husband, Gabe Dasko. He's the head football coach for those Farmers.

"Our own kids said, 'Mom who are you cheering for?' and I said John Mall," Heidi told KRDO. "They are like, 'You are such a traitor to dad,' and I'm like, 'I'm sorry these are my kids I have got to root for them.'"

Gabe might be able to hear his wife from the stands at the Thunderbowl, but it won't be coming from the bleachers behind his team. Though, he says he gets it.

"She has to go to work with them every day. I know deep down in her heart she wants me to win. But she has to see those kids every day, and she has to support those kids," Gabe Dasko said.

"He's harder to deal with if he loses," Heidi said. "He is very competitive. If he loses I know I'll have a long night. If he wins it won't be such a long night. Out of the both of us, he's probably the most competitive."

But when asked if Gabe would want to be in the same house after a loss, he said he has a secret up his sleeve.

"I don't plan on losing."

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.