CHSAANow

Month: November 2014

  • Girls swimming preview: Thompson Valley’s Eryn Eddy is “The Eraser”

    Thompson Valley swimmer Eryn Eddy. (Courtesy of the Eddy family)
    Thompson Valley swimmer Eryn Eddy. (Courtesy of the Eddy family)

    [dropcap]T[/dropcap]hompson Valley girls swim coach Dale Leonhart, in his second season at the helm, likes the nickname his star senior Eryn Eddy had when he took over the program.

    “I’ve only been fortunate enough to coach her for a couple of seasons, but before I got here she already earned the nickname, ‘The Eraser,’ Leonhart said of Eddy’s ability to close gaps as the anchor leg on relays. “She is something else on the rear end of a relay. I’ve witnessed it myself. I’ve watched her literally run people down. I mean, she went 50.7 on the rear end of the 400 freestyle relay at Jeffco last year. We were in lane one and we were in second by a couple of tenths.”

    Eddy has been a force in the pool from the time she was a freshman. The University of Virginia signee has claimed four Class 4A individual state crowns with golds in the 100 freestyle in 2012 as a freshman, the 500 freestyle in 2014, and the 200 freestyle in 2013 and 2014. 

    Thompson Valley is a school with a rich tradition in both girls and boys swimming with 11 team state championships in the sport, five in girls, including four in a row from 2010-2013. The school records read as a who’s who of state champions, All-Americans, and Division I recruits.

    Eddy owns five of the records with top marks in the 100, 200, and 500 freestyles individually and as a member of the top 200 and 400 freestyle relays. She’s also the 4A record holder in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:48.34. 

    For all of Eddy’s success on her own, she’s most proud of her accomplishments with her teammates.

    “I think the most exciting thing for me, my favorite thing to do no matter what are the relays,” Eddy said. “I beg and ask Dale if I can be the anchor, because that’s my favorite spot. It’s the most exciting.

    "When everything’s down to the wire it’s because of that last place swimmer, so I love getting on the blocks, especially in a tight race when we’re behind," she added. "That’s when everyone’s the loudest and most excited, so I do everything to close the gap and sometimes I’m successful.”

    It’s safe to say Eddy’s successful more often than not as the anchor leg of three state championship relay teams. She was the closer on Thompson Valley’s title winning 200 freestyle relay her sophomore and junior year. The Eagles have won five 200-free relay state titles in a row and hold the 4A record in the event with a time of 1:36.54, set in 2013.

    Thompson Valley swimmer Eryn Eddy. (Courtesy of the Eddy family)
    Thompson Valley swimmer Eryn Eddy. (Courtesy of the Eddy family)

    Eddy lived up to her nickname at the state swim meet last season in the 400-freestyle relay, as well. In the final event of the day, D’Evelyn held the lead through three legs with Thompson Valley in second. Eddy had a lot of ground to make up. She erased D’Evelyn’s lead with 25 meters left and gave Thompson Valley their second straight state title in the event in a time of 3:32.07, just clear of D’Evelyn’s 3:32.66.

    Leonhart has been coaching at the high school level at a number of schools since 1971 and been coaching club swimming for the past 55 years. He has high praise for "The Eraser," saying she’s one of the premier swimmers he’s ever had the privilege to coach.

    “She’s right up there in the top half a dozen,” Leonhart said. “I had a couple of (Olympic) Trials qualifiers back in the middle 1980s, I’ve had several high school state champions and junior national champions. She’s right there in the top handful. She’s definitely one of the very best.”

    Eddy is the top individual returner in class 4A. Evergreen senior Lindsay Morrow, Windsor sophomore Morgan Friesen and Valor Christian junior Brooke Stenstrom all return to defend individual state championships of their own. 

    As far as 4A team pursuits go, Thompson Valley is expected to be strong with Eddy and fellow senior Mattea Wabeke, a six-time individual state placer and Saint Louis University signee, as the headliners.

    But Evergreen, coming off their first state championship in the sport, returns every girl who swam in last season’s state finals. Morrow (North Carolina State), Anna McDonald (Nebraska), Alissa Harmes (UNLV), Bailey Smith (Army), and Josie Pearson (Missouri State) are all Division I recruits in the 2015 class for the Cougars. As such, Evergreen is the team to beat.

    In Class 5A, ThunderRidge’s Annie Ochitwa, Loveland’s Brooke Hansen, Arapahoe’s Ella Moynihan, Fossil Ridge’s Bailey Nero and Bailey Kovac, and Rock Canyon’s Abigail Kochevar all are back to defend individual crowns.

    Regis Jesuit returns as the defending 5A team champion. The Raiders, who have nine all-state swimmers coming back, have claimed the last two titles and three of the last four. Fairview came within seven points of beating Regis last season, and returns a talented core, as does Fossil Ridge and Cherry Creek.

    [divider]

    Girls swimming preview

    Class 4A

    Defending champion: Evergreen

    Runner-up: Thompson Valley

    Regular season begins: December 1

    State championships: February 13-14, VMAC in Thornton

    All-State returners: Eryn Eddy, Thompson Valley, Morgan Friesen, Windsor, Kamryn Holland, Evergreen, Lindsay Morrow, Evergreen, Josie Pearson, Evergreen, Bailey Smith, Evergreen, Brooke Stenstrom, Valor Christian, Mattea Wabeke, Thompson Valley

    [divider]

    Class 5A

    Defending champion: Regis Jesuit

    Runner-up: Fairview

    Regular season begins: December 1  

    State finals: February 13-14, EPIC in Fort Collins

    All-State returners: McKensi Austin, Regis Jesuit, Sydney Cutler, Regis Jesuit, Jennae Frederick, Regis Jesuit, Brooke Hansen, Loveland, Abigail Kochevar, Rock Canyon, Bailey Kovac, Fossil Ridge, Amy Lenderink, Regis Jesuit, Ella Moynihan, Arapahoe, Bailey Nero, Fossil Ridge, Annie Ochitwa, ThunderRidge, Lindsay Painton, Regis Jesuit, Emily Protz, Regis Jesuit, Isabella Schultze, Regis Jesuit, Samantha Smith, Regis Jesuit, Taylor Wilson, Regis Jesuit

  • Baseball committee recommends implementing stricter pitching limits

    Regis Jesuit Mountain Vista baseball
    (Dennis Pleuss)

    AURORA — CHSAA’s baseball committee is recommending stricter pitch count limits for Colorado’s high school players.

    The committee framed the new limits during their meeting on Tuesday, and created separate rules for varsity and sub-varsity play. Their intention is for the new rules to be implemented with the start of the 2015 season. However, the changes first need to be approved by CHSAA’s Legislative Council in January.

    “The overuse of arms, especially young arms, is a real threat to baseball,” said Bert Borgmann, CHSAA assistant commissioner who administers baseball. “Although CHSAA can’t control what outside entities do, it can implement rules to help limit the overuse of arms during the high school season.

    “We believe this rule will encourage teams to develop more pitchers appropriately, and ultimately strengthen pitching in Colorado.”

    In both instances of the new rule, certain ranges of pitch counts will result in mandatory rest, with the maximum required rest being three days.

    The full breakdown of the proposed pitch count limits for one day — not one game; one day — during varsity competition:

    Pitches Required rest
    86-110 3 days
    61-85 2 days
    36-60 1 day
    1-35 0 days

    Additionally, no pitcher may throw more than 60 pitches over two days. If they hit 60 pitches in two days, there will be one day of required rest.

    The limits for sub-varsity play:

    Pitches Required rest
    61-85 3 days
    36-60 2 days
    26-35 1 day
    1-25 0 days

    No sub-varsity pitcher can throw more than 40 pitches over two days. That limit will result in one mandated day of rest.

    A pitcher will be allowed to finish a batter if they hit the limit (110 in varsity play; 85 in sub-varsity) during an at-bat, but must exit the game after the hitter. No pitcher at-bat can start at 110 pitches (or 85 during a sub-varsity game).

    The reason the rule distinguishes between varsity and sub-varsity play, Borgmann said, is because “typically, sub-varsity players are younger players.”

    The roots for this rule proposal were grown by an advisory committee which met twice in recent months.

    “The sub-committee really provided the foundation for what we did,” Borgmann said.

    It will be the responsibility of the coach to monitor the pitch count of their team. Violation will result in restriction, which could keep a team out of the postseason.

    There will be no appeal of pitch counts allowed between teams.

    “What is important here is that these rules are being implemented for the health and well-being of the players,” Borgmann said.

    Under the current rule, players may not pitch more than 12 innings in three consecutive days. That applies in the regular season and the playoffs. Partial innings are rounded up to whole innings. A pitcher may not appear in more than 70 innings during the regular season.

    [divider]

    Notables

    • The committee implemented a “final check” date of May 5 for the Wild Card points. This means that the standings on that date are official, and no changes will be made after that time. “It’s up to the school and coaches to ensure their out-of-state opponents are providing accurate information,” Borgmann said.
    • The group also looked at possibly allowing for an extension of the season via a tournament allowance. Currently, teams are allowed to play 19 games. This option would allow teams to have the option of playing 19 games, or play 18 and one tournament not to exceed five games. “If you go out-of-state (for a tournament), it would give you an opportunity to play those games and still come back and play games in Colorado,” Borgmann said. Nothing will happen for 2015, but will be looked at again next November ahead of the 2016 season.

  • All-state gymnastics teams for 2014 season

    State gymnastics
    Alyssa Carroll. (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)

    The 2014 all-state gymnastics teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

    These teams were created based upon results at the state meet.

    The athletes who won all-around championships in their classification were named gymnast of the year.

    This season, those honors went to Pomona’s Kelsey Boychuk and Thompson Valley’s Alyssa Carroll.

    Scroll down to see the teams, or use the menu below to navigate to the class of your choosing.

    Go to: 5A | 4A

    [divider]

    Class 5A

    Gymnast of the year: Kelsey Boychuk, Pomona

    Coach of the year: Lisa Sparrow, Overland

    First team
    Name School
    Kelsey Boychuk Pomona
    Devin Bundas Overland
    Rachel Dillman Mountain Range
    Mackenzie Doerr Cherry Creek
    Sarah Holbrook Broomfield
    Kailey Licata Broomfield
    Samantha Simon Cherry Creek


    [divider]

    Class 4A

    Gymnast of the year: Alyssa Carroll, Thompson Valley

    Coach of the year: Kristen Larrington, Standley Lake

    First team
    Name School
    Maddie Barkow Niwot
    Alyssa Carroll Thompson Valley
    Gabby Casey Niwot
    Jordan Ireland Standley Lake
    Marissa Koski Niwot

  • Cross country sub-committee recommends keeping state meet at Norris-Penrose

    State cross country
    The finish line at the Norris-Penrose Event Center. (CHSAANow.com file photo)

    AURORA — The cross country host site sub-committee is recommending that the state meet continue to be held at the Norris-Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs for the 2015-18 seasons.

    It wasn’t a decision made lightly. The committee deliberated for four hours on Tuesday before ultimately deciding to keep the race at Norris-Penrose, where it has been for the past three seasons.

    “We like that Norris-Penrose features varied terrain, and is a challenge to runners — as a state championship course should be,” said CHSAA assistant commissioner Jenn Roberts-Uhlig, who administers cross country. “This was not an easy decision. It came down to was a variety of components that CHSAA has to look at, including the venue itself, accommodations, parking, and the location of the site.

    “(Cheyenne Mountain athletic director) Kris (Roberts) and the Cheyenne Mountain community have done a wonderful job hosting at Norris-Penrose over the last three seasons. They continue to listen to the needs of the cross country community, and the meet gets better each year.”

    The sub-committee is also recommending course changes to Norris-Penrose ahead of next year’s races to address some of the concerns regarding the course.

    “We’ll be looking at everything in order to make sure it’s the best race possible for our student-athletes,” Roberts-Uhlig said.

    Three other sites submitted bids: Lyons High School, the Island Grove Park in Greeley and D’Evelyn High School. The committee made site visits to each location this summer, and also visited races at each site during the season.

    “While all of the sites have positive features, especially those individuals who would support running the event, Norris-Penrose met all of our facility needs, including nearby accommodations and ease of travel,” Roberts-Uhlig said.

    The cross country host site sub-committee is made up of eight members, including school administrators, coaches, rules interpreters and former state site hosts.

    “A lot of time went into this — and it wasn’t just the four hours (on Tuesday),” Roberts-Uhlig said. “Each committee member made site visits, reached out to coaches across the state, and took a lot of time to consider the best host for the next four seasons.

    “I couldn’t have asked for a better committee to handle the task that was given in such a professional and unbiased manner.”

    The recommendation to keep the championships at Norris-Penrose will need to be approved by CHSAA’s board of directors, which next meets on Jan. 28, 2015.

  • All-state field hockey team for 2014 season

    (Courtesy of Trevor Brown)
    Colorado Academy’s Sterre Van Ede. (Courtesy of Trevor Brown)

    The 2014 all-state field hockey team is presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

    This team was created following a lengthy process which included a vote of coaches. 

    Scroll down to see the entire team.

    [divider]

    All-state field hockey

    Player of the year: Sterre Van Ede, Colorado Academy

    Coach of the year: Marissa Copan, Golden

    First team
    Name School Year
    Rebekah Abrams Denver East Senior
    Grace Imhoff Kent Denver Senior
    Emily Munn Palmer Ridge Sophomore
    Julia Murphy Colorado Academy Senior
    Emma Patterson Kent Denver Senior
    Emma Richards Colorado Academy Junior
    Kennedy Schumacher Kent Denver Senior
    Edie Statham Palmer Ridge Junior
    Claire Stemper Regis Jesuit Junior
    Fiona Sullivan Denver East Senior
    Fe Van Berhel Denver East Sophomore
    Sterre Van Ede Colorado Academy Senior
    Ashley Walker Palmer Ridge Senior
    Helena Wolf Denver East Senior

  • Coin flips: Future home sites for playoff football games on Nov. 29

    The following information shows the designated home team for potential playoff football matchups to be played on Saturday, Nov. 22. The formula for determining the home team is shown on page 51 of the football bulletin.

    Sites are determined each Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the CHSAA office, one-and-a-half weeks prior to the next round.
    [divider]

    Explanation

    How the home sites are determined.

    • For 5A, 4A, 3A: The team with the fewest playoff home games will host. If equal, the higher seed will host. If seeds are equal, a coin will be flipped.

    [divider]

    Future home sites

    Key: Home games – Fewest home playoff games; Higher seed – The highest seeded team; Mileage – One-way mileage.

    Class 5A (Final)
    Potential matchup Home games Higher seed Coin flip Home Team
    Grandview Ralston Valley Both No. 1s X Grandview
    Grandview Cherry Creek X Cherry Creek
    Valor Christian Ralston Valley X Valor Christian
    Valor Christian Cherry Creek X Cherry Creek
    Class 4A (Final)
    Potential matchup Home games Higher seed Home Team
    Pine Creek Broomfield X Broomfield
    Pine Creek Longmont X Pine Creek
    Falcon Broomfield X Broomfield
    Falcon Longmont X Longmont
    Class 3A (Final)
    Potential matchup Home games Higher seed Home Team Mileage
    Discovery Canyon Rifle  X Discovery Canyon 238
    Discovery Canyon Fort Morgan X Discovery Canyon 140
    Pueblo East Rifle X Pueblo East 273
    Pueblo East Fort Morgan X Pueblo East 194

    Note: The 3A hosts have been updated to correct a mistake. Per the football bulletin, the higher seed will host the championship game, regardless of prior games hosted.

  • Leoffler leads Arickaree/Woodlin to 6-man football title

    Arickaree/Woodlin Eads football
    Arickaree/Woodlin’s Kyle Leoffler (16) stiff-arms Eads’s Dylan Dixon (19) as No. 1 Arickaree/Woodlin and No. 2 Eads play in the 6-man championship. More photos. (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    ANTON — Kyle Leoffler jumped the route and delivered a title.

    The Arickaree/Woodlin senior had a game-changing interception return for a touchdown just as the third quarter ended, and the Indians used to momentum to seal a title with a 44-26 victory over Eads in the 6-man football championship game on Saturday.

    “Honestly, I think that decided the game,” said Arickaree/Woodlin senior Garrett Shaffer. “If we wouldn’t have gotten that, they could have come back. They did it against Peetz (in the semifinals). They could have done it against us. They’re a good football team.”

    Arickaree/Woodlin Eads football
    Arickaree/Woodlin’s Kyle Leoffler (16) runs back an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter. More photos. (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Added Leoffler, who threw two touchdowns and rushed for another for a four-score day: “That kind of took some of it out of them.”

    But things didn’t start well for Arickaree/Woodlin, the top seed in the 6-man playoffs. Even with a 1 p.m. kickoff, conditions were frigid. The temperature hovered around 15 degrees with a wind chill dropping it to minus-2 at times.

    The weather affected both offenses early, though No. 2-seeded Eads was able to grab a 6-0 lead on its first drive on Dylan Dixon’s touchdown.

    The Eagles were threatening to add to that lead later in the quarter when Arickaree/Woodlin made a huge stop on 4th-and-1 at the 9-yard-line.

    “That’s huge,” said Arickaree/woodlin coach David Saffer. “They can put up a lot of points. To get a stop, get a swing in momentum and get things going your way, it makes a difference.”

    Two drives later — on third and goal from the 25 — Leoffler took a pitch from his brother, Trent, eluded a tackle in the backfield, then lofted a swing pass back to Trent. Trent shot down the left sideline for a score; Kyle added a two-point kick for an 8-6 lead.

    That score held up at halftime, which left many scratching their heads.

    Arickaree/Woodlin entered the game on pace to break the state record for points scored in a season. Ultimately, after Saturday’s win, the Indians finished with 747 this season, one off Hugo’s record of 748 set in 1930.

    Suffice to say, the first half was out of character for Arickaree/Woodlin.

    “We started slow,” Kyle Leoffler said. “It was cold.”

    Said Shaffer, “We came out flat. We weren’t paying attention like we should.”

    At halftime, the adjustments were nothing schematic, Saffer said.

    “We just weren’t firing off the ball,” the coach said. “We were just a little sluggish, I think, and they were taking it to us. We just weren’t aggressive enough.”

    A delicate snow began to fall as the second half opened, but it only added to the atmosphere.

    Arickaree/Woodlin scored on its first two drives of the second half, then came Leoffler’s pick-six. It was 28-12 at that point, but Arickaree/Woodlin answered every score Eads had from there on out.

    Eads’ Dixon had a great day, scoring four touchdowns, and was seemingly in on every tackle.

    With the four touchdowns Saturday, Kyle Leoffler finished his season with 48 scores. That mark is the seventh-most in state history.

    The championship is the first for Arickaree since the school won three consecutive 6-man titles from 1986-88. It’s Woodlin’s first football championship since winning 8-man in 1974.

    “It’s great for both of these schools,” Saffer said. “It’s been a while that both of these communities and schools can get excited, so I’m happy for these kids, happy for both of these schools.”

    Arickaree/Woodlin Eads football
    Arickaree/Woodlin celebrates with the trophy after the 6-man championship. More photos. (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Arickaree/Woodlin Eads football
    Eads’ Dylan Dixon (19) runs the ball during the 6-man championship. More photos. (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com)

  • Special teams play pushes Fort Morgan into 3A football semifinals

    Fort Morgan players celebrate in the end zone after a 48-yard punt return by junior Kyle Daniels in the opening minutes of the Class 3A state quarterfinal football game at Legion Field in Fort Morgan. The home Mustangs defeated Evergreen 13-7. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Fort Morgan players celebrate in the end zone after a 48-yard punt return by junior Kyle Daniels in the opening minutes of the Class 3A state quarterfinal football game at Legion Field in Fort Morgan. The home Mustangs defeated Evergreen 13-7. (Dennis Pleuss)

    FORT MORGAN — Taking a lead before Fort Morgan’s offense even took the field Saturday afternoon was just what Mustangs’ coach Harrison Chisum ordered up.

    After forcing a three-and-out on Evergreen’s first offensive possession at Legion Field, Fort Morgan junior Kyle Daniels returned the ensuing punt 48 yards for a touchdown 99 seconds into the Class 3A state football quarterfinal.

    “That was the win,” Chisum said of the special-teams touchdown in the opening minutes. “He (Daniels) did a great job. We work on that a lot.”

    Daniels had a number of teammates escort him down the Mustangs’ sideline before reaching the end zone.

    Fort Morgan junior Kyle Daniels (11) works on trying to elude a trio of Evergreen players during a punt return Saturday. Daniels' 48-yard return for a touchdown in the opening minutes helped the Mustangs to a 13-7 victory. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Fort Morgan junior Kyle Daniels (11) works on trying to elude a trio of Evergreen players during a punt return Saturday. Daniels’ 48-yard return for a touchdown in the opening minutes helped the Mustangs to a 13-7 victory. (Dennis Pleuss)

    “I can’t take credit for that,” Daniels admitted. “That’s all my blockers. They got it done for me. I just followed them and took it where they took me.”

    No. 10-seeded Fort Morgan (10-2) never surrendered the lead on the way to a 13-7 victory against No. 2 and previously undefeated Evergreen (11-1). For the second straight week the Mustangs defeated a higher seed.

    Fort Morgan will pack its bags for a semifinal road trip and date with Rifle next Saturday. The No. 6 Bears blanked No. 3 Roosevelt on Saturday, scoring 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to take a 15-0 victory.

    “There is a lot of things we need to get better at, but we have next week to get better,” Chisum said after the victory on the Mustangs’ home field in below zero wind chill conditions along with intermediate snow.

    Fort Morgan took a 13-0 halftime lead on the Cougars thanks to a 42-yard run by sophomore Tate Kembel. It was the biggest gain from scrimmage all day for Fort Morgan. Kembel capped off the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run with 8:51 left in the second quarter.

    Kembel was the workhorse for the Mustangs. He carried the ball 23 times for 104 yards and the touchdown. Fort Morgan only mustered up 162 yards of total offense against Evergreen’s defense.

    “It was a battle between the two best defenses in the (3A) state,” Chisum said. “Evergreen is a great football team with some great athletes. Our guys just found a way to hold on.”

    Evergreen’s lone touchdown and only score in the second half by either team was set up by a 42-yard catch by senior Keenan O’Hearn thrown by Cougars’ junior quarterback Dylan Reifeis midway through the third quarter. Reifeis finished off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 4:28 left in the third quarter to make the score 13-7.

    Evergreen senior Keenan O'Hearn (3) attempt to stay in bounds after slipping the tackle of Fort Morgan senior Richard Herrera (8) during the first quarter Saturday at Legion Field. O'Hearn had 10 catches for 168 yards in the Class 3A state quarterfinal game. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Evergreen senior Keenan O’Hearn (3) attempt to stay in bounds after slipping the tackle of Fort Morgan senior Richard Herrera (8) during the first quarter Saturday at Legion Field. O’Hearn had 10 catches for 168 yards in the Class 3A state quarterfinal game. (Dennis Pleuss)

    Fort Morgan’s defense forced Evergreen’s multi-dimensional offense to be one-dimensional in the second half. The Cougars’ ground attack was held to three yards on 23 carries. Reifeis ended up throwing the ball 42 times, completing 18 passes for 276 yards. O’Hearn was the main target with 10 catches for 168 yards.

    “Fort Morgan’s defense was great,” Reifeis said. “They pressured us like crazy. I had to get the ball out quick. We made some plays. We gave it all we had, but the better team came out on top.”

    Evergreen drove into Fort Morgan territory twice in the fourth quarter with a chance to take the lead, but the Cougars couldn’t finish the drives.

    “Momentum was changing back and forth,” Fort Morgan junior defensive lineman Toby McBride said of the second half. “Both defensives were just killing it. The offenses couldn’t get anywhere.”

    The Cougars had one final shot with 6.6 seconds left from their own 30-yard line. A final deep pass from Reifeis fell incomplete and the Mustangs’ hopes stayed alive to bring the town their first state football title since 1999. Fort Morgan actually defeated Evergreen in the 3A championship at Legion Field 15 years ago.

    “I’m proud of Josh (Langford) my defensive coordinator and the kids. They made the plays,” Chisum said. “That was a great football game.”

    Fort Morgan senior quarterback Joey Schneider (6) drops back to pass as the snow flies Saturday afternoon at Legion Field. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Fort Morgan senior quarterback Joey Schneider (6) drops back to pass as the snow flies Saturday afternoon at Legion Field. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Fort Morgan freshman Trey McBride (13) tackles Evergreen senior Robbie Weinel (14) for a loss Saturday at Legion Field. The Mustangs' defense held the Cougars' rushing attack to just three yards. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Fort Morgan freshman Trey McBride (13) tackles Evergreen senior Robbie Weinel (14) for a loss Saturday at Legion Field. The Mustangs’ defense held the Cougars’ rushing attack to just three yards. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Evergreen junior quarterback Dylan Reifeis (4) gets ready to go under center Saturday afternoon at Legion Field in Fort Morgan. Reifeis threw for 276 yards and ran for a touchdown, but it wasn't enough as the Cougars suffered their first lost of the season in the Class 3A state quarterfinal football game. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Evergreen junior quarterback Dylan Reifeis (4) gets ready to go under center Saturday afternoon at Legion Field in Fort Morgan. Reifeis threw for 276 yards and ran for a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough as the Cougars suffered their first lost of the season in the Class 3A state quarterfinal football game. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Fort Morgan junior Tate Kembel (20) looks for a away around Evergreen defenders Beau Priegnitz (31) and Seth Ausman (28) during the second quarter Saturday at Legion Field. Kembel had over 100 yards on the ground and a touchdown in the Mustangs' 13-7 victory. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Fort Morgan junior Tate Kembel (20) looks for a away around Evergreen defenders Beau Priegnitz (31) and Seth Ausman (28) during the second quarter Saturday at Legion Field. Kembel had over 100 yards on the ground and a touchdown in the Mustangs’ 13-7 victory. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Evergreen senior Marcus Cassin, front, isn't able to hang on to a pass as Fort Morgan senior Eric Pflughoeft closes in during the second quarter Saturday at Legion Field. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Evergreen senior Marcus Cassin, front, isn’t able to hang on to a pass as Fort Morgan senior Eric Pflughoeft closes in during the second quarter Saturday at Legion Field. (Dennis Pleuss)

  • Photos: Arickaree/Woodlin wins snowy 6-man football title

    ANTON — Arickaree/Woodlin won the 6-man football championship on Saturday with a 44-26 win over Eads.

  • Photos: Grandview beats Fountain-Fort Carson in 5A football quarterfinals

    AURORA — Grandview beat Fountain-Fort Carson 28-7 on Saturday in the Class 5A football quarterfinals.