ARVADA — Kaylie Berens is the latest line of individual all-around state champions to come from Pomona’s gymnastics program.
Berens, a junior at Wheat Ridge High School, became the fourth-straight Pomona gymnast to win the Class 5A all-around title last fall. Kelsey Boychuk, who begins her college career at Iowa State University this fall, won back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015. Brooke Weins, who returns for her senior year at Pomona, claimed the title in 2016.
“I prepared myself all year for it (state),” Berens said of keeping Pomona’s dominance going in the all-around. “You work so hard that you have to expect it for yourself. You can’t just be lucky on one day. You have to get better each day and hopefully get better then the day before.”
Wheat Ridge junior Kaylie Berens is all smiles during a Pomona gymnastics practice. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
With Berens, Weins and junior Kalise Newson (fourth in the all-around last year) all back for the Panthers, the all-around title has a good chance of returning to Pomona during the state meet come early November.
The 5A state team title has also found a home at Pomona. The Panthers are going for a fourth straight team trophy this fall.
“If it is possible, right now we are deeper than we were the first time (winning state) when we set the scoring record,” Pomona coach Tracey Boychuk said. “But then again, that takes everyone staying healthy and focused.”
Pomona racked up 190.925 points when it claimed the 5A team title in 2015 to set a new all-time state scoring record.
“I feel very fortunate — great kids, good families and dedicated girls,” Boychuk said of the gymnastics dynasty at Pomona. “We you’ve got girls from three or four different schools who make the effort to get here and do what they want to do tells me that they want to be here. I’m really proud of what they do.”
Weins and Katie Olson head a strong class of eight seniors that are focused on keeping the state team title at Pomona. Injuries limited Weins to competing in only the uneven bars last year at state. She ended up winning the 5A uneven bars individual title.
Brooke Weins is back healthy after being limited during her junior season at Pomona. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“I am healthy this year,” said Weins, who added she will wear a knee brace this season. “I was glad that I was still able to contribute to the team last year.”
Weins has been through a lot with the University of Missouri withdrawing its scholarship offer due to her injuries, but the University of Oklahoma has offered her a three-year scholarship and the University of Illinois has put a four-year offer on the table.
“She (Weins) has come through all that a stronger, more motivated and a different kid,” Boychuk said. “I would love to see her go out on top again.”
Boychuk said that if Weins can win any individual title this year she would become the first Pomona gymnast to win an individual state crown all four years of her prep career.
Despite the individual accolades, Weins is focused on getting that fourth team title.
“It would be nice to win that team title again. We are a very united team,” Weins said. “I just want to be able to contribute to the team and show the freshmen who Pomona is and what we can accomplish.”
Berens credits her success to the culture that has been established at Pomona. The Panthers’ success has grown the program to 33 gymnasts.
“Having Brooke and Kelsey as older and as role models for it helps me know that I can help other girls,” Berens said. “They pushed me to be better and set the bar. I feel like I need to keep it up.”
Pomona opens its season on Tuesday, Aug. 28, at Arvada West High School. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Evergreen senior Claudia Dillon (second from the left) is hoping to guide the Cougars back to the Class 4A state tournament. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
EVERGREEN — Claudia Dillon has been a focal point for Evergreen’s volleyball and girls basketball programs since she walked through the doors three years ago at Evergreen High School.
The now 6-foot-2 multi-sport athlete burst onto the scene in the fall of 2015. Dillon helped the Cougars’ volleyball program to a surprising run into the Class 4A state semifinals before losing to eventual state champion Cheyenne Mountain.
“It does seem like a long time ago,” Dillon said of her first taste of a deep postseason run. “It shaped my (prep career) a lot. It doesn’t happen to many freshmen to go that far in two sports. It says a lot about this school and the programs we have.”
Dillon was a big part of Evergreen’s girls basketball run to its first 4A state title game in 2016. After losing to Valor Christian in the championship game, the Cougars responded by winning back-to-back 4A state titles in 2017 and 2018.
Claudia Dillon is set to play volleyball at the University of Missouri next year. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
While the team success has been on the basketball court, Dillon has committed to the University of Missouri during her junior year where she will play volleyball. With her collegiate decision made, one of the best two-sport athletes in the state can focus on finishing off her volleyball and basketball careers the right way.
“We have a pretty good shot,” said Dillon, who led the team in kills (351) and aces (59) last season. “I’m really excited about these girls, our new coach to see what we can do and how far we can go.”
Evergreen’s new coach is Gail Andrews. She grew up in Ohio and played collegiately at Gannon University in Pennsylvania. Andrews most recently coached a club team in the Houston area before moving to Colorado.
Andrews said she is really looking forward to the growth of the program in the future while starting her first year having the luxury with eight seniors and a handful of experienced juniors.
“They have been playing together for a while, which is good. I’m excited for this year,” said Andrews, who added Evergreen’s rich volleyball history of winning nine volleyball state titles from 1976 to 1985 was a big draw. “I know they have a lot of expectations for themselves as individuals and as a team. There is a lot of heart and drive on this team.”
Gail Andrews takes over the helm of Evergreen’s volleyball program. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Seniors Katie Hays and Molly Solis, along with juniors Gabby Clark and Hayley Dillon (Claudia’s younger sister) brings a solid base to surround one of the top outside hitters in the state that has already impressed her new coach.
“She (Claudia) is very dynamic as a player. She has a lot of diversity in what she can bring to the court,” Andrews said. “She brings a lot of leadership to this team. She pushes herself and others.”
Hayley made a name for herself on the volleyball court as a sophomore last season by leading the Cougars with 36 blocks. Evergreen’s sister tandem has clearly been a benefit on the volleyball and basketball court.
“It’s fun to play with her (Claudia). It’s good to push her a lot and she pushes me,” Hayley said. “I’ve learned a lot from her. She has taught me how to see things a lot more on the basketball court and volleyball court. She has taught me so much.”
Claudia wants to make her final prep career playing along side her sister and friends a memorable one. Evergreen’s season opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, against DSST: Byers
“It’s definitely an exciting thing to be competitive with her (Hayley), scream at her, congratulate her…all that fun stuff siblings do,” Claudia said. “I’ll definitely miss it once I leave. It will be something I’ll cherish.”
Evergreen junior Hayley Dillon serves it up during the first week of practice. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Golden’s Makenzie Middleton belted a dozen home runs last season as a sophomore. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
GOLDEN — Softball coach Chad Herbers described the Golden Demons’ 2017 season as “magical..
“The pieces fell together,” Herbers said of Golden averaging more than 11 runs per game, racking up a 18-4 record and finishing second in the Class 4A Jeffco League. “Up and down the line-up we were able to put the ball into play. The stars aligned for us.”
The Demons had winning streaks of nine and eight games before Golden — No. 2 seed for the 4A state tournament — lost to Elizabeth in the opening round at state. While the early exit from the state tournament stung, Golden is more than ready to be in the mix in 4A Jeffco and another postseason run.
Golden coach Chad Herbers hopes to build on the Demons’ 18-4 record in 2017. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Junior twins Makayla and Makenzie Middleton are clearly the centerpiece for the Demons. The Middleton sisters put up amazing offensive numbers as sophomores. Makayla had a .533 batting average with 43 hits, 15 doubles and 26 RBIs. Makenzie batted .529 with a remarkable 12 home runs and 37 RBIs in 22 games.
“They are talents,” Herbers said of Makayla and Makenzie. “They are pure athletic talents. Probably more importantly for me is they are great kids. Their work ethic is incomparable. You aren’t going to outwork these two. They are constantly challenging themselves and everyone else.”
Makenzie admitted she was surprised with her dozen home runs last season that led 4A.
“You can’t just swing for the fences every time,” Makenzie said. “I was a sophomore in high school. People don’t think about that stuff.”
Makayla (shortstop), Makenzie (centerfielder) and returning senior pitcher Cassidy Paulson give the Demons a formidable core.
“I do think the competitiveness between us two makes us strong and better,” Makayla said. “Paulson plays with us on our competitive club team and that bond between us three really starts stuff for this team.”
Paulson has been a fixture in the pitching circle for the Demons since her freshman year and has racked up nearly 30 victories over the past three years. The senior pitcher will again have the luxury of a solid defense behind her.
“She (Paulson) is going to challenge hitters and make people put the ball in play,” Herbers said. “Since I’ve taken over the program the one thing I’ve been most confident in is our defense. They enjoy playing defense. They take pride in how they defend and they do it well.”
The biggest change for Golden once the Demons get into 4A Jeffco play is the absence of Valor Christian. The Eagles — three straight 4A state titles from 2014 to 2016 — is now playing in 5A Jeffco.
“It’s still Jeffco 4A,” Herbers said. “Although some people think we’ll be down as a league, we’ll still perform.”
D’Evelyn, Evergreen and Wheat Ridge have all had success recently. The reduction to six teams in 4A Jeffco allows league teams to get a pair of cracks against Golden this season.
“It’s going to be a challenge for us to stay the same, but I think we can handle it,” Makayla said. “I think we can compete with anybody.”
The Demons did beef up their non-league schedule. Golden faces a handful of 5A teams and defending 3A state champion Strasburg.
“We have some new goals and new standards we have to hit,” Herbers said. “Hopefully the girls pull together and come together as a team to meet those goals.”
Golden shortstop Makayla Middleton heads a formidable defense for the Demons. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
DENVER — Pine Creek coach Todd Miller is no stranger to Tuesday’s gathering at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
Four days ahead of the Class 4A football state championship game, Miller sat in the Denver Broncos’ postgame press conference area and answered questions about his team’s advancement in the tournament. This is the fourth time in the last four years he’s done it.
For Pueblo South coach Ryan Goddard, the experience was brand new. Not just for him, but for everyone involving his program. The Colts have never won a state football championship. They haven’t even played in a state title game.
They toured the facility. They walked on to the field and they snapped as many pictures as they could either before their phones ran out of storage or it was time to move inside.
“I think they took full advantage of that opportunity,” Goddard said.
(Lance Wendt/LanceWendt.com)
The Colts need to get the novelty out of the way. Come Saturday, the only thing that matters is what they do on the football field for 48 minutes. Miller’s Eagles have the benefit of knowing the feeling that comes with playing on the same field that have been navigated by the likes of Peyton Manning, Von Miller and Demaryius Thomas.
The three-time state championship winning coach knows that a fresh team like the Colts might be able to ride the energy wave that comes with playing in the game, but at the end of the day it’s no different than any of the 13 games that both teams have played this season.
“I don’t about the psychology of all that, but at the end, it’s football,” Miller said. “When the ball is kicked off, everything goes out door. All that focus and energy that you’ve wasted comes down to four quarters of football.”
And what a four quarters of football it is set to be. South boasts one of the state’s most potent offenses. He has a quarterback in Zach Cozzolino that can distribute the ball to any of the playmakers on the field.
And Cozzolino knows this game means more to just those at Pueblo South. The Colts are playing this game for the entire Pueblo community, who will have no problem rallying and traveling up to Mile High.
“It his us when we walked into school and heard it on the announcements, the congratulations,” Cozzolino said. “Now that we’re here, it’s a really cool experience.”
“We’re representing more than our program, more than our school,” Goddard said. “A lot of people have reached out this week.”
For Pine Creek to come away with their fourth title in five years, their opportunistic defense will have to find a way to make plays.
In their win over Rampart in the quarterfinals, they lacked a spark until Xavier Hill was able to recover a fumble and return it for a touchdown. From that point on, Pine Creek controlled that game.
Those are the kinds of plays that Pine Creek will need to slow down Cozzolino and company.
“Practice makes perfect,” Hill said. “We’re not going to be perfect this game, but we’re going to be deep in film and making sure that we’re prepared.”
And if Pine Creek has been one thing over the course of their last three games at Mile High, it’s prepared. Even though they’ve had plenty of turnover since even last year, this is a team that comes into every game knowing exactly what the game plan is and how to execute it.
In doing so, the Eagles have not given up many points since postseason play has begun.
“What have you given up, seven total points?” Goddard asked Miller during the press session.
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
And he’s done it with a young group on both sides of the ball. Miller pointed out that the turnover from last year’s team has left him with a good chunk of underclassmen that have seen time this year.
But Pine Creek underclassmen have a habit of looking far more seasoned than might actually be.
“(Miller) says they play 10 sophomores, but looking at film I can’t see that,” Goddard added. “They look full of experience.”
Among those sophomores is running back David Moore III. The featured back ran for 211 yards against Pueblo West in the semifinals and 155 against Rampart in the quarterfinals.
Moore was a big piece of Pine Creek’s state championship in 2016 and is among those who know what the expectations are when the ball is kicked off on Saturday.
He doesn’t need to rush for 200 and score three touchdowns. He just needs to do what he can to help his team win the game.
“They work hard and the expectations have set by the guys that were here before them,” Miller said. “We put the team first and not individual accolades.”
The Eagles and Colts will go after that one final team goal at Sports Authority Field Saturday morning. Kick-off is scheduled for 11 a.m. The game will be streamed live on the NFHS Network.
DENVER — Both defenses for the Class 5A football finalists will be facing a unique challenges during their matchup on Saturday at Mile High Stadium.
Yes, Pomona and Eaglecrest will each have their hands full during the matchup, which kicks off at 2:30 p.m.
Pomona quarterback Ryan Marquez (2,316 yards passing and 22 touchdowns through the air), running back Max Borghi (1,444 yards rushing and 26 total touchdowns), receiver Billy Pospisil (1,402 yards receiving and 16 total touchdowns) are just three of the playmakers Eaglecrest’s defense must concern itself with come Saturday.
Pomona is averaging 44.6 points per game and have put up well over 500 yards of total offense in all three playoff wins heading into the Panthers’ third straight trip to the 5A title game.
“I’ll tell you what, it’s not going to be an easy task. There are so many weapons,” Eaglecrest coach Mike Schmitt said of Pomona’s offense during media day on Tuesday. “We’ve played some good offensive teams this season, but nobody has this talent across this level. We are challenged by the test.”
(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
The undefeated Raptors (13-0 overall) have one of the top defenses in 5A this season. Eaglecrest is allowing just 12 points per game, and that includes the double-overtime victory against Columbine last weekend where the Rebels put up 31 points.
However, Eaglecrest realizes it is facing a different kind of offensive monster led by Borghi, a Washington State commit.
“Max Borghi hits the hole like nobody has ever seen,” said Eaglecrest senior linebacker Kyante Christian, who leads the Raptors with 20 tackles for a loss. “He is that type of athlete.”
To add to Borghi’s fire, the star running back still remembers the fumble late in the 2015 state championship game against Valor Christian. The Eagles rallied in the fourth quarter for a 29-26 victory.
“That has stuck with me for sure,” Borghi said of his fumble in the 2015 state title game. “That was a big play and it has built a lot of fuel in me. It’s always hung on to me and something that pushes me to go get that ring for my team, community and all the alumni.”
(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Junior Theorius Robison, a two-time state wrestling champion, has been the complimentary running back to Borghi. Robison has 815 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.
While Pomona’s ground game looks impressive, three-year starting quarterback Ryan Marquez has been outstanding during the playoffs. He has distributed the ball to Pospisil, Riley Govan, Colton Muller and David Ross for big pass plays during the postseason.
“You have to play within yourself,” said Eaglecrest senior linebacker and leading tackler Cody Bardin on how to approach facing the Panthers. “As soon as someone plays outside of themselves is when you get breakdowns and allow big plays.”
Defensively for Pomona (11-2), it has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. The Panthers were hit hard by graduation, but the young unit has pulled together after back-to-back losses to Valor and Rockhurst (Mo.) before the start of league play.
“They were learning so fast and having to play some really good teams early in the season,” Pomona coach Jay Madden said. “They kind of got thrown to the wolves. They got torn up a little bit, but it made them grow up and created some leadership.”
(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Eaglecrest has its own impressive offensive trio of quarterback Jalen Mergerson, running back Kenny Wantings and receiver Theryne Sandoval-Jimenez. And don’t forget about one of the more explosive two-way players in the state in senior Victor Garnes.
“The big boys up front have to play well and they know that,” Pomona senior captain and safety Mateo Crespin said. “We’ve got to be strong and physical up front. That makes the job so much easier for the linebackers and defensive backs. They have played great during this playoff run.”
Madden said the Panthers’ defensive effort in the 42-20 semifinal victory over Grandview was one of the best of the season. Pomona had five tackles for loss. Seniors Tanner Kimminau and Diego Medina combined for three sacks. Sophomore linebackers Kyle Moretti and Sanjay Strickland will also be relied on heavily to keep the Raptors’ playmakers contained.
The turning point for the defense this season was when Marquez broke his non-throwing arm to start conference play and missed more than a month.
“With Ryan out we knew we had to step it up. We couldn’t leave it all up to the offense,” Pomona senior defensive end Garrett Warner said. “We had to take control and show our defense can win games for us.”
Another thing Pomona has going for it is heath. The injuries in the state quarterfinal to Borghi and semifinal to running back Cameron Gonzales forced then junior Kenny Maes to his first varsity start at tailback in the 5A title game last season.
Maes leads the Panthers with five interceptions this season and shouldn’t have to worry about taking any handoffs Saturday.
“Kenny is a great free safety and corner. Having him on the defensive side of the ball helps us so much,” Crespin said. “It’s fun to be back here healthy and ready to roll. Hopefully we can get the result we want Saturday.”
For the first time in a while, there is going to be a different feel to the Class 3A football state championship game. Erie and Palmer Ridge will battle it out for the state’s ultimate prize, but in a different venue than what either team is used to.
After it was determined that Don Breese Stadium did not seat the capacity needed to host the game, Palmer Ridge went looking for a new site. And the administration found a good one. The game will be played at Falcon Stadium on the grounds at the United States Air Force Academy.
It’s as close to home as the Bears were going to get while still providing a great atmosphere for a worthy game.
“I’ve been calling it a neutral field,” Erie coach Chad Cooper said. “I know they have some familiarity with the (Air Force) program and the stadium, but there are going to be no practices allowed there before the game, so it’s being treated by CHSAA, us and them as a neutral field.”
At the end of the day, it’s just going to be a football game on a football field. The stakes are just a little bit higher.
(Jeff Tucker/jefferywtucker.zenfolio.com)
“It’s 120 yards long and 50 yards apart like any other field,” Palmer Ridge quarterback Ty Evans said.
The story come Saturday will be what happens within those dimensions. It has been no secret that the Bears are talented on offense. Evans leads a unit that accounts for over 400 total yards per game.
Only twice this season has Palmer Ridge failed to up at least five touchdowns in the 48 minutes they’re on the field. This team has been firing on all cylinders since games began in early September in both football and friendship.
“Execution-wise, we’ve been pretty solid all year,” Evans said. “The thing that has made us click the most is the bond that we’ve built between each other. It’s grown from being on the same team to friendships and being brothers.”
When it comes to slowing down the Bears’ offensive attack, Cooper knows that slowing down Evans is the priority.
He’ll have to use his players on both sides of the ball to accomplish that mission. If he can lean on running back Noah Roper to keep the ball out of Evans’ hands, he knows the Tigers will have a shot. But he’ll also need to his defense to disrupt what the Bears will look to do when they do have possession.
“It’s going to be a tall order,” Cooper said. “For us, it’s going to be a matter of trying to put pressure on him and creating some different looks behind our front seven that he maybe hasn’t seen before.”
When the Tigers have the ball, they’ll do everything possible to make sure Roper is as productive as he has been all year.
The junior runs for 195 yards per game and has gone over 200 yards in each of his last five games. That streak started with a loss to Mead, a team that many thought would make a state championship run.
(Steve Oathout)
A loss is never ideal, but Roper looks back at it as a major factor that helped the Tigers get to where they are this week.
“I’m grateful for that loss,” he said. “I think it made us a better team in all aspects. We’re not invincible. We have a lot of stuff we know we need to work on and it got us to the point where if we wanted to be one of the best teams in the state, we needed to work harder.”
They put in the work and as of right now, they cannot argue with the results. They toppled defending 3A champ Pueblo East in the opening round. They made the long trip to Durango and came away with a win before beating Longmont in the semifinals.
Now, as the No. 5 seed in the tournament they might be seen as the underdog going into Saturday. Roper wouldn’t have it any other way.
“We’ve always been such a small school and we haven’t done anything big in such a long time,” Roper said. “We’ve never done anything big in 3A, so for sure, we’ve always been an underdog.”
Each side knows how fortunate they are to reach this level and the coaches hope that the players can soak it in while still focusing on the ultimate goal.
“We’re really excited for the opportunity to be playing in this game,” Palmer Ridge coach Tom Pulford said. “Our kids are excited to be playing in Week 14 and excited for the opportunity to be playing in a big stadium.”
Golden senior Adam Thistlewood, who has signed to play at Drake University next year, will be key to the Demons’ aspirations this basketball season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
GOLDEN — Adam Thistlewood was in tears as he attempted to go through his speech to thank his supporters during a National Letter of Intent signing celebration at Golden High School on Nov. 8.
“It just means so much,” Thistlewood said when asked why he was so emotional when the senior inked with Drake University’s D1 men’s basketball program in Des Moines, IA. “All the people who have impacted my life and how they have influenced my journey on where I am today. It’s beyond words.”
The 6-foot-7 inch forward averaged nearly 20 points and 7 rebounds per game during his junior year at Golden. As the No. 12 seed, the Demons advanced all the way to the Class 4A state semifinals last season.
“He (Thistlewood) is the hardest working kid I’ve ever been around,” Golden coach John Anderson said about his first player to go D1. “Coaches in our league and around the state are smart. They are going to do whatever they can to make someone else beat them besides Thistlewood.”
Golden lost just one senior to graduation from last year’s Class 4A state semifinal team. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Losing just one senior — Kaden Sund who is redshirting at Chadron State College — expectations are high for Golden with Thistlewood as the keystone for the Demons. They are ranked No. 1 in 4A’s preseason poll, which was released on Monday.
“There is no secret in this gym of where we want to go,” Anderson said during a practice over the Thanksgiving break.
After having just one senior last year, Anderson has the luxury of plenty of experience with 10 seniors returning this season. The longtime coach at Golden admits the focus this season is to get to that next step.
Anderson’s players are clearly on the same page.
“We’ve got to take care of ourselves and work hard to get back to where we were,” Golden senior Jack Moore said. “Our goal is to get all the way to the state championship. That is our mindset every day during practice.”
Moore, along with fellow seniors Jack McLaughlin, Joe Madsen and Jake Niss are just a few names that are key for the Demons’ supporting cast.
“I think most teams will first try to stop Adam,” said Madsen the 6-foot-5 post player. “We are going to have to work on ways to get other people the ball and other people to score.”
One thing Anderson has stressed to his players is that can’t get in the habit of standing around and watching Thistlewood work his magic. The versatile Thistlewood can play any position on the court and welcomes the number of different defenses that will be thrown his way.
Joe Madsen is one of 10 seniors the Demons have on their experience roster this season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“I’m super confident with my teammates. I trust them 100 percent. I don’t feel any extra pressure,” Thistlewood said. “I hope teams triple-team me. That would mean two guys are open away from me, that’s an easy layup.”
The last memory of the 2016-17 season hasn’t been easy to swallow. Golden lost to eventual 4A state champion and 4A Jeffco League rival Valor Christian 85-55 in the state semifinal at the Denver Coliseum.
Anderson was impress with how Valor carried itself on the way to the Eagles’ first boys basketball state championship title.
“The No. 1 thing that comes to mind is, getting back to where we were is not enough,” Anderson said. “Looking at Valor’s approach, winning in the semifinals for them was no big deal. They had be there before. It was a senior-laded group. They were on a mission.”
Valor had lost in the 4A title game the previous season and had zeroed in on nothing but the path to win the state championship last season. It appears Golden has the tools, talent and experience to make a serious run at winning the school’s first boys basketball state title.
It will all begin with the D’Evelyn/Golden Preview Classic this week. The Demons face three teams — Holy Family, Pueblo South and Lewis-Palmer — that were top-10 4A teams last year. Pueblo South advanced to the 4A state semifinals and Lewis-Palmer lost to Valor in the 4A title game.
Golden opener will be at home against Holy Family at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30. The Demons actually knocked out the No. 5-seeded Tigers in the Sweet 16 of the state tournament last year.
“We have a brutal non-league schedule to start out with Holy Family, Pueblo South and Lewis-Palmer,” Anderson said. “We do that for a reason. It’s not about winning every game. It’s about playing good teams, getting better and getting your RPI bumped up too.”
Golden lost six conference games in the tough 4A Jeffco League last season to finish fourth.
“I definitely don’t want to lose six league games again,” Madsen said. “That was rough.”
However, the battle-tested Demons went through Longmont, Holy Family and rival Evergreen to get down to the Denver Coliseum, a place where Golden wants to return to this March.
“I’m looking directly at that Final 4 game and the playoffs,” Thistlewood said. “I think league will take care of itself.”
The 4A Jeffco League should be ultra competitive again with Valor, D’Evelyn, Evergreen and Golden leading the way.
“League is going to be very tough again,” said Anderson, who guided Golden to back-to-back conference title in 2015 and 2016. “It doesn’t matter who has the best players in this league. It matters who gets it done every night.”
Golden coach John Anderson will get an early look at some tough competition during the D’Evelyn/Golden Preview Classic this week. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
It may not be the flashiest, but it’s arguably the most necessary.
No, they’re not going to rush for 1,800 yards or find a receiver that makes a tip-toe catch at the pylon. What they will do is make all that possible. They’ll create the hole, they’ll protect the pocket for the quarterback to make that throw.
They’re offensive linemen and the depth Colorado has at the position is unbelievable. And it will be for the foreseeable future.
“The talent this year is very deep in the younger ranks,” said former NFL offensive lineman Matt McChesney, owner of Six Zero Strength, which trains many of the top linemen in the state. “I think the state of Colorado is very deep with big guys, especially offensive linemen.”
Take the 1,590 yards Highlands Ranch’s Kobe Eller rushed for in 2016.
“Pretty much any running back in the state would love to run behind this line,” Highlands Ranch coach Mark Robinson said. “You’d have to be crazy not to want to run behind them.”
Eller had Austin Johnson, Drake Nugent and Jaden Walker creating holes and taking defenders multiple yards up the field.
“Austin Johnson might be the best player in the state of Colorado,” McChesney said. “He’s a fifteen-year-old grown man. He thinks differently, he acts differently. (Nugent) is the same way. They’re best friends, they feed off of each other.
“Both of those kids are absolute freaks, and the work ethic of both of them is just ridiculous. That’s what sets them apart.”
Robinson spoke on Walker and his role with the Falcons.
“Jaden Walker, he’s at center, guard combination,” Robinson said. “I don’t think there’s a better one in the state of Colorado.”
As for leadership, Robinson said Nugent is more of a vocal leader than Johnson and Walker.
“Drake is more of the vocal leader,” Robinson said. “Austin Johnson is a leader, just through his actions. They’re both very explosive off of the ball.”
Robinson added on the three linemen, “You put those three together, what it gives us is a lot of confidence having those guys in front of them.”
Johnson, Nugent and Walker lead in a different way. They lead in the weight room, they lead with their work ethic.
(Renee Bourcier/CHSAANow.com)
“What they really do is they push you in the weight room. They’re great weight room leaders,” Robinson said. “It pushes the rest of the team. They just go to work. I call them ‘bring your lunch pale’ type guys.”
For No. 9-ranked Highlands Ranch, the strength of the team lies in that offensive line.
“As far as our biggest strength, I would say, definitely our offensive line,” Robinson said. “You can break it right down and pinpoint it to that. A really solid offensive line.”
The athletes at offensive line across the state span from Mullen’s Florian McCann III, a CSU committ, to Air Force committ Blake Carrette.
“(Carrette) is a very multidimensional player that plays tackle for Mike Campbell at Arapahoe,” McChesney said. “He’s one of my guys in here that’s been grinding for almost three years for his opportunity.”
Said McChesney on McCann III: “He’s really a damn fine player, big body.”
McChesney, an alum of Niwot High School who played at CU, is excited about this wealth of talent, which should say a lot coming from a former NFL offensive lineman.
“Gavin Singer is a big tackle at Columbine,” McChesney said. “He might be the nastiest guy in the state. Very versatile, he can play right tackle, guard, center. It’s just a matter of time before the Mountain West or a Power 5 school gets a hold of him.”
Eaglecrest has a 6-foot-6, 265-pound lineman in Barrett Miller.
“(Miller) is very fluid, heavy hands, good feet, super athlete and great hips,” McChesney said. “He’s a huge prospect at Eaglecrest. He’s another nasty one. I always have to tell him we can’t hurt people in the gym, and to back off.”
McChesney spoke on the offensive line talent that Cherry Creek has with Mike Lynn and Carson Lee.
“(Lynn has) an extremely good punch, violent hands,” McChesney said on the six-foot-seven, 300 pound tackle. “He works five days religiously on top of what he does at Cherry Creek.”
“(Lee) is just born nasty. He’s got three more years to develop. The sky is the limit for Carson, he’s got big legs, broad shoulders.”
There’s returning first team all-stater Max Bruner at Ponderosa, Jacob Wilton at Brighton and many more.
McChesney builds a family with these big linemen and often utilizes the phrase, “Dungeon Family.”
“When I say Dungeon Family, it’s truly a family,” McChesney said. “I have your back, you have my back. You’re going to sell out for me, I’m going to sell out for you.
“Family holds eachother accountable, family helps eachother, family has eachother’s back.”
These linemen will be able to showcase their true talent on the field starting on Thursday, the beginning of Zero Week.
[divider]
Big-school football preview
Important dates
Regular season begins: Aug. 24 (Zero Week); Aug. 31 (Week 1)
First team: Max Borghi, Pomona, RB/CB, Sr.; Victor Garnes, Eaglecrest, RB/CB, Sr.; Jake Heimlicher, Regis Jesuit, DE, Sr.; Dimitri Stanley, Cherry Creek, WR/CB, Sr.; A jon Vivens, Mullen, WR/CB, Sr.
Second team: Gunner Gentry, Grandview, WR, Sr.; Luke McCaffrey Valor Christian, QB/DB, Jr.; Barrett Miller, Eaglecrest, DE/OT, Jr.
4A:
First team: Marcell Barbee, Pueblo South, Sr.; Maxwell Bruner, Ponderosa, G/NG, Sr.; Griffin Moss, Chatfield, DT/DE, Sr.; Brandon Ramirez, Windsor, WB/KR, Sr.; Isaak Rolfe, Pine Creek, DE, Sr.
Second team: Jesse Bridge, Sand Creek, K/P, Sr.; Steve Brock, Pueblo South, RB, Sr.; Payton Dietrich, Wheat Ridge, RB/LB; Mason Knighton, Ponderosa, OT/DE, Sr. Christion Louis, Pine Creek, DT, Sr.; Jayden Manu, Loveland, OL, Sr.; Devyn Morgan, Pueblo West, RB; Quinton Ostdahl, Ponderosa, RB/LB; Sterling Ostdahl, Ponderosa, QB, Sr.; Zach Watts, Windsor, DT/OT
3A:
First team: Nathan Mackey, Mead, RB, Sr.; Trey McBride, Fort Morgan, TE/DE, Sr.
Second team: Ty Evans, Palmer Ridge, QB/FS, Jr.; Austin Hassler, Longmont, LB, Sr.; Gavin Mestas, Durango, WR/FS, Sr.; Stone Samaras, Holy Family, QB, Jr.; Derrick Smashum, Vista Peak Prep, QB, Sr.; Sean Willden, Holy Family, OL/DL, Sr.
For a team that had not been to the Class 2A state volleyball tournament since 2011, Dayspring Christian Academy’s undefeated 2016 season – capped by the school’s first state championship – seemingly came out of nowhere.
But the reality is, the stars had just not aligned for the Eagles in recent years. Dayspring Christian won at least 16 matches each season during its state drought from 2012-15. But the Eagles were in the same district as Resurrection Christian – the state champions in 2013-14 and runner-up in 2015 – and were matched in a region that included 2015 champion Yuma.
So with an experience core coming back last fall, Dayspring Christian coach Kristin Kurz challenged her players to take the next step.
“What happened is I said we cannot wait for the wild card,” Kurz said. “We’ve got to go out and we’ve got to do it. We had a point-by-point philosophy, where you’re constantly fighting for those points just so you can win the set and eventually the match.
“They were hungry … they wanted it. Literally all six of them bought into it and persevered and fought. They had the ‘it’ factor.”
The season culminated with a four-set victory over Yuma in the 2A title game and Player of the Year honors for Katie Kurz.
“We took our past defeats from previous years – my freshman year losing out on the wild card by .01 points – and used them to push ourselves harder the next year,” Katie Kurtz said. “We wanted to push hard for the four seniors. We all wanted it for them.”
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
Those four seniors all happened to be in the starting lineup, meaning that Dayspring Christian comes into 2017 with some new faces. Katie Kurz and Megan Roberts, who led the team in kills as juniors, are back, but a lack of height and inexperience will present some challenges to Kristin Kurz early in the season.
“We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us. Katie and Megan are the backbone; they’ve been there and they know what to do. They’ve been starters since their freshman year,” the coach said. “They’ve tasted what it’s like to be on top and they want it back. We’re trying to get the other four up to the same speed of what needs to be expected.”
Kurz had the third-best hitting percentage in the state as a junior at .426 and was seventh in the state – but first in 2A – in kills with 434. She led the team in aces and digs as well, and Roberts’ 329 kills were good for eighth in 2A.
“We’re definitely setting the bar high for us this year. We try to set them high, so that way we can push ourselves harder,” Katie Kurz said. “We have set the bar high and we tell (our teammates) they can reach it. You can actually achieve what you dream.”
With the graduation of middle blockers Makayla Bell and Brogan Launer, the Eagles will have to make some adjustments this season. Roberts returns to her natural position in the middle, but Kurz is also making the transition.
“We lost a lot of height,” Katie Kurz said. “We’ve been working on our blocking drills. … It’s tough, but we’ve just got to keep pushing ourselves.”
Setter Kelsi Donoho also graduated, but her younger sister, Talia, played a bit at the position on varsity early in the season as a freshman while Kelsi recovered from injury.
Dayspring Christian took part in a camp at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley over the summer. At one point, Kristin Kurz removed both her daughter and Roberts from the lineup and forced her younger players to sink or swim on their own.
The coach told her players that they were not going to always rely on their seniors.
“‘They’re not going to carry this team. You carry each other,’” Kristin said of her message that day. “It will be a learning experience, but the good part is the girls that we pulled up were on the team last year. They were on the bench; they were there, they felt that, they’re hungry for that. They’re willing to do whatever.”
Dayspring Christian enters the season ranked No. 1 in the CHSAANow.com preseason poll, followed by Yuma. Lyons and Union Colony Prep, which also fall in District 7 with the Eagles, are ranked third and seventh, respectively.
In 5A, defending champion Fossil Ridge returns a pair of all-state talent in senior Riley Zuhn and junior Catie Semadeni. Rock Canyon, a state semifinalist, brings back outside hitter Keeley Davis. Davis was second in 5A as a junior with 421 kills.
In 4A, Lewis-Palmer captured its third title in four years. The Rangers graduated three first-team all-state players, including MVP Elizabeth Reich. Three of the classification’s top five hitters – Silver Creek’s Rylee Anderson, Berthoud’s Julie Ward and Holy Family’s Ali Travis – return.
Four-time defending state champion Eaton returns the classification’s top setter in all-state senior Chelsey Lockey, but the Reds graduated Player of the Year Tarynn Sieg. The top five teams in the 3A preseason poll – Eaton, Valley, University, Sterling and Resurrection Christian – all reside in the Patriot League. Valley has been the 3A runner-up to Eaton in each of the three previous seasons.
Fleming returned to the 1A title game last November and captured its third championship in four seasons. Player of the Year Shaylee Johnson graduated, but the Wildcats return a pair of first-team all-state selections in outside hitter Bailey Chintala and middle Alli Keisel. Kit Carson comes into the season ranked first in the preseason poll, with two all-state players back in Tess Hornung and McKenzie Smith.
[divider]
Volleyball preview
Important dates
Regular Season Begins: Aug. 24
Postseason Begins: 2A/1A districts completed by Oct. 28; regionals by Nov. 4
State Tournaments: All classifications, Nov. 10-11 at Denver Coliseum
There’s a hurt lingering in the chest of the Bennett football team.
Yes, they made the state semifinals last season, a triumph for the school. Yes, it was the best showing in program history. And, yes, as senior Montana Rodwell said, it was a pretty cool experience.
But if you head east on I-70 from the metro area, pass the airport, take a left before the Kiowa exit, and stare out over a brilliant green field where 40 white jerseys are practicing, you can sense it: There’s a fire here. It’s burning inside these kids.
Semifinals are not enough. Not here.
Which is undoubtedly ambitious. Bennett has never appeared in a state football championship game, let alone win a championship. It is not among the recent titans of 1A — Strasburg, Buena Vista, Paonia, to name a few. Not yet, anyway. But that’s exactly where Bennett’s expectations lie.
“State,” Rodwell said simply. “That’s always the goal, isn’t it?”
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
To a player, at least the returning ones, that hurt lingers. They remember that Class 1A semifinal game, a 34-24 loss to Meeker.
34-24.
34-24.
34-24.
“We were one game away,” said Jarett Brown, a senior defensive end and fullback. “That just hit us deep in the stomach.”
“Every time I come out here,” Trever Miller, a junior, said after practice on Friday morning, “there’s still that little pain that gets me up and going, makes me want to do my best every play.”
Added Alec Packard, a senior lineman: “We’ve got that sour taste in our mouth now.”
When Bennett stepped on that semifinal field, the nerves were evident, players said.
“We didn’t know what to expect,” running back Mason Wakeham said. “We had never made it that far.”
But this season? Now they’ve reached that stage.
“Now we know what to expect,” Wakeham said. “I think we know what we need to do, how we need to fix it.”
The result is that spring and summer workouts were highly attended. Coach Rick Jacoby, entering his tenth season, said that allowed the staff to install their system earlier than usual, which in turn led to a first week of practice that was “one of the best we’ve had in a long time.”
“Where this week usually has been a lot of teaching,” Jacoby said, “I feel like this year it’s been a lot of sharpening.”
Seniors Rocky Lechman and Jesse Rodriquez — both quarterback/running back hybrids — were first-team all-state last season. Jadyn Brown, a two-way lineman, made the second team along. And the Tigers return every starter on the defensive line, and four of five on the offensive line, along with the senior Packard, who played a lot last season.
That last part is especially notable, Rodriquez points out, because “I think we had the best offensive line in the state last year. And this year, I think we’re even better.”
So the Tigers — keep in mind their expectations — believe they should be ranked first in that preseason poll.
“Our program doesn’t believe that you should ever be content with where you are,” Jadyn Brown said. “If someone says you have potential to be something good, what they’re really saying is, ‘You’re not good right now, and you have to keep working at it.’ So we’re going to never be OK with where we’re at.”
The 40-man roster is down slightly from previous seasons, but it’s a group that has total buy-in.
“We’re not that big, but we’re mighty, that’s for sure,” Rodriquez said. “We’ve got a lot of hard workers. We’ve got a lot of cowboys that are ready to put on their boots and go to work.”
Freshmen and sophomores are eager to learn, and upperclassmen are eager to teach.
“We do a lot of non-football things together, and it really helps bring those younger kids in,” coach Jacoby said. “They’re a part of that family, a part of that brotherhood — and not only are they being coached, they’re allowing themselves to be coached by their teammates.”
“They’ve got heart,” Rodwell, a lineman, said of the underclassmen. “They’re all taking seniors on (in practice), it’s pretty cool.”
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
Added Jake Floryancic, a senior who plays center and defensive tackle: “Everybody pushes each other to be better.”
It’s a group that has been together since most of them were young. They played Pee Wee football alongside one another. And now, for the 14 seniors at least, this season is their last chance to line up next to their friends.
“We all live around here, we all know each other really well,” said Elam Laing, another senior who plays tight end and defensive end. ” I think it’s really fun just playing with your friends and your buddies.”
“We know each other and it’s a family,” Rodwell added later. “It’s a brotherhood bond.”
That word — brotherhood — comes up a lot with Bennett. It’s even on the back of their jerseys. After practice, each coach names a player who stood out, and that player walks up for a congratulatory hug.
“No one gets left behind, so we’re going to bring everyone with us,” Jadyn Brown said. “If one man’s going to keep fighting, you need to help keep fighting with him.”
The community plays a large part in that, too.
Bennett’s practice field, a sprawling natural turf, was built by local farmers. It’s helped their gameday field stay in pristine condition. And the support from superintendent Robin Purdy and the school administration also played a large role in “helping us get the facilities to match the quality of program that we’re putting together,” Jacoby said.
“The town really rises around the football team,” Jacoby added.
Now, the next step is to have the results match Bennett’s expectations. It’s the fire inside of each Tiger, one they hope eventually burns away last season’s hurt.
“We’re all hungry, and we want that title,” Lechman said. “We want a ring.”
First team: Willy Boatman, Kent Denver, OT/DL, Sr.; Peter Flack, D’Evelyn, MLB/OL, Sr.; T.J. Love, Kent Denver, DT/OT, Sr.; Joshua McDonald, Kent Denver, FB/LB, Sr.; Charles McKissick, Kent Denver, WR/FS, Sr.; Jon Nuschy, La Junta, QB, Jr.
Second team: Mitchell Black, Faith Christian, G/DT, Sr.; Logan Church, Delta, OL/DL, Sr.; Ryan Phelps, Bayfield, DT/OT, Sr.; Josh Reeder, Delta, TE/DE, Sr.; Cole Sienknecht, Manitou Springs, QB/CB, Senior; Trevon Wehrman, Platte Valley, QB, Sr.; Cole Wood, Bayfield, G/MLB, Sr.; Taylor Wright, Manitou Springs, G/DT, Sr.
