Pueblo South (4A) and Holly (1A) took over the top spots in their respective basketball rankings this week.
The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. During the regular season, they are released each Monday.
Crowley County (in 2A) and Peetz (1A) boys basketball have taken over as the No. 1 teams in their respective classifications this week.
The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. During the regular season, they are released each Monday.
Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.
First-place votes are in parentheses.
Coaches and media members looking to vote should email rcasey@chsaa.org.
Class 5A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Rock Canyon (10)
15-0
109
1
2-0
2
ThunderRidge (1)
14-1
98
2
1-0
3
Chaparral
13-3
76
5
2-0
4
George Washington
11-5
72
3
1-0
5
Denver East
11-2
58
6
1-0
6
Overland
8-7
52
9
2-0
7
Grandview
12-3
50
4
1-1
8
Regis Jesuit
12-4
36
8
2-1
9
Doherty
12-3
24
7
1-1
10
Highlands Ranch
13-2
15
10
2-0
Others receiving votes:
Eaglecrest 5, Smoky Hill 5, Liberty 4, Rampart 1.
Dropped out
None.
Class 4A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Lewis-Palmer (11)
13-1
135
1
2-1
2
Pueblo South (2)
12-2
125
2
2-0
3
Pueblo West (1)
12-2
98
3
2-0
4
Golden
12-3
95
5
2-0
5
Longmont
10-1
94
4
2-0
6
Valor Christian
9-6
63
7
2-0
7
Silver Creek
10-3
39
6
1-2
8
Evergreen
12-3
31
8
1-1
9
Mesa Ridge
9-4
17
–
2-0
10
Elizabeth
10-4
16
–
1-1
Others receiving votes:
Falcon 11, Montrose 9, Windsor 9, Thompson Valley 7, D’Evelyn 5, Widefield 5, Glenwood Springs 4, Holy Family 2, Mountain View 2, Palmer Ridge 1, Roosevelt 1, Vista PEAK 1.
Dropped out
Windsor (9), Thompson Valley (10).
Class 3A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Sterling (14)
12-0
140
1
3-0
2
Alamosa
10-1
119
2
2-0
3
Kent Denver
11-2
102
3
2-0
4
Platte Valley
11-1
78
5
2-0
5
Grand Valley
9-1
65
4
1-1
6
DSST-Stapleton
10-2
64
6
2-0
7
The Vanguard
11-1
54
–
3-0
8
Manual
8-4
31
8
2-1
9
Resurrection Christian
9-4
21
9
1-1
10
Roaring Fork
9-1
19
–
2-0
Others receiving votes:
Coal Ridge 17, Colorado Academy 13, Faith Christian 13, Bayfield 7, La Junta 7, Arrupe Jesuit 6, Colorado Springs Christian 6, Jefferson 4, Strasburg 4.
Dropped out
Faith Christian (7), La Junta (10).
Class 2A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Crowley County (8)
12-0
115
2
2-0
2
Limon
9-1
95
4
2-0
3
Sedgwick County (2)
11-1
92
1
3-1
4
Del Norte
10-2
83
3
2-0
5
Yuma (2)
8-2
73
5
2-0
6
Byers
10-2
59
7
2-0
7
Highland
8-3
39
10
2-0
8
Vail Christian
10-2
31
6
1-1
9
Meeker
9-3
23
–
2-0
10
Sanford
7-4
18
9
2-1
Others receiving votes:
Ignacio 15, Evangelical Christian 13, Custer County 10, Haxtun 9, Calhan 8, Simla 8, Clear Creek 6, Dayspring Christian 4, Hayden 4, Dolores Huerta 3, Fowler 3, Dawson 1, Rangley 1.
Dropped out
Ignacio (8).
Class 1A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Peetz (5)
11-0
84
2
2-0
2
Holly (2)
12-0
79
3
2-0
3
Creede (2)
12-0
76
1
2-0
4
Cheyenne Wells
8-1
45
6
1-0
5
Heritage Christian
8-2
44
4
1-1
6
Sangre de Cristo
12-1
44
5
3-0
7
Longmont Christian
9-3
35
8
2-0
8
Primero
8-2
26
7
2-0
9
South Baca
8-3
24
9
3-0
10
Kit Carson
8-2
19
10
2-1
Others receiving votes:
Sierra Grande 8, Shining Mountain 5, Cornerstone Christian 4, De Beque 2.
Following a week filled with big wins, George Washington boys basketball has moved up to No. 3 in the Class 5A rankings.
The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. During the regular season, they are released each Monday.
The first boys basketball rankings after the break brought a host of changes, including a new No. 1 team — Creede — in Class 1A.
Joining the polls this week:
Highlands Ranch, No. 10, in 5A.
Ponderosa, No. 8, and Valor Christian, No. 9, in 4A.
Manual, No. 9, in 3A.
Limon, No. 6, and Vail Christian, No. 8, in 2A.
Sangre de Cristo, No. 8, and De Beque, No. 10, in 1A.
The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. During the regular season, they are released each Monday.
Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.
First-place votes are in parentheses.
Coaches and media members looking to vote should email rcasey@chsaa.org.
Class 5A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Rock Canyon (8)
11-0
105
1
2-0
2
Grandview (3)
10-1
98
6
6-1
3
ThunderRidge
12-1
82
5
3-0
4
Chaparral
10-2
67
3
4-2
5
Denver East
9-2
62
4
3-2
6
Regis Jesuit
10-1
52
8
4-0
7
Doherty
9-2
33
10
4-0
8
Smoky Hill
7-4
32
2
3-2
9
George Washington
7-5
24
7
2-3
10
Highlands Ranch
8-2
20
–
2-0
Others receiving votes:
Rampart 8, Liberty 5, Broomfield 4, Mountain Vista 4, Castle View 2, Cherokee Trail 2, Overland 2, Cherry Creek 1, Eaglecrest 1, Rangeview 1.
Dropped out
Eaglecrest (9).
Class 4A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Lewis-Palmer (14)
8-0
157
1
2-0
2
Silver Creek (1)
8-0
125
4
4-0
3
Pueblo South
9-2
124
3
2-0
4
Golden
9-2
107
2
2-0
5
Pueblo West (1)
9-2
100
9
6-0
6
Longmont
5-1
61
6
1-0
7
Holy Family
6-4
31
5
2-2
8
Ponderosa
10-1
25
–
3-0
9
Valor Christian
5-6
24
–
4-3
10
Falcon
5-3
21
10
1-1
Others receiving votes:
Evergreen 19, Widefield 18, Elizabeth 15, Windsor 15, Roosevelt 12, Air Academy 5, Mountain View 5, Palmer Ridge 4, D’Evelyn 3, Mesa Ridge 2, Steamboat Springs 2, Thomas Jefferson 2, Montrose 1, Pueblo East 1, Thompson Valley 1.
Dropped out
Windsor (7), Widefield (8).
Class 3A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Sterling (15)
7-0
159
1
0-0
2
Alamosa (1)
6-1
117
4
1-0
3
Faith Christian
6-2
113
3
1-0
4
Kent Denver
7-2
89
2
1-1
5
Grand Valley
6-0
76
6
0-0
6
DSST-Stapleton
4-4
62
7
0-1
7
Platte Valley
7-1
55
5
2-0
8
La Junta
7-2
34
8
0-2
9
Manual
4-3
32
–
0-0
10
The Vanguard
5-1
29
9
0-0
Others receiving votes:
Arrupe Jesuit 15, Resurrection Christian 14, Colorado Springs Christian 12, Strasburg 12, Colorado Academy 11, Bayfield 9, Centauri 9, Coal Ridge 9, Lutheran 8, Roaring Fork 5, Pagosa Springs 3, Delta 2, Jefferson 2, The Pinnacle 2, Manitou Springs 1.
Dropped out
Resurrection Christian (10).
Class 2A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Sedgwick County (5)
7-0
105
1
2-0
2
Crowley County (4)
8-0
98
2
1-0
3
Del Norte
6-2
74
4
0-0
4
Yuma (1)
5-2
65
3
0-0
5
Meeker
4-2
48
8
1-1
6
Limon (1)
6-1
45
–
2-0
7
Simla
6-0
38
7
1-0
8
Vail Christian (1)
6-1
36
–
2-0
9
Ignacio
4-3
31
5
1-2
10
Sanford
3-3
30
6
0-1
Others receiving votes:
Byers 16, Hoehne 14, Custer County 9, Twin Peaks 9, Highland 8, Merino 5, Plateau Valley 5, Clear Creek 4, Evangelical Christian 4, Dolores Huerta 3, Haxtun 3, Hotchkiss 2, Paonia 2, Sargent 2, Calhan 1, Dawson 1, Fowler 1, Front Range Christian 1.
Dropped out
Byers (9), Hoehne (10).
Class 1A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Creede (5)
8-0
91
3
1-0
2
Holly (4)
8-0
81
1
0-0
3
Peetz (1)
8-0
74
2
2-0
4
Heritage Christian
5-1
44
9
0-0
5
South Baca
4-2
42
4
1-1
6
Longmont Christian
6-1
39
5
1-0
7
Cheyenne Wells
5-1
32
6
1-0
8
Sangre de Cristo
6-1
24
–
2-0
9
Primero
5-1
23
10
1-0
10
De Beque
7-0
21
–
1-0
Others receiving votes:
Front Range Baptist 19, Kit Carson 14, Moffat 9, Aguilar 7, Rocky Mountain Lutheran 5, Sierra Grande 5, Mile High Academy 3, Caliche 1, Shining Mountain 1.
A host of new teams joined this week’s boys basketball rankings.
Included: Eaglecrest and Doherty in 5A, Widefield in 4A, Byers and Hoehne in 2A, and Creede and Primero in 1A.
With a relatively light schedule this week, these will be the final rankings prior to the winter break.
The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. During the regular season, they are released each Monday.
Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.
First-place votes are in parentheses.
Coaches and media members looking to vote should email rcasey@chsaa.org.
Class 5A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Rock Canyon (12)
9-0
129
1
4-0
2
Smoky Hill (1)
4-2
95
3
1-0
3
Chaparral
6-0
85
6
2-0
4
Denver East
6-0
84
2
0-0
5
ThunderRidge
9-1
75
5
3-0
6
Grandview
4-0
65
7
1-0
7
George Washington
5-2
55
4
1-1
8
Regis Jesuit
6-1
53
8
2-0
9
Eaglecrest
5-3
32
–
2-1
10
Doherty
5-2
8
–
2-1
Others receiving votes:
Cherokee Trail 7, Rampart 7, Liberty 6, Rangeview 6, Highlands Ranch 3, Castle View 2, Overland 2, Mountain Vista 1.
Dropped out
Rangeview (9), Overland (10).
Class 4A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Lewis-Palmer (13)
6-0
130
1
2-0
2
Golden
7-2
107
2
2-1
3
Pueblo South
7-2
103
3
2-1
4
Silver Creek
4-0
80
4
3-0
5
Holy Family
4-2
56
5
1-1
6
Longmont
4-1
40
9
2-0
7
Windsor
5-1
37
7
2-1
8
Widefield
4-1
29
–
2-0
9
Pueblo West
3-2
28
6
1-1
10
Falcon
4-2
25
10
0-1
Others receiving votes:
Ponderosa 17, Thomas Jefferson 13, Valor Christian 11, Roosevelt 10, Mountain View 6, Evergreen 5, Glenwood Springs 3, Mesa Ridge 3, Pueblo East 3, Elizabeth 2, Littleton 2, Air Academy 1, Cheyenne Mountain 1, Mead 1, Sierra 1, Thompson Valley 1.
Dropped out
Valor Christian (8).
Class 3A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Sterling (15)
7-0
150
1
1-0
2
Kent Denver
6-1
95
2
1-1
3
Faith Christian
5-2
89
5
3-0
4
Alamosa
5-1
74
4
0-0
5
Platte Valley
5-1
69
3
1-1
6
Grand Valley
6-0
62
7
2-0
7
DSST-Stapleton
4-3
56
6
1-1
8
La Junta
7-0
23
10
1-0
9
The Vanguard
5-1
21
9
1-1
10
Resurrection Christian
4-3
20
8
1-1
Others receiving votes:
Colorado Academy 19, Colorado Springs Christian 19, Manual 19, Coal Ridge 16, Lutheran 15, Bayfield 12, Brush 12, Arrupe Jesuit 11, Strasburg 11, Roaring Fork 7, Fort Lupton 5, Delta 4, Frontier Academy 4, Jefferson 4, The Pinnacle 3, Pagosa Springs 2, Ridge View Academy 2, DSST-Green Valley Ranch 1.
Dropped out
None.
Class 2A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Sedgwick County (6)
5-0
100
1
2-0
2
Crowley County (3)
7-0
92
2
2-0
3
Yuma (1)
5-2
59
3
1-1
4
Del Norte
6-2
56
4
2-0
5
Ignacio (1)
3-1
42
6
2-1
6
Sanford
3-2
40
5
0-1
7
Simla
5-0
38
9
3-0
8
Meeker
3-1
31
7
0-1
9
Byers
6-1
27
–
3-0
10
Hoehne
6-1
22
–
2-0
Others receiving votes:
Limon 21, Cripple Creek-Victor 20, Plateau Valley 19, Highland 12, Vail Christian 9, Mancos 8, Hotchkiss 3, Fowler 2, Paonia 2, Dawson 1, Twin Peaks 1.
Dropped out
Highland (8), Cripple Creek-Victor (10).
Class 1A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Holly (5)
8-0
76
1
3-0
2
Peetz (2)
6-0
66
3
2-0
3
Creede (2)
7-0
57
–
2-0
4
South Baca
3-1
51
7
2-0
5
Longmont Christian
5-1
37
6
2-0
6
Cheyenne Wells
4-1
32
2
1-1
7
Front Range Baptist
5-1
30
8
2-0
8
Kit Carson
4-1
26
5
2-1
9
Heritage Christian
5-1
25
10
2-0
10
Primero
4-1
23
–
1-0
Others receiving votes:
Sierra Grande 21, DeBeque 18, Sangre de Cristo 12, Cotopaxi 8, Cheraw 6, Fleming 6, Rocky Mountain Lutheran 1.
The 2017 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 entirely from the results of the coaches’ vote.
There were plenty of changes as the first boys basketball rankings of the regular season were released. Included: Lewis-Palmer is now the new No. 1 team in Class 4A.
The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. During the regular season, they are released each Monday.
Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.
First-place votes are in parentheses.
Coaches and media members looking to vote should email rcasey@chsaa.org.
Class 5A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Rock Canyon (9)
5-0
108
1
5-0
2
Denver East (1)
6-0
74
6
6-0
3
Smoky Hill
3-2
73
2
3-2
4
George Washington
4-1
72
3
4-1
5
ThunderRidge (1)
6-1
58
5
6-1
6
Chaparral
4-0
54
8
4-0
7
Grandview
3-0
44
10
3-0
8
Regis Jesuit
4-1
42
7
4-1
9
Rangeview
4-1
18
–
4-1
10
Overland
0-3
15
4
0-3
Others receiving votes:
Rampart 13, Doherty 10, Eaglecrest 7, Cherokee Trail 4, Arvada West 3, Douglas County 3, Broomfield 2, Fruita Monument 2, Cherry Creek 1, Horizon 1, Legacy 1.
Dropped out
Eaglecrest (9).
Class 4A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Lewis-Palmer (14)
4-0
157
4
4-0
2
Golden (1)
5-1
128
1
5-1
3
Pueblo South
5-1
107
2
5-1
4
Silver Creek
1-0
84
6
1-0
5
Holy Family
3-1
73
5
3-1
6
Pueblo West
2-1
71
3
2-1
7
Windsor
3-0
50
–
3-0
8
Valor Christian
1-2
38
8
1-2
9
Longmont
2-1
30
9
2-1
10
Falcon
4-1
28
10
4-1
Others receiving votes:
Evergreen 24, Widefield 23, Thompson Valley 19, Mead 11, Cheyenne Mountain 9, Ponderosa 7, Littleton 6, Summit 5, Mesa Ridge 3, Pueblo East 2, Roosevelt 2, Thomas Jefferson 2, Glenwood Springs 1.
Dropped out
Widefield (7).
Class 3A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Sterling (15)
6-0
159
1
6-0
2
Kent Denver (1)
5-0
110
3
5-0
3
Platte Valley
4-0
86
–
4-0
4
Alamosa
5-1
72
7
5-1
5
Faith Christian
2-2
54
2
2-2
6
DSST-Stapleton
3-2
51
5
3-2
7
Grand Valley
4-0
41
–
4-0
8
Resurrection Christian
3-2
38
4
3-2
9
The Vanguard
4-0
36
–
4-0
10
La Junta
6-0
34
–
6-0
Others receiving votes:
Colorado Springs Christian 26, Lutheran 24, Coal Ridge 21, Frontier Academy 20, Centauri 17, Strasburg 15, Fort Lupton 12, Bayfield 10, Roaring Fork 10, Manitou Springs 8, The Pinnacle 8, Buena Vista 7, Arrupe Jesuit 6, Pagosa Springs 5, Peak to Peak 4, Brush 3, DSST-Green Valley Ranch 3, Colorado Academy 2, Jefferson Academy 2, Ridge View Academy 2, The Academy 1, Eaton 1, Jefferson 1, Manual 1.
Dropped out
Colorado Springs Christian (6), Lutheran (8), Bayfield (9), Strasburg (10).
Class 2A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Sedgwick County (7)
3-0
83
1
3-0
2
Crowley County (1)
5-0
80
9
5-0
3
Yuma (2)
4-1
72
–
4-1
4
Del Norte
4-2
60
3
4-2
5
Sanford
3-1
51
7
3-1
6
Ignacio (1)
1-0
33
10
1-0
7
Meeker
3-0
30
–
3-0
8
Highland
2-2
26
4
2-2
9
Simla
2-0
24
–
2-0
10
Cripple Creek-Victor
5-1
19
–
5-1
Others receiving votes:
Hoehne 16, Hotchkiss 12, Limon 12, Sargent 11, Fowler 10, Plateau Valley 10, Byers 9, Haxtun 9, Vail Christian 9, Twin Peaks 6, Dawson 5, Mancos 5, Merino 2, Paonia 2, Dolores Huerta 1, Evangelical Christian 1.
Dropped out
Holyoke (2), Paonia (5), Fowler (6), Akron (8).
Class 1A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Holly (4)
5-0
68
1
5-0
2
Cheyenne Wells (1)
3-0
59
2
3-0
3
Peetz (2)
4-0
51
6
4-0
4
Cotopaxi
2-1
49
–
2-1
5
Kit Carson
2-0
37
7
2-0
6
Longmont Christian
3-1
32
8
3-1
7
South Baca
1-1
25
10
1-1
8
Front Range Baptist
3-1
22
5
3-1
9
Sierra Grande
3-2
20
9
3-2
10
Heritage Christian
3-1
18
–
3-1
Others receiving votes:
Primero 15, Cheraw 9, DeBeque 9, Fleming 9, Creede 8, Sangre de Cristo 3, Shining Mountain 3, Arickaree/Woodlin 1, North Park 1, Rocky Mountain Lutheran 1.
The 2017-18 preseason boys basketball rankings are here. No. 1 teams to start the season include: Rock Canyon (5A), Golden (4A), Sterling (3A), Sedgwick County (2A) and Holly (1A).
Sterling and Holly are defending champions, while Sedgwick County finished runner-up last season.
The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. During the regular season, they are released each Monday.
Evergreen 19, Mead 16, Mesa Ridge 16, D’Evelyn 13, Thompson Valley 12, Sierra 7, Air Academy 4, Northridge 3, Sand Creek 3, Windsor 3, Mountain View 2, Palmer Ridge 2, Ponderosa 2, Fort Morgan 1, Vista PEAK 1.
Class 3A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
Sterling (10)
0-0
109
2
Faith Christian
0-0
92
3
Kent Denver (1)
0-0
58
4
Resurrection Christian
0-0
48
5
DSST-Stapleton
0-0
35
6
Colorado Springs Christian
0-0
34
7
Alamosa
0-0
31
8
Lutheran
0-0
27
9
Bayfield
0-0
25
10
Strasburg
0-0
22
Others receiving votes:
Coal Ridge 20, Manitou Springs 20, Manual 15, DSST-Green Valley Ranch 13, Basalt 7, Buena Vista 7, Grand Valley 7, La Junta 7, The Academy 6, Colorado Academy 6, Platte Valley 5, The Vanguard 5, Roaring Fork 4, Arrupe Jesuit 1, Machebeuf 1.
Class 2A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
Sedgwick County (5)
0-0
94
2
Holyoke (4)
0-0
84
3
Del Norte (1)
0-0
61
4
Highland
0-0
46
5
Paonia
0-0
43
6
Fowler
0-0
33
7
Sanford
0-0
31
8
Akron
0-0
30
9
Crowley County
0-0
27
10
Ignacio
0-0
24
Others receiving votes:
Yuma 20, Peyton 10, Burlington 6, Meeker 6, Merino 6, Vail Christian 6, Byers 5, Dawson 5, Limon 4, Haxtun 3, Hotchkiss 3, Evangelical Christian 2, Calhan 1.
Class 1A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
Holly (5)
0-0
69
2
Cheyenne Wells
0-0
61
3
Fleming (1)
0-0
51
4
Creede
0-0
46
5
Front Range Baptist (1)
0-0
40
6
Peetz (1)
0-0
36
7
Kit Carson
0-0
31
8
Longmont Christian
0-0
29
9
Sierra Grande
0-0
18
10
South Baca
0-0
15
Others receiving votes:
Heritage Christian 8, Ouray 8, Cheraw 7, Stratton/Liberty 4, Sangre de Cristo 4, Flagler 3, Shining Mountain 3, Walsh 3, DeBeque 2, Cornerstone Christian 1, Weldon Valley 1.
JULESBURG — Driving through the community of Julesburg, it’s hard to miss the purple and black flags dangling from so many homes. These people are proud of their Cougars.
And why wouldn’t they be?
After a 42-6 dismantling of West Grand on their home field, Sedgwick County can now say they are the first 8-man football program in over two decades to win three consecutive state championships. Stratton won four in a row from 1992-1995.
“It shows how hard we work,” said Layne Green, a pulverizing running back and middle linebacker. “We don’t practice for nothing. It shows how dominant we can be.”
The dynastic program has now claimed 33 wins in a row against Colorado opponents. Victories of 49-0 over McClave, 44-6 over Fowler, 41-8 over Holly, and 42-6 over West Grand cemented this group as another overwhelming force during the postseason. During a 12-0 season, Sedgwick County tallied 509 points and only gave up 120.
Before they could taste another title, the Cougars had to get by a game West Grand team with a storied tradition of their own. Head coach Chris Brown holds the state record for wins with 327, six more than Kent Denver’s Scott Yates.
The Mustangs (12-1) were unbeaten on the season entering Saturday. They had given up the fewest amount of points in the classification (80) and had scored the most (488).
Appearing in their first finals since winning 1A in 1998—they made five title games in the decade and won in 1996 as well—West Grand presented the Cougars with their stiffest test yet.
After winning the coin toss and electing to receive the ball first, Mustang running back Hugh Wheatley found a seam and burst 20 yards. The ball was lost from his grip though and Green fell on it. Then, speedy sophomore Beau Parker had a five-yard touchdown plunge to give the Cougars a 7-0 lead two minutes in.
On the next possession, Sedgwick County quarterback and safety Brennan Ehmke picked off West Grand’s Brady Gore. Sedgwick took advantage again as Green punched it in from five yards out himself.
West Grand moved the ball a bit early on, but as soon as they would secure a little momentum the Cougars would snatch it right back.
A 33-yard touchdown catch by senior Cade McKinney (14 scoring grabs in 2017) made it 21-0 early in the second frame. The Mustangs’ spirit didn’t break though as they forced Sedgwick into a 2nd and 31 on the Cougars’ own nine-yard line during the next series.
Then Layne Green found open pastures. Streaking through a big hole on the left side, the nearly 200-pound junior rumbled 91 yards for the touchdown.
“Our offensive line blocks extremely well,” Sedgwick coach Chris Michel said. “We ran the ball really effectively today. We have two great backs. Layne is a big, tough runner. He’s hard to bring down.”
Sedgwick County took a 28-0 lead into the break and continued with their commanding rushing attack in the third quarter as Green scored his third touchdown midway through the frame from five yards away yet again. Ehmke sprinted 68 yards later in the third for the Cougars’ last score.
Wheatley, a junior for West Grand, did rush nine yards to the end zone on the season’s final play to make it 42-6.
In total, Sedgwick County accumulated 430 yards, 334 of which came on the ground. Ehmke had 96 passing yards and 83 rushing yards, while Green finished with 161 rushing yards. Parker chipped in 86 rushing yards of his own.
After taking down Akron 41-11 and 36-6 in the previous two title games, Sedgwick County can walk off their home field with a third title in a row. For Green (46 career touchdowns), he’s hoping to go four-for-four when he finishes his career in the black and purple.
“I’m a junior, so I want to keep it going.”
With a top-shelf group of seniors but only five in total, Sedgwick County will likely be the heavy favorites again in 2018.
The co-op program of Julesburg (4 football titles) and Revere (9) will hope to add to a longstanding tradition in the area. Ovid, which later became known as Revere, won titles in 1956 and 1962 as well. That means the county has claimed 18 state championships overall.
“This is a great community,” coach Michel said. “They are going to be here for awhile celebrating with everybody. It’s great we’ve been able to come together as two separate schools and form Sedgwick County and now have some of that success that those individual programs had in the past.”
West Grand will return a strong core of talent next season as well, led by dynamic junior tailbacks Luis Dominguez (25 rushing touchdowns in 2017) and Hugh Wheatley (over 1,000 yards). They combined for over 100 yards in the finals.
