CHSAANow

Tag: Rocky Ford

  • All-state football teams for 2016 season

    The 2016 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.

    [divider]

    Class 5A

    Valor Christian Pomona football 5A state championship 2016
    (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Player of the year: Dylan McCaffrey, Valor Christian

    Coach of the year: Jay Madden, Pomona

    First Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Isiahia Banks Mullen Senior FS
    Jackson Block Columbine Senior DE/TE
    Hayden Blubaugh Grandview Senior RB/CB
    Max Borghi Pomona Junior RB/CB
    Hayden Courier Valor Christian Senior OL/DL
    Christian Cumber Mullen Senior CB/FS
    Noah Elliss Valor Christian Senior OL/DL
    Victor Garnes Eaglecrest Junior RB/CB
    Cameron Gonzales Pomona Senior RB/LB
    Mikey Griebel Columbine Senior RB/CB
    Hunter Harris Columbine Senior DT/G
    Jake Heimlicher Regis Jesuit Junior DE
    Isaac Lopez Pomona Senior OC/NG
    Dylan McCaffrey Valor Christian Senior QB
    Marcus McElroy Jr. Mullen Senior RB
    Brandon Micale Pomona Senior LB/DE
    Robert Moss Grandview Senior G/NG
    Heston Paige ThunderRidge Senior OT
    Dimitri Stanley Cherry Creek Junior WR/CB
    Jonathan Van Diest Cherry Creek Senior LB/DE
    A jon Vivens Mullen Junior WR/CB
    Trey Windham Cherry Creek Senior RB
    Jared Worrick Regis Jesuit Senior K/P
    Second Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Henrik Barndt Ralston Valley Senior DE/DT
    Evan Bergerson Fossil Ridge Senior K
    Sam Bornhorst Regis Jesuit Senior G/OT
    Elijah Brockman Eaglecrest Senior DE
    Eymon Campbell Doherty Senior MLB/FB
    Tanner Clem Mullen Senior LB
    Kobe Eller Highlands Ranch Senior RB/WR
    Ruben Estrada Cherokee Trail Senior OT
    Brenden Fannin Legacy Senior DT/G
    Gunner Gentry Grandview Junior WR
    Isiah Hirtler Pomona Senior DE/LB
    Sean Johnson Mullen Senior G/OT
    Will Kulick Regis Jesuit Senior MLB
    Gunnar Lamphere Grandview Senior QB
    Luke McCaffrey Valor Christian Sophomore QB/DB
    David McWilliams Fairview Senior WR
    Barrett Miller Eaglecrest Sophomore DE/OT
    Alex Pyzola Doherty Senior DE
    Ethan Reid Chaparral Senior OT/G
    Will Rodgers Valor Christian Senior TE/LB
    Semaj Stewart Chaparral Senior CB
    A.J. Thomas Rangeview Senior RB
    Cade Verkler Horizon Senior TB

    Honorable mention: Jake Archuleta, Douglas County, Senior, LB/SS; Tyler Campbell, Mullen, Senior, MLB/DE; Kyante Christian, Eaglecrest, Junior, DT/OT; Austin Davis, Poudre, Senior, K/DB; Chase Dixon, Arvada West, Senior, WR/KR; Christian Elliss, Valor Christian, Senior, ATH/LB; Judd Erickson, Mountain Vista, Senior, QB; Max Gonzales, Cherokee Trail, Senior; Austin Johnson, Highlands Ranch, Sophomore, G/DT; Zeke Johnson, ThunderRidge, Senior, RB/SB; Alfred Jones, Regis Jesuit, Senior, RB; Colby Keiter, Ralston Valley, Senior, DE/TE; Nolan Laufenberg, Castle View, Senior, OT/DT; Alec Lewis, Legacy, Junior, QB; Riese Lutz, Castle View, Senior, CB/K; Ashton Mansur, Columbine, Senior, OC/DT; Jalen Mergerson, Eaglecrest, Junior, QB/CB; Ben Montgomery, Grandview, Senior, K; Tim Mullin, Columbine, Senior, LB/FB; Justin Ragland, Doherty, Senior, WR/CB; Kendryk Rankin, Fountain-Fort Carson, Senior, DT/DE; Walker Rumsey, Bear Creek, Senior, QB; Brady Russell, Fossil Ridge, Senior, LS/DE/TE; Simote Samate, Grandview, Junior, DE; Tevye Schuettpelz-Rohl, Fairview, Junior, DB/K; Alex Smith, Arapahoe, Junior, SS/WR; Tyler Smith, Mountain Range, Senior, DE/TE; Michael Thompson, Aurora Central, Sophomore, ILB/OL; Zach Thomson, Cherry Creek, Senior, OT; Barry Wesley, Bear Creek, Senior, OT/LS; Tate Wildeman, Legend, Junior, DE/TE; Jake Willemsen, Fairview, Senior, QB; Garrett Zanon, Pomona, Senior, LB.

    [divider]

    Class 4A

    Fruita Monument Denver South footballl Marcus Lindsay
    (Ray Chen/ArrayPhoto.com)

    Player of the year: Marcus Lindsay, Denver South

    Coach of the year: Blair Hubbard, Broomfield

    First Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Darrion Alton Grand Junction Central Senior WR/CB
    Marcell Barbee Pueblo South Junior –
    Maxwell Bruner Ponderosa Junior G/NG
    Cole Cromer Fruita Monument Senior OL/DL
    Darren Delacroix Greeley West Senior WR/DB
    Brock Domann Pine Creek Senior QB
    Trevor Elser Monarch Senior K/P
    Esaias Gandy Denver South Senior LB/ATH
    Peter Isais Pine Creek Senior WR/FS
    Dalton Keene Chatfield Senior MLB/RB
    Marcus Lindsay Denver South Senior RB/MLB
    Ryan Mazzola Broomfield Senior LB/WR
    Matt McClurg Heritage Senior G/DT
    Griffin Moss Chatfield Junior DT/DE
    Jaxon Pallone Broomfield Senior NG/OT
    Brandon Ramirez Windsor Junior WB/KR
    Isaak Rolfe Pine Creek Junior DE
    Kahseem Stevenson Denver South Senior DT/OL
    Corte Tapia Windsor Senior ILB/DE/TE
    Michael Teesdale Loveland Senior DE/FB
    Mikey Thomas Ponderosa Senior RB/S
    Gabe Toca Pine Creek Senior OL
    Jalon Torres Broomfield Senior RB/CB/SS
    Second Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Jesse Bridge Sand Creek Junior K/P
    Steve Brock Pueblo South Junior RB
    Keenan Brown Dakota Ridge Senior WR/FS
    Payton Dietrich Wheat Ridge Junior RB/LB
    Kaleb Gaster Mesa Ridge Senior G/OC
    Chase Hansen Heritage Senior QB
    Nico Heineke magri Monarch Senior DE/TE
    Weston Hunt Pueblo West Senior DE/OT
    Keaton Kerstetter Fruita Monument Senior ILB/RB
    Mason Knighton Ponderosa Junior OT/DE
    Christion Louis Pine Creek Junior DT
    Jayden Manu Loveland Junior OL
    Devyn Morgan Pueblo West Junior RB
    Alex Oelsner Niwot Senior TE/LB
    Quinton Ostdahl Ponderosa Junior RB/LB
    Sterling Ostdahl Ponderosa Junior QB
    Brad Peeples Windsor Senior QB/WB/DB
    Tylor Rowles Chatfield Senior RB/WR
    Jalen Sami Vista Ridge Senior DL/OT
    Devin Sirio Greeley West Senior FB/DT
    Korey Viburg Broomfield Senior LS/OC
    Zach Watts Windsor Junior DT/OT
    Collin Willis Pine Creek Senior CB/SB

    Honorable mention: Jack Anderson, Standley Lake, Senior, TE/DL; Joe Arps, Denver South, Senior, DE/OL/FB; Justin Barley, Chatfield, Junior, DT; EJ Barrera, Grand Junction Central, Senior, QB/SB; Garrett Betty, Broomfield, Senior, FB/LB; Adam Burtschi, Rampart, Senior, G/DT; Keion Cross, Rampart, Junior, QB/SB; Deric Cruz, Mesa Ridge, Senior, MLB/FB; Keegan Cryder, Dakota Ridge, Senior, OT/DE; Brody Csikos, Heritage, Junior, OC/G; TJ Davis, Widefield, Junior, QB/DB/ATH; Justin Dwinell, Coronado, Junior, WR/P; James Everett II, George Washington, Senior, CB/WR; Dominick Fini, Mesa Ridge, Junior, DT/OT; Zach Garrard, Cheyenne Mountain, Senior, OL/LB; Braeden Graham, Fruita Monument, Junior, RB/LB; Easton Hall, Monarch, Senior, WR/DE; Ian Helwick, Brighton, Junior, DE/TE; Nathan Higgins, Skyline, Senior, SS/RB; Sam Hoswell, Monarch, Junior, G/OT; Mason Keeler, Broomfield, Senior, QB/FS; Jake Leone, Fort Collins, Junior, TE/DE; Josh Martin, Heritage, Junior, CB/RB; Dillon Meyers, Dakota Ridge, Senior, MLB/OL; Nate Miller, Widefield, Senior, OL/LB; Jax Nourse, Grand Junction, Senior, QB/LB; Jeremiah Ratliff, Air Academy, Senior, DE/WR; Alefosio Saipaia, Sand Creek, Junior, OL/DL; Kyle Schulman, Fort Collins, Senior, DE/OL; Zack Swartwout, Loveland, Senior, DE/TE; Ivan Thomas, Mountain View, Senior, DL/K/TE; Logan Triplett, Fruita Monument, Senior, RB/DE; Caleb Vannest, Greeley West, Senior, MLB/TE; Zach Weinmaster, Loveland, Sophomore, RB/S.

    [divider]

    Class 3A

    Pueblo East Discovery Canyon football Bryson Torres
    (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    Player of the year: Bryson Torres, Pueblo East

    Coach of the year: Andy Watts, Pueblo East

    First Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Grant Baggett Pueblo East Senior OL/LB/FB
    Zane Bishop SIlver Creek Senior OL/DL
    Ryan Clancy Discovery Canyon Senior K
    Joe Golter Holy Family Senior –
    Richard Hall Durango Senior OC/DT
    Nate Kage Fort Morgan Senior G
    Tate Kembel Fort Morgan Senior RB
    Alonzo Lopez Northridge Senior RB/MLB
    Nathan Mackey Mead Junior RB
    Trey McBride Fort Morgan Junior TE/DE
    Tyler McFarland Discovery Canyon Senior QB/CB
    Shane Miyake Mead Senior OG/DL
    Luke Padula Pueblo East Senior WR/S/ATH
    Jared Pope Lewis-Palmer Senior MLB/OL
    P.D. Riddle Palisade Senior QB/LB/MLB
    Jack Roy Discovery Canyon Senior G/ILB
    Jerred Snow Longmont Senior DT/DE
    Josh Tellez Pueblo East Senior FB/DE/P
    Josh Tomjack Discovery Canyon Senior RB/LB/KR
    Bryson Torres Pueblo East Senior HB/SS
    Sterling Watkins Discovery Canyon Senior WR/CB/KR
    Charley Young Lewis-Palmer Senior FB/RB
    Michael Zeman Holy Family Senior RB/CB/FS
    Second Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Matt Aceto Conifer Senior QB/DE
    Manny Araujo Northridge Senior DE/RB
    Garrett Borger Mead Senior DE/OT
    Kendall Carter Discovery Canyon Senior G/DT
    Nick Ciccio Lutheran Senior –
    Orion Drummond Woodland Park Senior MLB/FB
    Ty Evans Palmer Ridge Sophomore QB/FS
    Tyler Gibbs SIlver Creek Senior TE/DE
    Riley Glynn Mead Senior QB
    Kyle Hall Palisade Senior OL/DT
    Khari Harrison SIlver Creek Senior WR/DB
    Austin Hassler Longmont Junior LB
    Jalen Hernandez Falcon Senior WR/FS
    Zach Maez Pueblo East Senior OC/DT
    Gavin Mestas Durango Junior WR/FS
    Mason Meyer Conifer Senior QB/CB
    Ryan Oliver Lewis-Palmer Senior G/DT
    Alex Rupe Evergreen Senior TE/DE
    Stone Samaras Holy Family Sophomore QB
    Derrick Smashum Vista Peak Prep Junior QB
    Josh Umiamaka Discovery Canyon Senior OT/DE
    Kevin Vargas Roosevelt Senior K
    Sean Willden Holy Family Junior OL/DL

    Honorable mention: Luc Andrada, Pueblo East, Sophomore, QB/CB; Austin Bernal, Palisade, Junior, RB/SS; Caleb Brown, Palisade, Senior, OL/DL; Quindell Bryant, Mitchell, Senior, LB/TE/WR; Erick Carrillo, Fort Morgan, Senior; Robert Case, Frederick, Senior, OL/DL; Alex Cordova, Rifle, Senior; Thomas Cross, Lewis-Palmer, Senior, OL/DL; Ramone Daley, Harrison, Senior, RB/LB; Connor Gould, Rifle, Junior; Caleb Grotelueschen, Discovery Canyon, Junior, RB/SS; Patrick Haggard, Lewis-Palmer, Junior, FB/NG; Cameron Hays, Evergreen, Senior, RB/LB; Kyle Helbig, Holy Family, Sophomore, TE/DE; Dylan Holt, Vista Peak Prep, Senior, WR/CB; Cameron Hurtado, Roosevelt, Senior, QB/SS; Quintin Hyrup, Erie, Senior, SS/CB; Brock Knechtel, SIlver Creek, Senior, RB/LB; Isaac Maestas, Palisade, Senior, RB/MLB; Cory McLellan, Palmer Ridge, Junior, WR/FS; Joshua Nagao, Alameda, Junior, LB/FB; Evan Price, Evergreen, Junior, K/P; Noah Roper, Erie, Sophomore, RB/WR/SS; Ben Schlieper, Green Mountain, Senior, TE/DE; Joey Shaffer, Thompson Valley, Junior, DE/OT; Jonah Stupar, Pueblo County, Senior, OT/DT; Dacian Sullivan, Canon City, Senior, WR/DB; Dante Vigil, Sierra, Senior, OC/MLB/DT; Mark Vivoda, Pueblo East, Junior, FB/LB; Chase Walkes, Palmer Ridge, Senior, OT/G; Peyton Woolverton, Durango, Senior, QB/WR.

    [divider]

    Class 2A

    Kent Denver La Junta football 2A championship Jon Nuschy
    (Lance Wendt/LanceWendt.com)

    Player of the year: Jon Nuschy, La Junta

    Coach of the year: Clint Buderus, La Junta

    First Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Dax Bender La Junta Senior LB
    Evan Biays Capps Sterling Senior OL/DL
    Willy Boatman Kent Denver Junior OT/DT
    Nathan Boyles The Classical Academy Senior OL/DL
    Tristan Brown Delta Senior RB/LB
    Austin Burkholder Sterling Senior MLB/RB
    Anders Carlson The Classical Academy Senior K/P
    Ellijah Durrett Faith Christian Senior CB/RB
    Peter Flack D’Evelyn Junior MLB/OL
    Eastin Franek Platte Valley Senior NG/LB
    Apela Furtado-Tom La Junta Senior CB
    Brin Hayden Resurrection Christian Senior QB/LB/P
    Damon Jensen Delta Senior RB/DB
    T.j. Love Kent Denver Junior DT/OT
    Joe Martinez La Junta Senior G
    Joshua McDonald Kent Denver Junior FB/MLB
    Charles McKissick Kent Denver Junior WR/FS
    Jon Nuschy La Junta Sophomore QB
    Brendan Simmering D’Evelyn Senior OL/DL
    Austin Weingart The Classical Academy Senior ILB/RB
    Sam Westbrook Bayfield Senior OC/NG
    Josh Westbrook Bayfield Senior QB/LB
    Daulton Wilkinson Weld Central Senior DE/DT
    Second Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Brody Anderson Alamosa Senior OC/DT
    Mitchell Black Faith Christian Junior G/DT
    Beau Byers Delta Senior WR/CB
    Jeremy Carrillo La Junta Senior –
    Logan Church Delta Junior OL/DL
    Ryan Dewald Resurrection Christian Senior OL/DL/LB
    Brian Mashak Bayfield Senior WR/FS
    Drew Neuerburg Platte Valley Senior RB/MLB
    Izaiah Petique La Junta Senior WR
    Jeron Petterson Brush Senior K/RB
    Ryan Phelps Bayfield Junior DT/OT
    Josh Reeder Delta Junior TE/DE
    Alex Ries Weld Central Senior FB/LB
    Christian Sanders Resurrection Christian Senior FB/DL/RB
    Cole Sienknecht Manitou Springs Junior QB/CB
    Conner Stahla Resurrection Christian Senior WR/DB/KR
    Michael Stevenson Resurrection Christian Senior WR/DB/K
    Max Waldbaum Kent Denver Senior TE/LB
    Sawyer Weeks The Classical Academy Senior WR/FS
    Trevon Wehrman Platte Valley Sophomore QB
    Cullen White Basalt Senior OL/DL
    Cole Wood Bayfield Junior G/MLB
    Taylor Wright Manitou Springs Junior G/DT

    Honorable mention: Kyle Bahnsen, University, Junior, DL/OT; Mason Barrows, Alamosa, Senior, RB/CB/KR; Ian Fonseca, Arvada, Senior, QB/P/K; Deondre Gordon, Arvada, Senior, WR/CB; Jaxon Hobbs, Eaton, Senior, TE/DE; Hunter Killough, Bayfield, Junior, RB/FS; Mikinzie Klimper, Moffat County, Junior, WR/MLB; Ben Lucas, D’Evelyn, Senior, FS/FB; Alec Lucero, Florence, Senior, QB; Joe Luebbers, Bishop Machebeuf, Senior, WR/LB; Lane Mangum, Gunnison, Senior, ATH/LB; Remington McKnight, Bishop Machebeuf, Junior, OT/DT; Kye Mills, Eaton, Senior, OT/DE; Ricky Mills, Middle Park, Senior, OL/LB; Bryce Noel, Florence, Senior, LB/OL; Abraham Ontiveros, Delta, Senior, K/WR; Donovan Pacht, The Classical Academy, Junior, OL/DL; RJ Peshek, Aspen, Junior, QB/MLB; Kyle Roberts, Basalt, Senior, WR/DB; Christian Rose, Sterling, Junior, WR/DB; Lincoln Rychecky, Kent Denver, Senior, FB/MLB; Riley Smith, Platte Valley, Senior, OC/DL; Josh Stephens, Gunnison, Senior, DT/G; Wyatt Thies, Elizabeth, Senior, DE; Aaron Trujillo, Valley, Senior, RB/FS; Josh Wallin, Gunnison, Senior, QB/LB/FS; Tyler Walls, Prospect Ridge Academy, Junior, MLB/OC; Corben Wilcox, University, Senior, LB/RB.

    [divider]

    Class 1A

    Strasburg Paonia football
    (Tim Visser/TimVisserPhotography.com)

    Player of the year: Conner Martin, Strasburg

    Coach of the year: Jeff Giger, Strasburg

    First Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Kevin Bailey Rye Senior QB/LB
    Jack Baroni Buena Vista Senior G/MLB
    Cade Becker Bennett Senior DE/TE
    Hunter Bergstrom Strasburg Junior LB/RB
    Justin Engesser Colorado Springs Christian Senior QB/FS
    Heyden Farley Bennett Senior G/DT
    Eddie Garcia Bennett Senior K/CB
    Chris Gudka Strasburg Junior OT/DE
    Logan Hughes Meeker Junior QB/DE
    Tyler Ilgen Meeker Senior G/DT
    Jeremy Ladd Strasburg Senior RB/LB
    Rocky Lechman Bennett Junior QB/RB/SS
    Wyatt Lee Peyton Senior MLB/RB
    Conner Martin Strasburg Senior QB/CB
    Dagan Rienks Paonia Senior TE/S/QB
    Jesse Rodriquez Bennett Junior QB/RB
    Chase Rule Meeker Senior LB/OL
    Otis Schmidt Platte Canyon Senior QB/SS
    Trevor Smith Paonia Senior MLB/TE
    Casey Turner Meeker Senior MLB/RB
    Tyler Walker Peyton Senior G/DE
    William Wallace Strasburg Senior OT/DT
    Chad Wiebelhaus Strasburg Junior OT/DE
    Second Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Jadyn Brown Bennett Junior OT/DT
    Cole Brown Meeker Senior WR/CB
    Cody Burghart Burlington Senior –
    Richard Castillo Highland Senior G/DL
    Keith Dunagan Crowley County Senior NG
    Keshaun Duran Monte Vista Senior QB/FS/P
    Braden Kappel Limon Senior WR
    Tre Labossierre Cedaredge Senior OL/ILB
    Kaden Larson Limon Senior OL/DL
    Doak Mantle Meeker Junior RB/SS
    Justis Marshall Burlington Senior –
    Jaden Miller Paonia Junior FB/RB
    Warren Minerich Paonia Senior –
    Forest Pejsa Dolores Sophomore OL/LB
    Connor Peterson Platte Canyon Senior DT/G
    Parker Randolph Monte Vista Sophomore FS/WR/K
    Noah Sarria Clear Creek Junior HB/FS/WR
    J.C. Spence Strasburg Sophomore RB/WR/CB
    Chiante’ Stewart Ellicott Junior SB/DB
    Isaac Swoffer Cedaredge Senior RB/LB
    Isaac Tadla Platte Canyon Senior MLB/G
    Dylan Tuma Crowley County Senior RB
    Poco Van os Colorado Springs Christian Senior WR/DB

    Honorable mention: Brandon Buhr, Centauri, Junior, RB/S/WR; Toby Camp, Buena Vista, Senior, FB/LB; Cayden Camper, Rye, Sophomore, K/P; Jett County, Burlington, Senior; Luis Delgado, Manual, Senior, OL/DT; Casey Fringer, Centauri, Junior, DL/OL; Josh Gonzales, Peyton, Sophomore, RB/FS; Luke Grinnan, Burlington, Senior; Trystan Hanks, Peyton, Senior, FB/MLB; Alexander Inman, Clear Creek, Senior, OG/DL; Ty Judge, Clear Creek, Junior, QB/DB; Wade Katzdorn, Hotchkiss, Senior, RB/MLB/LB; Bryce Kullby, Front Range Christian, Senior, K/P; Tristan Laver, Crowley County, Senior, DE; Brendan Mayden, Holyoke, Senior, G/ILB; Garrett Miller, Bennett, Senior, RB/SS; Evan Munger, Front Range Christian, Senior, WR/DB; Cedric Perea, Monte Vista, Junior, OC/LB; Christian Reynolds, Cedaredge, Senior, OG/LB; Cole Rouse, Highland, Senior, QB/S/ATH; Trevor Sander, Platte Canyon, Junior; Luke Srsen, Wray, Senior, C; Chase Starman, Strasburg, Senior, WR/FS; Terren Trujillo, Rye, Senior, G/DE; Cody Venem, Rocky Ford, Senior, QB/DB; Austin Walck, Grand Valley, Senior, OT/MLB/FB; Avery Whitlock, Ellicott, Senior, OL/DL; Tory Willson, Cedaredge, Senior, DT/OL; Bradly Wright, Platte Canyon, Senior, RB/FS.

    [divider]

    8-man

    (Kevin Saffer/MaxPreps)
    (Kevin Saffer/MaxPreps)

    Player of the year: Chad Mikelson, Sedgwick County

    Coach of the year: Jerome Weers, Akron

    First Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Levi Basler Akron Senior RB/DB
    Dylan Clifford Merino Senior DB/TB
    Nathan Crawford Dayspring Christian Academy Senior RB/DB
    Brennan Ehmke Sedgwick County Junior QB
    Jake Garnas Sedgwick County Senior DE/G
    Justin Hacsi Sargent Senior ATH
    Kyle Kreutzer Hoehne Senior TE/DE
    Chad Mikelson Sedgwick County Senior WR
    Seth Mondragon Dayspring Christian Academy Junior RB/MLB
    Michael Nein Sedgwick County Senior FS
    Anthony Payne Hoehne Senior OL/DL
    Dustin Poss Akron Senior G/OT
    Bridger Reese Akron Senior TE/DL
    Craig Schafer Hoehne Senior OL/LB
    Bo Soukup Haxtun Senior QB/FS/LB
    Caleb Urwiller Dayspring Christian Academy Senior LB/RB
    Second Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Esteban Aguilera Sargent Senior ATH
    Caleb Andersen Haxtun Senior LB/WR/RB
    Trenton Armintrout Norwood Senior QB/LB
    Brock Benson Akron Senior OL/LB
    Remmington Canfield Merino Junior ILB/QB
    Bowman Ellis Springfield Senior RB/S
    Travis Etler West Grand Senior OG/DE
    Ty Harrison Sargent Senior ATH
    Tyce Marquez Sedgwick County Junior –
    Marshall Pierce Holly Senior FB/ILB/LB
    Logan Post Haxtun Senior G/DT/NG
    Jon Ramey Merino Senior MLB/G
    Hunter Robins Hoehne Senior RB/DE
    Christian Schaller Sargent Junior ATH
    Jake Trujillo McClave Senior –
    Jacob Yates Hoehne Junior RB/DB

    Honorable mention: Ethan Barnes, Norwood, Senior, OC/DE; Marlon Castillo, Plateau Valley, Senior, WR/SS/SB; Bruce Cordova, West Grand, Senior, OG/ILB; Abraham Dauphinais, Justice, Junior, FB/DT; Ryan Davis, Sargent, Junior, ATH; David Flores, Granada, Senior, G/DE; Hayden Harris, Norwood, Senior, G/LB; Cade Holden, Granada, Senior, QB/S; Justin Johnson, Sargent, Senior, ATH; Jace Logan, Soroco, Sophomore, RB/DB; Issac Matson, West Grand, Senior, TE/NG; Colin Mertens, Merino, Senior, DE/OC; Tack Neugebauer, Holly, Senior, SB/HB/G; Dean Reed, Fowler, Senior, QB/DE; Jerald Romero, Justice, Senior, WR/CB; Devyn Rummel, Norwood, Senior, RB/DB.

    [divider]

    6-man

    Hi-Plains Cheyenne Wells football
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Player of the year: Cameron Klann, Hi-Plains

    Coach of the year: Garrett Smith, Cheyenne Wells

    First Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Jaxon Crawford Kit Carson Senior TE/DB
    Chase Flynn Stratton/Liberty Senior OL/DL/K
    Jaime Huerta Cheyenne Wells Senior –
    Brad Johnson Kit Carson Senior QB/DE
    Jaxon King Fleming Senior QB/LB
    Cameron Klann Hi-Plains Senior –
    Landon McCaffrey Hi-Plains Senior –
    Kendall Pelton Cheyenne Wells Senior –
    Bryce Schnug Pawnee Senior TB/LB/KR
    Fred Turner Eads Senior LB/RB/K
    Alex Vandenbark Fleming Senior FB/MLB/DE
    Darian Wagner Arickaree/Woodlin Senior –
    Second Team
    Name School Year Pos.
    Blake Dickey Kit Carson Senior RB/DB
    Drew Ellis Pawnee Senior FB/CB/P
    Marshall Hornung Stratton/Liberty Senior LB/RB
    Bryson Long Peetz Sophomore –
    Riley Marzolf Hi-Plains Senior –
    Rogelio Meza North Park Senior RB/LB/TE
    Caden Parker Eads Senior LB/QB
    Tanner Patterson Otis Senior –
    Caid Smith Genoa-Hugo Junior RB/S
    Wyatt Tezak Cotopaxi Senior –
    Trevor Warren La Veta Senior –
    Cody Wilson Peetz Senior –

    Honorable mention: Dace Ball, Cheyenne Wells, Senior; Cody Lyons, Cotopaxi, Senior; Nic Martin, North Park, Junior, TE/DE/OC; Jake McClendon, Genoa-Hugo, Senior, RB/LB; Levi Muller, Fleming, Senior, OL/DL; Adam Parachini, Weldon Valley, Senior, OL/FB/DL; Noel Pizana, North Park, Senior, RB/DB; Luke Puchino, Longmont Christian, Senior, QB/ATH; Marco Ramos, Arickaree/Woodlin, Senior; Brandon Ravenkamp, Genoa-Hugo, Senior, QB/DE; Joel Smith, Elbert, Senior, CB/QB; Peyton Uhrig, Otis, Senior.

  • All-state boys cross country teams for 2016 season

    The 2016 all-state boys cross country teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

    These teams were created based upon results at the state meet.

    The athletes who won championships at their classification were named runner of the year.

    [divider]

    Class 5A

    Runner of the year: Isaac Green, Monarch
    Coach of the year: Kent Rieder, Monarch

    First Team
    Name Year School
    Isaac Green Senior Monarch
    Connor McCabe Junior Rampart
    Charlie Perry Junior Monarch
    Joshua Romine Senior Mountain Vista
    Harrison Scudamore Junior Denver East
    Bailey Timmons Senior Rock Canyon
    Rylan Wallace Senior Cherokee Trail
    Second Team
    Name Year School
    Colin Berndt Junior Arvada West
    Carter Dillon Junior Mountain Vista
    Cameron Dimas Senior Fort Collins
    Yonatan Kefle Sophomore Denver South
    Dylan Ko Senior Fossil Ridge
    James Logan Senior Arapahoe
    Kyle Moran Senior Cherry Creek

    Honorable mention:
    Beraki Awet, Junior, Palmer; Jacob Dewey, Junior, Rampart; Chase Dornbusch, Junior, Lakewood; Derek Fearon, Freshman, Rock Canyon; Daniel Hamson, Senior, Cherry Creek; Gage Hornung, Senior, Boulder; Jerod Kuhn, Senior, Columbine; Greg Lund, Senior, Fairview; Max Sevcik, Senior, Arvada West; Chris Theodore, Junior, Rock Canyon; Austin Vancil, Sophomore, Dakota Ridge.

    [divider]

    Class 4A

    Runner of the year: Ethan Powell, Air Academy
    Coach of the year: Larry Rudnicki, Palmer Ridge

    First Team
    Name Year School
    Evan Graff Junior Montrose
    Andrew Lester Senior Palmer Ridge
    Maximilliano Martinez Senior Widefield
    Jeremy Meadows Senior Palmer Ridge
    Ian Meek Senior Montrose
    Cole Munoz Junior Widefield
    Ethan Powell Senior Air Academy
    Second Team
    Name Year School
    Ben Highfill Junior Pueblo South
    James Lee Junior Silver Creek
    Ryan Matson Junior Palmer Ridge
    John O’Malley Junior Centaurus
    Matthew Roberds Sophomore Mesa Ridge
    Harry Steinberg Senior Durango
    Brandon Swenson Senior Evergreen

    Honorable mention:
    Alexis Aguirre, Senior, Battle Mountain; Calvin Banta, Sophomore, Air Academy; Cooper Brown, Sophomore, Centaurus; Weston Donati-Leach, Senior, Evergreen; Brock Dykema, Junior, Silver Creek; Cale Englert, Senior, Windsor; Maxwell Herebic, Junior, Palmer Ridge; Brandon Hippe, Sophomore, Palmer Ridge; Dillon Powell, Sophomore, Air Academy; Andrew Rudnicki, Senior, Palmer Ridge; Josh Torres, Junior, Northridge.

    [divider]

    Class 3A

    Runner of the year: Tanner Norman, Classical Academy
    Coach of the year: Larry Zaragoza, Alamosa

    First Team
    Name Year School
    Isaiah DeLaCerda Junior Alamosa
    David Fine Sophomore Elizabeth
    Canaan Lamberth Junior The Classical Academy
    Ryan Lehmuth Junior Jefferson Academy
    Tanner Norman Senior The Classical Academy
    Caleb Palmer Junior Alamosa
    Cole Sprout Freshman Faith Christian
    Second Team
    Name Year School
    Macklin Brockmeyer Sophomore Faith Christian
    Cody Jones Senior Frontier Academy
    Andrew King Junior Platte Valley
    Nate MacDonald Junior D’Evelyn
    Tyler Scholl Sophomore Middle Park
    Colton Stice Sophomore Gunnison
    Christian Van Cleave Senior Jefferson Academy

    Honorable mention:
    Riley Allen, Senior, Moffat County; Caleb Berlinger, Junior, Alamosa; Ethan Brown, Senior, Pagosa Springs; Ryan Butler, Junior, SkyView Academy; Blake Davis, Junior, Lamar; Wyatt Lehr, Junior, Lamar; Oscar Martinez, Junior, Alamosa; Kyle McCabe, Junior, Holy Family; Jon Wilkinson, Junior, Gunnison; Jordan Wilson, Junior, SkyView Academy; Dlyan Zurfluh, Senior, Estes Park.

    [divider]

    Class 2A

    Runner of the year: Jerald Taylor, Custer County
    Coach of the year: Adam Rich, The Vanguard School

    First Team
    Name Year School
    Cody Danley Junior Rocky Ford
    Grant Hughes Senior The Vanguard School
    Ben Kelley Junior Soroco
    Austin Russell Senior Meeker
    Patrick Scoggins Junior Rangley
    Jerald Taylor Senior Custer County
    Second Team
    Name Year School
    Jaden Evans Sophomore Telluride
    Connor Kaufman Senior Wiggins
    Levi Kilian Sophomore Highland
    Nick Lovato Junior The Vanguard School
    Harley Morgan Senior The Vanguard School
    Isaac Roberts Freshman Lyons

    Honorable mention:
    AJ Briar, Senior, The Vanguard School; Seth Bruxvoort, Sophomore, Heritage Christian Academy; Brandon Cardenas, Senior, Rocky Ford; Keaton Case, Sophomore, Heritage Christian Academy; Gary DeLeon, Junior, Rocky Ford; Colton Jonjak-Plahn, Sophomore, Lyons; Jake Murphy, Senior, Lake City Community; Caleb Smith, Junior, Peyton; Field Soosloff, Junior, Lyons; Teslin Stecher, Sophomore, Mancos.

  • All-state softball teams for 2016 season

    The 2016 all-state softball teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

    These team were created following a process where the coaches voted upon a list of nominees. Players were nominated by leagues.

    Coaches also voted specifically for player and coach of the year.

    Scroll down to see the teams.

    [divider]

    Class 5A

    Cherokee Trail Broomfield softball
    Emily Bell (center) is the 5A player of the year. (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)

    Player of the year: Emily Bell, Cherokee Trail
    Coach of the year: Caley Mitchell, Cherokee Trail

    First Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Jordan Acosta Douglas County CF Senior
    Emily Bell Cherokee Trail P/OF Senior
    Taylor Gilmore Broomfield P/3B/1B Senior
    Chloe Knapp Cherokee Trail CF Senior
    Lindsey Malkin Broomfield 3B/C Senior
    Tatum Rembao Loveland CF Senior
    Rachel Sabourin Eaglecrest – Sophomore
    Sloane Stewartson Rock Canyon C Senior
    Emily Taggart Legacy – Senior
    Rheanna Will Fossil Ridge – Junior
    Second Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Avery Bohn Broomfield P/1B/OF Senior
    Ciana Curran Fort Collins P Senior
    Melissa Gellerman Grand Junction Central P/OF Senior
    Hunter Huser Mountain Range P Senior
    Aubrea Leikam Cherry Creek 2B Junior
    Caryle Levy Dakota Ridge P/SS Senior
    Zoe Mihalicz Legend C/1B Senior
    Sara Mitchell Arvada West SS/UTIL Senior
    Cheyenne Padilla Lakewood OF/2B/UTIL Senior
    Alyssa Pinto Cherokee Trail OF Junior
    Jesse Smith Legend OF Senior

    Honorable mention:
    Christaana Angelopulos, Ralston Valley, SS, Sophomore; Sierra Batchelor, Grand Junction Central, SS/P/OF, Senior; Sara Breckbill, Chaparral, C/OF, Senior; Terran Caldwell, Grandview, CF/LF, Senior; Gracie Cordova, Pomona, INF, Senior; Braelyn Crenshaw, Eaglecrest; Camille Gardner, Pine Creek; Rebecca Gonzales, Mountain Vista, Junior; Allie Helton, Liberty, 3B/SS/OF, Senior; Megan Jamison, Fossil Ridge, Senior; Alley Kim, Douglas County, 3B/C, Sophomore; Katelyn Kubitschek, Legacy, Senior; Taylor Laing, Fruita Monument, P/1B, Senior; Halie Litwin, Brighton, P, Sophomore; Shea Mauser, Arvada West, P/1B, Junior; Abbey Montoya, Douglas County, 2B/C, Junior; Emily Morris, ThunderRidge, RHP/1B, Senior; Jazmin Neal, Prairie View, 3B, Senior; Corrina Porras, Fountain-Fort Carson, P/INF, Senior; Rylie Schemh, Brighton, OF, Senior; Shelby Shepherd, Rampart, Junior; Lauren Strathearn, Legacy, Sophomore.

    [divider]

    Class 4A

    (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)
    Ali Kilponen is the 4A player of the year. (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)

    Player of the year: Alexandria Kilponen, Valor Christian
    Coach of the year: Dave Atencio, Valor Christian

    First Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Lauren Foster Valor Christian SS/2B Senior
    Jade Garbiso Pueblo West P/OF/SS Junior
    Alexandria Kilponen Valor Christian P/1B Junior
    Jetta Nannen Silver Creek P/1B/3B Sophomore
    Taylor Puga Pueblo Central P/1B Junior
    Allie Reynolds Mullen P/INF Senior
    Payton Romines Air Academy – Senior
    Rio Sanchez Erie – Senior
    Tara Shadowen Mountain View OF Senior
    Paris Woods Frederick OF Senior
    Second Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Lynsey Bauchert Erie – Senior
    CharliRose Davis Mullen INF Senior
    Julia Elbert Air Academy – Senior
    Hannah Hackney Erie – Junior
    Sevi Harden Thomas Jefferson 1B/C/OF Junior
    Annika Hildebrand Canon City C/P/SS Senior
    Makayla Keck Pueblo South P/1B Sophomore
    Erica Mann Valor Christian C/RF Senior
    Mikayla Marquez Kennedy – Junior
    Brandy Trengove Wheat Ridge 1B/P/OF Senior

    Honorable mention:
    Jessica Bellatti, Evergreen, SS, Senior; Andi Brown, Golden, Senior; Makaila Bueno, Pueblo County, SS/OF, Junior; Janae Cameron, Windsor, C, Junior; Maddie Dewey, Discovery Canyon, Senior; Chayanna Gallardo, Pueblo East, C, Senior; Sarah Geislinger, Elizabeth, Sophomore; Izzy Griego, Mountain View, SS, Junior; Tracy Harris, George Washington, P/1B, Junior; Denae Howes, Arvada, Senior; Sarah Jorissen, Berthoud, P/SS, Sophomore; Jayllan Krause, Woodland Park, 2B/SS/INF, Senior; Grace Ladd, Niwot, LHP/1B, Senior; Hannah Langer, Berthoud, C/OF, Senior; Maya Liester, Palmer Ridge, Junior; Larissa Lum, Discovery Canyon, Senior; Anna Martinez, Holy Family, OF, Freshman; Bailey Marvel, D’Evelyn, Junior; Tierney Norris, Falcon, 2B/P, Senior; Corah Price, Discovery Canyon, Junior; Zoya Robbins, Thomas Jefferson, P/OF, Junior; Julia Wyatt, Frederick, OF, Senior; Abby Zuschlag, Valor Christian, 2B/P, Senior.

    [divider]

    Class 3A

    3A state softball
    Selena Medina is the 3A player of the year. (Ray Chen/ArrayPhoto.com)

    Player of the year: Selena Medina, Rocky Ford
    Coach of the year: JC Carrica, Rocky Ford

    First Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Haley Bender Lamar – Senior
    McKenna Gubanich Faith Christian SS/UTIL Senior
    Karissa Hatchell Eaton C/OF Senior
    Feliciti Jaramillo Rocky Ford 3B/1B Senior
    Taylor Knudson Sterling – Senior
    Kamryn Leoffler Brush –  
    Lily Lockhart Delta P/1B Senior
    Priscilla Lozoya Valley – Junior
    Selena Medina Rocky Ford P/INF Senior
    Abby Mussman Brush –  
    Dakota Stotyn Strasburg P/3B Junior
    Second Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Morgan Brantmeyer Peak to Peak C/OF Junior
    Jolene Carrica Rocky Ford C/3B/2B Junior
    McKenzie Connor Faith Christian P/1B Sophomore
    Cordelia Hanger The Academy P/INF Freshman
    Liz Jonjak Lyons SS Senior
    Alex Lovato Gunnison P/INF/OF Senior
    Whitney Nelson Rocky Ford 2B/SS/C Senior
    Lindsay Niederkorn Platte Valley P/SS Senior
    Sieara Price Eaton DP/OF Senior
    Lexi Smith La Junta P/SS Junior

    Honorable mention:
    Julie Aguirre, Lamar, Junior; Katie Arnold, Akron, Junior; Shayna Dale, Cedaredge, SS, Senior; Celsi Jurgensmeier, Eaton, SS/2B, Junior; Hayley Keck, La Junta, C/LF, Junior; Haley Mavis, Holyoke, C/INF, Sophomore; Abrianah McGaw, Faith Christian, C/1B, Sophomore; Megan Nieslanik, Basalt, 1B/P/INF, Junior; Sydney Odle, Brush; Carly Powley, Weld Central, SS/C/INF, Sophomore; Alexis Rayburn, Strasburg, P/1B, Sophomore; Morgan Reed, Lamar, Junior; Peyton Richter, St. Mary’s, P/OF, Sophomore; Remington Ross, Eaton, OF/OF, Freshman; Maddy Rule, Brush; Megan Sandoval, Delta, C, Senior; Megan Shelton, Meeker, C/SS/P, Sophomore; Brooke Smith, Limon; Jenna Sutliff, Delta, SS, Sophomore; Sierra Williams, Meeker, SS/C/UTIL, Junior; Peyton Zamora, The Academy, SS, Senior.

  • Football roundup: Chatfield rallies to top Dakota Ridge

    Chatfield football team
    (John Priest/CHSAANow.com)

    Chatfield, the second-ranked team in Class 4A football, pulled off a late rally to avoid an upset at the hands of Dakota Ridge on Friday.

    The Chargers — who trailed 12-10 at halftime, and 29-24 after the third quarter — got a big 10-point swing early in the fourth quarter to change the game.

    “We had to kick a field goal where we wanted to score a touchdown, and the ensuing kickoff, they fumbled it,” Chatfield coach Bret McGatlin told the Colorado Preps Scoreboard Show. “We were able to put it in the end zone. Those 10 points right there just changed the complexion for us. After that, it just got us going.”

    Ultimately, Chatfield scored the game’s final 19 points to win 36-29.

    “It was a little scary there for a while,” McGatlin said. “Dakota Ridge came out and played really well. I have a lot of respect for that team.”

    “We were shell-shocked in the first, second and most of the third quarter, because they came out and they smashed us in the mouth early,” the coach added later. “All of a sudden, we started playing our game. It was fun.”

    [divider]

    6-man: (12) Arickaree/Woodlin 53, (5) Genoa-Hugo 45

    Arickaree/Woodlin scored the game’s final 34 points after trailing 45-19 in the third quarter, and advanced to the 6-man quarterfinals as a result.

    It was the lone 6-man playoff game of the night.

    No. 2 Fleming beat No. 15 Otis 62-14 on Thursday. The remaining six games are all on Saturday.

    Arickaree/Woodlin has reached the championship game each of the past two seasons, winning the title in 2014.

    [divider]

    1A: (8) Burlington 7, (10) Limon 6

    Burlington scored the winning touchdown with six minutes to play to seal a league title.

    “It was definitely defensive-minded,” Burlington coach Glynn Higgs told the Scoreboard Show. “I think when you play eachother as long as we have, and we’ve both had some pretty good teams in the past, you kind of know each other. And it was a very physical game, as we expected.

    “We made one more play,” Higgs added. “We kicked our extra point, and they weren’t able to” convert a two-point conversion.

    The win clinched the 1A North Central for the Cougars (7-2, 5-0 in league).

    [divider]

    2A: (9) Weld Central 17, Platte Valley 14

    Weld Central got a late touchdown to secure a huge win and improved to 8-1 this season.

    “Our kids played absolutely phenomenal tonight,” coach James Canaday told the Scoreboard Show. “They were very composed.”

    The Rebels called a timeout just prior to the winning score.

    “It was do-or-die, so we started talking about what we needed to call,” Canaday said. “Our offensive coordinator came up with a great play, and one of our better players, Alex Ries, was wide open and he caught it. … It was absolutely incredible. It was one of the neatest things I’ve ever been through.”

    [divider]

    Notables

    • In 8-man, No. 5 Merino and No. 10 Haxtun had about an half-hour delay because a power outage took out the lights at the field. Merino went on to win 41-13.
    • Basalt won its first league championship since 1984 with a 46-22 win over Roaring Fork. The Longhorns finished 5-0 in the 2A Western Slope League, and is 7-2 overall. “They knew it was a way to keep playing next week,” coach Carl Frerichs told the Scoreboard Show, acknowledging the automatic postseason berth that comes along with the title.
    • 1A No. 9 Crowley County beat Rocky Ford 47-26 to win the Santa Fe League at 4-0. It is the Chargers’ third-straight league title. “We were able to come through again this year,” coach Brandon Roe told the Scoreboard Show.
    • Boulder got its first win under new coach Vincent Smith, beating Smoky Hill 45-26.
    • 3A No. 10 Conifer got a good win over Lutheran, 34-27. “Our defense came through for us against a really good team,” coach Larry Fitzmaurice told the Scoreboard Show. With the win, Conifer seized control of the West Metro League at 4-0.
    • 2A No. 2 Resurrection Christian beat Eaton 38-6 to secure the Patriot West League championship. The Cougars are now 9-0 and will turn their attention to the playoffs, which begin next week. “At this point of the season, anybody we play is going to be a good football team,” coach Mark Roggy told the Scoreboard Show.
    • Thomas Jefferson edged Vista Peak, 35-34.

    [divider]

    More coverage

  • Photos: Rocky Ford, Valor Christian and Cherokee Trail win softball titles

    AURORA — The 2016 softball season concluded Satruday as Rocky Ford, Valor Christian and Cherokee Trail all claimed state championships.

    [divider]

  • 3A softball roundup: Young Brush team cruises to state tournament semifinals

    Brush softball team 3A state tournmanet
    (Morgan Dzak/CHSAANow.com)

    AURORA — Any time a pop up sails into the sky above Abby Mussman’s head, she likes to whip the catcher mask off her face before running to the ball.

    And after she flops her mask into the dirt behind home plate, Coach Tom Odle says, “what’s that down on the ground? You look a lot better with it on.”

    What the longtime Brush softball coach jokes about with his senior starting catcher is that “she needs to leave her darn mask on because every time she throws that mask off on the ground, she can’t find the foul ball. If we ever get her to leave it on, she’ll make the catch.”

    He added: “She’s one of the biggest characters on the team and everyone follows her.”

    Mussman, one of two seniors on a very young Brush team, helped the Class 3A No. 4-seeded Beetdiggers to the 2016 softball state tournament semifinals on Friday at Aurora Sports Park. Brush heads into a tough matchup on Saturday against defending state champion, No. 1 Strasburg.

    “We have a really young team – two seniors, six juniors – so a lot of them haven’t been here with the limelight put on them. We graduated seven seniors last year,” Odle said. “We’re really young, but I’m really pleased with where we’re at.”

    The Beetdiggers’ starting catcher graduated last year, so Mussman stepped in as the varsity catcher this season from her second base post. She caught a bit her freshman year, but “nothing too big,” she said.

    “I have a lot of leadership on the team and I like that,” Mussman said. “It’s a good thing we have younger players because they’re going to keep working together. The team won’t lose a lot next season.”

    The Beetdiggers cruised through the first round game against No. 13 Faith Christian 8-1, then blew past No. 5 Lamar in the quarterfinals 12-2.

    “We worked really well together with some nice hits today,” Mussmna said. “We’re a crazy, crazy team, always making jokes and having a good time. Our parents are always supporting and keeping us up with good spirits even if we’re down or losing.”

    She added: “Being able to be on the field and have fun is a big theme for us.”

    Coach Odle said it’s this quirkiness that describes the team and makes them so special — and so good.

    “They’re able to pick each other up and have fun with it and enjoy what they’re doing on the field,” Odle said.

    [divider]

    No. 1 Strasburg vs. No. 8 Sterling

    Defending state champion Strasburg blanked No. 16-seeded Platte Valley 10-0 in the first round and defeated Sterling 9-6 in the quarterfinals. Sterling won its first round 14-3 over No. 9 Cedaredge. Strasburg sophomore Alexis Rayburn singled twice against Sterling; sophomore Anita Akers had two singles; Freshman Emily Johnson had two singles. For Sterling, junior Brooke Polenz launched a sixth inning homerun; freshman Rylyn Nelson doubled in the eighth inning double.

    No. 4 Brush vs. No. 5 Lamar

    Brush took down No. 13 Faith Christian 8-1 in the first round and Lamar 12-2 in the quarterfinals. For the Beetdiggers in the quarterfinals, sophomore Kamryn Leoffler had a single and two doubles; junior Maddy Rule doubled three times with one single; Senior Abby Mussman had two doubles; junior Hailey Unrein doubled twice. For Lamar, junior Julie Aguirre had two singles against Brush.

    No. 3 Eaton vs. No. 11 La Junta

    Eaton slid by No. 14 Delta 14-13 in the first round and defeated La Junta 13-3 in the quarterfinals. La Junta upset No. 6 Valley in the first round 9-8. Senior Brooklyn Knutson tripled and had a single against Lu Junta and senior Rachel Graham had a single and a double.

    No. 2 Rocky Ford vs. No. 7 Academy

    Rocky Ford advanced to the quarterfinal round with a 13-3 victory over No. 13 Meeker, and was victorious over The Academy 10-3. The Academy beat No. 10 Weld Central 9-4 in the first round. For the Meloneers, Chantae Rodriguez singled twice; senior Whitney Nelson singled and had a double; sophomore Sadie Brewer had two singles.

  • Rocky Ford wins 3A softball, school’s first-ever girls championship

    (John Priest/CHSAANow.com)
    (John Priest/CHSAANow.com)

    AURORA – As Rocky Ford’s softball team reveled in the moment Saturday afternoon, Meloneers coach JC Carrica reflected on what the team had just accomplished.

    Rocky Ford’s 5-1 victory over Strasburg in the Class 3A state championship game at Aurora Sports Park gave the program its first softball championship. But more than that, this group became the first girls team from the school to even reach a state title game.

    “A little community like Rocky Ford – if you can get that winning tradition somewhere, it’s contagious,” Carrica said. “It will permeate to women’s basketball, women’s cross country, women’s volleyball. You just have to get that first one and give the kids hope and they’ll thrive on that.”

    The Meloneers (23-1) certainly thrived during their two-day stint in Aurora. Victories over Meeker and The Academy sent Rocky Ford back into the semifinals for the first time since 2012.

    The team escaped a huge bases-loaded, no-out situation in the fourth inning of a tight game Saturday morning in the semifinals against Eaton, sparking an eventual 12-5 victory to set up the showdown against Strasburg – the defending 3A champion that was making its fifth consecutive appearance in the title game.

    “We’re the type of program that our kids have really worked hard that everyone’s gunning for us,” Indians coach Michelle Woodard said. “Today we just fell a little short, but I know we’re going to be back here next year.”

    Strasburg (21-3) had rallied from a 7-2 deficit in the semifinals to defeat Brush 13-9 behind three home runs and eight RBIs from sophomore Alexis Rayburn. Rocky Ford was the team to take advantage of momentum early though, scoring a first-inning run on an RBI groundout and then adding two more in the second on a single from Chantae Rodriguez.

    Rocky Ford Strasburg softball
    (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)

    “You run into a team like Strasburg who has a culture of winning, and Rocky Ford has never had a girls’ team go to state championship, let alone win one,” Carrica said. “Our backs were against the wall. We were just scrapping to get what we could get.

    “We got that run early and it gave us the confidence we needed. Plus it gave us a little bit of run support for Selena.”

    That would be Meloneers senior Selena Medina, who went the distance against both Eaton and Strasburg. Medina allowed one run on six hits against the Indians, striking out three and not walking a batter.

    “After the first inning I knew my team had my back the whole time,” Medina said. “We locked in.”

    Strasburg got a run back on an error in the second inning, scoring Ashlyn Richardson, who had doubled. From there Medina and Indians junior Dakota Stotyn were dialed in, though Rocky Ford was able to add a pair of insurance runs on two singles from junior Ashley Jaramillo.

    “She’s a crusher,” Carrica said. “They call her ‘Smashley’ instead of Ashley because she hits the line drives so well and comes up so big for us.”

    Trailing by four entering the seventh inning, Strasburg got its first two runners on base. Medina and her defense closed the door though, getting a fly out and two pop-ups to end the game.

    “We wanted to make a statement back at our school. We wanted to show them that we could do it,” said Jaramillo, who also homered and had three hits against Eaton. “Just because we include girls from other schools, we could take it and we could bond together – just like we all come from the same place.”

    Both teams will graduate only two seniors each and will be among the favorites next fall. But for now, the day belonged to Rocky Ford and the players who made the most of its opportunities.

    “It’s indescribable. I don’t know what to say,” Medina said. “I have a good team behind me. We’re a family, we’re sisters, and we did it together.”

  • State softball brackets released for all classes

    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    Aurora Sports Park is home to the state tournaments. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Broomfield, Erie and Strasburg were the top seeds in the state softball brackets released on Monday morning.

    Find the complete brackets here:

    The top eight seeds in each class are regional champions from last weekend. The other qualifiers were seeded according to the final RPI of the regular season, with small adjustments made to avoid regional opponents in the first round.

    The state tournaments in all three classes are Friday and Saturday at Aurora Sports Park. Games begin at 10 a.m. each day.

    Broomfield heads the 5A field, just as it did in regionals. Other top seeds include No. 2 Cherokee Trail, No. 3 Eaglecrest, No. 4 Loveland, No. 5 Dakota Ridge, No. 6 Fort Collins, No. 7 Rock Canyon and No. 8 Mountain Range, the defending champion.

    In 4A, Erie also carried its top seed from regionals over. Also seeded highly in the class are No. 2 Mullen, No. 3 Valor Christian (the defending champion), No. 4 Wheat Ridge, No. 5 Air Academy, No. 6 Frederick, No. 7 Discovery Canyon and No. 8 Falcon.

    Likewise, the top seed from regionals in 3A, Strasburg, is also the top seed at state. Other high seeds are No. 2 Rocky Ford, No. 3 Eaton, No. 4 Brush, No. 5 Lamar, No. 6 Valley, No. 7 The Academy and No. 8 Sterling.

  • Regional softball brackets released; Strasburg, Erie, Broomfield top seeds

    Broomfield Fossil Ridge softball
    Broomfield is the No. 1 seed in the 5A softball regionals. (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)

    AURORA — Strasburg, Erie and Broomfield are the No. 1 seeds in the regional softball brackets, which were released on Monday morning.

    All three teams held the top spot in their respective class in the final RPI standings of the regular season.

    The full brackets are available here:

    Broomfield is 17-2-0 this season. The Eagles will host No. 32 Denver East, No. 16 Legacy and No. 17 Castle View in Region 1.

    Also hosting in 5A are Grand Junction Central, Cherokee Trail, Douglas County, Eaglecrest, Legend, Arvada West and Loveland.

    Defending champion Mountain Range is the No. 26 seed.

    Erie softball team
    Erie is the No. 1 seed in 4A. (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)

    Erie is the lone remaining unbeaten team in any of the three classes at 19-0-0, and they are the No. 1 seed in 4A. They will host No. 32 Montrose, No. 16 Golden and No. 17 Berthoud in Region 1.

    Other hosts in 4A include Mullen, Valor Christian, Pueblo West, Wheat Ridge, Mountain View, Silver Creek and Conifer.

    Valor Christian is the defending champion.

    In 3A, Strasburg sits in prime position as it tries to defend its title. The team will host No. 16 Meeker and No. 17 Limon in its Region 1.

    Other hosts include Rocky Ford, Eaton, Brush, Lamar, The Academy, Basalt and Burlington. Valley also received a high seed, but isn’t hosting.

    The 3A field expanded to 24 teams this season, the most its ever had.

     

  • Softball rankings: 5A sees a lot of movement, including three new teams

    Grandview Arvada West softball
    Arvada West is up to No. 2 in 5A softball. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    Arvada West is making a run at the top spot in the Class 5A CHSAANow.com softball rankings.

    The Wildcats went 3-0 last week and jumped three spots to come in at No. 2 in this week’s poll. They now sit behind Broomfield who held on to the No. 1 this week.

    Fossil Ridge is also making its way back up the rankings with a three-spot jump to come in at No. 5.

    Eaglecrest (No. 7), ThunderRidge (No. 9) and Brighton (No. 10) are all new to the 5A poll this week.

    Valor Christian remains the No. 1 team in the 4A rankings with Erie and Mullen also holding firm at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively.

    Pueblo West (No. 4) and Silver Creek (No. 7) each jumped two spots from last week’s rankings.

    There were no new teams in the 4A rankings.

    Strasburg hangs on to the No. 1 spot in the 3A poll. In fact, the 3A rankings went unchanged as a whole from last week.

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

    Complete rankings for each class are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Softball Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and select media members around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Broomfield (10) 16-2-0 110 1 3-0-0
    2 Arvada West 12-4-1 70 5 3-0-0
    3 Legend (1) 11-4-1 69 4 2-0-0
    4 Cherokee Trail 14-3-0 65 2 2-1-0
    5 Fossil Ridge 14-3-0 56 8 3-0-0
    6 Douglas County 13-4-0 45 3 2-1-0
    7 Eaglecrest 14-3-0 42 – 3-0-0
    8 Grand Junction Central 12-2-1 34 7 1-0-0
    9 ThunderRidge 11-6-0 23 – 1-2-0
    10 Brighton (1) 14-3-0 22 – 2-0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Legacy 21, Loveland 20, Fort Collins 18, Rocky Mountain 18, Castle View 7, Hinkley 7, Mountain Range 7, Rock Canyon 7, Bear Creek 5, Grandview 5, Ralston Valley 5, Denver East 3, Mountain Vista 1.
    Dropped out
    Legacy (6), Rocky Mountain (9), Fort Collins (10).

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Valor Christian (5) 17-0-0 104 1 3-0-0
    2 Erie (6) 17-0-0 103 2 2-0-0
    3 Mullen 11-3-1 75 3 3-1-0
    4 Pueblo West 14-2-0 66 6 4-0-0
    5 Wheat Ridge 13-5-0 62 4 2-0-0
    6 Mountain View 15-2-0 55 5 2-0-0
    7 Silver Creek 14-3-0 28 9 2-0-0
    8 Air Academy 13-4-0 23 7 2-0-0
    9 Elizabeth 14-3-0 18 8 3-1-0
    10 Golden 13-5-0 14 10 2-0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Frederick 13, Discovery Canyon 10, Pueblo County 9, Thomas Jefferson 9, Rifle 7, Conifer 4, Windsor 3, D’Evelyn 1, Evergreen 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Strasburg (8) 15-2-0 80 1 3-0-0
    2 Rocky Ford 16-1-0 72 2 2-0-0
    3 Eaton 14-3-0 61 3 2-1-0
    4 Brush 12-5-0 59 4 2-1-0
    5 Lamar 13-5-0 45 5 2-0-0
    6 The Academy 14-4-0 36 6 3-0-0
    7 Valley 10-7-0 32 7 2-1-0
    8 Basalt 13-2-0 19 8 1-1-0
    9 Sterling 9-8-0 17 9 2-1-0
    10 Cedaredge 11-5-0 15 10 2-1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Faith Christian 2, La Junta 1, Weld Central 1.
    Dropped out
    None.