CHSAANow

Category: Football

  • 4A football semifinals: Thomas Jefferson, Gateway to meet in championship game

    (Brad Cochi)

    In Friday’s first semifinal of the Class 4A football state tournament, No. 6 Gateway continued its run of pulling off late-game upsets with a victory over previously-unbeaten No. 2 Harrison. Then on Saturday afternoon, No. 1 Thomas Jefferson outlasted No. 4 Falcon at All City Stadium.

    In next Friday’s 4A state championship game, the Gateway Olympians will face the Thomas Jefferson Spartans for the trophy at the CSU-Pueblo Thunderbowl.

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    (1) Thomas Jefferson 35, (4) Falcon 21

    Having already squared off in a season opener that was decided by just three points way back on March 19, both No. 1 Thomas Jefferson and No. 4 Falcon knew their rematch in Saturday’s Class 4A semifinals would be a battle.

    This time around, as it did in the team’s first game of Season C, Thomas Jefferson prevailed.

    The top-seeded Spartans pulled ahead early and came up with some timely turnovers on defense to hold off a comeback from Falcon and win 35-21 to punch their ticket to Friday’s state championship game. The Thomas Jefferson football team will now have a chance to play for its first state championship since 1989.

    “If you would have told me six months ago that we’d be playing in the spring and we’d be contending for state, I’d tell you, ‘Nah, you’re lying,’” Spartans freshman defensive back Dimitri Haralambopoulos said. “But we here now, baby, and we still need one more. Obviously, we’re going to enjoy this moment with my teammates, but just watch out for us next week.”

    Playing at All City Stadium, the unbeaten Spartans (7-0) pulled out to a 21-0 lead over the Falcons (5-3) in the first quarter on Saturday. The Falcons, however, cut the lead to 28-21 in the fourth quarter.

    With 5 minutes, 18 seconds left in the game and the Falcons in possession, the Thomas Jefferson defense forced a fumble that gave the Spartans offense the ball at the Falcon 14-yard line. Two plays later, Spartans senior Jaden Hill punched in his fourth rushing touchdown of the game to give Thomas Jefferson a 14-point lead. The Falcons drove down the field on their next drive but Haralambopoulos intercepted a would-be touchdown pass in the end zone to clinch the victory and state title game berth.

    “Our guys on defense did a great job because Falcon is so explosive that they can flip the field, just like we did a few times today,” Thomas Jefferson head coach Mike Griebel said. “Darius McFarland is such a great back and I think we did a good job of containing him. He had a couple big runs that got away from us but he didn’t just go off today. We were resilient enough to hang in there and we found a way to finish. We had a war with them in Week 1 so we knew it was going to be a tough game and our kids were ready for them.”

    (Brad Cochi)

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    (6) Gateway 28, (2) Harrison 21

    The Gateway football team has proven itself in big moments throughout this postseason and continues to work its way through the Class 4A state playoffs’ top seeds in Season C.

    Fresh off a three-point victory over No. 3 George Washington in the quarterfinals, the No. 6 Olympians (5-3) took down the previously-unbeaten No. 2 Harrison Panthers (7-1), 28-21, in the state semifinals on Friday night. Their latest upset earned the Olympians a chance to play for their program’s first state championship at CSU-Pueblo’s Neta and Eddie DeRose Thunderbowl Stadium on Friday night.

    Gateway scored first, returning a fumble for a touchdown in the first quarter, according to MaxPreps.com. But Harrison’s Kahli Dotison and Davonn Stevens each scored rushing touchdowns to give the Panthers a 13-7 lead. Gateway’s Erick Covington scored on a long run just a few minutes before halftime to send the Olympians into the midway break with a 14-13 advantage.

    Covington scored on another long run in the third quarter but Harrison’s Kahar Briggs matched the Olympian’s touchdown to send the game into the fourth quarter knotted at 21-21. A passing touchdown early in the fourth quarter turned out to be the deciding score that sent the Olympians to the 4A title game.

    In next Friday’s 4A state championship game, the No. 6 Olympians will face No. 1 Thomas Jefferson.

    (Courtney Oakes)

  • 3A football semifinals: No. 4 Rifle and No. 2 TCA to meet for state crown

    More photos. (Alan Versaw)

    A showdown is set for the Season C Class 3A football title as Rifle and The Classical Academy will meet at the CSU-Pueblo Thunderbowl on Saturday.

    Each team battled through tough semifinal matchups but emerged victorious and will advance to next weekend. The 3A football title game is set to kickoff on Saturday at 2 p.m.

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    (4) Rifle 20, (1) Glenwood Springs 17 (OT)

    If the Western Slope teams are in the habit of playing in exciting football games, next week will be a treat for the fans as the CSU-Pueblo Thunderbowl. Top-seeded Glenwood Springs had every bit of hope of reaching the 3A title game, but had to get through a talented and well-coached Rifle team.

    It turned out to be too tough a task.

    The Demons fell behind 7-0 in the first quarter, but quickly tied the game. The two teams traded touchdowns in the second quarter and then the defenses clamped down in the second half as neither team was able to break the tie. Regulation ended with the two teams still locked in a 14-14 stalemate.

    The Rifle defense held Glenwood to just a field goal attempt and then the offense rewarded the effort by scoring a quick touchdown to send the Bears to Pueblo next Saturday.

    It was a satisfying win for the Bears after they had lost to Glenwood 22-15 back on April 16. The Bears were ranked No. 1 in the state at the time and the Demons propelled themselves into that position after that win. But with the Bears getting even, they maintain a chance to end the season as a champion, the definitive accomplishment of a No. 1 team.

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    (2) The Classical Academy 39, (6) Sand Creek 13

    Sand Creek took an early lead on a fumble recovery from Greg Garnett, but TCA’s explosive offense eventually showed up and allowed the Titans to take control.

    Cade Palmer rushed for three touchdowns and helped TCA build a 32-13 lead early in the fourth quarter. TCA eventually added another score to complete the win.

    It was an odd feeling for the Titans as they hadn’t trailed at any point this season and found themselves playing from behind after the first quarter.

    They went 4-0 in the regular season and and gave up just 19 total points in that span. Sand Creek officially gave the Titans their toughest challenge of the season. The Scorpions were ahead after the first and they scored more points than any other opponent that TCA has faced this season.

  • 2A football semifinals: Manitou Springs and Flatirons Academy to meet for title

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    The Class 2A Season C football championship game is set as Manitou Springs and Flatirons Academy won their respective semifinal games and remain alive for next week.

    Flatirons Academy was dominant while the Mustangs came away with a thrilling win that involved heroics in the last couple of minutes of play. The Mustangs and the Bison will play at the CSU-Pueblo Thunderbowl next Friday at 2 p.m.

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    (4) Manitou Springs 20, (1) Buena Vista 17

    BUENA VISTA — With about two minutes left on the clock, Manitou Springs needed a big play. So quarterback Caleb Allen decided to go to the biggest guy. Allen sold a pump fake on a screen pass then watched as Joah Armour raced up the sideline. Allen’s throw was right on the money and Armour hauled it in, then pulled away from the defenders pursuing him.

    His touchdown gave the Mustangs (6-1 overall) a 20-17 and their first chance at a football title since 1990.

    “(Offensive coordinator) Coach (Brandon) DeMatto told me at halftime that I was having a terrible night, straight up,” Armour said. “He said I was going to come out crazy in the second half and with Caleb throwing the ball, it’s hard not to catch it.”

    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    Allen and Armour connected on two touchdown passes on the night. Haden Camp got Buena Vista on the board first with a touchdown run in the second quarter. A long score from Isaiah Thomas got called back as the Mustangs were flagged for an illegal block in the back.

    The next play, Allen found Armour on a slant and the Mustangs were on the board, but still trailing 7-6 after a failed 2-point conversion.

    The Demons (6-1) added a field goal to increase the lead, but the Mustangs got their first lead of the game in the fourth quarter on a two-yard touchdown run from Thomas. Buena Vista scored quickly and took advantage of mental mistake from the Mustangs and recovered the ensuing kickoff.

    The Mustangs escaped trouble as Buena Vista couldn’t run the rest of the clock off and missed its field goal attempt. And that’s when Allen found Armour for an 80-yard strike, a big play that both players badly wanted.

    “It wasn’t just that I wanted it,” Allen said. “We needed it to get that momentum and to get more points on the board.”

    The Demons had one last chance to drive down and either tie the game or take the lead, but a desperation pass was intercepted by Tate Christian to seal the game for Manitou.

    The Mustangs head to the championship game on a six-game winning streak. They fell to Buena Vista in Week 1 but avenged that loss with a thrilling semifinal win.

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    (2) Flatirons Academy 41, (3) Estes Park 6

    (Barry Smith)

    Flatirons Academy remains undefeated on the year after beating Estes Park 41-6 to advance to the 2A title game.

    The two teams had met in Week 1 of Season C and the Bison won the game by just a point. Friday night, they were more polished and gained a fast edge and held on to it.

    This was the first game that Flatirons Academy had played since April 17 after they were on the receiving end of forfeits from Ellicott and St. Mary’s.

  • 8-man football semifinals: John Mall and Hoehne advance to title game

    (Barry Smith)

    The 8-man football title game is set as top-ranked Hoehne will meet No. 3 John Mall at the CSU-Pueblo Thunderbowl on Thursday.

    Both teams advanced through the semifinals by comfortable margins, setting up a championship game between two deserving programs.

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    (3) John Mall 44, (4) Front Range Christian 20

    Front Range Christian jumped out to a 6-0 lead after the first quarter and that’s when John Mall woke up. The Panthers scored 30 unanswered points to take a 30-6 lead at halftime and also take firm control of the game.

    John Mall added to its lead early in the third quarter with a touchdown run from Travis Vialpando, his fourth touchdown run of the season. The Falcons were able to get into the end zone a couple more times, but the Panthers had built too big of a lead to rebound from.

    The Panthers went 3-6 playing in Class 1A last year and has now seen a successful turnaround this spring. They hope to complete that turnaround with another solid performance in the state championship game next week.

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    (1) Hoehne 68, (4) Plateau Valley12

    Hoehne wasted no time in jumping out to a big lead over Plateau Valley and hanging on to earn a spot in next week’s title game.

    In their last three games, the Farmers have now outscored their opponents 184-12. They already have a 66-34 win over John Mall this season.

    Grant Arellanes and Weston Hill have paced Hoehne on the ground, totaling nearly 1,500 rushing yards between the two of them. They had scored a combined 23 rushing touchdowns heading into the semifinals.

  • Photos: Flatirons Academy beats Estes Park to advance to 2A football title game

    Flatirons Academy rolled to a 41-6 win over Estes Park to advance to the Class 2A football championship game.

  • Photos: FNE Warriors hold off Vista PEAK to reach 5A football final

  • Photos: Estes Park beats Grand Valley to move into 2A football semis

    Estes Park battled to a 40-27 win over Grand Valley to advance to the semifinals of the Class 2A football tournament.

  • Photos: Harrison runs by Centaurus and storms into 4A football semifinals

    Harrison was in control from the very start and beat Centaurus 34-6 to advance to the Class 4A football semifinals.

  • Photos: Boulder football tops Fort Collins in 5A first round

    Fourth-seeded Boulder moved into the Class 5A football semifinals after beating No. 5 Fort Collins 21-14 on Friday.

  • Denver Broncos high school football coach of the week: Manitou Springs’ Cory Archuleta

    Cory Archuleta will be the first man to admit that he’s not primarily a football coach. But coaching has been a vital part of his adult life. He served as the baseball coach for Manitou Springs for a few years before the football job came open.

    Participation numbers were down and the program wasn’t the most attractive landing spot at the time, a far cry from the late 1980’s and early 90’s when the Mustangs were wining state championships.

    Archuleta had a strong relationship with the Manitou athletes because of his time with the baseball team. He was the right guy to take the program over when he was hired in 2016. This season, everything is seeming to click for Manitou.

    No longer running the single wing offense like the program had done for much of the last four decades, Archuleta credits his staff of (offensive coordinator) Brandon DeMatto, (defensive coordinator) Chad Hartinger and all-around assistant Stu Jeck of helping the Mustangs usher themselves into a new era.

    Now the team is winning and winning big. After topping Manual on April 23 and earning a home playoff game, Archuleta has been named this week’s Denver Broncos high school football coach of the week.

    The Broncos coach of the week is selected in partnership with the Broncos. Find a complete list of winners on this page.

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    (Photo courtesy of Angela Guido)

    Cory Archuleta bio

    Years as head coach: 5 (19-24)

    Years at Manitou Springs: 5 (4-1 this season)

    Previous stops: Manitou Springs assistant coach (2012-14); Manitou Springs head coach (2016-present)

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    Question: Why do you coach?

    Archuleta: Well, I got into coaching because I wanted to really give something back to the sports that I played growing up and try to help kids develop as athletes and young men. That’s probably the main reason I coach and then I really have kept coaching because of the relationships that I’ve built with other people on my coaching staffs and with the kids that I’ve coached these last 27 years.

    Q: Why do you coach the way that you coach?

    Archuleta: I’m just not that prototypical football coach. I coach the kids the way that I coach them to be a quality young men and to treat other people with respect. They don’t need to be beat down. I’m just more of a simpler-type coach from the standpoint that I’m just not a yeller or a screamer. I’m more of a guy that wants to listen to kids and try to help them and help them develop both on and off the field.

    Q: From your players’ perspective, what do you think it’s like to be coached by you?

    Archuleta: I’m hoping that they know that we are as a coaching staff and myself are going to give them everything we’ve have to try to help them become the best players they can possibly be and to squeeze out all the ability that they have, and to make the most of their high school experiences. And I also think that those kids know that I’m not just their coach. I’m a guy that wants to listen to them and understand them and know that they can come and talk to me, not just about athletics, but life problems or anything like that.

    Q: Since dropping your first game, the team has played outstanding football. What’s been the spark behind the last four wins?

    Archuleta: It’s just that we’ve gotten better as a team. And I think that coach DeMatto, our offensive coordinator, and coach Hartinger, our defensive coordinator, have made adjustments to the talent that we have. So we didn’t really have an identity in that first game because we knew we had been missing some kids. We had some talented kids that played in that game, but I think we needed our collective group of kids as a whole; our 31 kids to be able to mesh and to improve as a football team.

    Q: The last couple of years have been a struggle. Is this the kind of season, even if it’s in the spring, that can reignite passion in football at a school like Manitou?

    Archuleta: Absolutely. I’m a Colorado Springs kid, so I’ve grown up in this since birth. I remember when I was in high school, that Manitou when coach (George) Rykovich was here, when coach (Rob) Quarry was with him, I remember Manitou was the football school in our city. I mean, you had guys like (former Denver Bronco) Justin Armour walking the hallways and now we’ve got his kid (Joah) playing for us.

    I never thought that the day would come that the interest would kind of die down a little bit with football at Manitou. I always thought there will always be football at Manitou because it was always such a football school. And then the last couple of years, with the way that things have kind of evolved and football’s kind of been in the headlines with injuries and other things, I never thought the numbers would dwindle down into the high-teens, low-twenties like we had a couple of years ago.

    So I think that seeing all this, this big senior group of kids finally playing, having the middle school kids watch the games that we’ve played in, having the elementary school kids watch how we’ve this season, I really think that we’ve gotten over that hump. And I think at Manitou, football and the interest in it is going to really going to come back strong.

    Q: For years, Manitou was known as that school that ran a single wing offense and you guys have very much gotten away from that this year. Can it be a new era is the team establishing a new identity on the field?

    Archuleta: Absolutely. And to be honest with you, everything I know about coaching high school football has come from coach Rykovich and coach Quarry. I’m such a protegé of Rykovich and the single wing. That’s what he’s taught me these last six, seven years that I’ve been coaching that I’ve really kind of come to know the single wing.

    But Coach DeMatto and Coach Jeck wanted to switch it up a little bit and spark an interest. I think the excitement level of kind of putting the single wing to rest and bringing in something new and exciting really drew the senior group of kids that wanted to have something that was fun, wide open and something that they could really thrive in. And I think that the middle school kids, they’re running the single wing one last year this year, but I think the middle school kids see what we’ve had and how successful we’ve been. It’s been crazy. But yeah, I I think the excitement’s there.

    Q: You head into the playoffs this week against the team you finished the regular season against, is there concern or relief in having to go right into a rematch with Manual?

    Archuleta: There’s always a concern. I know that the pros say it, the college teams say it all the time, but it’s hard to beat somebody twice, especially in back-to-back weeks and especially against a talented group of athletes like Manual has. It’s going to be hard to beat those guys twice in a seven-day span. But I like our chances. I like the kids that we have. I like the scheme and the things that we do. And I’m really confident moving forward and going into this one.

    Q: You have a lot of kids who don’t have a lot of football experience, but those basketball players are coming off a run to the state semifinals. Do you think that’ll help fight off any nerves between now and whenever the season ends?

    Archuleta: Absolutely. But I also believe that we just have a group of competitive kids, whether they played basketball or they wrestled. We have a couple of wrestlers. We have kids that have given us quality minutes and quality plays this season. We wouldn’t be anywhere without the basketball kids, but the wrestling kids and kids that played other sports. We have a talented group of kids. I’m just happy and blessed to be able to coach those guys.