CHSAANow

Month: August 2019

  • Dakota Ridge football built from the inside out this season

    Dakota Ridge hopes to have a picturesque season following the Eagles’ run to the Class 4A Jeffco League title last year. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    LITTLETON — It all starts upfront for Dakota Ridge football this year.

    “This will probably be the best offensive line we’ve had in six to seven years in terms of size, smart and experienced guys,” Dakota Ridge coach Ron Woitalewicz said during the Eagles’ team photo day during the first week of practice. “They (offensive line) have kind of adopted the motto of we want to run the ball when we want run the ball. It’s that mentality that other team might know what we are running, but come and stop us.”

    Dakota Ridge senior Matthew Heitmann (51) helps anchor the Eagles’ offensive line this season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Seniors offensive linemen Matthew Heitmann and Izaak McWilliams were both all-conference selections in the Class 4A Jeffco League last season. The two will anchor a strong offensive front that also will include juniors Jason Soderlin and Kaden Arrastia.

    “If you don’t having a strong offensive line nothing on offense is going to work,” said senior James Hess, a first-team defensive lineman last season, who added his individual goal is to break Dakota Ridge’s single-season sack record of 16.

    The Eagles won the hotly contested 4A Jeffco League — edging out rivals Chatfield and Bear Creek — to qualify for the 16-team 4A state tournament a year ago.

    Dakota Ridge lost pretty much every skill position starter from last year’s 6-5 team. In fact, of the 33 touchdowns the Eagles scored last season, 31 were scored by players who graduated last spring. Only junior Colin Stuhr and senior Kyle Cannon are back who found the end zone last fall.

    However, Woitalewicz is confident his new batch of running backs, wide receivers, tight ends and quarterback Ben Gultig can get the job done.

    “We lost almost every skill kid from last year, but we might be better skill-wise then last year besides the exception of maybe running back,” said Woitalewicz, referring to graduated starting running back Jared Garcia.

    Garcia carried a big load late in the season as the Eagles went on their run to qualify for the postseason. Garcia had three straight 200-yard rushing games to close out the regular season.

    Dakota Ridge junior Sean McNamara (34) will fill the shoes of Jared Garcia at running back. Jason Soderlin (67) and Izaak McWilliams (58) will help clear the way for the Eagles’ ground game. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “Jared was a big part of our offense last year, but this year I feel we have a lot of new and upcoming guys who are willing to do whatever it takes to lead us to some wins,” said Charlie Offerdahl, a returning second-team all-conference defensive back selection and one the Dakota Ridge’s senior captains.

    Gultig will take over the quarterback duties this season. The junior did get some varsity playing experience last season when Ben Biffinger went out with an injury. Gultig went 9-for-12 passing for 97 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Hernando High School in Florida.

    “For Ben Gultig, this will be a good challenge for him,” Woitalewicz said of his junior stepping into the starting signal-caller role. “He got some varsity experience last year during our trip to Florida when our starting quarterback got a concussion. Ben was able to get in and play. He has been under the fire already a little bit.”

    Dakota Ridge would like to start better than it did last season. The Eagles were 2-4 through their first six games before salvaging their season thanks to a four-game winning streak to close out the regular season to win the conference title.

    Dakota Ridge senior Nico Capolungo (9) will be a key target for junior quarterback Ben Gultig. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “Our plan for this year is just to go 1-0 each week,” Heitmann said. “We aren’t really focused on non-league or league games. We just want to win each week.”

    The Eagles begin the season on the road in Colorado Springs. Dakota Ridge faces Rampart at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, at District 20 Stadium.

    “I think we need to win our first game to have a domino effect for the rest of our season,” Gultig said.

    Non-conference games against Monarch, Vista Ridge, Ponderosa and Vista PEAK will get Dakota Ridge ready for the key league stretch.

    Defending the 4A Jeffco League title is important to the Eagles and Woitalewicz in locking up another postseason berth.

    “You win the league and that guarantees you a spot in the playoffs. You are relying on Coaches Poll, MaxPreps Poll … I’m not a math guy,” Woitalewicz joked. “Win the league you know you are in and that’s taking care of business No. 1.”

    Dakota Ridge junior Ben Gultig (2) takes over the starting quarterback position for the Eagles. Dakota Ridge opens its season on the road against Rampart on Aug. 29 in Colorado Springs. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Chatfield softball’s hot start continues with win over D’Evelyn

    Chatfield junior Isabelle DiNapoli (11) is mobbed by teammates after her three-run home run in the bottom of the third inning Tuesday against D’Evelyn. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    LITTLETON — Chatfield softball coach Jen Lazzeri hopes the Chargers’ blazing 4-0 record to start the season is the beginning of ending a nearly decade-long drought.

    “That’s our goal,” Lazzeri said of Chatfield going after the Class 5A Jeffco League title that the Chargers last won in 2011. “We keep talking about it. This group all got a taste what it’s like to be at the state tournament last year. I think they are starting to believe. I think once they start believing the sky is the limit for this group.”

    Chatfield junior Madison Shepard foul a pitch off during the Chargers’ 12-4 victory over D’Evelyn. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    The Chargers grabbed a 12-4 victory against D’Evelyn (0-1) on Tuesday afternoon. Juniors Isabelle DiNapoli and Madison Shepard led the way for Chatfield. DiNapoli tossed a complete-game victory striking out eight.

    DiNapoli also helped herself out at the plate with a three-run home run in the bottom of the third inning that gave the Chargers a 4-0 lead.

    “Those two kids (DiNapoli and Shepard) are a huge pieces of our line-up, offensively and defensively. Madison, I think is one of the best shortstops in the state,” Lazzeri said. “You can count on those two to come in and be clutch.”

    Shepard put the game way with a line-drive home run during the Chargers’ six-run bottom of the sixth inning after D’Evelyn closed Chatfield’s lead to 6-4.

    “It felt really good and helped pick up the team’s energy,” Shepard said of her two-run blast. “We really felt like we had the game in the bag after that.”

    While Lazzeri was pleased with her Chargers cranking out 14 hits to produce double-digit runs for the third time already this season, four defensive errors was something Lazzeri — starting her third season at the helm of Chatfield’s softball program — knows her teams needs to clean up.

    Chatfield pitcher Isabelle DiNapoli had eight strikeouts in her complete-game victory. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “People are going to hit the ball against Isabelle,” Lazzeri said. “Our defense has to be ready. We can’t be complacent defensively.”

    Shepard believes the Chargers’ experience and talent can propel Chatfield to reach its goals this season.

    “I think a league title and going far in state is all a possibility,” Shepard said.

    D’Evelyn is always in the mix for the 4A Jeffco title and berth to the state tournament. The Jaguars were runner-up to Golden in the conference race last season, but a pair of one-run losses at regionals left D’Evelyn on the outside looking in to the 4A state tournament.

    Senior Peyton Balbin has been a fixture in the Jaguars’ line-up for the past three season. Balbin started her final opening game behind the plate for the Jaguars against Chatfield.

    “It’s crazy. Seems like just last week I was a freshman playing my first game catching ever,” Balbin said. “Now it’s my first game of my last season catching. It’s crazy thinking about how time flies by.”

    D’Evelyn gets against another tough test versus another 5A Jeffco team Thursday when the Jaguars host Columbine (3-0). Chatfield hosts Mullen on Thursday before heading to the very competitive Erie Tournament of Champions next week.

    D’Evelyn senior Peyton Balbin drove in a pair of runs on this swing in the top of the fifth inning Tuesday against Chatfield. The Jaguars hope to challenge Golden for the 4A Jeffco League title this fall. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Photos: Jeffco League holds boys golf event at Deer Creek

    Valor Christian boys golf won the Jeffco 4A/5A League event at Deer Creek on Tuesday. Ralston Valley’s Jack Larson was the individual winner.


  • Photos: Elizabeth softball edges Roosevelt in season opener

    ELIZABETH — Elizabeth softball got off to an exciting start of the season, getting a 5-4 win over Roosevelt on Tuesday.

  • Photos: Chatfield softball rides early lead to win over D’Evelyn

    LITTLETON — Isabelle DiNapoli and Madison Shepard each hit home runs as Chatfield softball beat D’Evelyn 12-4 on Tuesday.

  • Green Mountain football won’t rest on its laurels

    Green Mountain coach Jesse German talks with players during the first week of practice. The Rams open their season with the school’s homecoming game Sept. 6 at Jeffco Stadium. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    LAKEWOOD — With 17 returning first-team, second-team or honorable mention all-conference selections to the Class 3A Mt. Metro League, Green Mountain’s football team could very easily be complacent coming into its 2019 campaign.

    However, that isn’t the case for Rams’ coach Jesse German as he leads Green Mountain — ranked No. 6 in the Colorado High School Activities Association’s 3A football rankings that is solely voted on by coaches this season — into its 44th season of football.

    “This year we are team 44,” said German, who is in his second season at the helm of the Rams’ football program. “At our first team meeting we said we will not ride on their (last year’s team) coattails. My message to them is step it up.”

    Green Mountain senior quarterback Trey Towndrow, left, will have plenty of player makers at his disposal this season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Despite having so much returning talent from last year’s squad that won a conference title and advanced to the second round of the 3A state tournament with a 9-3 record, German expects improvement.

    “We have a lot of returners back, which is a plus. Now we expect them to play better than they did last year,” German said. “A big thing is if we can focus on ‘team’ the individual things will take care of themselves.”

    The returning talent starts with quarterback/safety Trey Towndrow who begins his third season at the Rams’ starting signal-caller. He was the overall offensive MVP in the Mt. Metro League last season.

    “It goes by so fast,” Towndrow said of starting his senior season. “I’m just excited to be here with these boys that I’m with. It should be fun.”

    Towndrow passed for nearly 1,500 yards last season and also rushed for over 1,000 yards on the ground, scoring a dozen touchdowns.

    “He is a real cool customer and kids feed off that, but he also has a lot of juice,” German said of Towndrow. “We’ll try to put him in the right situations. We are excited to see what he does this year. The sky is the limit.”

    Green Mountain returns leading running back Quinn Meinert (1,103 yards and 13 touchdowns) and leading wide receiver Trey Corkin (735 yards and seven touchdowns).

    Green Mountain hopes to get its hands on back-to-back Class 3A Mt. Metro League titles. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    “There is definitely a different atmosphere,” Corkin said. “Last year was a big year for Green Mountain and we brought a lot of new energy. This year we are ramping it up to a whole new level.”

    The Rams also returns their entire starting offensive line, a fact that hasn’t been overlooked by Meinert.

    “It was definitely exciting for us,” Meinert said of the offensive numbers the Rams put up last year. “The offensive line, those rinos, are the hardest working guys out here.”

    Defensively, Will Banks will anchor an impressive defensively line. As a junior, Banks led the team with eight sacks. Individual honors isn’t something Banks is looking to accomplish this season, it’s all about team.

    “I’m really not focused on stats. No matter what I’m doing I want to help better the team. I just want to be there for this team,” Banks said. “I always knew our team had a lot of potential. We just really pushed ourselves last year, but now we are focused on this year. This year it’s all about year 44.”

    Green Mountain had a 9-game winning streak last season after starting the year 0-2. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    One significant loss due to graduation for Green Mountain was Ryan Burdi, who led the team averaging nearly 14 tackles per game. Burdi was also a huge factor on special teams leading the Rams in kick off and punt return yards.

    German said Green Mountain will change things around defensively to soften the loss of Burdi.

    The Rams start with a huge season-opener against Harrison at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, at Jeffco Stadium. Not only will it be Green Mountain’s homecoming game, but Harrison handed the Rams a 34-21 loss last season in which Green Mountain got off to a 0-2 start.

    Week 2 will be a trip to Palisade to try to get some revenge on the Bulldogs after last year’s loss. Palisade was No. 3 in CHSAA’s preseason 3A football poll.

    “Everyone is looking forward to these first two games, but more importantly is that Sept. 6 game against Harrison,” Meinert said. “They are a physical team. Getting the hype going early in the season is kind of cool.”

    German said he is counting on his seniors for leadership to help bring along the young players who will also contribute this season.

    “It’s going to be a cool atmosphere playing at the Big House (Jeffco Stadium),” German said of the Rams’ opener being their homecoming game Sept. 6 at Jeffco Stadium. “Our community is really getting behind us. Our numbers are up from last year and there is a lot of support and I’m proud of our community.”

    Green Mountain’s offensive linemen go through drills during practice. The Rams return a host of all-conference selections from last year on both sides of the football. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

  • Football’s TV, radio & streaming schedule for the 2019 season

    Pomona Cherry Creek football
    (Steve Oathout)

    Below is a list of high school football games available on TV, radio and live streams in Colorado this season. This is in addition to games on the NFHS Network, which will have extensive coverage every week.

    [divider]

    Televised games

    Date Time Teams Station
    Sept. 13 7:30 p.m. Valor Christian vs. Pomona Altitude
    Sept. 20 7 p.m. Pomona vs. Cherry Creek Altitude
    Sept. 27 7 p.m. Eaglecrest vs. Arvada West Altitude
    Oct. 4 7 p.m. Arapahoe vs. Cherokee Trail Altitude
    Oct. 11 7 p.m. Highlands Ranch vs. ThunderRidge Altitude
    Oct. 18 7 p.m. Eaglecrest vs. Cherry Creek Altitude
    Oct. 25 7 p.m. ThunderRidge vs. Valor Christian Altitude
    Oct. 31 6 p.m. Columbine vs. Arvada West Altitude

    * – Subject to change at a later date.
    [divider]

    Radio games

    Date Time Teams Station
    8/30 7 p.m. Berthoud at Platte Valley KFKA
    8/30 7 p.m. Salida vs. Summit HOTR
    8/31 1 p.m. South Park vs. Soroco HOTR
    9/5 3 p.m. North Park vs. Cotopaxi HOTR
    9/5 6:30 p.m. Hinkley at Northridge KFKA
    9/6 4 p.m. Platte Canyon vs. Buena Vista HOTR
    9/6 7 p.m. Fort Collins at Fossil Ridge KFKA
    9/6 7 p.m. Salida vs. Manitou Springs HOTR
    9/13 7 p.m. Northridge at Greeley Central KFKA
    9/13 7 p.m. Buena Vista vs. Cedaredge HOTR
    9/13 7 p.m. Salida vs. Delta HOTR
    9/14 Noon Hoehne at Dayspring Christian KFKA
    9/20 1 p.m. Cotopaxi vs. Mountain Valley HOTR
    9/20 7 p.m. Valley at Highland KFKA
    9/21 1 p.m. Buena Vista vs. Salida HOTR
    9/21 6 p.m. Eaton at Platte Valley KFKA
    9/26 6:30 p.m. Chatfield at Greeley West KFKA
    9/27 7 p.m. Salida vs. Cedaredge HOTR
    9/27 7 p.m. Weld Central at Resurrection Christian KFKA
    9/28 1 p.m. Lake County vs. The Pinnacle HOTR
    10/3 6 p.m. Broomfield at Fort Collins KFKA
    10/4 7 p.m. University at Eaton KFKA
    10/4 7 p.m. Buena Vista vs. St. Mary’s HOTR
    10/4 7 p.m. Lake County vs. Jefferson HOTR
    10/5 1 p.m. South Park vs. Caliche HOTR
    10/10 7 p.m. Resurrection Christian at University KFKA
    10/11 1 p.m. Cotopaxi vs. Sierra Grande HOTR
    10/11 7 p.m. Fossil Ridge at Rocky Mountain KFKA
    10/11 7 p.m. Buena Vista vs. Colorado Springs Christian HOTR
    10/11 7 p.m. Salida vs. Pagosa Springs HOTR
    10/12 1 p.m. South Park vs. Haxtun HOTR
    10/17 6:30 p.m. Fort Morgan at Northridge KFKA
    10/18 7 p.m. Loveland at Fort Collins KFKA
    10/18 7 p.m. Buena Vista vs. Florence HOTR
    10/18 7 p.m. Salida vs. Alamosa HOTR
    10/19 7 p.m. Eaton at Resurrection Christian KFKA
    10/25 7 p.m. Erie at Roosevelt KFKA
    10/25 7 p.m. Buena Vista vs. Rye HOTR
    10/25 7 p.m. Salida vs. Montezuma-Cortez HOTR
    10/26 1 p.m. South Park vs. Custer County HOTR
    11/1 7 p.m. Greeley West at Windsor KFKA
    11/1 7 p.m. Buena Vista vs. Monte Vista HOTR
    11/1 7 p.m. Salida vs. Bayfield HOTR
    11/2 1 p.m. South Park vs. Elbert HOTR
    11/8 7 p.m. Niwot at Roosevelt KFKA

    [divider]

    Streaming games

    Date Time Teams Stream
    8/29   Ponderosa vs. Legend 9News Facebook
    8/30   Grandview at Chaparral 9News Facebook
    9/5   Highlands Ranch at Grandview 9News Facebook
    9/6   Santa Margarita vs. Cherry Creek 9News Facebook
    9/13   Regis Jesuit vs. Highlands Ranch 9News Facebook
    9/19   ThunderRidge vs. Horizon 9News Facebook
    9/20   Columbine vs. Highlands Ranch 9News Facebook
    9/26   Cherry Creek vs. Chaparral 9News Facebook
    9/27   Pomona vs. Highlands Ranch 9News Facebook
    10/3   Grandview at Eaglecrest 9News Facebook
    10/4   Fairvew vs. Legacy 9News Facebook
    10/11   Cherokee Trail vs. Grandview 9News Facebook
    10/17   Valor Christian vs. Mountain Vista 9News Facebook
    10/18   Arapahoe vs. Grandview 9News Facebook
    10/24   Douglas County vs. Chaparral 9News Facebook
    10/25   Cherokee Trail vs. Cherry Creek 9News Facebook
    10/31   Castle View vs. ThunderRidge 9News Facebook
    11/1   Grandview at Cherry Creek 9News Facebook

    This list will be updated with new information as it becomes available. These games are in addition to those on the NFHS Network, which produces a wide range of games each week. This section will be updated.

  • Jeffco boys golfers hit the links at Deer Creek GC

    LITTLETON — A 7:30 a.m. shotgun start for the second boys golf Jeffco League tournament Tuesday morning allowed golfers to avoid temperatures the 90s at Deer Creek Golf Club.

    The defending Class 5A Jeffco League medalist — Lakewood junior Ryan Liao — actually wasn’t at the second conference tournament of the season. Liao was in New Jersey playing in the KJ Choi Foundation Junior Championship.

    Lakewood is primed to be in contention for high individual and team accolades this fall. Liao is back after placing fourth at state last season. The Tigers finished second at state in the team standings, five shots behind Fossil Ridge.

    “We are really driving toward that state championship,” Liao said during the CHSAA Media Day on Aug. 9. “We want to get Coach G (Alan Gonzales) one. He deserves one. That is the main goal for us.”

    Lakewood coach Alan Gonzales has guided the most consistent boys golf program in Jeffco for the past several years. The Tigers placed second in the 5A state tournament in 2014, 2015 and 2018 to go along with a third-place finish in 2016.

    Lakewood sophomore Max Lange won the first medalist title in the opening Jeffco League tournament Aug. 12 at Applewood Golf Course. Lange shot a round of 65 for a six-shot victory. Lakewood junior Noah DiBiase and sophomore Jace Wright gives the Tigers a legitimate shot at the program’s first team title.

    “My team has really stepped up their game. It relieves a lot of pressure on my part,” Liao said. “Of course I want to go for the (5A Jeffco League individual medalist) again, but the main thing is the team.”

    Ralston Valley and Valor Christian will likely be right on the Tigers’ heels in the race for the conference title that concludes with the final league tournament Sept. 17 at the Broadlands.

    On the 4A side, Evergreen will be the favorite with senior Clayton Whitton leading the way for the Cougars. Jake Dekoker and Jack Mitchell gives Evergreen not only a chance for another conference team title, but a chance to be in the mix for the 4A state title.

    Conifer junior Dakota Dolph and Green Mountain sophomore Ollie Gibbons — both finished in the top-20 at the 4A state tournament last season — look to break into the top-10 in 2019.

  • Kit Carson’s small-town environment provides a memorable game day experience to its football team

    (Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos)

    Roughly 20 minutes after journeying southbound from the junction of Colorado Highways 94 and U.S. Route 287, passing cars roll into a small community that houses a dominant football program.

    It’s not the kind of football that fans would immediately think of when attending game. An 11-man lineup for one stereotypical team is nearly enough to for a full roster on both sides of the ball in Kit Carson.

    The Wildcats are coming off a banner year that was just one win shy of a 6-man state championship.

    It’s no secret that 6-man football doesn’t look like the same game as 11-man at times, but to the kids donning purple and yellow each weekend, it’s a game that is every bit as structured as the 11-man version that most people are used to seeing.

    “A lot of people just think it’s a lot of running,” running back Joe Bryan said earlier this month at Fall Sports Media Day hosted by the Denver Broncos. “They don’t see much because there aren’t as many people (on the field). But it’s something we’re used to and it’s really fun to us.”

    In many ways, 6-man football is a fun experience for everyone involved. Fans, kids and parents waste no time in talking about what makes it, in some ways, better than the 11-man game.

    “A big guy can catch the ball and run with it whenever he needs to,” lineman Brock Weiand said with a big smile on his face.

    Like any organized level of high school athletics, 6-man football is played on a regulated field under the eye of certified officials. There are rules to abide by and penalties to be called when those rules are broken.

    At times the game can look like a neighborhood pick-up game that feels like it can break out at any time while driving through small town after small town on the way to Kit Carson.

    For the Wildcats, the experience of playing 6-man football isn’t tied strictly to the game itself. This is small town football. Hollywood films based around high school football often depicts towns shutting down in anticipation of a big-stakes game.

    In Kit Carson, it’s a reality. The games are events and parties for those in the town and even the players that will take the field.

    “The day before a game we started having team dinner,” senior David Arnold said. “We go to someone else’s house and we just have a lot of fun there.”

    Parents are preparing ahead of time as well. The 6-man version of football isn’t played in a newly built stadium. Often times, the only thing that will separate the field from the outside world is a chain link fence.

    That means spectators have the ability to watch from seats far more comfortable than wood or metal bleachers.

    “There will be games where cars are parked by the field days before the game,” senior Brayden Bogenhagen said. “People go and get their spots for sure.”

    Flashing lights and car horns might accompany a touchdown celebration. Cordell Farmer explained that his dad often watches games from behind the goal posts and can make eye contact with each player who makes it into the end zone. Sometimes he might get in on the celebration.

    When the final seconds tick off the clock, it doesn’t always mean the fun is over. Not once in 2018 did the Wildcats lose on their home field. And that often prompted celebrations from fans and students alike. But in a small town, there isn’t chaos to be had all over the place.

    It’s easy to gather in one central location and enjoy not just the win, but the weekly work that went into it.

    “One of the things we started is called the fifth quarter, which our church on main street puts on,” Bogenhagen said. “We go down there after our game and get snacks and some meals. We get to go down there and play some games and be with the other students. It’s a good time.”

    It’s the end of a week-long event. What Kit Carson does is unique to its community, but small towns throughout the state have similar build ups and celebrations. It’s part of what makes all levels of high school football special.

    A championship doesn’t have to be won in Mile High Stadium for it to have a special feeling. Sometimes, winning on that small field in a manner that looks like an organized pick-up game can leave a lifelong impact on the kids who are playing and the community they are playing for.

  • Golden’s softball twins present double trouble for opponents

    Golden seniors Makayla and Makenzie Middleton have combined for 247 hits, 206 RBIs and 43 home runs through their first three seasons. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    GOLDEN — The offensive numbers Golden’s identical twins Makayla and Makenzie Middleton have put up the previous three seasons on the softball field is mind boggling.

    The Middleton twins have combined for 247 hits, 206 RBIs and 43 home runs over the past three seasons.

    “I think the competition between us is what helps us the most,” Makayla said of the sibling rivalry. “If she (Makenzie) is hitting better then me I’m going to go into the cage more. If I’m hitting better, she is going to go in the cage more. Honestly it is what helps us the most.”

    Makenzie Middleton has batted over .500 each of her first three season with the Demons. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    The Demons softball program has catapulted to a new level with their Wonder Twins leading the way. Golden has racked up a 53-18 record over the last three years, qualifying for the Class 4A state tournament twice.

    This year will mark the final go-around for Golden’s three-year starting shortstop and center fielder.

    “Four years goes by quick,” said Makayla, who has a career .488 batting average at Golden. “You can’t take it for granted.”

    With the window closing on the Middleton-era, Golden coach Chad Herbers has been keeping the Demons focused on what was key for them last year to a 20-win season.

    “We had a lot of success last year. We tried to look back to the root of why we had the success. We really analyzed and self reflexed,” Herbers said. “They way we want to start off this year is to make sure our team aspect is together. We are going to depend on each other.”

    Herbers believed Golden really gelled as a team last season when it went on its impressive run. The Demons started the season off with a 3-6 record, but reeled off 17 straight victories — including a 10-0 sweep of the 4A Jeffco League — before losing in the second round of the 4A state tournament to Mountain View.

    “I just feel like we need to come together and work together as a whole,” said Makenzie, who has a career .563 batting average. “That is how success comes. It’s not by one individual player. If we all work together I believe we’ll go really, really far.”

    The twins won’t be going far to play their college softball once their playing days are done at Golden. Makayla and Makenzie verbally committed to Colorado Christian University in Lakewood over the summer. The Cougars are a Division II program that plays in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

    “I am super excited. I really feel it was made for us,” Makenzie said of committing to CCU. “It was the best way to go with the program and softball.”

    Despite having Division I talent, the twins wanted to both play right away at the college level and make an impact.

    Golden coach Chad Herbers guided the Demons to a 17-game winning streak last season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Herbers knows if the Demons are going to make another deep run in the postseason they can’t rely solely on the twins.

    “They (Middleton twins) are sitting in that senior, leadership, upperclassmen role and they are doing a great job so far,” Herbers said on the eve of Golden’s season opener Friday afternoon at Valor Christian in Highlands Ranch. “They have to have some level of support from freshmen and sophomores below them.”

    Golden graduated a handful of seniors from last year’s team. The graduation of three-year starting pitcher Cassidy Paulson might be the biggest shoes to fill.

    “Cass is very difficult to replace, but again, thinking back she was a freshman at one point. She had to develop to become a very good pitcher,” Herbers said. “I have five pitchers right now. We have a great core of throwers who are developing very nicely.”

    Herbers does have the luxury of starting catcher Marla Goodspeed back behind the plate to handle whatever pitcher ends up carrying the load for the Demons.

    “Our defense is definitely our strong suit,” said Goodspeed, who batted .348 last season and led the team with 13 doubles. “We just need somebody to be in there to get some ground balls and pop outs.”

    Golden is definitely on the radar as a 4A state contender. The Demons were ranked No. 5 in the CHSAANow.com preseason poll. Herbers said it was a “great honor” be he and his players knows it will take a lot of hard work to get Golden in position to meet its ultimate goal.

    “It’s a step at a time because we don’t want to go too fast. We don’t want to lose track of our mind and our goals,” Makayla said. “If we continue to practice hard, play hard and play with passion we will get there.”

    Three-sport athlete and senior Haley Prey keeps her eye on the ball during Golden final practice before its season opener Friday, Aug. 16, at Valor Christian. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)