(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

MOUNMENT — Lewis-Palmer looks like a team bent on taking back the Class 4A state championship that they missed out on last year.

And from the season-opening win against Eaton to the 25-11, 25-14 and 25-13 win Thursday night, the Rangers (13-0, 1-0 Pikes Peak Athletic Conference) have looked every bit the team they did in 2014 and 2015 during state title runs. They also left no doubt as to why they’re the No. 1 team in the CHSAANow.com volleyball rankings.

“We’ve got some real fire in us,” senior Elizabeth Reich said. “Of course (losing the state title game) is a huge motivation and we learned a lot last. Things are starting to come together for us.”

And it was Palmer Ridge (10-3, 0-1) who found out the hard way that Rangers are indeed starting to gel at just the right time.

While the showdown between the District 38 rivals had all the hype of of a game that could easily go to five sets, the Bears were outmatched from the very start.

The Rangers took a quick 5-1 lead in the first and on the strength of seniors Reich, Lydia Bartalo, and Michaela Putnicki, finished with on a 20-10 run, putting Palmer Ridge right on its heels.

“We like to say we’re cool under pressure,” Bartalo said. “With a huge rivalry game coming up, we were able to calm ourselves and just be able to play hard.”

The Bears seemed to respond in the second, gaining an early edge and forcing coach Susan Odenbaugh to call a timeout to get her team settled down.

And they responded to finish not only fight their way back, but cruise to a 25-14 win.

“A lot of times, we’re kind of digging our own grave in terms of unforced errors,” Odenbaugh said. “In that situation, we were struggling on serve receive and we got out of our system and they were able to score points against us.”

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

With momentum completely on its side, Lewis-Palmer had little trouble finishing the game and opening their league schedule with a sweep.

As it has been for the last several years, the PPAC looks like it will come down to the showdown between Lewis-Palmer and Cheyenne Mountain.

But that game isn’t even on the minds of the Rangers. They’ve spent the early part of the season just trying to remain focused on one game at a time.

Odenbaugh said that this team is the closest team she’s ever coached and with there being so much familiarity and love for each other, they just want to enjoy the journey, rather than focus on the result.

“We’re splitting the season down into three parts,” Reich said. “Right now, we’re just taking it one game at a time.”

That’s a mentality that will serve the up and coming Lewis-Palmer Rangers well. There are only five upperclassmen on this year’s team so with freshmen and sophomores already playing a key role, it’s important for them to see what the Rangers are about in terms of unity and focus.

“I think that’s the cool part about LP,” Bartalo said. “We don’t have to be the ones showing (them) because they all grew up in this program. They’re all just able to step in, know their roles and play to their potential.”

It seems to be a team mentality. And the first 13 games of Lewis-Palmer’s season are any indication of its potential, they just might be able to reclaim that state title that eluded them last year.

GREENWOOD VILLAGE — “McCaffrey” is a name synonymous with Valor Christian football, and on Thursday night, the youngest McCaffrey began making his own high school legacy.

Luke McCaffrey, a sophomore quarterback, had a very Christian McCaffrey-esque 97-yard kickoff return for his first varsity touchdown in a huge top-10 rivalry matchup between Class 5A’s No. 8 Valor Christian and No. 9 Cherry Creek at the Stutler Bowl. And with the help of Luke’s clutch TD return and explosive offense from senior QB Dylan McCaffrey, the Eagles took down a young Bruins team 42-26, and now maintain a 3-2 rivalry series lead.

Luke McCaffrey’s 97 yards is the longest kickoff return for a TD in Valor history.

“It reminded me two years ago when we played Creek in the state championship and we had a kickoff return for a touchdown,” Valor coach Rod Sherman said. “It just showed me a young man who had gotten beat for the touchdown the play before, and then he took the kickoff, took it the distance, and it just shows what kind of competitor he is and how we have to get him on the field.”

This rivalry series never gets old, and was full of back-and-forth action.

Dylan McCaffrey got the passing started very early on for Valor, lobbing an 80-yard touchdown pass to senior Christian Elliss in the first quarter, giving the Eagles an early 7-0 edge over the Bruins and previewing what kind of passing damage he was about to do.

“We’ve been working on our passing and offense all practice and last week (vs. Pomona) I thought we played a pretty good game, except at the end, we just couldn’t finish,” McCaffrey said. “We practiced that so much this week and it really paid off tonight.”

Cherry Creek, now 2-3, went into this game with QB woes after starting sophomore Alex Padilla injured his thumb in a game against Grandview and is slated to be out the rest of the season. He will undergo thumb surgery on Monday. The Bruins’ backup QB was also in a walking boot with turf toe, so senior running back Trey Windham got the start.

More photos. (Renee Bourcier/CHSAANow.com)

Windham, who played QB a little last season, played like a veteran and connected with junior wide receiver Dimitri Stanley for three TD passes: 22, 59 and 7 yards.

“My sophomore year when Dimitri was a freshman, we played JV together and we just had a special connection,” Windham said.

After the second-quarter 59-yard go-ahead TD pass, Valor senior Jack Walley blocked the extra point attempt. On the next possession, Walley transitioned to offense and caught a 21-yard TD pass from McCaffrey with 34 seconds left in the half, bringing the Eagles back in the lead 14-13 and giving them a lot of momentum at the half.

“We knew this was a really young Creek team and I thought they really, really battled us in the first half,” Sherman said. “We had that stop right before halftime on our two-minute drive. Dylan completing a corner post route to Jack was a really important play in that game, just to give us a little energy. We easily should have been down 13-7 at halftime.”

Then it was the McCaffrey show from there, between Dylan’s gunslinging and Luke’s game-changing kickoff return.

“That was one of the most exciting times I’ve had playing football,” Dylan McCaffrey said of Luke’s TD return. “He had a rough play before but I walked up to him and told him he was going to get a TD, and just like he always does, he proved me right. It was an awesome play and I’m really proud of him.”

Valor had 336 passing yards for the game, just shy of the 380-yard single game passing record set in 2009 against Glenwood Springs in a playoff game. McCaffrey threw for 332 yards and four touchdowns, and ran in a one-yard TD for the 2-3 Eagles. His other two TD passes were 12 yards to senior wide receiver Curtis Chiaverini and eight yards to junior wide receiver Ryan Thibault.

Brian Brogan hit all five extra point attempts for Valor, and Creek’s Mac Willis was blocked on one and the Bruins failed on a two-point conversion attempt.

Bruins stud defensive lineman Jonathon Van Diest was a monster against the Eagles, and McCaffrey said they had to scout him hard before going into the game. He had seven tackles

Windham threw like a QB, showed off his rushing skills and was lethal on the QB keepers. He ran in an 8-yard TD in the waning minutes of the game, but it wasn’t enough to catch the Eagles.

More photos. (Renee Bourcier/CHSAANow.com

Dakota Ridge senior Caryle Levy pitched a four-hit shutout against Pomona. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

LITTLETON — Dakota Ridge softball has pretty good timing.

The Eagles started off the season with a rough 2-7 start, but a six-game winning streak has Dakota Ridge soaring into a head-to-head battle for first-place in the Class 5A Jeffco League. Dakota Ridge (8-7, 4-0 in league) travels to Arvada to face Ralston Valley (8-7, 5-0) at 10 a.m. Saturday, with the winner taking the driver’s seat in the conference race.

“We want it so bad,” Dakota Ridge senior Melissa Mages said of a conference title. “We feel like this is our year. It’s going to come down to that game.”

While Saturday’s could decide the league champion, Pomona (7-9, 2-3) did its best Thursday, Sept. 29, to put a stop to the Eagles’ winning steak and end the Panthers’ own skid. Dakota Ridge received stellar pitching performance from senior Caryle Levy and the Eagles were able to get a couple of key two-out hits to grab a 2-0 victory.

“We need what we are doing now in the worst way, especially with the way we started,” Dakota Ridge coach Marvin Van Lingren said. “This is big for us. It’s not over. We’ve got a couple more key games.”

Pomona’s Abriana Ramirez forces out Dakota Ridge’s Faith Lawson at third base. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

It wasn’t over until Levy struck out her six batter in the top of the seven inning with the tying run at the plate for the Panthers to seal the four-hit, complete-game shutout.

Levy had a no-hitter going through four innings, but the Panthers made things interesting in the seventh.

Senior Gracie Cordova, one of the top power hitters in the state, ripped a leadoff double to start the seventh with the Eagles holding on to a 2-0 lead.

Fortunately for Dakota Ridge, a two-out double by Mages in the bottom of the sixth inning gave the Eagles a much-needed insurance run with Cordova coming up.

Junior Alexis Blatner had given the Eagles a 1-0 lead with a two-out single in the bottom of the second inning.

“That run was very important,” Levy said of Mages’ double in the sixth. “It took a lot of weight off my shoulders.”

Pomona senior Abriana Ramirez ripped her second single of the game with Cordova on second base. However, a good throw from Dakota Ridge centerfielder Jordyn Baca cut down Cordova at the plate to keep the Panthers off the scoreboard. Levy struck out the next batter in Pomona junior Destiny Maes to end the game.

“She (Levy) is obviously a pretty good pitcher. We just could never get comfortable,” Pomona coach Jim Biddle said. “She moved the ball real well on us. We couldn’t get that key hit when we needed it.”

After the loss, Pomona dropped to No. 34 in the RPI rankings. The Panthers are clearly on the bubble to make the 32-team regional field for the postseason. Pomona closes its conference schedule against Lakewood (10 a.m. Saturday) and Arvada West (4:30 p.m. Wednesday).

“We can’t afford anymore losses,” Biddle said. “League wins are tough to get.”

Thursday’s conference game for Dakota Ridge started a string of three games in three days. The Eagles have a break from league play when it hosts Mullen at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, before the showdown with Ralston Valley.

“We haven’t beat Ralston Valley in the last three years, I think,” Van Lingren said. “Every game that we played them was a tight game. This next one won’t be any different.”

The Eagles finish league play at home against Arvada West at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 7.

Dakota Ridge senior Kacey Valerio prepares to take off from second base during the Eagles’ sixth straight win. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

MONUMENT — Senior Josh Thiele is getting his first real variety experience this year with Cheyenne Mountain.

So when he scored in the 35th minute to put his team up two goals, it was a nice moment for him. When Lewis-Palmer answered right back, it turned out that his goal was the game winner in the 2-1 win over the Rangers.

“I feel like I went out there and made a difference,” Thiele said. “I helped the team tonight.”

Scoring the game-winning goal could be considered making a difference.

With the win, the No. 2-ranked Indians (9-1 overall, 2-0 Pikes Peak Athletic Conference) are now in the driver’s seat when it comes to the league standings. A win over the No. 5 Rangers (8-2, 1-1) and a win over The Classical Academy earlier this month has made Cheyenne Mountain a clear favorite to come away with the PPAC title.

“Getting the win is the big thing,” coach Tomas Martinez said. “It’s huge to get this victory so we at least stay ahead of them.”

The Indians will have another league game against a team ranked in the CHSAANow.com top 10 in two weeks when they face off against Air Academy.

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Below is a list of boys tennis’ regional schedules for the 2016 season.

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Class 5A

Region 1

• Date: 10/5, 10/7
• Site: Cherry Creek HS
• Site contact: Jason Wilkins & Art Quinn, Cherry Creek
• Schools: Cherry Creek, Denver South, Northglenn, Columbine, Rampart, Greeley West, Ponderosa.

Region 2

• Date: 10/5-10/6
• Site: Fairview
• Site contact: Terrin Kelly, Fairview
• Schools: Fairview, Lakewood, Palmer, Overland, Legacy, Rock Canyon, Douglas County.

Region 3

• Date: 10/5-10/6
• Site: Colorado Athletic Club (Monaco)
• Site contact: Kelly Doherty, Regis Jesuit
• Schools: Regis Jesuit, Arapahoe, Ralston Valley, Liberty, Fort Collins, Dakota Ridge, Loveland, Chaparral.

Region 4

• Date: 10/6-10/7
• Site: Denver City Park
• Site contact: Mark Talhofer, Denver East
• Schools: Denver East, Coronado, Boulder, Arvada West, Lincoln, Eaglecrest, Castle View.

Region 5

• Date: 10/6-10/7
• Site: Colorado Mesa University
• Site contact: Paul Cain, District 51
• Schools: Grand Junction, Fruita Monument, Grand Junction Central, Mountain Vista, Rocky Mountain, Smoky Hill.

Region 6

• Date: 10/5, 10/7
• Site: Dakota Ridge HS
• Site contact: Craig Aukland, Chatfield
• Schools: Chatfield, Broomfield, Grandview, Rangeview, Doherty, Poudre, Highlands Ranch.

Region 7

• Date: 10/5-10/6
• Site: Colorado Athletic Club Inverness
• Site contact: Brock Becker, Heritage
• Schools: Heritage, Pine Creek, Monarch, Far Northeast, Cherokee Trail, Thronton, Mountain Range.

Region 8

• Date: 10/5-10/6
• Site: Fossil Ridge & Fort Collins HS
• Site contact: Brandon Carlucci, Fossil Ridge
• Schools: Fossil Ridge, Brighton, Bear Creek, Fountain-Fort Carson, Horizon, ThunderRidge, Legend.

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Class 4A

Region 1

• Date: 10/6-10/7
• Site: Colorado Academy
• Site contact: Bill Hall, Colorado Academy
• Schools: Colorado Academy, Arvada, D’Evelyn, Englewood, Kennedy, Lewis-Palmer, Golden, Wheat Ridge.

Region 2

• Date: 10/6-10/7
• Site: Kent Denver & Cherry Hills CC
• Site contact: Richard Judd, Kent Denver
• Schools: Kent Denver, Alameda, Denver North, DSST-Stapleton, Green Mountan, Thomas Jefferson, Palmer Ridge, Valor Christian.

Region 3

• Date: 10/5-10/6
• Site: Mullen & Pinehurst CC
• Site contact: Vicky Matarazzo, Mullen
• Schools: Mullen, Conifer, Discovery Canyon, Evergreen, George Washington, Littleton, Denver West.

Region 4

• Date: 10/6-10/7
• Site: Greeley Centennial Courts
• Site contact: Chris Cline, Northridge
• Schools: Northridge, Greeley Central, Dawson, Mountain View, Silver Creek, Thompson Valley, University, Windsor.

Region 5

• Date: 10/6-10/7
• Site: Quail Tennis Courts (Longmont)
• Site contact: Chase McBride, Niwot
• Schools: Niwot, Centaurus, Erie, Frederick, Longmont, Peak to Peak, Prospect Ridge, Skyline, Standley Lake.

Region 6

• Date: 10/5, 10/7
• Site: Cheyenne Mountain
• Site contact: Kris Roberts, Cheyenne Mountain
• Schools: Cheyenne Mountain, Air Academy, CS Christian, CS School, Harrison, Mitchell, Sand Creek, Vanguard, Widefield.

Region 7

• Date: 10/7-10/8
• Site: Pueblo City Park
• Site contact: Cherie Toussaint, Pueblo County
• Schools: Pueblo County, Canon City, Fountain Valley, Mesa Ridge, Pueblo Centennial, Pueblo Central, Pueblo East, Pueblo West, Pueblo South.

Region 8

• Date: 10/7-10/8
• Site: Canyon View Park, Grand Junction
• Site contact: Christina Curtis, Delta
• Schools: Aspen, Durango, Montrose, Steamboat Springs, Vail Mountain.

LITTLETON — Columbine jumped out to a quick 21-0 lead and was able to coast in the second half as the Rebels beat Denver East 35-22 Thursday night.

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DENVER — Jamie Lefevre pitched a complete game and only allowed two runs as D’Evelyn beat Green Mountain 9-2 on Thursday.

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Highlights from Chaparral football’s 21-17 win over ThunderRidge on Thursday night.

GREENWOOD VILLAGE — No. 8 Valor Christian football beat No. 9 Cherry Creek 42-26 on Thursday.

AURORA — Brighton softball jumped out fast and improved to 14-3 on the season after a big 31-0 win over Gateway on Thursday.

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