Dylan McCaffrey (12) and Valor Christian open 2015 as the No. 1 team in Class 5A. (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com)
Defending champions rule the preseason football rankings, save for two classifications.
Pine Creek (Class 4A), Pueblo East (3A), Brush (2A), Paonia (1A) and Caliche (8-man) all won championships last season — and each one sat atop their respective classfication when the preseason CHSAANow.com Football Polls were released on Monday.
Only Valor Christian (5A) and Fleming (6-man) are preseason No. 1 teams without being a defending champion. Valor was the runner-up in 5A last season, while Fleming was a semifinalists in 6-man.
The 5A voters were pretty determined that the top three teams this season would be Valor, Cherry Creek and Pomona. Each team received at least one first-place vote, and the trio separated themselves from the rest of the field by more than 50 points each.
Valor got nine of the 15 first-place votes and totaled 140 points. Cherry Creek, last season’s 5A champion, is No. 2 with four first-place votes and 134 total points. Pomona got one first-place vote and is No. 3 at 123 total points.
At No. 4 is Regis Jesuit and new coach Dan Filleman. Perennial contender Columbine rounds out the top five.
Fairview, led by senior star Carlo Kemp, checks in at No. 6; returning semifinalist Grandview is No. 7; and Fountain-Fort Carson is No. 8.
Ralston Valley, another semifinalist, opens at No. 9, and Doherty rounds out the ranking at No. 10.
Longmont, the 4A runner-up, is No. 2; Dakota Ridge is third; and Falcon (No. 4) and Denver South (No. 5) round out the top five.
Pueblo East is No. 1 in 3A’s preseason poll. (Mark Adams)
In 3A, defending champion Pueblo East returns a stacked roster, but will have a new coach in interim head Lee Meisner. Even still, the Eagles got 13 of the 14 first-place votes in 3A, and lead the ranking.
Fort Morgan got the other first-place vote and is No. 2 to begin the year. Evergreen is third, Holy Family is fourth and Palisade is No. 5.
Brush, another team looking to defend its title, led the 2A poll with seven of the 10 first-place votes. The Beetdiggers, too, have a new coach: Reid Kahl. Kent Denver, last year’s runner-up, opens at No. 2.
In the 1A ranking, Paonia, the defending champion, received eight of the 12 first-place votes. Buena Vista is No. 2.
The 8-man poll was interesting. Defending champion Caliche leads the way at No. 1 in the preseason, but four different teams received first-place votes — including Dayspring Christian at No. 3, which got three top votes. Caliche and No. 2 Norwood each got two first-place votes, and Granada got one.
Fleming got four first-place votes to lead the 6-man ranking, while No. 2 Eads and No. 3 Arickaree/Woodlin each received one. Arickaree/Woodlin won last season’s title.
The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. Polls are released each Monday.
Greeley West 19, Montrose 15, Ponderosa 5, Pueblo West 4, Rampart 4, Wheat Ridge 4, Standley Lake 3.
Class 3A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
Pueblo East (13)
0-0
130
2
Fort Morgan (1)
0-0
94
3
Evergreen
0-0
74
4
Holy Family
0-0
73
5
Palisade
0-0
65
6
Roosevelt
0-0
61
7
Discovery Canyon
0-0
47
8
Rifle
0-0
43
9
Delta
0-0
39
10
Lutheran
0-0
26
Others receiving votes:
Berthoud 20, Canon City 18, D’Evelyn 18, The Classical Academy 15, Conifer 9, Pueblo Central 8, Pueblo County 8, Erie 7, Lewis-Palmer 6, Glenwood Springs 5, Niwot 2, Mead 1, Thomas Jefferson 1.
Class 2A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
Brush (7)
0-0
92
2
Kent Denver (2)
0-0
89
3
Strasburg
0-0
63
4
Faith Christian
0-0
59
5
Platte Valley
0-0
54
6
Eaton
0-0
44
7
Gunnison
0-0
42
8
Bayfield (1)
0-0
32
9
Florence
0-0
27
10
Lamar
0-0
18
Others receiving votes:
La Junta 13, Bennett 4, Moffat County 4, Trinidad 4, Sterling 2, Valley 2, Alamosa 1.
Class 1A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
Paonia (8)
0-0
125
2
Buena Vista (4)
0-0
120
3
Meeker
0-0
81
4
Resurrection Christian (1)
0-0
78
5
Platte Canyon
0-0
60
6
Rye
0-0
56
7
Monte Vista
0-0
36
8
Cedaredge
0-0
30
9
Wiggins
0-0
29
10
Burlington
0-0
28
Others receiving votes:
Crowley County 17, Limon 17, Colorado Springs Christian 11, Centauri 9, Ellicott 6, Center 4, Hotchkiss 4, Wray 4, Denver Christian 1.
8-man
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
Caliche (2)
0-0
60
2
Norwood (2)
0-0
59
3
Dayspring Christian (3)
0-0
54
4
Granada (1)
0-0
52
5
Hoehne
0-0
50
6
Akron
0-0
38
7
Sedgwick County
0-0
35
8
Springfield
0-0
23
9
Simla
0-0
15
10
Sargent
0-0
13
Others receiving votes:
Vail Christian 10, Sangre de Cristo 8, Wiley 7, Merino 6, Haxtun 4, Holly 4, Fowler 2.
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.
DENVER — This year’s Vocal Music Gala was at the University of Denver’s Newman Center for the Performing Arts on Friday evening.
Taking part this year were Discovery Canyon, Montezuma-Cortez, Doherty, Mountain View, Rifle, Lutheran, Prairie View, Castle View, Greeley Cental, and Eaton.
AURORA — The fifth-annual CHSAA Vocal Music Gala is slated for Friday, May 1, at the University of Denver’s Newman Center for the Performing Arts beginning at 6 p.m.
Twelve of the state’s top choirs are scheduled to appear, including groups from the following high schools: Discovery Canyon, Montezuma-Cortez, Doherty, Mountain View, Lewis-Palmer, Rifle, Lutheran, Prairie View, Castle View, Greeley Central and Eaton. The Newman Center is located at 2344 East Iliff Avenue on the DU campus.
Each of the performing groups earned their right to take the stage on May 1 after their performances during the CHSAA Large Group Music Festivals which have professionally-trained vocal music judges evaluating and rating each group. Those selected were among the top-rated groups across the state.
Tickets are $10 for adults, with K-12 students and Senior Citizens (60 & over) $7. DU Pioneer Card holders are $5. On-site parking is $8 per vehicle (cash only). Please note that persons needing accommodations for a disability should call the box office as early as possible.
Tickets can be purchased prior to the event at the Newman Center Box Office, which is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. or online at newmantix.com.
For additional information, please contact Bethany Brookens at the CHSAA office.
The 2014 all-state football players of the year. From left, Josh Odom of Pine Creek (4A), Kyle Leoffler of Arickaree/Woodlin (6-man), Austin Yahn of Caliche (8-man), Taylor Walters of Paonia (1A), Daniel Martin of Pueblo East (3A), Kyle Rosenbrock of Brush (2A) and Milo Hall of Cherry Creek (5A). (Photos: Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com; Tim Visser/TimVisserPhotography.com; Mark Adams; Jeffrey Tucker/MaxPreps; courtesy of Paonia)
The 2014 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 coaches.
Pueblo East players celebrate their 3A football championship. More photos. (Mark Adams)
PUEBLO — With a chance to make history, the Pueblo East football team seized the moment.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Eagles’ defense converted a safety and then moments later running back Bryson Torres raced 80 yards for a touchdown, propelling East to a 30-14 win over Rifle Saturday in the Class 3A state championship game before 8,125 fans at Dutch Clark Stadium.
This was East’s first state football title since the school opened in 1959.
“We needed to get in the backfield and make a play,” said defensive lineman Donny Garcia, who was part of the swarm tackle in the end zone for the safety. “Luckily, he (Rifle quarterback Layton Stutsman) went back for a pass and Damon (Sabbagh) hit him and their lineman caught it deep in the end zone and then we just gang tackled him.
“This is great feeling to be the first one over here on the East Side to win a football state championship and represent Pueblo the way we did.”
East finished the season with an 11-3 record and on an eight-game winning streak. The Eagles were playing in the school’s inaugural football state championship. East’s best finish in football came in 2012 when they advanced to the Class 3A state semifinals before losing at home to Rifle 56-6.
This was East’s third athletic state championship, joining the 2012 Class 4A softball and 2014 Class 4A boys basketball title teams.
“I knew if I kept running hard one was going to break and I just had to be patient,” said Torres, who finished with 156 yards on 21 carries. “I saw some green and I just ran as hard as I could. It was so exciting to get that touchdown. This feels like a dream right now.”
East took a 16-14 lead on the safety with 10:25 remaining in the game, right after East quarterback Danny Martin turned the ball over on downs after being stopped inside the Rifle 1-yard line.
The 6-foot-1, 270-pound Garcia was a catalyst in Torres’ run which came with 10:12 on the clock.
“I’m the center on offense and we left seven points on the field, I knew we had to step up when we got the ball back,” Garcia said. “The key for us is to always take our steps and that’s exactly what we did on that play. We took our steps and sealed them off and I actually got the nose guard and that freed up the hole for Bryson to get free.”
Rifle was playing in its fourth state championship since 2004 and has captured two state crowns outright in 2004 (Class 3A), and 1973 (Class AA) and shared the Class A title with Louisville in 1961 when the teams tied 6-6. The Bears ended the season with a 12-2 record.
The Bears have played in six state championship football games, losing in the Class A finals in 1952, 3A finals in 2005, and most recently the Class 3A finals in 2012 to Silver Creek 32-15.
“They had a great pass rush and knocked the ball loose,” said Rifle coach Damon Wells about the safety which swung the momentum in East’s favor.
Holding a 23-14 edge, Martin secured the coveted win for the Eagles as he dipped and dashed in for a 22-yard score with 8:33 remaining. Martin finished with a game-high 192 yards rushing and 87 yards passing.
“We just knew we had to keep our heads up,” Martin, a junior, said. “We had to keep pounding and pounding and win the state title. It is all about big plays and we did the job. This is incredible to win state. I can’t believe this just happened.”
The first half had plenty of fireworks, but not much scoring.
The Eagles had two great first quarter scoring opportunities end with zero points.
Matin’s pass in the left corner of the end zone on 4th-and-7 and the Bears 7-yard line fell incomplete. Moments later, East was in business again when cornerback Kevin Ribarich intercepted Rifle quarterback Stutsman’s pass.
The Eagles faltered again when Martin fumbled and the Bears recovered at their own 3-yard line.
Rifle finally ended the scoreless battle when Ty Leyba caught a pass from Stutsman over the middle and raced 37 yards in for the touchdown with 35 seconds left in the first quarter.
East finally countered and tied the game at 7-7 on Martin’s 5-yard run 7:33 until the half.
The Eagle offense moved the ball in the first half via Martin’s legs and arm. The junior had 126 yards rushing on 16 carries and 53 yards passing. Rifle had 117 yards of offensive the first two quarters paced by Blaine Vance’s 41 yards rushing on five carries.
In the third quarter, Rifle gained control on a 33-yard pass from Stutsman to Tyler Bosshardt and then on the next play Brock Clark sprinted 39 yards to give the Bears the lead at 14-7 lead 31 seconds into the third quarter.
East tied game at 14-all on a clutch 8-yard scoring reception by Bruno DeRose from Martin at 5:53 of the third quarter on 4th-down-3.
“Before the game started I knew I was going to have a big role in the passing game,” said 5-foot-11, 205-pound junior DeRose. “I came out and I was able to capitalize on a lot of things. I will remember winning this state championship forever. It’s crazy.”
