Faith Christian football coach Ralph Nance is retiring.
The school announced the news on Tuesday. Nance spent the past four seasons as head football coach, going 29-13, including 9-2 this past season. Before becoming head coach, he was an assistant for 20 years, and also served as the school’s baseball coach from 1994-2005 and 2013-16.
“Coach Nance has especially enjoyed cultivating relationships with his players and impacting their lives in many ways both on and off the field,” the school wrote in a statement. “Coach Nance has contributed heavily to the athletic program at Faith Christian as he also served as head baseball coach for many years as well. Faith Christian would like to thank Coach Nance for his many years of service and wish many blessings on him and his family as he enters retirement.”
As a football assistant, Nance was part of four state championships (1998, 2004, 2006 and 2009), and 12 league championships. As head coach, his team won two league titles.
The Eagles, who compete in Class 2A, will return many key contributors in 2018.
Pomona coach Jay Madden finally captured his first football state title in his 15th season at Pomona. (Lance Wendt)
DENVER — The itinerary was pretty clear cut for Pomona’s football program this season — play 14 games and win the last one.
Mission accomplished.
Pomona’s 56-49 victory over Eaglecrest in the highest scoring Class 5A state championship game in history gave the Panthers their first state football title since 1988. The win also ended a string of three losses (2009, 2015 and 2016) in championship games for Pomona.
“We’ve been so close so many times and so much heartbreak. We had to have this one,” Pomona coach Jay Madden said as his team celebrated getting their hands on that elusive state title Dec. 2 at Mile High Stadium. “If we don’t get this one … when are we going to get one? I’m glad that stuff is over. We got one and we’ll come back next year and try to get another one.”
Madden, in his 15th year coaching his alma mater, finally joined the elite club of football coaches with state titles. He also joins his younger brother Brad Madden in winning a state championship.
Brad won the 6A baseball state title as a player at Arvada West in 1994. He also coached Golden to the 4A state baseball state championship in 2003. Brad moved on to Green Mountain High School where the Rams won back-to-back 4A baseball state titles in 2014 and 2015.
Pomona football coach Jay Madden has coached the Panthers to a 34-8 record over the past three seasons. (Lance Wendt)
“It’s a lot harder in football, especially at the 5A level,” Brad said of his older brother joining him as a state champion. “I’m super proud of him and his whole staff. This is overdue for sure.”
Brad, who will take over Ralston Valley’s baseball program this spring, was Jay’s offensive coordinator at Pomona for several years.
“He has been the best coach in 5A football for 17 years, doing it with a neighborhood school,” Brad said of his brother. “He finally gets what he deserves.”
Jay spent time as the head coach at Alameda and Dakota Ridge before a two-year stint at Mullen before taking over at Pomona when legendary coach Gary Klatt retired.
Pomona had three players who were able to taste victory Saturday that played in the 2015 state game two years ago. One of those players was senior running back Max Borghi.
The Washington State commit finished his stellar career with more than 5,000 yards from scrimmage. Borghi had a remarkable playoff run with 904 yards rushing and a dozen touchdowns on the ground in four games.
“I’ve never seen a bigger smile on his face,” Borghi said of his coach. “I’m just so happy for him. He has been working for it longer than of us (players) have been working for it. He has been coaching forever. To finally get it, he earned it.”
The football program also joins the state success its gymnastics, wrestling and track programs have had over the past three years.
“It means a lot,” Pomona senior defensive end Tanner Kimminau said. “Walking around school we’ll finally fit in with all the other state champs there.”
Pomona football coach Jay Madden is surrounded by his players after the Panthers won the 2017 Class 5A football state championship. (Lance Wendt)
Welcome back, hoop fans! We are excited to get Season 9 of Ball Fever started with the expert assistance of the “Digital Media Guru” Ryan Casey!
Our state is once again loaded with talent, stand out teams, and some sure surprises on the way in our big school 5A/4A boys hoops. Let’s get right to the Week 1 action …
[divider]
Wednesday, Nov. 29
(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
The Fever Crew got the season started at the Rock Canyon/Mountain Vista tournament where our CHSAA 5A No. 3 squad George Washington got things started vs. Rampart. The Rams started strong surprising the Patriots with an 18-11 first quarter advantage. Hawaii commit 6-foot-11 Dawson Carper scored 12 and senior Josh Kavalec 18 but not enough as the Patriots turned up the defensive intensity with senior D’Auntray Pierce blocking numerous shots and soph Devin Carter bringing energy on both ends of the floor leading GW in scoring. FRESHMAN ALERT!: Keep an eye and ear out for Kendale Johnson Jr. of the Patriots. Scored 8 points in his freshman debut and if the roster didn’t read “FR” no one would know it.
Denver East will call on Daylen Kountz, CU Boulder commit, and junior Kwane Marble heavily this year and they didn’t disappoint scoring 24 and 14 points respectively as the Angels show out early beating Vista Ridge by 28 in tournament play.
Arapahoe started off FAST 17-2 in first quarter and held off tough Monarch behind 14 points from Denzel Valerio in tournament play.
Aurora Central was down 10 early to Skyline but 18 points from junior Jayden Robinson helped the Trojans start 1-0 with the 64-59 win.
How about 11 players in the scoring column and 3 scoring double figures for 4A preseason No. 3 Pueblo West who rolled to a 82-64 win over Harrison.
The Coach Bob Caton era has begun at Mullen with a nice win over Lincoln for the Mustangs. Junior Christian Davis was “en fuego!” from deep draining 7-8 three pointers for the Mustangs in the 85-79 win.
Two veteran, senior heavy squads got their season started in Fort Collins as Denver South visited for tourney play. The Sabercats pull of the tight 2 point win behind Ben Weiner’s 15 points. Senior Courtney Dean scored 15 as well for the Rebels.
Our preseason 5A No. 2 Smoky Hill came out strong behind their big men John Harge (15 points) and Will Becker (17 points) beating Brighton 70-38.
ThunderRidge starting the season in out-of-state California play take down Ocean View (CA) 73-64. The Fever Crew reports that coaches from UC Santa Barbara were in to view senior guard Kaison Hammonds and he didn’t disappoint scoring 19 in the win!
Preseason No. 1 Rock Canyon scored 68 in their first win and Mountain Vista a humming 92 in easy wins round one of the Mountain Vista/Rock Canyon tourney. Could we see these two in the finals Saturday?
Looking for a lead point guard? Look no further than Jodaun Dotson, junior at Rangeview, who scored 19 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds in the Raiders opening win over Mesa Ridge in the Highlands Ranch tourney.
No. 5 ThunderRidge moves to 2-0 in Cali with an easy 50 point win over Pacifica Christian where Kaison Hammonds scored 25!
Our 4A No. 2 squad Pueblo South missing some stud football players didn’t let that bother them opening with 17 point win over Mountain View.
Isaiah Robinson poured in 18 points for Palmer but not enough to take down the Tigers…Lakewood wins 73-65.
Rampart bounces back as big man Dawson Carper scores 19 points with 5 rebounds in the tight win over Liberty.
Looking for balance? How about three Coyotes scoring 18 points each in Monarch’s win over Loveland. Junior Nate Pontejos hit 4 three-pointers as part of his 18!
The defending champ Raptors come in at No. 9 in our preseason poll and even without some top guys still playing football, they pull off the win over Mesa Ridge due to senior Morgan Brown’s 14 points, 6 rebounds.
Mead earned some votes in our preseason poll and showed well vs. Lewis Palmer but Joel Scott’s 19 points paced the Rangers to the win.
Impressed by Coach Ezekiel Ocansey and the new Northfield Nighthawks taking on a 5A non conference opponent early in the season. Jayden Robinson scored 18 in the Aurora Central win but “props” to Northfield for going on the road in 5A!
A lot of “pub” in the off season for Montbello (FNE) senior Sindou Cisse and he helped the Warriors to an early season tournament win over Dakota Ridge scoring 16 points, with 8 rebounds, and 4 assists!
Impressive for a young Boulder team to have their two leading scorers as sophomores who led the team to 55-50 comeback win on the road at Chatfield.
Senior Justin McCaw scored 11 for the Grizzlies as ThunderRidge continues the “California Roll” beating JSierra Catholic by 13.
Spotted our first “30-piece” as Derrian Reed scored 36, including 7-10 from three point land, for Sierra but it wasn’t enough as Falcon held on with Reece Warren scoring 21 of his own.
Chaparral opens the season as No. 8 in our preseason poll but look for them to rise behind star junior Ronnie DeGray III who scored 25 points in the season opener vs. Fairview. Look for explosive “catch a body” plays from DeGray.
No. 5 Holy Family gave Golden a real scare to start season and followed up with a 3-point comeback win over D’Evelyn.
No. 2 Pueblo West got a home game at the Air Force Academy and ran up 80 points vs. Air Academy for another early season win.
We ended last season saying watch out for the tandem of Sam Masten and Tyson Gilbert’s hunger leading them back to the Coliseum! In their host tournament they didn’t disappoint in semifinal blowout 75-50 of George Washington. Masten with 21 and Gilbert 18 in the home win.
Late tourney action up north and junior Kwane Marble led the Angels on this night with 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists to cap the win over Fossil Ridge.
Solid tournament win for Glenwood Springs over Vista Peak! Senior Aaron Smith poured in 21!
Gateway ran off two solid wins out west in tournament play but then ran into Fruita Monument who out paced them 73-53.
Our guys over at Littleton off to 2-0 start with 20-point win over Kennedy.
Another “30-piece” sighting from sophomore Luke O’Brian for Columbine but not enough to get the Rebels over the hump on Lincoln who won by 3 in overtime!
We mentioned Kendale Johnson Jr. in the previous “FRESHMAN ALERT” and he paced the Patriots with 9 points in their low scoring duel over Arapahoe. Good bounce back for GW after big loss to Rock Canyon.
The Fever Crew got over to Highlands Ranch for our weekend live action! FRESHMAN ALERT: heard the name Simental before? Yes, there’s a good looking freshman Jason Simental for the Falcons who stepped right onto the varsity court and looked solid scoring 8 points but the Falcons couldn’t hold off smooth, lead point guard Jodan Dotson (14 points) and big man Ryan Ongala of Rangeview who scored 14 of his own on the inside. The Raiders are young but with youth and leader on the inside like Ongala they’ll be just fine!
It took overtime for Fossil Ridge to top Dakota Ridge in an exciting tourney tilt up north and B. Lambrecht, a senior, scored 14 in the win!
Eaglecrest came up just short in 5A football but the hoops squad left no doubt on final tourney day whooping Lakewood 60-34.
Juniors Earl Boykin and Brendan Temple helping Douglas County get off to a nice start of the season beating Coronado by 20!
DPL foes traveled to Fort Collins to play a tourney final as Denver East outlasted Montbello (FNE) 67-54. The respective “big 4” for these two schools didn’t disappoint and Cisse and Fofana scored 17 each for the Warriors but not enough to match the 24 from Daylen Kountz and 19 from Angel’s Kwane Marble.
Even with top players winning a state football title on Saturday Pueblo South still pushed through for an impressive 71-63 win over Mead.
Annual battle of the “private schools” and Regis continues their dominance of late on the court with a 71-57 win at Mullen. Seniors Elijah Martinez (24) and Sam Bannec (14) took the scoring lead along with junior Mat Wheelock who added 13 for the Raiders.
Absolutely no let down for No. 1 Rock Canyon after the 25-point win over GW in semifinal tourney play as they handed Mountain Vista their first loss by 19 points behind Sam Masten’s game leading 26!
Junior Joel Scott ensured some shake up in our 4A poll this week as Lewis Palmer closes out an excellent week 1 beating No. 1 Golden 67-54. Scott with 18 points in the tourney win on the road!
Nice to finish this week up with a Colorado squad going undefeated at a national tourney! ThunderRidge, 4-0 in California, were paced by seniors Kaison Hammonds and Justin McCaw along the way. Hammonds averaged 17 points per game along the way! Looking forward to seeing these guys in CO…
[divider]
The Look Ahead
(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Monday, Dec. 4
Denver East is hot early taking on Sierra in Fairview Festival!
Denver South and Arvada West tangle in same tourney.
Grandview opening up vs. Brighton at home.
Pomona travels to Adams City.
If you need some 8pm action Fairview and Hinkley is where it’s at!
Tuesday, Dec. 5
Chatfield and Monarch both looking for early confidence!
Montbello (FNE) and Manual…ol skool DPL foes!
4A No. 1 Golden takes on a 5A challenge vs. Fossil Ridge.
Pueblo West vs. Cheyenne Mountain down south.
The city’s coming to “FOCO” as GW visits Poudre.
Rangeview looking to stay undefeated vs. Dakota Ridge.
No. 1 Rock Canyon visits Eaglecrest in a “Fever game of the week” candidate tilt!
Niwot vs. Holy Family bout.
Wednesday, Dec. 6
Cherry Creek and Valor get season’s started at Chap tourney!
Lincoln vs. Doherty will be fun at T-Ridge kickoff.
D’Evelyn vs. Mead likely coming down to final minutes.
Rocky Mountain has tough test in Chap!
Grandview another tough non league visit from Mountain Vista.
Grand Junction will be T-Ridge’s first in-state test!
Thursday, Dec. 7
Sand Creek vs. Mesa Ridge.
Vista Peak vs. Falcon.
Smoky Hill faces unbeaten TimpView in Utah!
Rock Canyon at Overland is top 10 excellent non league ball!
Cheyenne Mountain vs. Liberty.
Widefield vs. Pueblo South!
Rampart vs. Montbello sounds good.
Boulder, 3-0 vs. tough Mountain Vista.
Longmont vs. Golden sweet 4A action!
Regis takes the show to CA vs. St Pat/St Vincent.
Friday, Dec. 8
Columbine visits Heritage.
Legend vs. Monarch.
GW at Overland will be rockin!
Golden vs. Conifer.
Eaglecrest vs. Chatfield.
Grandview vs. Rangeview in an A-Town battle!
Smoky Hill vs. another unbeaten – Wasach Academy in UT!
Saturday, Dec. 9
D’Evelyn vs. Longmont.
Castleview vs. Fort Collins.
Sand Creek vs. Pueblo South in nice 719 action!
Liberty vs. Highlands Ranch.
Windsor vs. Greeley West.
Hinkley vs. Douglas County closes us out!
Nothing like week 1 excitement, folks! Can’t wait to catch more action this week…enjoy!
When the dust settled, Pomona came away with its first state football title since 1988 with a 56-49 victory over Eaglecrest in the highest scoring 5A state football title game in history.
“We’ve worked so dang hard to build this program,” said Pomona coach Jay Madden, who is in his 15th year at Pomona. “We’ve been so close so many times. To finally get one and see that (players celebrating with fans) is what it’s all about.”
It’s the second football state championship for Pomona. It was the fourth trip to the 5A state title game as a coach for Madden, also a Pomona graduate.
Pomona’s pervious three trips to Mile High were in 2009, 2015 and 2016. Two of the three losses were heartbreaking 3-point losses to Mullen in 2009 and Valor Christian in 2015.
“I can’t explain it. There isn’t able better way to go out,” Pomona senior running back Max Borghi said. “Coming here a third time and finally getting it. It’s the best feeling ever. Everyone at Pomona has been apart of this.”
While there were plenty of offensive numbers, Borghi and Eaglecrest running back Kenny Wanting were nearly unstoppable. Borghi finished with 31 carries for 247 yards and three touchdowns. Kenny Wanting was just as impressive with 27 carries for 210 yards and three touchdowns.
Borghi stood helplessly on the sideline of the 5A football state championship game a year ago with a torn ACL.
The Washington State University-commit took full advantage of the Panthers getting back to Mile High Stadium for a third straight shot at the 5A state title. He also overcame fumbling the ball twice in the first half against Eaglecrest.
“He (Borghi) was just trying to hard,” Madden said of Borghi’s two fumbles. “He was trying to put the game away instead of just playing one play at a time.”
Borghi came in averaging more than 10 yards per carry and went over the 1,500 yard mark, despite not really getting up to full speed after having knee surgery last fall.
“You just have to forget about it,” Borghi said of his fumble near the goal line and fumble on a kickoff in the second quarter that led to Eaglecrest grabbing a 35-28 lead. “The second half I didn’t think about it. I just came out and did my job. I thought about what I had to do.”
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
Eaglecrest’s defense came in giving up just 12 points per game. However, the Raptors hadn’t seen the type of explosive offense Pomona (12-2 record) has put together. The Panthers averaged nearly 45 points per game with a balanced passing attack orchestrated by senior and three-year starting quarterback Ryan Marquez.
Marquez connected for his fifth touchdown pass of the game with 6:25 left in the fourth quarter to give the Panthers a 56-42 lead. Junior Billy Pospisil was on the receiving end for the key touchdown. It was Pospisil’s third touchdown of the game.
“Billy is one of the best players in the state,” said Marquez, who finished 20-for-22 for 345 yards and the five touchdowns. “When plays need to be played he makes them. He played a hell of a game today. I’m so proud of him.”
Pomona ended up putting up 683 yards of total offense.
“I didn’t think that would happen honestly,” Pospisil said of his 9 catches for 187 yards and three scores. “We just came out here trying to execute. Thankfully that was a big part of the plan.”
Pomona’s biggest defensive play came with senior defensive back Kenny Maes intercepting Eaglecrest quarterback Jalen Mergerson in the fourth quarter to get a rare defensive stop.
“It was a relief when Kenny picked that off,” Pomona senior defensive end Tanner Kimminau said. “I love that kid.”
Maes actually was the Panthers’ starting running back last year in the state title game with Borghi and then senior Cameron Gonzales both sidelined with injuries.
Even after the interception, Eaglecrest scored with 1:11 remaining on a run by Mergerson to make it a 1-score game. The senior signal-caller finished 11-for-17 passing for 279 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough.
The Raptors couldn’t recover the onside kick. Pomona ran out the clock to win.
“Everyone rallied and we settled down at halftime,” Pospisil said of recovering after Eaglecrest’s 35-point second quarter. “We knew if we played mistake-free football in the second half we would win the game.”
Eaglecrest’s lone football state title came in 1993. Coach Mike Schmitt has led the Raptors to a 24-2 recored over the past two seasons. Eaglecrest lost to Regis Jesuit in the state quarterfinals last season that ended an undefeated season for the Raptors.
Legend boys basketball coach Kevin Boley won the 400th game of his career on Saturday night.
Boley’s Titans beat Ralston Valley 56-44 to open the season 2-0 and give their coach the milestone. Boley is now 400-208 in his 19-year career.
Boley started his career as an assistant at Littleton in 1987 under Ron Vlasin — his high school coach; Boley is a 1986 graduate of Littleton — before becoming the head coach at Jefferson from 1991-94. From there, he went on to spend five years as the coach at Montrose.
(Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)
He then spent nine very successful seasons at Broomfield, including a Class 4A title in 2004 and four Final 4 appearances. He was 178-50 at Broomfield.
Boley moved to Legend prior to the 2008-09 season, and has gone 144-79 as the school’s only boys basketball coach.
Boley is now in his 10th season at Legend, and also moved into the athletic director’s role four years ago.
Under Boley, Legend has made the Class 5A state tournament every year since 2011, including and at least the Sweet 16 round ever year since 2012. The Titans have gone to Great 8 twice, and also have a trip to the 2013 Final 4.
