Making adult decision has defined the better part of life for Alexisius “Q” Jones.

Make no mistake, the Fountain-Fort Carson running back is still very much a kid. He flashes a childish, yet confident smile when asked about his accomplishments on the football field. But he understands the full scope of those accomplishments and how they’ll help shape his life for the next 40 years after making an athletic and academic commitment to Dartmouth College.

Jones’ story isn’t one of consistent, big-time success on the football field. In fact, his story and current life trajectory is a story that sounds more suited for a Disney movie than anything.

“Both of my parents were in and out of jail and up until my sixth grade year, I was actually in a lot of trouble with the authorities,” Jones said. “It was my dad that helped me turn my life around.”

Eventually, Jones landed at Fountain Middle School for his seventh grade year.

(Lance Wendt/wendt5280.com)

“After that, I changed my ways,” he said.

Change didn’t come without a little bit of help. He was pushed onto the football field by the middle school’s coach Paul Mileto — who also serves as the boys basketball coach at Fountain-Fort Carson High School.

It was a big step. A broken arm in fourth grade made the idea of contact sports terrifying for Jones’ mom so he was largely kept out of athletic activities. Instead he was hanging out with friends and at times getting in trouble.

The athletic culture in Fountain had an appeal, though. Jones found that the community truly cared about its athletic teams and because of that, those involved in the athletic programs greatly cared about the kids.

When Jones started playing for Mileto, he casually threw out a common dream for young athletes: He wanted to play Division I football. Mileto didn’t immediately rattle off what kind of workouts he needed or the physical measurements that are common for athletes playing at that level.

He stressed the most important aspect of making sure playing high-level college sports was possible.

“He told me if you have a 3.5 GPA or better, you’ll get to the places you want to be,” Jones said.

Jones took it personally.

“Usually teachers would request kids to be in higher (level) classes,” Jones said. “No teacher did that for me. It made me upset. I know I’m smart. I know I can do the work.”

So he did. He shined in the classroom the same way he shined on the football field during a standout sophomore season.

Then disaster struck.

(Theodore Stark/tstark.com)

A leg injury late in the season derailed the football part of his plan for over a year. Jones played in just one game his junior season, but immediately realized something wasn’t right. He continued to heal and rehab through the year and began to appreciate the game from a different perspective.

“The whole journey of my injury, I was just worried about not getting recruited,” Jones said. “I was fine with doing the rehab, I was fine working out because that’s just stuff I love doing as an athlete.”

It paid off. When the football season was green-lit for this fall, a healthy Jones hit the ground running. Far and fast.

In eight games he rushed for 1,853 yards and 19 touchdowns, leading the state across all classifications. He quickly regained the form he held when he was just a sophomore. There was just one problem: the recruiting looks he was getting at that time weren’t as strong.

At one point, he was hearing regularly from Darian Hagan at the University of Colorado, but when head coach Mel Tucker abruptly left Boulder for another job, those conversations were few and far in between.

This fall was when Dartmouth really started paying attention. When they realized his grades were strong enough for Ivy League enrollment, they offered him a chance to keep playing football and get an Ivy League education in the process.

“I wouldn’t have guessed even three years ago that this would be his choice,” Trojans coach Jake Novotny said. “Some of it has probably changed because of COVID and the recruiting cycle and how that fell, but he told me Dartmouth was his choice because it was going to challenge him in football and it would also be an academic challenge. And he likes new challenges.”

By no means does this indicate a belief that he only has four years of football left in him. But between experiencing rough patches early in his life and a year where he couldn’t physically play football, he bad to assess his post-high school priorities a little differently.

“My injury definitely woke me up,” Jones said. “It was one of those wake-up calls that football can end any day. People always tell me when football’s over it comes back to your backup plan or your brain. That’s another reason I chose Dartmouth.”

An 18-year-old kid with the ability to play FBS football instead made an adult decision. And he holds no hesitation or regret in that choice. He’s going to continue to perform at his very best both on the gridiron and in the lecture hall.

It’s all a part of his plan for his life. He’s not looking to succeed as a football player or succeed as a student. He just wants to succeed.

“I think he’s a lot of life; a lot more life than most adults see at 30 or 40,” Novotny said. “He’s had to make adult decisions since he was in the fourth and fifth grade.”

It was tough at the time. But those decisions helped Jones shape his very bright future.

(Lance Wendt/wendt5280.com)

The 2020 all-state football teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

These teams were created following a lengthy process which included nominations from leagues, and then a vote of head coaches across the state.

Players were placed onto the first-team, second-team and honorable mention based upon the number of votes they received. In 5A-1A, spots were reserved for linemen and one kicker/punter, while 8-man reserved spots for linemen.

CHSAA does not determine who makes or doesn’t make the team; they are created from the results of the coaches’ vote.

Because there will be two football seasons during the 2020-21 school year, this is the all-state football team for Season A. There will be a separate all-state football team released for Season C.

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Class 5A

(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

Player of the year: Myles Purchase, Cherry Creek

Coach of the year: Dave Logan, Cherry Creek

Honorable mention:

• Tanner Arkin, LB/TE, Fossil Ridge, Senior
• Spencer Aye, G, Regis Jesuit, Senior
• Matthew Baer, DE/DT, Regis Jesuit, Senior
• Mike Beeson, T/LS, Horizon, Senior
• Jake Berry, OL, Fairview, Senior
• Charlie Carlston, WR, Ralston Valley, Senior
• Mason Dickerson, FS, Legacy, Junior
• David Dody, RB, Regis Jesuit, Senior
• Jackson Dorr, P, Valor Christian, Senior
• Stone Fletcher, DT/NG, Horizon, Junior
• Blake Haggerty, CB/WR, Castle View, Junior
• Andrew Hale, S/WR, Valor Christian, Junior
• Evan Harrell, CB/SS, Cherokee Trail, Junior
• Jaxon Heil, SS/RB, Mullen, Junior
• Adam Holton, LB/WR, Mountain Vista, Senior
• JuJu Howard, LB, Pomona, Senior
• Wesley Jones, K, Columbine, Junior
• Ryan Kawashima, Cherokee Trail,
• Cole Kesner, C/DT, Highlands Ranch, Senior
• Sean Kidd, RB/SB, Rocky Mountain, Senior
• Tyson Lambert, ILB/TE, ThunderRidge, Senior
• Tyler Larson, WR, Valor Christian, Senior
• JP Luketu, RB, Eaglecrest, Senior
• Connor Mantelli, K/P, Douglas County, Senior
• Colton Martin, DB, Grandview, Senior
• Watson McBride, DE/T, Valor Christian, Senior
• Ren Miller, C/NG, Castle View, Senior
• Chase Muller, RB/DB, Pomona, Junior
• JJ Nelson, CB, Chaparral, Senior
• Cody Pettitt, DE/G, Fossil Ridge, Senior
• Garrett Quenzer, G, Prairie View, Senior
• Ryan Randall, DE, Rocky Mountain, Senior
• Jonah Rubadue, G/DT, Chaparral, Senior
• Michael Runnels, LB/RB, Arvada West, Sophomore
• Luke Sandy, TE/OL/DL, Legend, Junior
• Chris Sarkodie, T, Overland, Senior
• Kalen Shoemaker, QB, Legend, Senior
• Braelon Tate, Legacy, Junior
• Anthony Tocchini, T/C, Regis Jesuit, Senior
• Chase Tompkins, WR/CB/FS, ThunderRidge, Junior
• Jarrell Trahan, RB/CB, Highlands Ranch, Senior
• Nunie Tuitele, DE, Regis Jesuit, Junior
• Kade Unberhagen, Doherty, Senior
• Marc Wessbecker, FS/RB, Castle View, Junior
• Trace Williams-Mitchel, T/DT, Columbine, Junior
• Hunter Wilson, MLB, Cherokee Trail, Senior
• Jack Zilligen, LB, Rock Canyon, Senior

[divider]

Class 4A

(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

Player of the year: Zack Rakowsky, Loveland

Coach of the year: Jeff Mauck, Loveland

Honorable mention:

• DJ Allen, WR/DE/TE, Widefield, Junior
• Oscar Aranday, G/DT, Skyline, Senior
• Kaden Arrastia, OL, Dakota Ridge, Senior
• Lamaine Arrington jr, RB/FS, Pueblo West, Junior
• Claudio Austin, Grand Junction Central, Senior
• Austin Bierhaus, CB/LB/TE, Loveland, Senior
• Trent Blundell, RB/DB, Montrose, Senior
• Jake Boley, OLB, Cheyenne Mountain, Senior
• Eli Bowman, WR/FS, Brighton, Senior
• CJ Brown, T/DT, Rampart, Senior
• Braxton Burrows, WR/LB, Widefield, Senior
• Yahir Chairez-Salazar, MLB/RB, Greeley Central, Junior
• JJ Dickerson, K/P, Mesa Ridge, Senior
• Aiden Gaddis, DT, Longmont, Senior
• Isacc Gomez, WR/DB, Thornton, Sophomore
• Jimmy Grace, DL/OL, Monarch, Sophomore
• Austin Griffin, FB, Montrose, Junior
• Jack Hanson, K, Cheyenne Mountain, Senior
• Eric Haslett, MLB/T, Rampart, Senior
• Espin Hernandez, FB/MLB, Fruita Monument, Senior
• Joel Hesse, DT/T/DE, Skyline, Senior
• Daymond Hill Jr., RB, Cheyenne Mountain, Senior
• Eli Hubert, WR/CB, Silver Creek, Junior
• thane humiston, RB/DE, Mesa Ridge, Junior
• Alexis Irizarry, CB/RB, Greeley West, Junior
• Anthony Jay, G/C, Liberty, Senior
• Aiden Johnson, HB/LB/SS, Grand Junction, Senior
• Caleb Johnson, WR, Longmont, Junior
• Joe Killian, WR/RB/C, Loveland, Senior
• Mason Lowe, WR, Chatfield, Sophomore
• Raul Martinez, OL/DL, Montrose, Senior
• Troy McCarthy, RB/LB, Standley Lake, Senior
• Mason Micci, RB/DB, Coronado, Senior
• Carter Motichka, WR, Ponderosa, Senior
• Branyon Murdock, Pine Creek, Senior
• Joe Naple, MLB/ATH, Palmer, Junior
• Keegan Patterson, QB/SS, Longmont, Junior
• Hunter Peck, ILB/OG/FB, Windsor, Senior
• Matthew Ramsey, G/LB, Brighton, Senior
• Marcellus Reed, WR/CB, Palmer Ridge, Senior
• Ray Salvatore, DE/G, Fountain-Fort Carson, Senior
• Eric San Souci, OL/DL, Coronado, Senior
• Christopher Smith, G/DE, Wheat Ridge, Senior
• Jaden Solano, WR/DB, Broomfield, Senior
• Philip Sonntag, T/G, Pueblo West, Senior
• Ryan Toy, OL/DL, Golden, Senior
• Adrian Valenzuela, RB/CB, Bear Creek, Senior
• AJ Wheeler, DL/OL, Broomfield, Senior
• Gavin Whetzal, LB/WR, Pine Creek, Junior
• Tyson Williams, WB/CB/K, Loveland, Junior

[divider]

Class 3A

(Brad Cochi)

Player of the year: Jordan Woolverton, Durango

Coach of the year: David Vogt, Durango

Honorable mention:

• Buddy Almintakh, DT/G, Pueblo East, Senior
• Ayden Bartko, QB, Niwot, Senior
• Ray Bellotti, DT, Conifer, Senior
• Connor Clancy, K, Discovery Canyon, Senior
• Aidan Collins, WR/FS/RB, Summit, Junior
• Breckin Davis, WR/FS, Lewis-Palmer, Senior
• Patrick Diem, RB/SS, Northridge, Senior
• Zach Hansen, Evergreen, Senior
• Gabe Harrison, QB/DB, Palisade, Senior
• Clay Heffron, TE/DE/WR, Pueblo Central, Senior
• Gavin Howes, DE/OT, Pueblo County, Senior
• Alex Hurr, WR, Mountain View, Senior
• Marshall Jones, OG/ILB, Battle Mountain, Junior
• Cameron Kalaf, QB/SB, Summit, Senior
• Graham Kalaf, G/DL, Summit, Junior
• Aaron Kness, TE/MLB/LS, Northridge, Senior
• William Knight, DT, Durango, Junior
• Cael Langford, RB/MLB, Fort Morgan, Senior
• Reese Lehman, T/DL, Frederick, Senior
• John Lopez, RB/FS, Pueblo South, Senior
• Cayden Mazurek, WR/FS/P, Riverdale Ridge, Senior
• Elijah Morales, ATH/FS, Battle Mountain, Junior
• Tyler Morrison, SS/TE, Eagle Valley, Senior
• Anthony Munoz, DT/G, Roosevelt, Sophomore
• Seth Newton, WR/DB, Canon City, Senior
• Kenneth Pasion, QB/SS/RB, Discovery Canyon, Senior
• Tucker Peterson, WR/FS, Roosevelt, Sophomore
• Mason Rosser, DT/C, Conifer, Junior
• Dylan Ruane, FB/MLB, Discovery Canyon, Senior
• Brady Samaras, LB/FB, Holy Family, Junior
• Josh Smith, OL/DL, Canon City, Senior
• Corby Tecu, RB/LB, Mead, Junior
• Colton Thewes, LB/WR, Lutheran, Senior
• Jeremiah Vasquez, C/DT, Battle Mountain, Senior
• John Wagner, T/DE, Evergreen, Senior
• Craig Wright, WR, Niwot, Junior
• Devan Zahl, QB/DE, Lewis-Palmer, Junior

[divider]

Class 2A

(Lance Wendt/wendt5280.com)

Player of the year: Zane Rankin, Lamar

Coach of the year: Zac Lemon, Eaton

Honorable mention:

• Damian Antonio Ramos, CB/RB, Lamar, Senior
• Grant Aucoin, QB/MLB, Pagosa Springs, Senior
• Wil Aucoin, RB/DE, Pagosa Springs, Junior
• Shane Bishop, QB, D’Evelyn, Senior
• Brandon Blanco, MLB, Valley, Senior
• Brock Burkholder, WR/CB, Sterling, Senior
• Gage Butler, RB/FS, Eaton, Senior
• Joseph Campagna, RB/MLB, Moffat County, Senior
• Ryan Connelley, Elizabeth, Junior
• Logan Curtis, Platte Valley, Junior
• Kayden Derbigny, DT/T, Fort Lupton, Sophomore
• Dylan Evans, LB/RB, Resurrection Christian, Senior
• Hunter gator Goff, TE/ILB, Delta, Junior
• AJ Goldfain, MLB/FB, Resurrection Christian, Senior
• Pedro Gomez, OL, Lamar, Senior
• Nate Gravagno, WR/LB, Englewood, Senior
• Logan Hafey, DE/T, Moffat County, Junior
• Colton Johnson, RB/LB, Delta, Senior
• Gunner Johnson (labbe), QB/DB, Englewood, Junior
• Cameron Kirwan, T/DE, Middle Park, Senior
• Jayden Lawrence, G/C, Elizabeth, Junior
• Alejandro Maltos-Garcia, QB/SS, Brush, Junior
• Aidan O’Donnell, WR/FS, Pagosa Springs, Senior
• Damian Orozco, DE/LB, Alamosa, Junior
• Sebastian Owens, C/G, Arvada, Senior
• Jace Perez, WR/CB, Elizabeth, Junior
• Servando Perez, QB/SS, Valley, Senior
• Garrett Purman, C/G, Berthoud, Junior
• Braden Roskam, RB/FS, Woodland Park, Senior
• Nathan Scharnhorst, QB/FS, Delta, Junior
• Zayne Stam, Weld Central, Junior
• Taran Teeter, MLB/FB, Moffat County, Junior
• Anthony Torrez, RB/MLB, La Junta, Junior
• Zachary Vaughan, OG/DT, Severance, Junior
• Kyle Wellen, RB, Brush, Junior

[divider]

Class 1A

(Paul Soriano)

Player of the year: Kory Tacha, Limon

Coach of the year: Mike O’Dwyer, Limon

Honorable mention:

• Carlos Almeida, TE/DT, Center, Senior
• Grant Blackmon, T/DT, Platte Canyon, Senior
• Cooper Brower, C, Rye, Senior
• Sam Buckhanan, OL/ILB/QB, Gunnison, Junior
• Adnex Bumba, DE/LB, Jefferson, Senior
• Shawn Campbell, WR, Ignacio, Junior
• Yahir Chavez, QB/ATH, Hotchkiss, Senior
• Colby Clatterbaugh, RB/MLB, Meeker, Senior
• Zak Cobb, C/DT/ILB, Peyton, Junior
• Brady Collins, WR/NG, Wray, Sophomore
• MIke Dean, DT/DE/T, Platte Canyon, Senior
• Dusty Duran, TE/DE, Monte Vista, Junior
• Nate Early, WR/DB, Banning Lewis Academy, Junior
• Zachary Eskelson, OL/DT, Meeker, Junior
• Dom Felice, TE/DE, Paonia, Senior
• Parker Franz, OL/LB, Burlington, Senior
• Severin Grundvig, ILB/RB, Colorado Springs Christian, Senior
• Gael Guzman, G/DT/K, Bennett, Senior
• Allen Hardey, FS/SS/QB, Platte Canyon, Junior
• Baron Holman, WR/CB, Centauri, Junior
• Cade Killin, DE/T, Holyoke, Junior
• Fletcher Madrid, Del Norte, Senior
• Josh Martinez, QB/DB/WR, Florence, Senior
• Quentin Nolan-Henson, DE/G, Rocky Ford, Senior
• Tyrese Otero, WR/CB/FS, Monte Vista, Senior
• Isaac Peerman, Del Norte, Senior
• Clay Robinson, RB/SS, Yuma, Junior
• Aidyn Shafer, G/DT, Holyoke, Junior
• Wyatt Sprague, WR/SS, Holyoke, Freshman
• Caleb Stockton, Colorado Springs Christian, Senior
• Jack Swanson, WR/FS, Strasburg, Senior
• Iley Tuttle, FS/WR/CB, Peyton, Senior
• Brody Wagner, G/LB, Cedaredge, Senior
• Evan Walls, G/C/T, Prospect Ridge Academy, Senior
• Deklan Wilk, LB, Prospect Ridge Academy, Senior
• Jeremy Woodward, RB/LB, Meeker, Senior

[divider]

8-man

(Kevin Prickett/prickettpix.com)

Player of the year: Kelton Gartrell, Sanford

Coach of the year: Chris Michel, Sedgwick County

Honorable mention:

• Nathaniel Aguilar, Crowley County, Senior
• Hector Almeida, South Park, Senior
• Braxton Asbell, ATH, Sargent, Senior
• Braxton Bates, TE/DB, Fowler, Senior
• Austin Beanland, C/DE, Dove Creek, Senior
• Blake Boulter, QB/DE/LB, Gilpin County, Senior
• Jakob Buller, QB/K/P, West Grand, Senior
• Alejandro Castanon, C/LB, West Grand, Senior
• Wyatt Cook, FB/LB/DE, Holly, Senior
• Christian Cova, WR, Mancos, Senior
• Chorbin Cressler, QB/CB, Dove Creek, Junior
• Austin Davis, OL/MLB, Rangely, Senior
• Brody Despard, RB/DB, Byers, Senior
• Rene Dominguez, RB/KR, West Grand, Senior
• Dakota Eaton, RB/DT/SE, Holly, Junior
• Zachery Edwards, RB/LB, Pikes Peak Christian, Senior
• Jose Garcia, CB/WR, Dolores Huerta Prep, Senior
• Brayden Glover, RB, Simla, Sophomore
• Traevin Jones, TE/LB, Caliche, Senior
• Owen Knode, QB/DB, Haxtun, Junior
• Hayden Lasley, Springfield, Senior
• Jacob Martin, CB/WR, Dayspring Christian Academy, Junior
• Aiden Martinez, McClave, Sophomore
• Keihlin Myers, QB/QB/QB, Rangely, Junior
• Vincent Nowicki, RB/WR/LB, Vail Christian, Junior
• Slater O’Brien, OL/DL, Vail Christian, Senior
• Grayson Pachner, QB/SE, Akron, Senior
• Kage Pepper, ATH, Sargent, Senior
• Monte Pickering, MLB/G, Lyons, Senior
• Gabe Polley, G, Rangely, Senior
• Sam Puderbaugh, OL/DL, Norwood, Senior
• Kevin Rice, DE/G/LB, Swink, Senior
• Isaiha Rivas, LB, Dolores Huerta Prep, Senior
• Damian Romero, QB/DB, Fowler, Senior
• Austin Schake, OG/DE, West Grand, Senior
• Rylee Smith, TE/DE, Fowler, Senior
• Cooper Tixier, G/DE, Wiley, Sophomore
• Tyler Wytulka, QB, Norwood, Senior
• Cade Zordel, RB/LB, Wiley, Senior

[divider]

6-man

(Lance Wendt/wendt5280.com)

Player of the year: Brady Kuntz, Fleming

Coach of the year: John King, Fleming

Honorable mention:

• Gus Andreatta, WR/DE/P, La Veta, Junior
• Richie Atencio, DL/OT, Sierra Grande, Senior
• Dillon Ball, Cheyenne Wells, Junior
• Logan Breyer, TE/DL, Stratton/Liberty, Sophomore
• Isiah Chairez, LB/RB/ATH, Sierra Grande, Junior
• Ty Coleman, Cotopaxi, Sophomore
• Peyton Cranson, Branson/Kim, Sophomore
• Jonathan De Jesus, RB/LB, Weldon Valley, Senior
• Yahir Enriquez, Idalia, Junior
• Junior Flores, RB/LB, Weldon Valley, Senior
• Samuel Koolstra, RB/LB, Arickaree/Woodlin, Junior
• Levi Miller, Genoa-Hugo, Senior
• Wyatt Miller, Genoa-Hugo, Junior
• Kevin Rodriquez, Walsh, Senior
• Nick Schroeder, WR/LB, Hi-Plains, Senior
• Cade Smith, Branson/Kim, Sophomore
• Porter Spady, RB/LB/K, Eads, Freshman
• Salvador Vigil, QB/S/LB, Mountain Valley, Senior
• Tatum White, DB/LB/SB, Cheraw, Junior

(Steve Abeyta/steveabeytaphotography.com)

Wednesday is Early Signing Day for Division I football recruits, marking the start of a three-day early period where they can sign with colleges.

Below is a breakdown of our state’s 2021 recruiting class so far. Find a complete database of 2021 recruits from Colorado here.

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By the numbers

* – Through Dec. 16, 2020

[divider]

2021 Division I football recruits from Colorado

Note: Not all players have signed a National Letter of Intent; some are verbal commitments.

HYDRATION/DEHYDRATION

Definition of Dehydration

• A mismatch between water intake and body water loss
• Loss of greater than 2% of body weight
• Most athletes do not voluntarily drink adequate volumes to maintain hydration in practices/games
• Dehydration is impacted by the intensity of exercise, environment and availability of fluids
• Predisposes to heat illness
• Significantly impairs performance
• Knowledge does not always translate into behavior

Symptoms of Dehydration

• Thirst
• Irritability
• Cramps
• Headache
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Fatigue/Weakness/Dizziness
• Decreased Performance

Management of Dehydration

• Assess level of distress/symptoms, consider removing from activity depending on the level of symptoms
• Rest the athlete and establish a rehydration plan to replenish lost fluids
• Water or sports drink may both be utilized to rehydrate the athlete

Prevention of Dehydration

• Water is something all young athletes need prior to exercise
• Develop a hydration strategy: drink before, during and after exercise. Hydration plans need to be individualized.
• Daily hydration habits are important for overall hydration status
• Monitor hydration by evaluating urine color
o A light color like lemonade indicates adequate hydration
o A darker color like apple juice indicates dehydration
• Fluid volumes needed to maintain hydration vary by size of the athlete, the athlete’s sweat rate, and the intensity of exercise

Coach Responsibility

• Educate athlete’s regarding the importance of hydration for safety and performance
• Allow easy access to fluids and schedule water breaks especially in the heat
• Monitor hydration status and player status when exercising in the heat

For complete CHSAA Hydration/Dehydration Protocols information, please click HERE.

We took to Instagram last week to ask students to send us any questions they had for our commissioner, Rhonda Blanford-Green. And those students sure delivered.

We fielded nearly 300 questions on that Instagram post and through our direct messages. We did our best to identify common questions, and ones that would be able to hit on multiple topics. As a result, we ended up with 20 questions, and we sat down with Blanford-Green to ask those questions.

The result is a conversation that spanned more than 40 minutes, and a wide range of topics.

Questions answered in the video:

• “Delayed and cancelled are two different things, right? Doesn’t the CDPHE dictate if CHSAA delays sports?”
• “When did CHSAA get word from the CDPHE that the season was going to be delayed?”
• “What are variances from the state?”
• “Why were the remaining seasons delayed, especially Season D?”
• “Why was football allowed to finish its season, and these sports got delayed?”
• “The letter from CDPHE mentioned indoor sports. How does that impact skiing?”
• “Is there a possibility our season could be cancelled?”
• “Does the CHSAA staff think that Season B will be the hardest to deal since many of the sports are going to be indoor and close contact?”
• “Why is the delay being announced so early?”
• “Why can there be club sports, and places around us can play indoor sports, but we can’t play a normal season?”
• “Will counties in level red cause indoor sports to postpone until the level decreases?”
• When will specifics on sports season be released?
• “Why can college and professional athletes play without masks and we can’t even play at all?”
• “How does it work if we graduate in May and track ends June 26?”
• “If there is a vaccine developed, will there be fans allowed?”
• “If schools don’t return to in-person learning, will sports be able to resume?”
• “Why do the seasons overlap?”
• “Why aren’t different sports getting looked at based on levels of risk?”
• “Can you play two sports in the same season?”
• “Why are you doing what you’re doing?”
• “Has the waiver idea been put into any consideration?”
• “What are your thoughts about the whole situation?”

As part of its continuing service to students, coaches, administrators and schools across Colorado, the CHSAA will hold three student-based mental health seminars December 15-17 to reinforce the successful initiatives already introduced by the Association in the past three years when students’ mental health concerns were initially prioritized and participation had not been disrupted.

With the continued challenges facing the state during the pandemic, the CHSAA is utilizing its resources to offer a series of live webinars offered directly to students, conducted by JC Pohl, award winning author and producer of “Teen Truth’ and Caleb Campbell, West Point graduate and Former Kansas City Chief Linebacker, nationally known for his work around student mental health and resilience.

The CHSAA Webinars titled “Taking Care of You, when Your World has been Turned Upside Down” are about providing students with strategies for self-care and ownership in their social, physical and mental well-being during these unprecedented times. This opportunity will be offered statewide at no-charge to all students.

The seminars will focus on student-participants, embracing their feelings and creating internal coping skills to deal with the disruptions to their education, interscholastic activities participation and overall life due to the pandemic.

“It has been nine months since the pandemic initially shut down schools, activities, and the traditional norms our students have known that have shaped their world. The on-going uncertainty of when things are going to return normal produces anxiety in us all but more so for our kids where disruptions have left them questioning their place and identity during the pandemic,” CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green said.

“We, as educational leaders, need to provide our students with coping strategies and resilience in navigating their current world that has been turned upside down by decisions out of their control as a result of the negative impacts of COVID-19,” Commissioner Blanford-Green said. “We are excited to offer this webinar series that complements our current mental health initiatives.”

Registration information will be forwarded to schools on Saturday to get students enrolled in these statewide self-care student-driven outreaches.

To ensure any student who wants to attend will be able to, three webinars will be offered: One on Tuesday (3:30-4:30 p.m.), another Wednesday (6:30-7:30 p.m.), and one on Thursday (3:30-4:30 p.m.). Each webinar is free.

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Webinar Speaker Bios

JC Pohl is an award-winning producer, nationally recognized speaker, and certified counselor who has reached over 10 million people with his efforts to build school culture and empower student voice. He has produced groundbreaking programs such as TEEN TRUTH and RISING UP, and award-winning content for companies such as Warner Brothers, ESPN, and Disney. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and can be reached on Facebook and LinkedIn or directly at www.jcpohl.com.

Caleb Campbell is a West Point graduate, former Army Officer and ex-NFL Linebacker. After a college football career at West Point full of accolades and awards, Caleb made history when he was selected by the Detroit Lions in the 2008 NFL Draft. Despite living out his childhood dream and having a life that many would envy, a day never went by where Caleb felt he’d found his place in this world. Having lived through rejection, depression, self medication, and thoughts of suicide, Caleb understands the pressures that today’s students are facing. He is a leading mental health advocate for teens and student athletes around the world, and has been serving as TEEN TRUTH’s #1 mental health speaker since 2018. To learn more or to watch his speaker reel visit teentruth.net/calebcampbell

Jay Madden celebrates with his family after Pomona’s 56-49 victory over Eaglecrest in the Class 5A state championship game in 2017 at Mile High Stadium. (Lance Wendt/CHSAANow.com)

ARVADA — After nearly two decades leading Pomona High School’s football program, Jay Madden officially stepped down as head coach this week.

“Number one is I’m tired. I’ve been doing this a long time and the stuff that goes along with being a head coach wears you out,” Madden said in a phone interview Tuesday morning. “I love coaching. I love kids. I love football. I’ll probably never quit coaching.”

Madden will remain as a teacher at Pomona. He has a few more years before retiring from teaching and wants to focus on being a father.

Jay Madden spent 26 years as a head high school football coach in Colorado with stops at Alameda, Dakota Ridge, Mullen and Pomona. (Lance Wendt/CHSAANow.com)

“It was time to not be the boss anymore,” Madden said. “It’s time to be a dad. I’ve got a son who will be a sophomore in high school next school year. I can be his dad for three years, recharge my batteries and hopefully go back and do this all over again.”

What Madden — 1986 Pomona graduate — has done as a high school football coach in Colorado since his first head coaching job at Alameda in 1995 is impressive. He spent five seasons at Dakota Ridge (1996-2000) and two years at Mullen (2001 and 2002) before heading back to his alma mater for an 18-year stint.

At Pomona, he guided the Panthers to the Class 5A state quarterfinals each year except for once since 2008. As one of the smallest 5A football schools in the state, the Panthers advanced to the state semifinals six times and played in four state championship games (2009, 2015, 2016 and 2017), including winning the 5A title in 2017 over Eaglecrest.

“Honestly, I had no idea,” Madden said of his goals when he took over the Pomona football program in 2003. “At the time I was just glad to be back in Jefferson County. I had been told when I took the job that it was never going to be the same as the glory days. We were going to prove them wrong and I believe we did that.”

There are numerous on-field memories that Madden will never forget. The state championship victory at Mile High Stadium, a 2011 victory over Mullen and even this season defeating rival Ralston Valley with a last-second field goal.

“Eighteen years is one spot is a long time. It was a good run, that’s for sure,” Madden said. “We did it the right way. We grew where we were planted and made this a great place.”

Walking away from a program that Madden spent 18 years building into a perennial powerhouse was difficult.

Jay Madden guided the Panthers to a 7-1 record this past season, including a Class 5A Jeffco League title and advancing to the state semifinals. (Lance Wendt/CHSAANow.com)

“There is never an easy time to step down because you always have another great group of kids that you love,” Madden said. “Number one is I’m going to miss the players. The before practice time. The weight room time. The times where the kids are just being kids. And I’m going to miss my assistant coaches.”

Pomona athletic director Mike Santarelli has the task of finding Madden’s replacement. That won’t be an easy to replace Madden who racked up a 218-86 record as head coach over 26 seasons.

“Jay is probably the best Xs and Os coach I’ve ever seen,” Santarelli said. “He is always one step ahead of everybody. He does an outstanding job of getting his players ready for games.”

Santarelli added that Madden’s ability to adjust from year-to-year when it comes to highlighting the strengths of his players is unmatched.

“We just have to start looking,” Santarelli said. “We are changing. Demographics and interests aren’t the same. COVID hasn’t helped us either. We’ve got to get someone who is willing to put the time and effort in.”

Madden said there wasn’t an extra pressure taking over his alma mater back in 2003, but there was extra pride building up Pomona were he had been around since when his father became the freshman football coach in 1980.

“We’ve had some great kids. Great coaches and a great community,” Madden said.

(CHSAANow.com)

The start of Season B sports has been delayed, following communication from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to the Colorado High School Activities Association late Sunday night.

This change also affects the planned start of Seasons C and D, which have also been delayed.

In a letter sent to CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green, CDPHE indicated that Season B would not be permitted to begin on Jan. 4, as had been scheduled on the CHSAA 2020-21 sports calendar. CDPHE further said that no variances will be given to CHSAA sports at this time.

In the letter, Jill Hunsaker Rye, Executive Director of the CDPHE wrote:

The COVID-19 pandemic has reached an all time high in terms of disease transmission both in Colorado and around the nation. The Colorado School of Public Health estimates that 1 in 40 Coloradans are currently infectious. Hospital admissions are steadily increasing, and the past six weeks have produced a significant increase in the number of deaths statewide. With the Thanksgiving holiday just behind us and the impending December holiday festivities, we are very concerned that the rate of transmission will continue to increase.

At this time, we do not have enough information about what disease incidence and hospitalization capacity will look like in January, and therefore are unable to make a determination regarding indoor high school athletics in Season B. Season B high school sports would operate based on the restrictions in the level of the Dial in the county in which the school resides. For counties in Level Red, this means no indoor group sports are authorized.

In addition, our top goal for the new year is to support a return to in-person learning. Season B sports are conducted mainly indoors during the colder months, which reduces the ability to assure social distancing. This in turn may further promote disease transmission at a time when we need to ensure that students and teachers are protected and that in-person learning is the highest priority.

We welcome an ongoing conversation regarding the indoor requests at a future date as more schools safely open their indoor facilities for students.

As a result, CHSAA is proposing a Feb. 1 start date for Season B. CHSAA, CDPHE and Gov. Jared Polis’ COVID Response Team, plan to meet again mid-January to continue the discussion around variances for Season B, and reassess COVID-19 data at that time. Variances will not be considered prior to that date.

Specifics for each sport will be communicated upon variance approval from the CDPHE.

County health department and school districts will determine open gym policies, per state guidance.

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Proposed CHSAA Calendar (subject to variance approval)

Season B

• 7 Weeks 
• Practice: January 25
• Competition: February 1-March 20

Sports:

• Boys & Girls Basketball
• Boys & Girls Skiing
• Boys & Girls Wrestling
• Girls Swim & Dive
• Ice Hockey
• Spirit (Championship Weekend March 25-27)

Season C

• 7 Weeks
• Practice: March 15
• Competition: March 22-May 8

Sports:

• Boys Soccer
• Field Hockey
• Girls Volleyball
• Gymnastics
• Unified Bowling
• *Football (see dates below)

Season D

• 7 Weeks
• Practice: May 3
• Competition: May 10-June 26

Sports:

• Baseball
• Boys & Girls Lacrosse
• Boys & Girls Track & Field
• Boys Swim & Dive
• Boys Volleyball
• Girls Soccer
• *Girls Golf (see dates below)
• *Girls Tennis (see dates below)

More info

• Football: 9 Weeks (same as Season A Football)
  • Practice: March 4
  • Competition: March 15-May 15
• Girls Golf: 10 Weeks (same as boys golf)
  • Practice: April 19
  • Competition: April 19-June 22
• Girls Tennis: 7 weeks (same as Season D sports and Boys Tennis)
  • Practice: April 26
  • Competition: April 26-June 12

Kory Tachha scored an early touchdown to lead Limon to a 28-0 win over Strasburg to claim the Class 1A state football championship.

Myle Purchase rushed for two touchdowns to lead Cherry Creek over Valor Christian 21-0 to claim the Class 5A football title.