CHSAANow

Tag: Dove Creek

  • Football rankings: Fairview returns to 5A poll at No. 10

    With few upsets happening over the weekend, the CHSAANow.com football rankings didn’t see too much movement, although a few new teams did manage to break in.

    Cherry Creek remained atop the Class 5A rankings after taking care of business against Overland Friday night. Pine Creek received all 16 first place votes in 4A after cruising to another victory, this one over Air Academy.

    The story remained the same for the other classes with Pueblo East (3A), Kent Denver (2A), Buena Vista (1A), Sedgwick County (8-man) and Felming (6-man) all hanging on to their places at No. 1.

    Fairview football practice Carlo Kemp
    Fairview football is No. 10 in Class 5A this week. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    In 5A, Fairview returned to the top-10 for the first time since falling out back on Sept. 21. A 47-46 double-overtime victory against Rocky Mountain helped get the Knights back into the polls.

    No new teams entered the 4A ranking, but Dakota Ridge did leap two spots to No. 5 after a last-second field goal got them a win over this week’s No. 10-ranked Ponderosa Mustangs. Greeley West fell three spots to No. 8 after a tough loss to No. 3 Windsor.

    The Classical Academy joins the 3A ranking at No. 9. This is the first time the Titans, winners of five-straight games, have been ranked in the top-10 this season.

    After falling out of the rankings three weeks ago, Faith Christian rejoins the 2A poll at No. 10. The Eagles looked impressive in their 44-0 win over Bishop Machebeuf Friday night.

    Wiggins and Crowley County join the 1A polls at No. 8 and No. 9, respectively. It’s the second time this season that each team has made into the top-10.

    Akron made the biggest jump in the 8-man rankings, going from No. 4 to No. 2. The Rams beat Dayspring Christian 30-7 Saturday to earn the boost.

    No new teams joined the 6-man poll and the order of the team remained unchanged for the most part.

    The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. Polls are released each Monday.

    Complete rankings are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Football Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and select media members around the state. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Cherry Creek (17) 6-0 179 1 W
    2 Columbine (1) 6-0 159 2 W
    3 Regis Jesuit 5-1 133 3 W
    4 Valor Christian 4-2 112 4 W
    5 Pomona 4-2 92 5 W
    6 Ralston Valley 5-1 85 6 W
    7 Arapahoe 6-0 72 7 W
    8 Mullen 4-2 51 8 W
    9 Grandview 5-1 48 9 W
    10 Fairview 5-1 15 – W
    Others receiving votes:
    Westminster 14, Horizon 13, Cherokee Trail 8, Grand Junction 3, Chaparral 2, Mountain Vista 2, Doherty 1, Overland 1.
    Dropped out
    Cherokee Trail (10).

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Pine Creek (16) 6-0 160 1 W
    2 Longmont 6-0 137 2 W
    3 Windsor 6-0 125 3 W
    4 Vista Ridge 5-1 113 4 W
    5 Dakota Ridge 5-1 84 7 W
    6 Durango 6-0 82 6 W
    7 Palmer Ridge 5-1 55 8 W
    8 Greeley West 5-1 54 5 L
    9 Aurora Central 6-0 26 10 W
    10 Ponderosa 4-2 15 9 L
    Others receiving votes:
    Denver South 11, Thompson Valley 7, Montrose 4, Pueblo West 4, Fort Collins 3.
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Pueblo East (9) 6-1 131 1 W
    2 Palisade (1) 6-0 116 2 W
    3 Fort Morgan (4) 6-0 111 3 W
    4 Roosevelt 5-1 92 4 W
    5 Delta 5-1 77 5 W
    6 Holy Family 5-1 68 6 W
    7 Rifle 5-1 51 8 W
    8 Lewis-Palmer 5-1 37 9 W
    9 The Classical Academy 5-2 28 – W
    10 Mead 5-1 22 10 W
    Others receiving votes:
    D’Evelyn 16, Berthoud 11, Harrison 3, Pueblo Central 3, Discovery Canyon 2, Centaurus 1, Evergreen 1.
    Dropped out
    Berthoud (7).

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Kent Denver (5) 6-0 99 1 W
    2 Bayfield (4) 5-0 98 2 W
    3 Platte Valley 5-1 86 4 W
    4 La Junta (2) 6-0 82 3 W
    5 Alameda 6-0 66 6 W
    6 Sterling 5-1 46 7 W
    7 Eaton 4-2 43 8 W
    8 Brush 4-2 32 5 L
    9 The Academy 5-1 18 10 W
    10 Faith Christian 4-2 17 – W
    Others receiving votes:
    Gunnison 15, Moffat County 5, Bennett 4, Lamar 2, Roaring Fork 1.
    Dropped out
    Gunnison (9).

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Buena Vista (8) 6-0 123 1 W
    2 Resurrection Christian (5) 7-0 122 2 W
    3 Paonia 5-1 97 3 W
    4 Cedaredge 6-0 68 4 W
    5 Monte Vista 5-1 66 5 W
    6 Rye 5-1 65 7 W
    7 Platte Canyon 5-1 64 8 W
    8 Wiggins 5-1 29 – W
    9 Crowley County 5-1 26 – W
    10 Burlington 6-1 25 10 –
    Others receiving votes:
    Meeker 25, Limon 3, Colorado Springs Christian 1.
    Dropped out
    Limon (6), Meeker (9).

    8-man
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Sedgwick County (8) 6-0 98 1 W
    2 Akron (2) 5-1 85 4 W
    3 Norwood 6-1 74 3 W
    4 Sargent 5-1 63 5 W
    5 Granada 5-1 50 6 W
    6 Dayspring Christian 5-1 47 2 L
    7 Dove Creek 4-1 36 8 Bye
    8 Haxtun 5-1 29 10 W
    9 Holly 4-2 21 7 L
    10 Merino 4-2 13 9 L
    Others receiving votes:
    Vail Christian 12, Kiowa 9, Plateau Valley 5, Springfield 4, Gilpin County 3, Hoehne 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

    6-man
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Fleming (6) 6-0 67 1 W
    2 Eads 6-0 60 2 W
    3 Kit Carson (1) 6-0 56 3 W
    4 Arickaree/Woodlin 5-1 52 4 W
    5 Pawnee 5-1 45 5 W
    6 Hanover 5-1 26 7 W
    7 La Veta 5-0 24 6 Bye
    8 Peetz 3-3 17 8 W
    9 Cheraw 4-2 13 9 W
    10 Cheyenne Wells 4-2 11 10 W
    Others receiving votes:
    Genoa-Hugo/Karval 6, North Park 4, Cotopaxi 3, Otis 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

  • Top-10 football schedule and scoreboard for Week 6 games

    Cherokee Trail football team
    No. 10 Cherokee Trail faced No. 9 Grandview in a big 5A matchup on Friday. (Matt Minton/JacksActionShots.com)

    A complete schedule and scoreboard for football’s top-10 teams during Week 6 in the 2015 season.

    [divider]
    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A | 8-man | 6-man

    Class 5A
    1 Cherry Creek 6-0
    Fri: W 38-9 vs. Overland
    2 Columbine 6-0
    Fri: W 42-14 vs. Arvada West
    3 Regis Jesuit 5-1
    Fri: W 33-0 at Highlands Ranch
    4 Valor Christian 4-2
    Thurs: W 23-12 at Eaglecrest
    5 Pomona 4-2
    Fri: W 35-7 vs. Bear Creek
    6 Ralston Valley 5-1
    Thurs: W 41-0 at Lakewood
    7 Arapahoe 6-0
    Fri: W 28-24 vs. Gateway
    8 Mullen 4-2
    Thurs: W 53-7 at Chatfield
    9 Grandview 5-1
    Fri: W 42-7 vs. (10) Cherokee Trail
    10 Cherokee Trail 3-3
    Fri: L 7-42 at (9) Grandview

    Class 4A
    1 Pine Creek 6-0
    Fri: W 54-8 at Air Academy
    2 Longmont 6-0
    Fri: W 42-6 vs. Loveland
    3 Windsor 6-0
    Fri: W 21-7 vs. (5) Greeley West
    4 Vista Ridge 5-1
    Fri: W 33-14 at Montrose
    5 Greeley West 5-1
    Fri: L 7-21 at (3) Windsor
    6 Durango 6-0
    Fri: W 49-17 at Liberty
    7 Dakota Ridge 5-1
    Fri: W 30-27 vs. (9) Ponderosa
    8 Palmer Ridge 5-1
    Fri: W 45-21 vs. Rampart
    9 Ponderosa 4-2
    Fri: L 27-30 at (7) Dakota Ridge
    10 Aurora Central 6-0
    Fri: W 45-7 at Golden

    Class 3A
    1 Pueblo East 6-1
    Fri: W 55-0 vs. Pueblo Central
    2 Palisade 6-0
    Fri: W 63-3 at Steamboat Springs
    3 Fort Morgan 6-0
    Fri: W 55-7 vs. Lutheran
    4 Roosevelt 5-1
    Fri: W 42-7 at Frederick
    5 Delta 5-1
    Fri: W 42-0 vs. Summit
    6 Holy Family 5-1
    Fri: W 56-14 vs. (7) Berthoud
    7 Berthoud 5-1
    Fri: L 14-56 at (6) Holy Family
    8 Rifle 5-1
    Fri: W 52-26 vs. Grand Junction Central
    9 Lewis-Palmer 5-1
    Fri: W 63-48 at Canon City
    10 Mead 5-1
    Fri: W 14-0 vs. Niwot

    Class 2A
    1 Kent Denver 6-0
    Sat: W 40-11 at Denver North
    2 Bayfield 5-0
    Fri: W 27-7 at (9) Gunnison
    3 La Junta 6-0
    Fri: W 42-20 at St. Mary’s
    4 Platte Valley 5-1
    Fri: W 37-0 vs. (5) Brush
    5 Brush 4-2
    Fri: L 0-37 at (4) Platte Valley
    6 Alameda 6-0
    Sat: W 24-13 at Denver West
    7 Sterling 5-1
    Fri: W 21-13 at Valley
    8 Eaton 4-2
    Fri: W 42-0 at University
    9 Gunnison 3-3
    Fri: L 7-27 vs. (2) Bayfield
    10 The Academy 5-1
    Fri: W 33-16 at Sheridan

    Class 1A
    1 Buena Vista 6-0
    Fri: W 49-6 vs. Peyton
    2 Resurrection Christian 7-0
    Fri: W 68-0 vs. Clear Creek
    3 Paonia 5-1
    Fri: W 34-30 vs. (9) Meeker
    4 Cedaredge 6-0
    Fri: W 30-7 vs. Grand Valley
    5 Monte Vista 5-1
    Fri: W 41-0 at Ignacio
    6 Limon 5-1
    Sat: L 14-38 at Colorado Springs Christian
    7 Rye 5-1
    Fri: W 35-14 vs. Ellicott
    8 Platte Canyon 5-1
    Sat: W 56-6 vs. Cornerstone Christian
    9 Meeker 3-3
    Fri: L 30-34 at (3) Paonia
    10 Burlington 6-1
    Fri: W 27-14 vs. Wray

    Class 8-man
    1 Sedgwick County 6-0
    Fri: W 52-8 vs. (9) Merino
    2 Dayspring Christian 5-1
    Sat: L 7-30 vs. (4) Akron
    3 Norwood 6-1
    Sat: W 46-0 at Plateau Valley
    4 Akron 5-1
    Sat: W 30-7 at (2) Dayspring Christian
    5 Sargent 5-1
    Sat: W 60-12 at Sangre de Cristo
    6 Granada 5-1
    Fri: W 28-26 at (7) Holly
    7 Holly 4-2
    Fri: L 26-28 vs. (6) Granada
    8 Dove Creek 5-1
    Sat: W via forfeit at Del Norte
    9 Merino 4-2
    Fri: L 8-52 at (1) Sedgwick County
    10 Haxtun 5-1
    Fri: W 16-14 vs. Caliche

    Class 6-man
    1 Fleming 6-0
    Fri: W 70-0 vs. Miami-Yoder
    2 Eads 6-0
    Fri: W 74-26 vs. Walsh
    3 Kit Carson 7-0
    Fri: W 50-14 at Manzanola
    4 Arickaree/Woodlin 5-1
    Fri: W 50-16 vs. Hi-Plains
    5 Pawnee 5-1
    Fri: W 68-52 vs. Genoa-Hugo/Karval
    6 La Veta 5-0
    Sat: at Aguilar
    7 Hanover 5-1
    Sat: W 48-13 at South Park
    8 Peetz 3-3
    Sat: W 64-8 vs. Briggsdale
    9 Cheraw 4-2
    Fri: W 67-12 at Primero
    10 Cheyenne Wells 4-2
    Fri: W 44-38 vs. Stratton/Liberty

  • Football rankings: Aurora Central, Ponderosa join 4A

    Falcon Ponderosa football
    Ponderosa has rejoined the 4A football poll this week at No. 9. (Matt Daniels/MattDanPhoto.com)

    There was some shakeup to the Class 4A football rankings on Monday, with Ponderosa and Aurora Central joining the poll.

    The Mustangs (4-1) are back in CHSAANow.com’s 4A ranking at No. 9, while Aurora Central (5-0) joined for the first time at No. 10.

    Pine Creek continued to lead the 4A poll following its big win over then-No. 2 Vista Ridge, and is now a unanimous pick with all 17 first-place votes. The Eagles, two-time defending champions, have won 30 games in a row.

    Longmont returned to its No. 2 spot after dropping to No. 3 last week, and Windsor is up to third. Vista Ridge fell to fourth, and Greeley West remained in the top 5.

    Also this week, there is a new No. 1 team in 8-man, where Sedgwick County has ascended to the top despite having fewer first-place votes than former No. 1 Dayspring Christian. Both teams are 5-0.

    The 8-man ranking added Holly (No. 7) and Dove Creek (No. 8) this week.

    The other top-ranked teams around the classes include Cherry Creek (5A), Pueblo East (3A), Kent Denver (2A), Buena Vista (1A) and Fleming (6-man).

    There were no new teams added to the 5A poll, though Pomona did return to the top 5 at No. 5. Regis Jesuit also jumped Valor Christian for the No. 3 spot.

    In 3A, Lewis Palmer (No. 9) was the lone newcomer, but the 2A and 1A polls did not add any new teams. The 6-man ranking added Cheyenne Wells (No. 10).

    The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. Polls are released each Monday.

    Complete rankings are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Football Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and select media members around the state. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Cherry Creek (17) 5-0 179 1 W
    2 Columbine (1) 5-0 160 2 W
    3 Regis Jesuit 4-1 126 4 W
    4 Valor Christian 3-2 118 3 W
    5 Pomona 3-2 90 6 W
    6 Ralston Valley 4-1 83 7 W
    7 Arapahoe 5-0 69 8 W
    8 Mullen 3-2 52 5 L
    9 Grandview 4-1 42 9 W
    10 Cherokee Trail 3-2 21 10 L
    Others receiving votes:
    Horizon 15, Westminster 12, Fairview 11, Doherty 5, Chaparral 3, Grand Junction 3, Rock Canyon 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Pine Creek (17) 5-0 170 1 W
    2 Longmont 5-0 142 3 W
    3 Windsor 5-0 129 4 W
    4 Vista Ridge 4-1 118 2 L
    5 Greeley West 5-0 96 5 W
    6 Durango 5-0 72 8 W
    7 Dakota Ridge 4-1 71 6 W
    8 Palmer Ridge 4-1 37 10 W
    9 Ponderosa 4-1 26 – W
    10 Aurora Central 5-0 22 – W
    Others receiving votes:
    George Washington 17, Montrose 10, Rampart 10, Thompson Valley 6, Wheat Ridge 4, Denver South 2, Skyline 2, Fort Collins 1.
    Dropped out
    Rampart (7), Montrose (9).

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Pueblo East (7) 5-1 122 1 W
    2 Palisade (1) 5-0 111 2 W
    3 Fort Morgan (3) 5-0 107 3 W
    4 Roosevelt (3) 4-1 98 5 W
    5 Delta 4-1 80 9 W
    6 Holy Family 4-1 62 6 W
    7 Berthoud 5-0 52 8 W
    8 Rifle 4-1 37 4 L
    9 Lewis-Palmer 4-1 32 – W
    10 Mead 4-1 24 7 L
    Others receiving votes:
    The Classical Academy 17, D’Evelyn 15, Pueblo Central 3, Conifer 2, Discovery Canyon 2, Mitchell 2, Evergreen 1, Harrison 1.
    Dropped out
    D’Evelyn (10).

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Kent Denver (5) 5-0 100 1 W
    2 Bayfield (4) 4-0 99 2 W
    3 La Junta (2) 5-0 73 3 W
    4 Platte Valley 4-1 72 4 W
    5 Brush 4-1 57 5 W
    6 Alameda 5-0 45 9 W
    7 Sterling 4-1 39 7 W
    8 Eaton 3-2 38 6 L
    9 Gunnison 3-2 28 10 W
    10 The Academy 4-1 12 8 L
    Others receiving votes:
    Faith Christian 10, Lamar 9, Olathe 8, Florence 6, Bennett 5, Strasburg 5, Moffat County 2, Roaring Fork 1, Valley 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Buena Vista (8) 5-0 122 1 Bye
    2 Resurrection Christian (5) 6-0 119 2 W
    3 Paonia 4-1 90 3 W
    4 Cedaredge 5-0 79 4 W
    5 Monte Vista 4-1 77 6 W
    6 Limon 5-0 54 7 W
    7 Rye 4-1 51 5 W
    8 Platte Canyon 4-1 43 8 W
    9 Meeker 3-2 32 9 W
    10 Burlington 4-1 26 10 W
    Others receiving votes:
    Crowley County 14, Wiggins 8, Yuma 3, Ellicott 2, Holyoke 2, Center 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

    8-man
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Sedgwick County (2) 5-0 86 2 W
    2 Dayspring Christian (4) 5-0 80 1 W
    3 Norwood (1) 5-1 78 4 W
    4 Akron (2) 4-1 72 5 W
    5 Sargent (1) 4-1 58 6 W
    6 Granada 4-1 44 8 W
    7 Holly 4-1 31 – W
    8 Dove Creek 4-1 26 – W
    9 Merino 4-1 26 3 L
    10 Haxtun 4-1 18 7 L
    Others receiving votes:
    Vail Christian 9, Kiowa 7, Caliche 6, Sangre de Cristo 5, Plateau Valley 3, Springfield 3, West Grand 2, Hoehne 1.
    Dropped out
    Springfield (9), Hoehne (10).

    6-man
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Fleming (7) 5-0 88 1 W
    2 Eads (1) 5-0 76 2 W
    3 Kit Carson (1) 5-0 73 3 W
    4 Arickaree/Woodlin 4-1 63 4 W
    5 Pawnee 4-1 58 5 W
    6 La Veta 5-0 31 10 W
    7 Hanover 4-1 29 6 L
    8 Peetz 2-3 14 7 L
    9 Cheraw 3-2 13 9 L
    10 Cheyenne Wells 3-2 12 – W
    Others receiving votes:
    Idalia 11, Briggsdale 9, Cotopaxi 6, North Park 4, Genoa-Hugo/Karval 3, Hi-Plains 3, Walsh 3.
    Dropped out
    Otis (8).

  • Reid Kahl gets fresh start with defending 2A football champ Brush

    Brush head coach Reid Kahl chats with his assistants during football practice. (Photo courtesy of Scott Hodgson/Brush High School)
    Brush head coach Reid Kahl chats with his assistants during football practice. (Photo courtesy of Scott Hodgson/Brush High School)

    [dropcap]R[/dropcap]eid Kahl is no stranger to defending state championships. Kahl was able to secure Class 4A titles in 2006 and 2008 while he was the head coach at Wheat Ridge.

    Now he has the task of defending a 2A championship. Only, unlike those at Wheat Ridge, this is not a state championship that he won. This offseason, Kahl was hired by Brush to take over for Randy Dreitz. Dreitz left the team in March after leading the Beetdiggers to the 2A state championship.

    “After the season was over last year, everybody pretty much knew that Randy was going to retire,” Kahl said. “I didn’t think much about it until later in the spring when the job opened up. I had a lot of people from the community reach out to me and show a lot of interest in me doing it.”

    The start of Brush’s title defense is a more interesting story for Kahl himself rather than the team. The Beetdiggers kick their season off by traveling to Fort Morgan on Sept. 4. Kahl was a standout football player for the Mustangs, who happen to be the Beetdiggers’ rivals.

    “I’m going to be completely honest with you, and I’m not just saying this, it’s been a much bigger deal for everyone else than it has been for me,” Kahl said. “It’s been since 2001, which was my last season in Fort Morgan.”

    Karl left the Farmers after the 2013 season and took last year off before taking the job at Brush. It was a summer of turnover at the school as a new principal and athletic director were named at the same meeting.

    To echo the sentiment of Kahl, it was really the community support that brought his name into the coaching search since there wasn’t an athletic director to include him in it.

    “None of us that hired Reid were here,” said athletic director Scott Hodgson, who is also in his first year at the school after coming over from Holly. “Once we found out that was the choice, we were really happy. He’s had great success everywhere he’s been.”

    Karl comes in this season with the task of defending a state championship that he was not a part of. The Beetdiggers also lost a big senior class, including 2A player of the year Kyle Rosenbrock.

    Fair or not, this young Brush team comes into the season, not only with a new coach, but also with a target on its back.

    “It’s a different situation and it’s not an easy situation,” Kahl said. “They graduated a ton of seniors last year and I have a really inexperienced team. We all know that there’s a big target on our back and I talked to the kids about it when I first met with them.”

    But that won’t matter to the teams on the opposite sideline. They’ll only see “Brush” on the jerseys and they’ll know that was the last team to walk away as state champions.

    Besides, Brush opened up as preseason No. 1 in 2A on Monday.

    Karl knows the expectations are high and that he is walking into a program that will expect him to win. His track record at Wheat Ridge indicates that he can find success. His plan is to just run the systems that he’s comfortable running and hope that it translates into wins for the Beetdiggers.

    “I’ve installed a lot of the same offense that I run wherever I’m (coaching),” Kahl said. “We spent a lot time on it over the summer and the kids have done a nice job picking it up.”

    He gets his chance to see just how well they’ve picked it up when Brush travels to Fort Morgan on Sept. 4. Kahl has plenty of good memories from when he was with the Mustangs but knows once the ball kicked-off, it’s time to focus on his job as the coach of the Beetdiggers.

    “After 26 years of coaching, it’s not like I was there yesterday,” Kahl said. “I think it seems to be a big to people on the outside and not so much for me.”

    [divider]

    Small-school football preview

    Defending champions:

    Returning All-State athletes:

    • 2A: Cole Bryant (Sr.) La Junta, Connor Dooley (Sr.) Kent Denver, Anthony Ibarra (Sr.) Platte Valley, Parker Joens (Sr.) Platte Valley, Brett Loyd, (Sr.) Moffat County, Mitchell Martin, (Sr.) Strasburg, Will McKissick (Sr.) Kent Denver, Ty Percival (Sr.) Gunnison, Victor Perez (Sr.) Montezuma-Cortez, Zane Phelps (Sr.) Bayfield, Carl Schmidt (Sr.) Kent Denver, Clay Shaver (Sr.) Brush, Joao Thives (Sr.) Denver North, Brady Wilson (Sr.) Gunnison, Luke Wilson (Sr.) Kent Denver, Zeke Zuelke (Sr.) Bennett
    • 1A: Beau Beckman (Sr.) Wray, Hank Bode (Sr.) Platte Canyon, Bryce Buhr (Sr.) Crowley County, Devin Christian (Sr.) Limon, Luke Cross (Sr.) Resurrection Christian, Sabyn Diamond (Sr.) Buena Vista, Austin Dinis (Sr.) Wiggins, Cooper Eggleston (Sr.) Buena Vista, Jayden Hilferty (Sr.) Limon, TJ Shelton (Sr.) Meeker, Taylor Walters (Sr.) Paonia, Cooper Ward (Sr.) Resurrection Christian, Trey Zupancic (Sr.) Rye
    • 8-man: Alex Davis (Sr.) Vail Christian, Spencer Gatlin (Sr.) Dove Creek, Jason George (Sr.) Simla, Rafe Hutches (Sr.) Springfield, Tre Jensen (Sr.) Granada, Anthony Payne (Jr.) Hoehne, Mitch Sides (Sr.) Dayspring Schristian Academy, Bruce Taylor (Sr.) Caliche, Matt Thieman (Sr.) Simla, Joey Younkerman (Sr.) Sargent
    • 6-man: Jaxon Crawford (Jr.) Kit Carson, Dylan Dixon (Sr.) Eads, Luke Duggan (Sr.) Pawnee, Caine Farmer (Sr.) Kit Carson, Chase Flynn (Jr.) Stratton/Liberty, Tristan Headrick (Sr.) Cheraw, Ben Lambrecht (Sr.) Fleming, Reagan Lane (Sr.) Eads, Trent Leoffler (Sr.) Arickaree/Woodlin, Jordan Nelson (Sr.) Peetz, Tanner Patterson (Jr.) Otis, Marco Solis (Sr.) Kit Carson, Joesph Stahley (Sr.) Fleming, Alex Vandenbark (Jr.) Fleming, Cody Wilson (Jr.) Peetz

    Regular season begins: Sept. 3

    Postseason begins: Nov. 7

    State championship: Nov. 21 (6-man), Nov. 28 (8-man, 1A and 2A)

  • All-state baseball teams for 2015 season

    The 2015 baseball players of the year. From left: Jordan Ernst, Dove Creek (1A); Trent Hughes, Rye (2A); Ryan Madden, Fairview (5A); Cole Shetterly, Green Mountain (4A); Lane Greiman, Eaton (3A). (Photos: Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com; Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com; Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com; Pam Wagner/CHSAANow.com)
    The 2015 baseball players of the year. From left: Jordan Ernst, Dove Creek (1A); Trent Hughes, Rye (2A); Ryan Madden, Fairview (5A); Cole Shetterly, Green Mountain (4A); Lane Greiman, Eaton (3A). (Photos: Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com; Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com; Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com; Pam Wagner/CHSAANow.com)

    The 2015 all-state baseball teams honor the best players in the sport as judged by the leagues and coaches. They are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

    These teams were created following a lengthy process which included nominations from leagues and coaches, and then a vote of coaches. Players had to be first-team all-league in order to be on the all-state ballot.

    Players and coaches of the year were also selected by a vote of the coaches.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A

    [divider]

    Class 5A

    Fairview Loveland baseball
    Fairview’s Ryan Madden is the 5A baseball player of the year. (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Player of the year: Ryan Madden, Fairview

    Coach of the year: Matt Johnson, Chatfield

    First Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Cole Anderson Rocky Mountain OF Senior
    Bryce Dietz Rock Canyon RHP Senior
    Chris Givin Rock Canyon SS/RHP Senior
    Blake Goldsberry Cherry Creek 3B Senior
    Ryan Madden Fairview INF/RHP Senior
    JR McDermott Smoky Hill P/UTIL Senior
    Marc Mumper Mountain Vista SS/RHP Senior
    Nick Shumpert Highlands Ranch SS Senior
    Logan Soole Monarch P/CF Senior
    Kyle Winkler Chatfield SS Senior
    Second Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Wyatt Cross Legacy C/1B Senior
    Maverick Handley Mullen C/INF Junior
    Sean O’Dell Chatfield CF/P/2B Senior
    Greg Pickett Legend OF/RHP Senior
    Kyle Reisman Rocky Mountain 1B Senior
    Peyton Remy Legend RHP/OF Senior
    Aeneas Roberson Cherry Creek OF Senior
    Tim Ryan Fairview OF/RHP Senior
    Brent Schwarz Regis Jesuit RHP Senior

    Honorable mention: Chad Bell, Rocky Mountain, INF, Senior; Kolby Bonato, Bear Creek, 3B/C, Senior; Dominik Castiglione, Horizon, INF, Senior; Danny Collins, Lakewood, 1B/P, Senior; Quin Cotton, Regis Jesuit, OF, Junior; Conner Deeds, Pine Creek, INF/RHP, Senior; Brandon Formby, Mountain Vista, 3B/RHP, Senior; Gavin Gifford, Brighton, 1B/P, Junior; Keifer Glau, Grandview, OF/P, Senior; Trevor Kehe, Lakewood, OF/C, Senior; Peter McEvoy, Pine Creek, INF, Senior; Joe Millar, Ralston Valley, LHP, Senior; Jared Montoya, Douglas County, SS/RHP, Senior; Conner Nantkes, Cherokee Trail, LHP/OF, Sophomore; Tanner O’Tremba, Cherry Creek, OF, Freshman; Dylan Row, Fruita Monument, SS, Senior; Sam Schroeder, Fruita Monument, P/OF, Junior; Josh Schumacher, Rangeview, 2B, Junior; Josh White, Rock Canyon, 2B/OF/RHP, Senior


    [divider]

    Class 4A

    Green Mountain Montrose baseball
    Green Mountain’s Cole Shetterly is the 4A baseball player of the year. (Tom Hoganson)

    Player of the year: Cole Shetterly, Green Mountain

    Coach of the year: Brad Madden, Green Mountain

    First Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Cameron Brown D’Evelyn OF/P Junior
    Casey Dunlap Durango SS/RHP Senior
    Reid Effrein Green Mountain 2B/SS Senior
    Willie Harris Wheat Ridge CF Senior
    Bryan King Ponderosa P/OF Senior
    Kyle Leahy Erie RHP/INF Senior
    Josh Ramirez Green Mountain P/OF/1B Senior
    Talon Schaller Green Mountain P/3B Senior
    Cole Shetterly Green Mountain SS/P Senior
    Paul Tillotson Lewis-Palmer RHP/OF/3B Junior
    Grant Witherspoon D’Evelyn OF/P/1B Senior
    Second Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Zane Begano Erie INF/RHP Senior
    Andrew Bowles Palisade C/SS Senior
    Cole Brandon Windsor LHP/1B Senior
    Austin Brown Holy Family LHP/1B/CF Senior
    Diego Garcia Wheat Ridge 3B/P Senior
    Matt Helmreich D’Evelyn C Senior
    Chase Mathis Mesa Ridge INF/P Senior
    Jared Mews Canon City CF Senior
    Alec Moens Evergreen SS/P Senior
    Brian Tims Lewis-Palmer 2B/SS Senior

    Honorable mention: Sonny Arellano, Pueblo East, RHP/1B, Senior; Brandon Barringer, Skyview, C, Senior; Logan Beatty, Mesa Ridge, INF/P, Senior; Colin Cicere, Lewis-Palmer, RHP/OF, Senior; Ryan DeMoudt, Berthoud, INF, Senior; Mitchell Gray, Summit, RHP/3B/OF, Senior; Jake Greenwalt, Windsor, RHP/3B, Junior; Kyle Greenwell, Northridge, C/RHP, Senior; Jacob Hein, Discovery Canyon, P/OF, Senior; Derek Horn, Delta, P, Senior; Dane Kapande, Evergreen, 2B/SS, Junior; Nic Lacayo, Cheyenne Mountain, C, Senior; Brandon Maes, Pueblo South, C/3B, Junior; D.J. Medina, Kennedy, P/INF, Senior; Chase Nieslanik, Glenwood Springs, LHP, Senior; Dylan Norsen, Mountain View, P/OF/INF, Sophomore; Mason Peterson, Longmont, 2B/C, Junior; Hunter Roberts, Alameda, 2B/OF, Junior; Christian Robles, Denver North, OF, Junior; Cooper Rothe, Longmont, CF, Junior; Layton Stutsman, Rifle, OF, Senior; Jeffrey Torres, Thomas Jefferson, OF/RHP, Senior; Chase Trujillo, Pueblo West, OF, Senior; Isaiah Volcic, Widefield, SS/P/INF, Senior; Austin Wood, Silver Creek, 1B/RHP, Junior; Easton Woods, Palisade, P, Senior


    [divider]

    Class 3A

    Holy Family Eaton baseball
    Eaton’s Lane Greiman (10) is the 3A baseball player of the year. (Pam Wagner)

    Player of the year: Lane Greiman, Eaton

    Coach of the year: Kevin Fergus, Brush

    First Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Brevin Baessler University P/SS/P Senior
    Luke Bote Faith Christian C/P/INF Senior
    Matt Burkart Eaton SS/RHP Junior
    Carter Chacon Valley P/INF Senior
    Darin Cook Lamar INF/P Senior
    Lane Greiman Eaton RHP/INF Senior
    Ryan Koehler Eaton LHP/OF Senior
    Alec Petterson Brush C/P Senior
    Kyle Rosenbrock Brush SS/P Senior
    Brady Tedesco Eaton LHP/OF Senior
    Jacob Thiessen Sterling P/INF/UTIL Senior
    Second Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Payton Chacon Valley C/P Senior
    Calvin Corey Olathe INF/P Senior
    Mikey Gutierrez Brush INF Senior
    Tyler Husmann Alamosa LF Senior
    Nick Kakavas Peak to Peak P/1B Senior
    Kelton McCoy Bayfield C/RHP/INF Junior
    Will McKissick Kent Denver OF/P Junior
    Braydon Peif University P/2B Senior
    Zane Phelps Bayfield 3B/RHP/C Junior
    AJ Stephens Faith Christian 1B/P/OF Junior

    Honorable mention: Colby Archuleta, Gunnison, C, Junior; Phillip Chadwick, Moffat County, UTIL/P, Senior; Trevor Close, Buena Vista, P/SS, Senior; Donovan Contreraz, Sheridan, P/INF, Junior; Kaleb Hansen, Lamar, INF, Senior; Ty Hanzlicek, Valley, INF/OF/P, Junior; Dusty Kaan, Sterling, CF/P, Senior; Tyler Manzanares, Pagosa Springs, P/INF/3B, Senior; Christopher Martin, Centauri, SS/OF, Junior; Joe Mondragon, Eaton, 1B/OF, Junior; Nathan Vaughn, Lutheran, RHP/UTIL/DH, Senior; Jake Vieira, Lutheran, OF/UTIL/RHP, Senior; Cole Whitaker, Kent Denver, SS/3B/P, Senior; Brady Wilson, Gunnison, INF/P, Junior


    [divider]

    Class 2A

    Rye Resurrection Christian baseball
    Trent Hughes (center) of Rye is the 2A baseball player of the year. (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)

    Player of the year: Trenton Hughes, Rye

    Coach of the year: Stacey Graham, Rye

    First Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Trenton Hughes Rye P/1B Senior
    Ryan Miller Burlington P/INF Senior
    Luke Mondt Resurrection Christian SS/RHP Senior
    Cody Norris Kiowa/Simla P/C/INF Senior
    Luis Ortiz, Jr. Rye SS/P/C Senior
    Devan Rupe Hotchkiss P/CF Senior
    Maclain Smiley Kiowa/Simla P/INF Senior
    Joe Stephen Limon RHP/SS Junior
    Tyler Woodhams Sedgwick County RHP Junior
    Second Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Mitchell Bates Kiowa/Simla P/C/INF Senior
    Bailey Benz Rye C Sophomore
    Jett County Burlington P/INF Sophomore
    Chance Dunker Sedgwick County RHP Junior
    Caden Eastin County Line (Wiley/McClave) LHP/CF Junior
    Evan Finley Peyton P/INF/C Junior
    Cesar Gonzalez Hotchkiss P/SS Junior
    Trevor Smith Paonia 3B/C/RHP Sophomore
    Taylor Thoman Peyton P/UTIL Junior
    Jake Tomcheck Resurrection Christian LHP/OF/1B Junior

    Honorable mention: Kaleb Bayles, Hotchkiss, 1B/OF, Senior; Bryce Buhr, Crowley County, CF/SS/P, Junior; Miles Caldon, Sanford, C/UTIL/RHP, Junior; Tristen Cesko, Limon, P/INF, Senior; Jonathon Cowles, Dayspring Christian Academy, C/P/SS, Sophomore; Christian Dellamaestra, County Line (Wiley/McClave), P/3B, Sophomore; Tanner Fulkerson, Dawson School, SS/RHP, Junior; Garrett Harper, Ellicott, C/INF/P, Senior; Raul Hurtado, Byers, SS/RHP, Senior; Spencer Kelly, Calhan, 2B/SS, Junior; Bryar Kirkland, Swink, INF/P, Junior; Michael Lopez, Las Animas, LHP/CF/RF, Senior; Ryan Nolin, Yuma, C, Junior; Kasey Nusbaum, Kiowa/Simla, P/C/INF, Junior; Alex Stiens, Center, P/SS/INF, Senior; McCabe Taylor, Paonia, OF/2B, Senior; Steven Weber, County Line (Wiley/McClave), P/C/INF, Sophomore


    [divider]

    Class 1A

    Dove Creek Granada baseball
    Jordan Ernst of Dove Creek is the 1A baseball player of the year. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    Player of the year: Jordan Ernst, Dove Creek

    Coach of the year: Curtis Garver, Dove Creek

    First Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Cordell Burton Stratton OF Senior
    Jordan Ernst Dove Creek SS/2B/P Junior
    Jacob Hodge Community Christian P Senior
    Ricardo Juarez Holly P/INF Sophomore
    Paul Kidder Community Christian P Sophomore
    Jaxon King Fleming SS/P Sophomore
    Mason Mizokami Sierra Grande SS/P Senior
    Alex Ogas Dove Creek C Senior
    Kyle Schultz Dove Creek SS/2B/P Junior
    Second Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Flint Corliss Stratton P/INF/C Senior
    Carlos Diaz Cornerstone Christian Academy INF/P/OF Senior
    Dalton Dziedzic Gilpin County P Senior
    Tyler Fields Cornerstone Christian Academy C/INF/P Junior
    Spencer Gatlin Dove Creek 1B/DH Junior
    Ryan Keoller Granada P Sophomore
    Derek Kibel Dove Creek CF Freshman
    Koy Palmer Granada C Senior
    Mason Pierce Holly INF/UTIL/P Senior
    Quinten Richards Cotopaxi 1B/P Senior
    Tyler Rouse Eads SS/P/C Senior
    Jeb Schroder Springfield P/INF/UTIL Senior
    Eli Sievert Rocky Mountain Lutheran INF/P Junior
    Marc Solis Eads 3B/SS/P Junior

  • Championship count: Cherry Creek has most team titles; Thompson Valley leads the way in individuals

    (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)
    Cherry Creek’s football championship was one of five team titles from the school in 2014-15. (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

    AURORA — Cherry Creek’s athletic programs won a state-best five team championships during the 2014-15 school year.

    Thompson Valley, meanwhile, captured 14 individual championships to lead the state.

    Below is a recap of the year in championships. A complete database of championships through history is available on our site.

    [divider]

    Team titles

    Cherry Creek’s five championships led the way. The Bruins won boys tennis, football, hockey, boys tennis and boys lacrosse this season.

    Cheyenne Mountain (boys swimming, girls tennis, girls golf, girls soccer) and Grandview (softball, volleyball, girls soccer and poms) each won four team titles.

    Grandview’s four girls championships were the most in the state for that gender, while Creek’s four boys championships led the way.

    Eaton, Colorado Academy, Lyons and Valor Christian all won three total team championships.

    In all, 65 teams won at least one team title in 2014-15, with 17 winning at least two.

    Rank School Girls Boys Total
    1 Cherry Creek 1 4 5
    2 Grandview 4 0 4
    2 Cheyenne Mountain 3 1 4
    4 Eaton 2 1 3
    4 Colorado Academy 3 0 3
    4 Lyons 0 3 3
    4 Valor Christian 2 1 3
    8 Rock Canyon 1 1 2
    8 Mountain Vista 1 1 2
    8 Fossil Ridge 1 1 2
    8 Palmer Ridge 0 2 2
    8 Paonia 1 1 2
    8 Overland 1 1 2
    8 Air Academy 0 2 2
    8 Broomfield 1 1 2
    8 Kent Denver 0 2 2
    8 Alamosa 0 2 2
    18 Cheyenne Wells 1 0 1
    18 Vail Christian 1 0 1
    18 Bishop Machebeuf 1 0 1
    18 Manitou Springs 1 0 1
    18 Bennett 1 0 1
    18 Glenwood Springs 1 0 1
    18 Ponderosa 1 0 1
    18 Castle View 1 0 1
    18 Chaparral 1 0 1
    18 Green Mountain 0 1 1
    18 Rye 0 1 1
    18 Dove Creek 0 1 1
    18 Regis Jesuit 1 0 1
    18 Aspen 0 1 1
    18 Vail Mountain 1 0 1
    18 Fountain-Fort Carson 0 1 1
    18 Lutheran 0 1 1
    18 Springfield 0 1 1
    18 Cherokee Trail 1 0 1
    18 Niwot 1 0 1
    18 Heritage Christian 1 0 1
    18 Colorado Springs Christian 0 1 1
    18 Sanford 0 1 1
    18 Holly 0 1 1
    18 Pagosa Springs 1 0 1
    18 Akron 1 0 1
    18 Idalia 1 0 1
    18 Arvada West 0 1 1
    18 Thompson Valley 0 1 1
    18 Valley 0 1 1
    18 Rocky Ford 0 1 1
    18 Battle Mountain 0 1 1
    18 Summit 1 0 1
    18 Evergreen 1 0 1
    18 Pine Creek 0 1 1
    18 Pueblo East 0 1 1
    18 Brush 0 1 1
    18 Caliche 0 1 1
    18 Arickaree/Woodlin 0 1 1
    18 Lewis-Palmer 1 0 1
    18 Resurrection Christian 1 0 1
    18 Fleming 1 0 1
    18 Standley Lake 1 0 1
    18 Mountain View 0 1 1
    18 Fort Collins 0 1 1
    18 Coronado 0 1 1
    18 Sterling 0 1 1
    18 La Junta 1 0 1

    [divider]

    Individual titles

    Colorado state wrestling
    Thompson Valley totaled 14 individual championships in 2014-15, including five wrestlers. (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Thompson Valley had eight boys and six girls win individual championships in 2014-15 to account for its state-best total of 14.

    Cherry Creek was second with 13, and Pomona was third with 10. Lyons won eight, while Air Academy and Cheyenne Mountain each captured seven individual crowns.

    A total of 131 schools had at least one individual win a championship. Of those, 73 schools had at least two champions, and 10 had as many as five.

    Below is a complete breakdown of individual championships this season.

    Rank School Girls Boys Total
    1 Thompson Valley 6 8 14
    2 Cherry Creek 7 6 13
    3 Pomona 2 8 10
    4 Lyons 4 4 8
    5 Air Academy 4 3 7
    5 Cheyenne Mountain 4 3 7
    7 Palmer Ridge 0 6 6
    7 Fairview 2 4 6
    9 Kent Denver 2 3 5
    9 Paonia 2 3 5
    11 Fossil Ridge 3 1 4
    11 Evergreen 4 0 4
    11 Cherokee Trail 4 0 4
    11 Lamar 4 0 4
    11 Sangre de Cristo 3 1 4
    11 Shining Mountain 4 0 4
    17 Fort Collins 3 0 3
    17 Regis Jesuit 1 2 3
    17 Niwot 2 1 3
    17 Colorado Academy 0 3 3
    17 Aspen 1 2 3
    17 Summit 2 1 3
    17 Valor Christian 3 0 3
    17 Pueblo County 0 3 3
    17 Platte Valley 0 3 3
    17 Sterling 0 3 3
    17 Fountain-Fort Carson 1 2 3
    17 Canon City 0 3 3
    17 Springfield 0 3 3
    17 Otis 2 1 3
    31 SkyView Academy 0 2 2
    31 Estes Park 2 0 2
    31 Pueblo South 0 2 2
    31 Overland 1 1 2
    31 Broomfield 2 0 2
    31 Battle Mountain 0 2 2
    31 Rock Canyon 2 0 2
    31 Arapahoe 2 0 2
    31 ThunderRidge 2 0 2
    31 Windsor 1 1 2
    31 Mullen 1 1 2
    31 Grand Junction 0 2 2
    31 Rocky Mountain 0 2 2
    31 Arvada West 0 2 2
    31 Chaparral 1 1 2
    31 Fort Lupton 0 2 2
    31 Brush 0 2 2
    31 Berthoud 0 2 2
    31 Rocky Ford 0 2 2
    31 John Mall 0 2 2
    31 Buena Vista 0 2 2
    31 Highlands Ranch 0 2 2
    31 D’Evelyn 1 1 2
    31 Monarch 0 2 2
    31 Castle View 1 1 2
    31 Mountain Range 1 1 2
    31 Rampart 1 1 2
    31 Lewis-Palmer 2 0 2
    31 James Irwin 0 2 2
    31 Fountain Valley 0 2 2
    31 Lutheran 0 2 2
    31 Eaton 1 1 2
    31 Moffat County 2 0 2
    31 Salida 2 0 2
    31 Wiggins 1 1 2
    31 South Park 2 0 2
    31 Cedaredge 1 1 2
    31 Burlington 1 1 2
    31 Pikes Peak 0 2 2
    31 Prairie 1 1 2
    31 Baca County 0 2 2
    31 Eads 1 1 2
    31 Kim 2 0 2
    74 Dawson 0 1 1
    74 Standley Lake 1 0 1
    74 Nederland 1 0 1
    74 Poudre 0 1 1
    74 Fruita Monument 0 1 1
    74 Discovery Canyon 0 1 1
    74 Conifer 0 1 1
    74 Fort Morgan 0 1 1
    74 Pueblo East 0 1 1
    74 Alamosa 0 1 1
    74 Mead 0 1 1
    74 Weld Central 0 1 1
    74 Montezuma-Cortez 0 1 1
    74 Dolores Huerta 0 1 1
    74 Norwood/Nucla 0 1 1
    74 Swink 0 1 1
    74 Holly 0 1 1
    74 Crowley County 0 1 1
    74 Meeker 0 1 1
    74 Centauri 0 1 1
    74 Limon 0 1 1
    74 Jefferson Academy 1 0 1
    74 Dakota Ridge 1 0 1
    74 Boulder 0 1 1
    74 Greeley West 0 1 1
    74 Steamboat Springs 1 0 1
    74 St. Mary’s Academy 1 0 1
    74 Ralston Valley 1 0 1
    74 Gateway 0 1 1
    74 Smoky Hill 0 1 1
    74 Grandview 0 1 1
    74 Lakewood 0 1 1
    74 Silver Creek 1 0 1
    74 The Classical Academy 1 0 1
    74 Vista PEAK 1 0 1
    74 Littleton 0 1 1
    74 Vista Ridge 0 1 1
    74 Woodland Park 0 1 1
    74 Bayfield 0 1 1
    74 Manitou Springs 1 0 1
    74 Faith Christian 1 0 1
    74 University 1 0 1
    74 Gunnison 1 0 1
    74 Caliche 1 0 1
    74 Calhan 1 0 1
    74 Kiowa 1 0 1
    74 Wray 1 0 1
    74 Resurrection Christian 0 1 1
    74 Merino 0 1 1
    74 West Grand 0 1 1
    74 Rye 0 1 1
    74 Vail Christian 0 1 1
    74 Telluride 0 1 1
    74 Sedgwick County 0 1 1
    74 McClave 0 1 1
    74 Idalia 0 1 1
    74 Pawnee 0 1 1
    74 Heritage Christian 1 0 1

  • Dove Creek claims 1A baseball title in final act of resilience

    Dove Creek Granada baseball
    Dove Creek won 1A baseball on Saturday by beating Granada. More photos. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    DENVER — He shook his catcher off in the bottom of the seventh inning, with the bases loaded, one strike away from winning a title.

    It was a moment born from dreams: Two strikes, two outs, in the final inning. And Colin Hobbs, a junior from Dove Creek, knew exactly what he wanted to do.

    “I like my curveball a lot,” Hobbs said on Friday night. “It’s my strikeout pitch so I like to throw it with two strikes.”

    Dove Creek Granada baseball
    Colin Hobbs. More photos. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    “I gave him the fastball,” said Alex Ogas, Hobbs’ catcher, “and he shook his head and he just started laughing. I knew, right then. Once I gave him the signal, I knew.”

    Hobbs got Granada’s Jose Rodriges to strike out swinging. Moments later, he, Ogas and the rest of the Dove Creek Bulldogs were throwing their gloves into the crisp Denver air. They’d won the Class 1A baseball title, defeating Granada 8-5 at All-City Field.

    “They hung tight,” said Curtis Garver, Dove Creek’s coach.

    See, Dove Creek had a singular focus this season. It was almost exactly one year ago to the day that they’d lost the 1A title game to Caliche, and watched another team throw their gloves into the air.

    As the 2015 season opened, they struggled somewhat, starting 1-4, and finishing the regular season 8-11.

    “All throughout the season, we took our lumps, we took our lumps, and we identified what was wrong with our game,” Ogas said. “We were able to adapt it right at the beginning of the playoffs.”

    Dove Creek qualified for the regional bracket by placing second in District 1, then beat Holly and Community Christian to return to the title game.

    “We were a little sour after last year,” Garver said. “We wanted to come back and prove that we belonged here.”

    Saturday was a day some in Dove Creek thought might never come — not only because of the road the Bulldogs took to get here, but because of multiple reschedules and headaches due to weather. It was only on Thursday that the title game was formally rescheduled for Saturday night.

    The uncertainly didn’t faze Dove Creek one bit.

    “This is the state championship, so everybody was really focused,” Ogas said. “It was really easy for us to stay prepared. It didn’t take too much out of us. It really didn’t. We were mostly scared about it raining today.”

    “We were ready all day long,” said Dove Creek’s Jordan Ernst.

    The rain, mercifully, held off on Saturday. And Dove Creek soon seized control of the title game. The Bulldogs grabbed a 3-0 lead in the top of the third, and just kept adding to it. Soon, it was 7-0 going to the bottom of sixth.

    Ernst, Dove Creek’s star who earlier this season threw a five-inning perfect game in which he struck out every batter he faced, was magnificent to that point. He didn’t allow a hit until the bottom of the fourth, and ended up with eight strikeouts in five-plus innings of work.

    But, in the sixth, Granada loaded the bases, and finally pushed a run across on a walk.

    Dove Creek turned to Hobbs, who has been their go-to reliever this season. He struck out the first two batters he faced, but then walked two others. It was 7-3 at that point.

    Then, Granada’s Davey Reyez lined a ball that seemed destined for the right-center gap, but Dove Creek second baseman Kyle Schultz snared the liner to end the threat.

    Dove Creek Granada baseball
    More photos. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    The Bulldogs added a run in the top of the seventh, but Granada would not go quietly into the night. The Bobcats got one back in the bottom half, then loaded the bases. Soon, the score was 8-5 with just one out.

    With Granada’s Dalton Harris up, Hobbs threw a breaking ball in the dirt, but Ogas made a great block to keep it in front of him — and keep the runners where they stood. Hobbs went on to strike Harris out.

    With two outs, and the title in sight, Hobbs quickly got two strikes on Rodriges. It was then that Ogas called for the fastball, which, of course, Hobbs shook off. He threw his curveball instead. And ended the game.

    Hobbs was asked afterward if the two bases-loaded jams from which he escaped got to him. “A little bit,” he said. “It was not too bad.” Then he added with a wry smile, “I got out of them.”

    The title is Dove Creek’s third. The school also won Class A (West) championships in 1977 and 1975 when it was then Dolores County. But this one was sweeter than most because of the loss last year.

    “We’ve been fighting through — even like Little League, we’ve been going to the state tournaments, and we always come up short,” Ernst said. “We finally made it. After probably 10 years, we finally made it to the top.”

  • Photos: Dove Creek wins 1A baseball championship

    DENVER — Dove Creek beat Granada 8-5 to win the Class 1A baseball championship on Saturday.

  • 1A baseball championship game scheduled for Saturday

    DENVER — The Class 1A baseball championship game, which had been postponed from its original date on Thursday, will now be played on Saturday.

    The game will be at 6 p.m. at All-City Field in Denver, according to CHSAA assistant commissioner Bert Borgmann, who oversees baseball.

    Dove Creek and Granada will vie for the title. The two teams came to an agreement to reschedule the game to Saturday.

    The 6 p.m. time was selected, in part, to allow Granada’s track athletes to complete their events at the state track and field championships. The start time is somewhat fluid, Borgmann said, to allow those Granada athletes time to finish at track and make the 20-minute drive from Jeffco Stadium to All-City. 

    Of course, weather may be an issue. In the event it does interfere, the game will be reevaluated at that point.

  • 1A baseball roundup: Granada and Dove Creek to play for title

    Granada 14, Fleming 7

    Quarterfinal: Granada jumped out to a 8-0 lead thanks to a flurry of Fleming errors. The Wildcats were able to cut the lead to 10-7, but their offense sputtered the rest of the way out, sending the Bobcats into the semifinals.

    Nucla 13, Stratton/Liberty 8

    Quarterfinal: Nucla was able to come out on top of the offensive onslaught for a chance to meet Granada in the 1A semifinals.

    Granada 13, Nucla 6

    Semifinal: After two weather delays, Granada was able to take a 10-5 lead, putting them into the 1A state championship game.

    [divider]

    Dove Creek 2, Holly 1

    Quarterfinal: In the pitchers’ duel of the day, Dove Creek came away with the one-run win to advance to the 1A semifinals.

    Community Christian 17, Peetz 0

    Quarterfinal: Community Christian allowed one hit as their offense came alive to give them the 17-0 win over Peetz.

    Dove Creek 8, Community Christian 5

    Semifinal: Dove Creek overcame a 4-1 deficit after a lightning delay to earn a shot at the 1A state championship.
    [divider]
    The title game between Dove Creek and Granada does not yet have a set date, location or time because it was originally postponed by poor weather. That will be announced in the coming days.