Tag: Jeffco

Arvada West cross country teams sweep 5A Jeffco League team titles

Runners head off the starting line during the Class 4A boys Jeffco League championship race Oct. 13 at Clement Park. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

LITTLETON — The original plan for Dakota Ridge sophomore Austin Vancil was just to stay with the pack during the Class 5A boys race during the Jeffco League cross country championships at Clement Park on Thursday.

In the end, Vancil was ahead of everyone.

“I just came in thinking I should stay in the back of the pack during the whole race and hopefully be able to keep up with these guys,” Vancil said. “I got up to the top of the final hill and I felt really good. I made the move and held it.”

Vancil edged Arvada West junior Colin Berndt by six seconds to claim the 5A Jeffco boys individual title. The sophomore admitted he was a little shocked with the victory.

“Of course I wanted too, but I never thought it would actually happen,” Vancil said. “That was pretty cool.”

For the second straight year Arvada West won the 5A boys and girls Jeffco League team titles. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

The Wildcats were pretty cool for the third straight league championship meet. The A-West boys claimed its third-straight 5A Jeffco team title.

Berndt, seniors Max Sevcik, Justin Andrade, Marshall Haymond, junior Andres Perez and sophomore Drew Craig all finished in the top 16. A-West easily distanced itself from Dakota Ridge, who placed second.

A-West’s girls team claimed back-to-back team titles by placing five runners — Katie Doucette, Civianna Gallegos, Claire Pauley, Amber Valdez and Lucy Schroeder — in the top 9.

“It’s pretty exciting,” A-West cross country coach Todd Moore said of the Wildcats doubling down on league team titles for the second straight year. “All these kids were on last year’s team. I think we trained 49 or 50 weeks in the last year. These kids were here everyday working hard and trying to do it again.”

Lakewood sophomore Carley Bennett battled through the warm conditions to win the 5A girls individual title. Bennett passed Dakota Ridge junior Michelle Renner in the final 100 meters to win.

“I knew if I was already working that hard and already that tired I might as well work a little hard,” Bennett said.

On the 4A side, Green Mountain freshman Kasey Klocek pulled out the win in what was the closest finish of the four varsity races. Klocek raced past Wheat Ridge sophomore Tiya Chamberlin at the finish line to win by less than a second.

Green Mountain freshman Kasey Klocek, right, just edges Wheat Ridge sophomore Tiya Chamberlin at the finish line. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

Evergreen girls claimed the team title edging out Wheat Ridge by a single point — 73 to 74. Senior Brandon Swenson, who finished second last year at the league championships, cruised to the 4A boys individual title for the Cougars.

“The race was great. I took it a little easy at the start,” Swenson said. “It felt really good.”

Swenson, who placed seventh at the state meet last year, is now eyeing a strong regional meet performance next week and has lofty expectations heading into state.

“My goal is top 5 at state or just win,” Swenson said. “That’s all I’m looking for.”

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Jeffco League Cross Country Championship results

Class 5A boys

Team: Arvada West 38, Dakota Ridge 59, Ralston Valley 86, Chatfield 88, Columbine 115, Lakewood 125, Pomona 218, Bear Creek 229

Individuals:
1. Austin Vancil, Dakota Ridge, 16:24
2. Colin Berndt, Arvada West, 16:30
3. Chase Dornbusch, Lakewood, 16:36
4. Jerod Kuhn, Columbine, 16:44
5. Max Sevcik, Arvada West, 16:52
6. Benton Meldrum, Dakota Ridge, 16:56
7. Justin Andrade, Arvada West, 17:00
8. Gavin Jones, Ralston Valley, 17:08

Class 5A girls

Team: Arvada West 33, Chatfield 70, Dakota Ridge 71, Lakewood 95, Ralston Valley 100, Columbine 162, Bear Creek 192, Pomona 242

Individuals:
1. Carley Bennett, Lakewood, 19:04
2. Michelle Renner, Dakota Ridge, 19:10
3. Hannah Mae Gigstad, Ralston Valley, 19:29
4. Katie Doucette, Arvada West, 19:32
5. Civianna Gallegos, Arvada West, 19:38
6. Sydney Williams, Chatfield, 19:43
7. Claire Pauley, Arvada West, 19:50
8. Amber Valdez, Arvada West, 20:17

Class 4A boys

Team:
D’Evelyn 49, Evergreen 54, Standley Lake 75, Littleton 108, Green Mountain 136, Valor Christian 154, Golden 161, Wheat Ridge 180

Individuals:
1. Brandon Swenson, Evergreen, 16:35
2. Trevor Smith, Standley Lake, 16:50
3. Weston Donati-Leach, Evergreen, 16:51
4. Christian Sapakoff, Littleton, 16:54
5. Lucas Jordon, D’Evelyn, 16:57
6. Jace Pivonka, Green Mountain, 17;01
7. Drew Seidel, Wheat Ridge, 17:04
8. Nate MacDonald, D’Evelyn, 17:12

Class 4A girls

Team:
Evergreen 73, Wheat Ridge 74, Golden 86, Standley Lake 90, Green Mountain 119, D’Evelyn 137, Valor Christian 138, Littleton 180

Individuals:
1. Kasey Klocek, Green Mountain, 19:03
2. Tiya Chamberlin, Wheat Ridge, 19:03
3. Keely Jones, Valor Christian, 19:25
4. Amy Leasure, Wheat Ridge, 19:36
5. Addi Iken, Littleton, 19:41
6. Rachel Goodrich, Golden, 19:45
7. Tomah Whitney, Evergreen, 19:46
8. Mary Fox, Golden, 19:46

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October 14, 2016
No. 4 Chatfield volleyball digs out road win at Arvada West

Chatfield is closing in on its first Class 5A Jeffco League volleyball title since 2009. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

ARVADA — The path is clear for Chatfield volleyball to win its first league title in seven years.

The Chargers (13-2, 4-0 in league), No. 4 in the latest CHSAANow.com Class 5A volleyball poll, are three conference wins away from going undefeated in the Class 5A Jeffco League. Chatfield extended its winning streak to nine games Tuesday night at Arvada West High School with a 3-0 victory over the Wildcats (8-8, 2-2).

“I think it’s really cool,” Chatfield sophomore Shea Fuller said of the Chargers closing in on an undefeated league run. “Playing with these girls is really fun because they are all so talented.”

While Chatfield has been in the state picture the past two seasons, losses against Ralston Valley in 2014 and 2015 prevented the Chargers from winning league titles. Chatfield has already taken league victories over Ralston Valley and Lakewood to give the Chargers the inside track to win the conference title.

Chatfield seniors Sierra Bartley (8) and Haley Jacobson (7) combine on a block. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“Our girls completely understand a league title doesn’t do anything wonderful for us in the postseason, but accumulating wins is a good thing,” Chatfield coach Stephanie Schick said. “Going undefeated in league would feel great. We finally got Ralston Valley, that was a big one. It meant a lot, and getting Lakewood at home was tough too.”

The last time the Chargers won the 5A Jeffco League title was in 2009. Chatfield ran the table going undefeated seven seasons ago. Lakewood then went on a four-year run from 2010-2013 in winning the conference championship before Ralston Valley claimed back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015.

“It was a good way to stay humble and consistent,” Chatfield senior JayCee Jones said of defeating Lakewood and Ralston Valley to begin league play. “It showed us we can win the hard games and stay humble when we win those.”

Chatfield remained hot Tuesday night cruising to straight set victories — 25-10, 25-14 and 25-8 over the Wildcats. Schick used her depth to keep A-West from focusing on just a player or two at the net.

Seniors setters Addy Plant and Nicole Langford had plenty of options to go to. Senior Sierra Bartley, junior Breanna Jones and the Fuller sisters — senior Haley Fuller and Shea — had big nights against the Wildcats. Senior Haley Jacobson and junior Julia Eiken did a good job controlling the middle of the net and limiting A-West’s most dangerous hitters in senior Aza Underwood and junior Delilah Vigil.

Arvada West senior Aza Underwood (1) attempts to put down a kill over Chatfield’s Julia Eiken and Breanna Jones. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

Haley had the game-winning kill to end the second set and Shea finished out the match with a kill in the third set for Chatfield.

“We always have competitions like that,” Shea said of her and her sister putting down set points. “There is always rivalry at home.”

JayCee and younger sister Breanna makes up the second pair of sisters playing for the Chargers. Schick said having the pair of sisters helps the team chemistry which she believes will be key as the Chargers head into the postseason.

“I’m still going to push them to make it a little strong,” Schick said of the Chargers’ team chemistry. “I think that could be the difference maker for us at the end. I want our girls to finish this season working as hard as they can for each other.”

Chatfield closes out its league schedule on the road next week against Dakota Ridge (Oct. 18) and Pomona (Oct. 20) before the Chargers’ regular-season home finale against Bear Creek (Oct. 24).

A-West has three consecutive league road games against Columbine (Oct. 18), Lakewood (Oct. 20) and Ralston Valley (Oct. 25).

Chatfield senior Haley Fuller (13) spikes the ball over the block of Arvada West’s Daylee Hurlburt (8) and Delilah Vigil (14). (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

October 12, 2016
No. 9 Arvada West boys soccer eyes huge showdown with Ralston Valley

Arvada West senior Luke Drumright, left, fires a shot on goal Monday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

LAKEWOOD — For the sixth straight year either Arvada West or Ralston Valley will win the Class 5A Jeffco League boys soccer conference title.

A-West — 5A Jeffco champs in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015 — will have a winner-take-all showdown with Arvada-area rival Ralston Valley — 2014 league champs — 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at the North Area Athletic Complex.

“We know how good RV is,” A-West senior Luke Drumright said. “We know we have to play our best to get a good outcome when we play RV.”

While Friday’s match has plenty riding on it, A-West and Ralston Valley (10-3, 6-0) have already wrapped up the two automatic bids Jeffco receives for the 32-team 5A state tournament. Both are guaranteed to be in the state tournament that begins with the first round Oct. 27.

Arvada West freshman Judah Johnston (17) battles with Dakota Ridge junior Dimi Dobrev for the ball Monday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“It’s nice to know we are in the playoffs, but at the same time, nobody on this team wants to lose to RV,” Drumright said. “We are going to give them everything. Everyone wants that league championship and bragging rights that comes with that game.”

A-West (11-3, 6-0) took care of business in a conference game Monday against Dakota Ridge (0-13-1, 0-5-1). It was a little shaky with the Wildcats leading just 1-0 at halftime before taking a 4-0 victory at Lakewood Memorial Field.

“They are focused on the rivalry, no doubt about it,” A-West coach Troy Gette said when ask if his team was overlooking Dakota Ridge a little bit.

In the end, the Wildcats were able to celebrate their entry into the CHSAANow.com 5A boys soccer poll at No. 9 that was released Monday. The win also extended A-West’s winning streak to eight games. The Wildcats’ last loss was a 1-0 overtime defeat nearly a month ago against Castle View.

A-West got goals from freshman Judah Johnston, Drumright, junior Tristan Martinez and sophomore Andrew Craig to stay undefeated in conference play.

Arvada West junior Tristan Martinez (8) scored the third goal Monday night for the Wildcats. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“We all knew what we needed to do in the second half. We were all frustrated with how we were playing,” said Drumright, who scored on a penalty kick in the 46th minute to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead. “We knew it wasn’t our standard.”

Martinez’s goal came off an impressive pass by senior Alec Breay in the 56th minute. Craig’s goal in the 72nd minute came off an initial shot from Drumright and Craig was able to knock in the rebound.

Breay admits he is a little surprised where A-West sits with having a shot at another league championship after the Wildcats graduated 11 seniors.

“I didn’t think we would have anywhere near the talent we have right now,” Breay said. “Going into the game against Ralston Valley with the record we do is pretty cool.”

While it has been another rough season when it comes to wins for Dakota Ridge, the Eagles did end a 31-game losing streak with a 1-1 tie against rival Columbine on Oct. 4. The losing streak dated back to the 2014 season.

Dakota Ridge wraps up its against Lakewood at 5 p.m. Friday at Lakewood Memorial Field.

Arvada West freshman Judah Johnston (17) tries to get past Dakota Ridge senior Chris Taylor on Monday night at Lakewood Memorial Field. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

October 11, 2016
Greg Bolding hired as Golden’s girls basketball coach

Golden’s Sydney Prey, right, led the Demons in scoring last year with more than 15 points per game. (Dennis Pleuss)

GOLDEN — Golden announced Monday that it has hired Greg Bolding as its new head girls basketball coach.

Bolding is a former assistant at Mullen and is the co-founder and coach for the Colorado Premier Basketball Club.

“We are lucky to have Coach Bolding coming to Golden and hopefully push our girls to the next level,” said J.C. Summers, Golden’s athletic director.

The Demons had a 17-7 record last year, which included a fourth-place finish in the deep Class 4A Jeffco League which features two-time state champion Valor Christian and last year’s state runner-up Evergreen.

Golden returns several returning key players, including Sydney Prey who led the Demons in scoring with 15.1 points per game as a junior.

Bolding replaces Shea Scarlett, who coached at Golden for three seasons and racked up a 37-36 record. According to Summers, Scarlett stepped down because of his full-time job duties.

October 10, 2016
TD barrage surges Conifer football past Green Mountain

Conifer senior Mason Meyer, left, runs past Green Mountain senior Ben Schlieper on Friday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

LAKEWOOD — Conifer football coach Larry Fitzmaurice has seen a lot during his two decades coaching the Lobos, but nothing quite what he witnessed Friday night at Trailblazer Stadium.

The Lobos scored seven touchdowns on seven straight offensive possessions to erase an early 17-0 lead by Green Mountain. Conifer eventually grabbed a 47-31 victory in the Class 3A West Metro League opener for both Jeffco programs.

“That would be the first time for that,” Fitzmaurice said of the scoring outburst. “It was great effort by the kids. We knew we could do something to (Green Mountain). We just kept at it. It turned out good.”

Conifer senior Mason Meyer led the way for the Lobos racking up nearly 200 yards of total offense from scrimmage. Meyer finished with 10 carries for 80 yards on the ground that included a pair of touchdowns. He also had six catches for 114 yards and another score.

“We just kept driving. Don’t even look at the scoreboard,” Meyer said. “We just did what we do and we got it done.”

Green Mountain got the upper hand early on with an opening 12-play, 64-yard scoring drive that was capped off with a 13-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Dylan Jacob to Justin Booher. The senior wide receiver had five catches for 122 yards at halftime.

Green Mountain senior Justin Booher (81) celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Dylan Jacob. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

A pair of Conifer turnovers allowed the Rams (3-3, 0-1 in league) to take a 17-0 lead with a little more than four minutes remaining in the first quarter. Jacob hit Booher for a 9-yard touchdown pass and Green Mountain added a field goal with Conifer having just two offensive snaps.

“It’s stressful getting down like that early,” Meyer said. “I made a couple of mistakes early and I put that on me. We just needed to play our game because I knew we could beat them.”

Meyer started the offensive barrage with a 2-yard touchdown run with 3:26 left in the first quarter, but Green Mountain answered with a 25-yard touchdown run by senior Kyle Clabaugh with just more than a minute left in the first quarter.

Conifer senior Jack Prentner scored his first of two touchdowns with a 6-yard score with 8:14 left in the second quarter. However, Green Mountain pushed its lead back to 17 points with a 2-yard touchdown run by Ben Schlieper midway through the second quarter. It would eventually be the final score for the Rams.

Conifer (5-1, 1-0) outscored Green Mountain 33-0 the rest of the way to get the conference victory.

Senior quarterback Matt Aceto finished 14-for-21 passing for 189 yards and two touchdowns. Prentner had 91 yards on the ground and two touchdowns and junior Kasim Rana bulled his way to 36 yards and a touchdown. Senior John Paulus hauled in a 4-yard touchdown pass for the Lobos too.

“Coming out of that Rifle loss last week we wanted to make a statement in this first league game,” Meyer said. “This was a very important game for us. Our most important game thus far. We had to make a statement and that is what we did.”

Winning a conference title and automatic postseason bid won’t be easy for any time in the 3A West Metro. Coming into the start of league play, five of six teams had winning recorders during their non-conference schedule. Conifer, Skyview, Green Mountain, Evergreen and Lutheran should be in the mix for the league title with Alameda also trying get in the picture.

Green Mountain hits the road next Friday night to face Skyview in Thornton. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 14. The Rams’ first-year head football coach Matt Pees has put an emphasis of winning a title and he knows that task will be an uphill climb now.

“It all starts with Skyview. We really can’t think about a four-game season. We have to think about a one-game season,” Pees said. “Each week is a playoff game for us and it starts with Skyview.”

Conifer faces Alameda at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at Trailblazer Stadium.

“I told our kids that this game could be a big one,” Fitzmaurice said of getting the win over the Rams. “Getting this one is a step in the right direction.”

Conifer opened its Class 3A Metro West League schedule with a 47-31 victory over Green Mountain. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

October 8, 2016
Arvada West football claws out win over Rangeview

Arvada West senior Chase Dixon (11) attempts to make a diving catch Saturday during the Wildcats’ 45-41 victory over Rangeview. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

ARVADA — There was no letdown for Arvada West heading into what will likely be the program’s biggest football game in years next Friday at the North Area Athletic Complex.

A-West held on to a 45-41 victory Saturday afternoon at NAAC against Rangeview in both teams’ Class 5A Mt. Wilson League opener. Next up for the Wildcats (5-1, 1-0 league), cross-town rival Ralston Valley (3-3, 1-0).

“We’ve got a big challenge ahead of us. The boys are ready to get their rival up west,” A-West coach Brad Pyatt said of facing the Mustangs next Friday night. “This year I think we’ll have our hands full, but we have a team that can compete against them.”

The stakes will be raised when A-West faces its area-rival. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at NAAC. The Mustangs have a 6-0 record against the Wildcats since Ralston Valley moved up to the 5A classification in 2010.

A-West and Ralston Valley are the only 5A Jeffco programs in the same 5A conference during the current two-year waterfall format. The winner would remain undefeated in the league play.

Arvada West senior Joey Perez (1) rushed for a pair of touchdowns Saturday at NAAC. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“We are just trying to get better each week and rolling into RV at 5-1 (record) isn’t bad,” A-West senior Chase Dixon said.

Dixon was a big reason the Wildcats extended their winning streak to four and scored 40-plus points for the fourth straight game. The senior receiver had seven catches for 172 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Dixon has 688 yards receiving through six games.

Dixon’s first touchdown catch Saturday came on a fourth-and-10 from Rangeview’s 20-yard line. His catch on a corner-fade route from A-West sophomore quarterback Johnny Krutsch gave the Wildcats a 14-6 lead midway through the first quarter.

“(Dixon) and Johnny (Krutsch), you can just see it, they have a good thing going,” Pyatt said. “I feel confident going to Chase anytime.”

A-West scored 28 unanswered points after Rangeview took an early 6-0 lead on a 39-yard touchdown run by senior tailback A.J. Thomas on the Raiders’ opening drive.

A huge momentum grab for the Wildcats in the first half was an interception returned 80 yards for a touchdown by sophomore Tony Cass, who also had an 11-yard touchdown run in the first half.

“When I caught it was just thinking about sprinting and no let anyone tackle me,” Cass said. “It felt great.”

A-West scored on its opening drive in the second half. Krutsch, who finished 19-for-34 passing for 289 yards and two touchdowns, hit Dixon for a 59-yard touchdown to put the Wildcats up 38-12.

Rangeview battled back with a pair of touchdown runs by Thomas, who finished with 26 carries for 202 yards and four touchdowns. The Raiders actually cut the Wildcats’ lead to just four points in the final minute with a touchdown pass from junior Jaelin Odegard to junior Josh Hollins.

Arvada West senior Trevor Lepke makes a juggling catch Saturday afternoon at NAAC. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“I knew going in that Rangeview was a tough team. Even when we were up I knew they weren’t going to give up,” Pyatt said. “I didn’t expect them to come back that quickly on us, but I’m proud of my team for continuing to fight and close it out. Right now we are learning how to win.”

A-West recovered an onside kick in the final minute and were able to take a few knees to run out the clock.

Senior Joey Perez had a workman-like game carrying the ball 27 times for 70 yards and two touchdowns for the Wildcats. Perez’s final touchdown came on a 1-yard score on fourth down with 7:17 left in the fourth quarter.

“Joey is our workhorse,” Dixon said. “If you give him the ball he is going to run hard. Our line blocked hard today too.”

Eaglecrest (6-0, 1-0), No. 3 in the latest CHSAANow.com 5A football poll, looks like the favorite in the Mt. Wilson League. The Raptors defeated Rocky Mountain 42-7 in Fort Collins on Friday night to open their league schedule.

Eaglecrest squares off against Ralston Valley and A-West in Week 9 and 10, respectively, to close out its regular season. Rangeview (2-4, 0-1) gets its shot next week against the Raptors at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at Legacy Stadium in Aurora.

Arvada West sophomore Tony Cass (2) is off to the races during his interception returned for a touchdown Saturday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

October 8, 2016
Strong second half powers No. 1 Pomona football over Rock Canyon

Pomona junior Max Borghi (21) slips a tackle on his way to a 54-yard touchdown run. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

ARVADA — The climb to the top of the Mt. Evans League began Thursday night for top-ranked Pomona.

The Panthers, No. 1 in the CHSAANow.com Class 5A football poll since Sept. 6, opened conference play at the North Area Athletic Complex against Rock Canyon (2-4 overall, 0-1 in league). Pomona managed a 44-14 victory, but it was a struggle at times for the Panthers to reel off their fourth straight victory.

After having two weeks to prepare — Pomona (5-1, 1-0) had a bye last week because it played Zero Week against No. 2 Mullen — the Panthers admittedly came out a little rusty.

“Our kids forget sometimes that we win football games because we play hard. When we don’t play hard we are as average as anybody,” Pomona coach Jay Madden said. “That’s how we looked in the first half.”

Pomona led just 14-7 at halftime. In fact, Rock Canyon put the first points on the board with a 1-yard touchdown run by junior Duke Avery with 7:03 left in the first quarter. Touchdown runs of 4 and 54 yards by Pomona junior Max Borghi gave the Panthers their first lead, but penalties and mistakes led to just the 7-point halftime lead.

“We’ve got to be more disciplined then that,” Madden said referring to the 125 yards of penalties in the first half for the Panthers, including a pair of pass interference calls on defense. “We weren’t sharp. Give Rock Canyon some credit.”

The Panthers turned things around late in the third quarter. Junior quarterback Ryan Marquez connected with sophomore Billy Pospisil for a 26-yard touchdown with 4:43 left in the third quarter.

After an interception by senior Uriah Vigil, the Panthers scored again on Borghi’s third touchdown run of the game with 1:55 left in the quarter to give Pomona a 28-7 lead.

Pomona linebacker Bryan Gallegos (7) puts pressure on Rock Canyon quarterback Adam Mullen. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

Vigil came up big again just before the end of the third quarter. He blocked a punt that went out of the end zone for a Pomona safety to push the lead to 30-7.

The senior defensive back and receiver had a pass interference penalty and dropped a sure touchdown earlier in the game.

“I knew I had to make it up for my team,” said Vigil, who had a second interception that led to Pomona’s final touchdown. “After making a couple of errors I had to come out with a little more aggression and fire.”

Senior Cameron Gonzales had a 5-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter and Marquez hit Borghi for a 35-yard touchdown pass to complete the run of 44 unanswered points for the Panthers.

After some offensive success early, Rock Canyon didn’t get a first down in the second half until its sixth possession after halftime.

“We struck in the second half. That’s all that matters,” said Borghi, who finished with four touchdowns, 91 yards rushing on a dozen carries to go along with three catches for 63 yards.

It was already a special day for the junior football and track star. Borghi tweeted out earlier in the day he had received his first Division I football offer. The Chippewas of Central Michigan University have offered the junior a scholarship.

Colorado State University running backs coach Bryan Applewhite was also roaming the sidelines Thursday night at NAAC to get a first-hand look at the Borghi.

“I really don’t think about that. I really just think about my job, my game and what I have to do out here,” said Borghi. “I don’t worry about coaches or scouting or anything of that during the game.”

Pomona is back at NAAC next Thursday night where the Panthers square off against Hinkley (0-5). Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The first-half struggles was a bid of a wake-up call for Pomona.

“This new league season is nothing to mess around with,” Vigil said. “Every team we play we have to come out like it’s a state championship game.”

Rock Canyon hosts Cherokee Trail at 7 p.m. Oct. 14 as the Jaguars look for its first league victory.

Pomona players celebrate one of four touchdowns by junior Max Borghi (21) on Thursday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

October 7, 2016
Ralston Valley softball completes back-to-back 5A Jeffco sweep

Ralston Valley senior Malory Eldredge belted a pair of home runs Wednesday in a 14-12 victory over Columbine. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

LITTLETON — When conference softball play began in the Class 5A Jeffco League the defending league championships looked venerable.

Ralston Valley held a 3-7 record heading into the Mustangs’ conference opener Sept. 20 against rival Arvada West, ranked No. 2 in the latest CHSAANow.com 5A softball poll. Ralston Valley cruised to a 10-2 victory over A-West to begin an eight-game winning streak that concluded Wednesday afternoon with a wild 14-12 road victory in extra innings over Columbine.

“We really came into this game wanting to complete our league as undefeated champs,” Ralston Valley senior Malory Eldredge said after the regular-season finale. “There were so many emotions about finishing our senior year with this win.”

The Mustangs (11-7, 7-0 in league) had already clinched back-to-back conference titles with a dominating 15-5 victory against Dakota Ridge last Saturday, but completing a second straight undefeated conference run was important.

Ralston Valley junior Gianna Browdy delivers to the plate Wednesday against Columbine. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“It’s really huge to me. To do it my senior year is pretty awesome,” Ralston Valley senior catcher Alexa Samuels said. “We started rough and really came together as a team. I’m excited to see what the postseason is like.”

Eldredge and Samuels provided the power to finally put an end to the Rebels’ upset bid. Columbine (9-10, 3-4) scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie things up 12-12. Eldredge and Samuels responded by crushing solo home runs over the fence at Dave Sanders Memorial Field to give the Mustangs a 14-12 lead.

“I’ve played against (Columbine senior pitcher Jenni Romero) my whole life,” said Eldredge, who finished the game with two home runs and two doubles while driving in five runs. “She (Romero) is a great pitcher, but I knew I had to go up there finish it for my pitcher (Ralston Valley junior Gianna Browdy). She was working hard. I had to do it for her.”

Samuels, who knocked in three runs, belted her solo home run with two outs in the top of the eighth to give Browdy a bit of a cushion. Browdy was able to retire the Rebels in order in the bottom of the eighth inning to end the game.

“Knowing how they practice and prepare, I have confidence in them,” Ralston Valley coach Wendy Davies said.

Ralston Valley was all smiles during its 9-run top of the first inning against Columbine. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

Ralston Valley saw its 9-0 lead after the top of the first inning completely evaporate with a gutsy effort by the Rebels. A 2-run home run by Columbine senior Kasey Cruz cut the Mustangs’ lead to 9-5 after three innings.

Senior Shania Lopez and junior Zoey Cruz both had 2-run doubles in the bottom of the fifth inning to trim the lead to 12-9. Lopez scored on a wild pitch with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the game at 12-12.

“Giving up nine unearned runs in that first inning after a couple of errors was tough,” Columbine coach Brooks Roybal said. “They very well could have tucked their heads and called it a day, but they battled back. They have refused to back down.”

The Rebels did have a little history on their side heading into the league finale. Ralston Valley’s last league loss came to the hands of Columbine back on Oct. 2, 2014.

Now it’s a wait-and-see game. The 32-team field for the regional tournaments are scheduled to be released next Monday. Regionals will be played Oct. 15. All state tournaments (5A, 4A and 3A) are scheduled for Oct. 21 and 22 at Aurora Sports Park.

“It’s a strange situation because if you won your league in the past you knew you would host (regionals),” Davies said. “It’s a long wait. Hopefully we can stay focused and do some fun things with them.”

Columbine should make the postseason. The Rebels were No. 20 in the RPI rankings before the regular-season finale. The new RPI rankings will decide the 18 at-large bids to the 5A regional field after the 14 automatic bids are handed out in the new format.

The 5A Jeffco League receives two automatic bids with Ralston Valley and the winner of Arvada West at Dakota Ridge (4 p.m. Friday) likely earning the other automatic bid.

Ralston Valley hopes it can keep its momentum going in the playoffs. Davies credits the hard work her players have put in since starting the season 3-7 for the dramatic turnaround.

Columbine senior Kasey Cruz, left, is greeted at the plate by teammates after her 2-run home run Wednesday against Ralston Valley. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

October 6, 2016
Ralston Valley boys soccer winning streak at 5 after defeating Bear Creek

Ralston Valley junior Han Trznadel (2) is flanked by Bear Creek’s Charlie Petersen, left, and Farzad Asgari on Tuesday during a 2-1 win for the Mustangs. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

LAKEWOOD — Ralston Valley’s boys soccer season is literally headed in the right direction.

A pair of header goals off the noggins of Ralston Valley junior Han Trznadel and senior Fredi Muteba gave the Mustangs a 2-1 victory Tuesday night at Lakewood Memorial Field.

The Class 5A Jeffco League win over Bear Creek (8-4, 2-2 in league) kept Ralston Valley (8-3, 4-0) perfect in conference play and pushed its winning streak to five games.

“Each game is a big step for us. It’s one more step toward playoffs,” Ralston Valley coach Jamie Scarcliff said. “I wouldn’t say today was our best day, but we battled through and made sure it worked out on our end. We’ve got a few things to tighten up to get ready for the end of league.”

Ralston Valley took an early 1-0 lead when Trznadel popped a header from close range over the reach of Bear Creek junior goalie Cooper Erickson in the 10th minute. It was the lone goal of the first half.

The Mustangs had a handful of chances to extend their lead, but it wasn’t until the 64th minute could Ralston Valley get an insurance goal. Muteba headed in a rebound that had ripped off the crossbar to put the Mustangs up 2-0.

“Fredi’s goal was really big,” Trznadel said. “We haven’t had too many header goals. I’ve had two, but not quite as sweet as Fredi’s. He put a lot of power into it.”

Muteba’s goal became even more important a minute later when Bear Creek junior Kim Liam tipped in the Bears’ lone goal of the game in the 65th minute to make it a one-goal game again.

“Sometimes it gets a little slowed down,” Ralston Valley junior goalie Jared Peterson said. “Sometimes we forget what got us here and we slow down.”

Peterson was solid in net for the final 15 minutes to hang on for the victory. The win keep pace with defending conference champion and chief rival Arvada West (9-3, 4-0).

Ralston Valley senior Erik Makic (9) tries to get a shot off before Bear Creek senior Farzad Asgari closes in. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

If Ralston Valley and A-West take care of business in league games this Thursday and next Monday, the two could face each other in a winner-take-all league championship game at 5 p.m. Oct. 14, at the North Area Athletic Complex.

“You always think about it because (A-West) is our biggest rival and it’s our biggest game,” Peterson said. “We’ll keep it in our sideview, but focus on what is in front of us.”

Ralston Valley has home games at NAAC against Chatfield (5 p.m. Thursday) and Columbine (7 p.m. Oct. 10) before the potential conference title game against A-West.

Erickson knows a league title for the Bears is pretty much out of reach after Bear Creek suffered its second straight league loss, but he also knows there is a good chance the Bears can still make the 32-team field for the state tournament.

“It would take a stroke of luck to win league now,” Erickson said. “I still believe in this team and we still believe in ourselves. We are a team that can play in the state tournament this year.”

Bear Creek closes out its regular season against Columbine, Lakewood and Pomona over the next 10 days.

“We just have to train hard and come out fighting in our last couple of games,” Erickson said.

Bear Creek senior Akash Malil, middle, is coverage by a trio of Ralston Valley player near the Mustangs’ goal Tuesday at Lakewood Memorial Field. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

October 5, 2016
NAAC site of 28th annual Pomona Marching Festival

The North Area Athletic Complex in Arvada was the site of the 28th annual Pomona Marching Festival on Oct. 1. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

ARVADA — For more than 12 hours Saturday, Oct. 1, there was constant music playing at the North Area Athletic Complex in Arvada.

Twenty-five high schools descended on NAAC for the 28th annual Pomona Marching Festival. Legacy came away with the grand championship title with a finals score of 78.05. Legend took second and Fairview placed third.

Jeffco Public Schools had four bands make the 12-band finals. Arvada West (10th), Bear Creek (9th), Lakewood (7th) and Chatfield (6th) all placed in the top 10.

October 3, 2016