The 2018 season was not kind to Branson/Kim. Winners of just one game, the Bearcats had one of the more difficult seasons in all of Colorado high school football.

But those days appear to be long gone.

Through the first five games of the 2019 season, Branson/Kim has yet to suffer a loss. And it’s not like the team is scraping together games or have just gotten lucky. So far this season the Bearcats have outscored opponents 271-69. They’ve almost doubled the amount of points they scored a year ago and have a legitimate chance to end the regular season unbeaten.

And everyone in the state is noticing.

In recent weeks, they’ve cracked the top 10 of the 6-man state football rankings and are hoping to remain a fixture there for the remainder of the season. Head coach Brad Doherty has done a great job turning things around in just his second year at the helm but will be the first to pass on credit to the rest of his staff and to his players.

But considering the remarkable turnaround the program has seen, Doherty has been named the Denver Broncos High School football coach of the week.

The Broncos coach of the week is selected in partnership with the Broncos and CHSCA. Find a complete list of winners on this page.

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Brad Doherty bio

Years as head coach: 2 (6-7)

Years at Branson/Kim: 2 (6-7, 5-0 this season)

Previous stops: Branson/Kim assistant coach (2015-17); Branson/Kim head coach (2018-present).

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Dan Mohrmann: Why did you initially get into coaching?

Brad Doherty: Well, I was asked by our head coach at the time when we started our football program to assist. I responded to the need. I also got into coaching to spend time with the boys and young men in our community.

In addition to working at our school I’m also the pastor of the only church here in Branson. My wife and I have been involved in youth ministry and kids programs for many years and we noticed that we were connecting less and less with kids as their schedules got fuller and busier with junior high and high school activities, particularly sports and FFA.

We both felt the best way to stay involved with the teens in our school was to be involved in their activities. I began helping out as much as I could with basketball and was asked to be an assistant football coach by our program’s first head coach, Mr. Brad Caldwell.

My wife and I also have three sons (one in high school and two in junior high), all of whom play football. Coaching is a great way for me to spend as much time with my boys as I can.

Mohrmann: What was appealing about the idea of coming into a new program?

Doherty: It was something brand new for our school. We’ve only had a football program for five years. So this was a brand new experience to start something new for our community, just to learn the game and to be around somebody that’s coached for 30 plus years and be around a great group of boys.

Mohrmann: What do you think it’s like from your kids’ perspective to be coached by you?

Doherty: I’d like to think that my players feel respected and treated fairly by me and our coaching staff. I respond best to people when I feel respected by them — this is as true now as it was when I was a teenager. We also love to laugh at ourselves and each other.

Mohrmann: How much has your staff played into the turnaround you’ve had from last year to this year?

Doherty: I am currently the AD and head football coach for our school. After last year’s very difficult season (1-7 record and only nine players), my one assistant coach from last year, Chris Martinez, and I realized we needed to improve our program to give the young men we’ve been blessed with the best experience possible.

Last spring, our junior high football coach, John Cranson, encouraged me to cast a vision statement for our program. Working with him and Coach Martinez, we came up with the following statement for our program: “The Bearcat Football Program exists to develop young adults into student-athletes that strive for personal, academic, and athletic excellence.” This captures our shared belief that our goal is building up young men of character and integrity, and football happens to be a tool we get to use to help accomplish that goal.

The next step in the program improvement process was asking for help. Chris and I reached out to several men in our community with football experience and a heart for helping kids. We were blessed with the response.

We added two new assistant coaches: Adam Lucero (a teacher at our co-op school, Kim) and Carlos Duran. I can’t give enough credit to Coach Lucero for the guidance and inspiration he’s been to the team. He has instilled a belief in the boys that they can accomplish great things if they put in the work. His experience playing college football and his exposure to great coaching staffs has brought an invaluable perspective to everything we do.

Very early on in the process I could very easily see his natural gifting as a coach and his heart for the team, so I gave him the reigns and freedom to run with the program. Several other men in the community also stepped up to assist during games as additional eyes and voices on the sidelines. With this level of commitment from men in our community, we had a great foundation of leadership going into this season.

In 6-man football, just a few kids makes a huge difference. Last year, we only had nine varsity players. This made for challenging practices (not enough for a 6-on-6 scrimmage) and nearly impossible games where most of our boys had to play every down.

This season we knew we had seven returning players and four incoming freshmen. The new vision and coaching staff helped generate some excitement and we added four new boys that didn’t play last year.

It also helps that those boys are pretty athletic! With 15 boys on the roster, we can run much more productive practices and have enough fresh legs on the sidelines to last the whole game.

With the addition of new coaching staff and more players, I’ve become more of a GM and less of a “head coach.” I focus less on X’s and O’s and more on strategic and logistic functions for the team.

My duties revolve around travel planning for games and practices, scheduling weekly team dinners and foosball matches at my house, getting game film for upcoming opponents, washing water bottles and making Gatorade, making sure the field gets painted, setting up video recording equipment, borrowing bleachers from our co-op school, checking eligibility and keeping all of “my boys” accountable.

Mohrmann: What’s the hardest part about now having these expectations? You’re 5-0, are you losing sleep at all over this winning streak; that it might come to an end?

Doherty: Well, hopefully if it will come to an end, it comes to an end before we get to the postseason. We don’t want it to come through and end there. It’s a good bunch of boys, a good bunch of athletes that, that have really bonded well.

The challenge at this point is keeping them focused on the task at hand. Not getting caught up in the attention or rankings or if we may or may not show up on Colorado Preps or MaxPreps or wherever, but just taking care of their business in the right now. Keeping their heads where they need to be is kind of a challenge.

Mohrmann: How do they respond to that challenge of just focusing on the task at hand and not maybe taking a peek at these media outlets to see if people are giving them the credit that they need?

Doherty: I think they are doing it well. You know, we’re still young. We’re still the underdog, Yes, we cracked the top 10, but we’re not near the top in everybody else’s eyes. That kind of fuels the fire and we encourage them to not really take any of that into consideration.

Those decisions are made by people that don’t know them and only they know them and their desire and determination. We try to just keep it focused inward as much as possible.

Mohrmann: I’ve talked to players who have really enjoyed playing the 6-man game. How much fun is it or how challenging is it to coach the 6-man game?

Doherty: It’s a blast. It is a couple of notches up from backyard football. The hits are just as hard and just as fast. And I think they may even be a little faster and harder because the field’s more wide open.

You have to be creative with your plays. You have to be creative with your defensive schemes. But you can’t get away from the fundamentals. If you don’t block, you don’t win ball games. You don’t tackle, you don’t win ball games.

You have to think outside the traditional box, but not let go of the fundamentals.

Mohrmann: I’ve seen 6-man games and they’re often a scoring Bonanza except for the teams that have been playing you this year. What is it been about your defense that’s kept every team from scoring more than 20 points?

Doherty: We have a bunch of boys that have embraced that dog mentality. They don’t like allowing people to score. They take it personal. Not against the other players but against their own expectations. And it’s their goal to keep everybody out of the end zone and they put it on the line.

We hang our hat on defense and they’ve really embraced that. A lot of that came from our new assistant coach Adam Lucero instilling that fight in each of them and they’ve risen to the occasion.

Mohrmann: You have three regular season games left and then the playoffs get rolling. What’s in store for the rest of the season for Branson/Kim?

Doherty: We’re really trying to take it one game at a time and stay focused. We have two home games and one more away game, I believe. It’s really a matter of keeping the boys kind of looking at it one step at a time, not getting too excited about the postseason or about our conference and really tried to prepare every game like we’re preparing for the championship.

Whether it’s against a Kit Carson or a Stratton/Liberty or one of the perennial powerhouses, that’s what we want them to prepare for every practice.

Mohrmann: What’s it going to be like going into next year for you now the expectations of this season where you came out on and caught fire and won a lot of games?

Doherty: There will be an expectation to continue the success. We will lose five seniors, which will be a challenge for us. But we will gain six freshman, several of which are pretty athletic and the kids that we’ll still have from this year moving forward are a great core.

I think we’ve got the tools in place to continue the success, but yes the expectation will definitely be there.

Following its win over previous No. 1 Limon, Strasburg has moved up to the No. 1 spot in this week’s Class 1A football rankings.

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

Complete rankings for all classes are below.

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CHSAANow.com Football Polls

Voted upon by coaches around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. In class 1A-5A, these rankings will factor into postseason seeding. More information is available here.

Class 5A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Columbine (13)	5-0	235	1	W
2	Cherry Creek (8)	5-0	225	2	W
3	Valor Christian (3)	4-1	186	3	W
4	Grandview	5-0	180	4	W
5	Ralston Valley (1)	5-0	146	5	W
6	Regis Jesuit	5-0	134	6	W
7	Eaglecrest	5-0	87	7	W
8	Pomona	2-3	56	9	W
9	Fairview	4-1	45	8	W
10	Legend	5-0	44	10	W
Others receiving votes:
Cherokee Trail 11, Smoky Hill 11, Lakewood 4, Castle View 3, Legacy 2, Overland 2, Arapahoe 1, Mountain Vista 1, Mullen 1, ThunderRidge 1.
Dropped out
None.

Class 4A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Pine Creek (20)	3-1	245	1	W
2	Broomfield (2)	4-0	216	2	W
3	Dakota Ridge	4-0	174	4	W
4	Montrose (2)	4-0	172	5	W
5	Chatfield	4-1	153	6	W
6	Pueblo West (1)	4-1	132	3	L
7	Vista Peak Prep	4-0	77	9	W
8	Heritage	3-1	65	8	W
9	Loveland	2-2	33	–	W
10	Hinkley (1)	4-0	27	–	W
Others receiving votes:
Fruita Monument 26, Ponderosa 22, Silver Creek 18, Brighton 13, Greeley West 10, Golden 9, Grand Junction 9, Wheat Ridge 9, Skyline 5, Air Academy 4, Windsor 4, Longmont 3, Vista Ridge 2, Mesa Ridge 1, Rampart 1.
Dropped out
Ponderosa (7), Silver Creek (10).

Class 3A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Palmer Ridge (19)	4-0	202	1	W
2	Mead (1)	4-0	190	2	Bye
3	Pueblo South	3-1	167	3	L
4	Discovery Canyon	4-1	120	4	W
5	Green Mountain	3-1	101	5	W
6	Frederick (1)	4-0	95	7	W
7	Palisade	2-2	62	6	L
8	Lutheran	3-1	50	8	W
9	Erie	2-2	40	10	W
10	Durango	3-2	39	9	W
Others receiving votes:
Conifer 27, Holy Family 16, Thomas Jefferson 16, Northridge 15, Pueblo Central 15, Fort Morgan 12, Roosevelt 10, Harrison 8, Lewis-Palmer 7, Pueblo East 7, Battle Mountain 6, Skyview 4, Lincoln 1.
Dropped out
None.

Class 2A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Rifle (13)	4-0	204	1	W
2	Delta (5)	4-0	192	2	W
3	Platte Valley (2)	3-1	165	3	Bye
4	Sterling	3-1	157	4	Bye
5	Resurrection Christian (2)	3-1	137	5	W
6	Faith Christian (1)	3-1	117	6	W
7	Basalt	4-0	66	9	W
8	La Junta	3-1	64	8	W
9	Lamar	3-1	51	–	W
10	Alamosa	3-1	49	7	L
Others receiving votes:
Eaton 21, Moffat County 15, Elizabeth 9, Aspen 6, University 6, Englewood 3, D’Evelyn 2, Arvada 1.
Dropped out
Eaton (10).

Class 1A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Strasburg (17)	4-0	188	2	W
2	Limon (1)	3-1	162	1	L
3	Holyoke (1)	4-0	142	3	W
4	Florence	4-0	119	4	W
5	Centauri	4-1	98	7	W
6	Colorado Springs Christian	3-1	95	6	W
7	Meeker	3-1	79	5	Bye
8	Burlington	2-2	35	10	W
9	Rye	4-0	29	9	Bye
10	Highland	2-2	23	–	L
Others receiving votes:
Hotchkiss 21, Buena Vista 19, Wray 14, Flatirons Academy 10, Peyton 6, Grand Valley 3, Paonia 2.
Dropped out
Buena Vista (8).

8-man
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Sedgwick County (13)	5-0	148	1	W
2	Fowler (2)	4-0	120	2	W
3	Mancos	4-0	117	3	W
4	Dayspring Christian Academy	4-0	106	5	W
5	Caliche	3-1	71	4	L
6	Merino	3-1	67	6	W
7	Sanford	4-0	62	7	W
8	Vail Christian	4-0	40	8	W
9	Pikes Peak Christian	2-1	26	–	Bye
10	Rangely	3-1	17	10	Bye
Others receiving votes:
Hoehne 15, Soroco 14, West Grand 10, Sargent 5, Dove Creek 4, Elbert 1, Holly 1, Plateau Valley 1.
Dropped out
West Grand (9).

6-man
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Kit Carson (10)	5-0	109	1	W
2	Fleming (1)	5-0	95	2	W
3	Stratton/Liberty	4-1	87	3	W
4	Cheyenne Wells	5-0	76	4	W
5	Flagler/Hi-Plains	5-0	65	5	W
6	Prairie	3-2	47	6	L
7	North Park	4-1	44	9	W
8	Branson/Kim	5-0	37	8	W
9	Granada	4-1	18	7	L
10	Cotopaxi	3-1	13	–	Bye
Others receiving votes:
Briggsdale 11, Cheraw 1, Peetz 1, Walsh 1.
Dropped out
Briggsdale (10).

This week’s football rankings feature seven new teams: Legend (5A), Vista Peak (4A), Silver Creek (4A), Frederick (3A), Eaton (2A), Vail Christian (8-man), and Briggsdale (6-man).

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

Complete rankings for all classes are below.

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CHSAANow.com Football Polls

Voted upon by coaches around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. In Class 1A-5A, these rankings will factor into postseason seeding. More information is available here.

Class 5A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Columbine (16)	4-0	247	1	W
2	Cherry Creek (6)	4-0	225	2	W
3	Valor Christian (3)	3-1	192	3	W
4	Grandview	4-0	182	4	W
5	Ralston Valley (1)	4-0	144	6	W
6	Regis Jesuit	4-0	140	5	W
7	Eaglecrest	4-0	93	7	W
8	Fairview	3-1	54	10	W
9	Pomona	1-3	53	8	L
10	Legend	4-0	28	–	W
Others receiving votes:
Castle View 20, Lakewood 20, Cherokee Trail 10, Smoky Hill 10, Arapahoe 4, Mullen 3, Mountain Vista 2, Overland 2, ThunderRidge 1.
Dropped out
Cherokee Trail (9).

Class 4A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Pine Creek (20)	2-1	249	1	L
2	Broomfield (3)	3-0	204	2	Bye
3	Pueblo West (2)	4-0	196	4	W
4	Dakota Ridge	3-0	160	5	W
5	Montrose (1)	3-0	158	3	Bye
6	Chatfield	3-1	126	6	W
7	Ponderosa	1-2	76	7	Bye
8	Heritage	2-1	44	10	W
9	Vista Peak Prep	3-0	36	–	W
10	Silver Creek	3-0	35	–	W
Others receiving votes:
Loveland 32, Greeley West 25, Skyline 15, Fruita Monument 14, Windsor 13, Grand Junction 11, Golden 6, Monarch 6, Rampart 6, Hinkley 5, Longmont 5, Wheat Ridge 4, Brighton 3, Air Academy 1.
Dropped out
Loveland (8), Windsor (9).

Class 3A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Palmer Ridge (18)	3-0	200	1	W
2	Mead (2)	4-0	187	2	W
3	Pueblo South	3-0	162	4	Bye
4	Discovery Canyon	3-1	107	6	W
5	Green Mountain	2-1	91	3	L
6	Palisade	2-1	89	5	W
7	Frederick	3-0	85	7	W
8	Lutheran	2-1	35	–	W
9	Durango	2-2	31	10	W
10	Erie	1-2	30	9	Bye
Others receiving votes:
Roosevelt 27, Pueblo Central 18, Fort Morgan 16, Thomas Jefferson 16, Conifer 13, Holy Family 11, Northridge 10, Pueblo East 8, Battle Mountain 6, Skyview 4, Denver North 3, Harrison 3, Lewis-Palmer 3.
Dropped out
Roosevelt (8).

Class 2A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Rifle (15)	3-0	205	1	W
2	Delta (4)	3-0	172	3	W
3	Platte Valley (1)	3-1	146	4	W
4	Sterling	3-1	140	2	L
5	Resurrection Christian (1)	2-1	121	6	W
6	Faith Christian (1)	2-1	112	5	W
7	Alamosa	3-0	105	8	W
8	La Junta	2-1	71	7	W
9	Basalt	3-0	67	9	W
10	Eaton	1-2	17	–	L
Others receiving votes:
Bayfield 8, Bennett 8, Moffat County 8, The Classical Academy 6, Lamar 5, D’Evelyn 4, University 4, Bishop Machebeuf 3, Elizabeth 3, Englewood 2, Kent Denver 2, Aspen 1.
Dropped out
Bayfield (10).

Class 1A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Limon (15)	3-0	193	1	W
2	Strasburg (4)	3-0	169	2	Bye
3	Holyoke (1)	3-0	167	3	Bye
4	Florence	3-0	125	5	W
5	Meeker	3-1	101	4	L
6	Colorado Springs Christian	2-1	92	6	W
7	Centauri	3-1	83	7	W
8	Buena Vista	3-0	57	9	W
9	Rye	4-0	37	10	W
10	Burlington	1-2	21	8	L
Others receiving votes:
Highland 19, Hotchkiss 11, Wray 9, Paonia 6, Peyton 4, Wiggins 4, Monte Vista 2.
Dropped out
None.

8-man
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Sedgwick County (12)	4-0	129	1	W
2	Fowler (1)	3-0	97	2	Bye
3	Mancos	3-0	95	4	W
4	Caliche	3-0	93	3	Bye
5	Dayspring Christian Academy	3-0	75	5	W
6	Merino	2-1	48	6	Bye
7	Sanford	3-0	44	8	W
8	Vail Christian	3-0	33	–	W
9	West Grand	3-1	26	9	W
10	Rangely	3-1	19	7	L
Others receiving votes:
Hoehne 18, Pikes Peak Christian 16, Soroco 8, Holly 6, Sargent 5, Dove Creek 3.
Dropped out
Hoehne (10).

6-man
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Kit Carson (8)	4-0	89	1	W
2	Fleming (1)	4-0	79	2	W
3	Stratton/Liberty	3-1	74	3	W
4	Cheyenne Wells	4-0	58	4	W
5	Flagler/Hi-Plains	4-0	49	5	W
6	Prairie	3-1	47	6	W
7	Granada	4-0	30	8	W
8	Branson/Kim	4-0	26	10	W
9	North Park	3-1	23	7	L
10	Briggsdale	2-2	9	–	W
Others receiving votes:
Cotopaxi 7, Cheraw 1, Eads 1, Peetz 1, Walsh 1.
Dropped out
Peetz (9).

Rifle has moved up to the No. 1 spot in this week’s Class 2A football rankings.

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

Complete rankings for all classes are below.

[divider]

CHSAANow.com Football Polls

Voted upon by coaches around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. In classs 1A-5A, these rankings will factor into postseason seeding. More information is available here.

Class 5A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Columbine (13)	3-0	214	1	W
2	Cherry Creek (4)	3-0	199	2	W
3	Valor Christian (5)	2-1	174	3	W
4	Grandview	3-0	165	4	W
5	Regis Jesuit	3-0	127	6	W
6	Ralston Valley (1)	3-0	124	5	W
7	Eaglecrest	3-0	94	7	W
8	Pomona	1-2	78	8	L
9	Cherokee Trail	3-0	21	9	W
10	Fairview	2-1	17	–	W
Others receiving votes:
Lakewood 12, Legend 12, Castle View 11, Smoky Hill 10, Mullen 3, Chaparral 2, Mountain Vista 1, Overland 1.
Dropped out
Legend (10).

Class 4A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Pine Creek (19)	2-0	217	1	W
2	Broomfield (1)	3-0	204	2	W
3	Montrose (2)	3-0	165	3	W
4	Pueblo West	3-0	150	4	W
5	Dakota Ridge	2-0	114	5	Bye
6	Chatfield	2-1	106	6	W
7	Ponderosa	1-2	78	8	W
8	Loveland	1-1	61	7	W
9	Windsor	1-1	27	10	L
10	Heritage	1-1	26	9	L
Others receiving votes:
Vista Peak Prep 25, Silver Creek 18, Monarch 14, Skyline 14, Fruita Monument 11, Hinkley 11, Greeley West 8, Longmont 4, Wheat Ridge 4, Brighton 3, Grand Junction 3, Rampart 2.
Dropped out
None.

Class 3A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Palmer Ridge (16)	2-0	184	1	W
2	Mead (1)	3-0	163	3	W
3	Green Mountain	2-0	142	4	W
4	Pueblo South (1)	3-0	138	6	W
5	Palisade	1-1	90	2	L
6	Discovery Canyon	2-1	83	5	L
7	Frederick	2-0	54	–	W
8	Roosevelt	1-1	53	9	Bye
9	Erie	1-2	33	7	L
10	Durango	1-2	27	10	L
Others receiving votes:
Fort Morgan 23, Pueblo East 21, Northridge 18, Holy Family 17, Pueblo Central 13, Lincoln 10, Lewis-Palmer 7, Battle Mountain 6, Thomas Jefferson 6, Lutheran 5, Conifer 4, Harrison 3.
Dropped out
Pueblo East (8).

Class 2A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Rifle (7)	2-0	171	2	Bye
2	Sterling (7)	3-0	170	5	W
3	Delta (2)	2-0	150	3	W
4	Platte Valley (2)	2-1	140	4	W
5	Faith Christian (1)	1-1	111	7	W
6	Resurrection Christian (1)	1-1	111	6	Bye
7	La Junta (1)	1-1	99	1	L
8	Alamosa	2-0	75	–	W
9	Basalt (1)	2-0	39	–	W
10	Bayfield	1-1	37	10	Bye
Others receiving votes:
Eaton 32, Kent Denver 26, The Classical Academy 14, Aspen 6, Bennett 5, Elizabeth 5, Bishop Machebeuf 4, Brush 4, D’Evelyn 4, Englewood 2, Lamar 2, University 2, Moffat County 1.
Dropped out
Kent Denver (8), The Classical Academy (9).

Class 1A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Limon (15)	2-0	196	1	W
2	Strasburg (4)	3-0	167	2	W
3	Holyoke (1)	4-0	164	3	–
4	Meeker	3-0	133	4	W
5	Florence (1)	2-0	123	6	Bye
6	Colorado Springs Christian	1-1	89	7	W
7	Centauri	1-1	78	5	L
8	Burlington	1-1	54	8	W
9	Buena Vista	2-0	47	9	W
10	Rye	3-0	42	–	W
Others receiving votes:
Highland 20, Hotchkiss 14, Paonia 10, Flatirons Academy 7, Monte Vista 6, Peyton 2, Wray 2, Wiggins 1.
Dropped out
Highland (10).

8-man
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Sedgwick County (14)	3-0	140	1	W
2	Fowler	3-0	103	4	W
3	Caliche	3-0	102	2	W
4	Mancos	2-0	99	5	W
5	Dayspring Christian Academy	2-0	79	7	W
6	Merino	2-1	59	3	L
7	Rangely	3-0	47	8	W
8	Sanford	2-0	35	10	W
9	West Grand	2-1	20	–	W
10	Hoehne	0-2	19	6	L
Others receiving votes:
Vail Christian 18, Pikes Peak Christian 17, Sargent 17, Soroco 6, Holly 5, Dove Creek 4.
Dropped out
Pikes Peak Christian (9).

6-man
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Kit Carson (8)	3-0	89	1	W
2	Fleming (1)	3-0	78	2	W
3	Stratton/Liberty	2-1	70	3	W
4	Cheyenne Wells	3-0	66	4	W
5	Flagler/Hi-Plains	3-0	44	5	W
6	Prairie	2-1	40	6	W
7	North Park	3-0	34	9	W
8	Granada	3-0	33	–	W
9	Peetz	2-1	13	7	L
10	Branson/Kim	3-0	10	–	W
Others receiving votes:
Cotopaxi 7, Briggsdale 6, Eads 5.
Dropped out
Eads (8), Briggsdale (10).

The 2018 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 from the results of the coaches’ vote.

[divider]

Class 5A

Player of the year: Aidan Atkinson, Fairview

Coach of the year: Ed McCaffrey, Valor Christian

First Team
Name	School	Year	Pos.
Elijah Anderson-Taylor	Eaglecrest	Senior	LB/RB
Aidan Atkinson	Fairview	Junior	QB
Reece Atteberry	Eaglecrest	Junior	OT/DE
Jordan Billingsley	Grandview	Senior	RB
Logan DeArment	Columbine	Senior	QB/CB
Andrew Gentry	Columbine	Junior	G/OT
Aidan Ikaika Keanaaina	Mullen	Junior	NG/G
Dylan James	Eaglecrest	Senior	QB/RB
Austin Johnson	Highlands Ranch	Senior	G/DT
Spencer Lambert	ThunderRidge	Senior	RB/CB
Carson Lee	Cherry Creek	Junior	OT/C
Michael Lynn	Cherry Creek	Senior	OT
Kiahn Martinez	Regis Jesuit	Senior	RB
Luke McCaffrey	Valor Christian	Senior	QB
Barrett Miller	Eaglecrest	Senior	OT/DT
Alex Padilla	Cherry Creek	Senior	QB
Alec Pell	Cherry Creek	Senior	FB/RB/LB
Billy Pospisil	Pomona	Senior	WR/FS
Cian Quiroga	Valor Christian	Senior	OT/DT
Brad Roberts	Ralston Valley	Senior	RB/LB
Roger Rosengarten	Valor Christian	Junior	DT/DE
Mason Schultz	Grandview	Senior	OL/OC/DL
Cobi Wood	Grandview	Senior	K
Ethan Zemla	Valor Christian	Senior	MLB/TE

Second Team
Name	School	Year	Pos.
Alijah Bates	Doherty	Senior	OT/DE
Garrett Bishop	Pomona	Junior	OT
Henry Blackburn	Fairview	Junior	WR/FS
Carson Brantley	Cherry Creek	Senior	FS/SS
Cade Bruckman	Grandview	Junior	MLB/FB
Corbin Curry	Columbine	Senior
Ben Earnest	Columbine	Senior	OL/DL
Ethan Frasier	ThunderRidge	Senior	MLB
Matt Greenwald	Fairview	Senior	WR/DB
Andrew Grout	Castle View	Senior	OT/DL
Jack Howell	Valor Christian	Sophomore	QB/WR/FS
Hayden Isenhart	Grandview	Senior	DE/TE
Austin Jandik	Cherokee Trail	Junior	DL/MLB
Justin Lohrenz	Columbine	Junior	TE/DE
Chase Lopez	Valor Christian	Junior	WR/DB/ATH
Kevin Lukasiewicz	Arapahoe	Senior	QB/P
Chris McEahern	Arvada West	Senior	WR
Dylan Morrill	Columbine	Senior	G/DE
Colten Muller	Pomona	Senior	WR/QB
Maxwell Nwokeuwu	ThunderRidge	Senior	OL/DL
Braden Siders	Ralston Valley	Junior	DE
Jake Steinmetz	Boulder	Senior	CB/WR
Isaac Townsend	Ralston Valley	Senior	DE/TE

Honorable mention: JJ Augustus, Eaglecrest, Senior, WR/CB; Tyler Banks, Fairview, Senior, OL/DL; Alex Bishard, Legacy, Senior, G/DT; Grayson Blackmon, Cherry Creek, Junior, DT; Vance Brazile, Cherry Creek, Senior, TE; Manuel Corrales, Westminster, Junior, OL/DL; Brian Crespo, Poudre, Junior, OL; Erik Delgado, Far Northeast Warriors, Senior, K/P; Bryce DesJardins, Fairview, Senior, WR/CB; Elijah Ewing, Denver East, Senior, WR/DB; Aaron Franklin, Denver East, Junior, WR/DB; Ryan Gilmore, ThunderRidge, Senior, QB; Thomas Harries, Ralston Valley, Senior, FS/WR; Zach Heckman, Fossil Ridge, Senior, G/OT; David Hoage, Smoky Hill, Senior, RB/MLB; Pierce Holley, Lakewood, Senior, QB; Cole Jesch, Ralston Valley, Senior, OT/C; Q Jones, Fountain-Fort Carson, Sophomore, RB/FS/SS; Adam Karas, Pomona, Junior, OT; Luke Keefe, Regis Jesuit, Senior, DE/DT; Dakota Key, Legacy, Junior, RB/LB; Casey Knutsen, Fossil Ridge, Senior, SS/RB/P; Colin Lavell, Legend, Senior, OT/G; Ryan Le, Mountain Vista, Senior, G/C; Brady Legault, Arvada West, Senior, G/DT; Devon Lobato, Doherty, Senior, FS; Geno Macias, Regis Jesuit, Senior, LB/SS; JP Martinez, Westminster, Senior, OL/DL; Mikey McClelland, Chaparral, Senior, DT/DE; Raymond Mclaughlin, Fountain-Fort Carson, Senior, C; Kyle Moretti, Pomona, Junior, MLB/FB; Sam Motzkus, ThunderRidge, Senior, DE; Brandy Okeke, Grandview, Senior, DE/LB; Trustin Oliver, Legend, Senior, WR; Lance Opp, Highlands Ranch, Senior, WR/LB; Cole Oster, Castle View, Senior, S/RB; Matt Pando, Northglenn, Senior, C; Dadrian Paris, Horizon, Senior, WR; Cole Parrott, Columbine, Senior, DL/TE/LS; Dayne Prim, Grandview, Senior, WR; Jalon’e Rice, Overland, Senior, WR/CB; Scott Ruckel, ThunderRidge, Senior, WR; Myles Ruiz, Cherokee Trail, Senior, DB/WR; Obasanjo Sanni, Smoky Hill, Junior, RB; Gavin Sawchuk, Valor Christian, Freshman, WR; Ben Schneider, Ralston Valley, Senior, LB/MLB; Liban Shongolo, Adams City, Senior, QB/SS; Malik Sparrow, Cherokee Trail, Senior, RB; Preston Stansel, Boulder, Senior, ATH; Grant Stewartson, Highlands Ranch, Junior, OL/DL; Jack Thiele, Pomona, Senior, SS/CB; Anthony Thomas, Rangeview, Junior, G/DT.

[divider]

Class 4A

Player of the year: Zach Weinmaster, Loveland

Coach of the year: Wayne McGinn, Loveland

First Team
Name	School	Year	Pos.
Garrett Beckman	Greeley West	Senior	OT/G
Ryder Blair	Ponderosa	Senior	LB/TE
Brenden Bower	Loveland	Senior	C/NG
Travis Bretches	Loveland	Senior	DE/G
Steven Croell	Broomfield	Senior	QB
Bryce Delahoy	Rampart	Senior	RB/NG
Ethan Drewes	Skyline	Senior	MLB/OT/DT
Chris Eckerman	Montrose	Senior	RB/DB
Jered Garcia	Dakota Ridge	Senior	RB
Jeremy Hollingsworth	Skyline	Senior	RB
Anthony Johnston	Chatfield	Senior	OT/DE
Kaden Jolley	Fruita Monument	Senior	DE
Riley Kinney	Loveland	Senior	QB
Isaiah Meyers	Loveland	Senior	CB/SB
David Moore III	Pine Creek	Junior	RB/CB
Cody Rakowsky	Loveland	Senior	RB/CB
Telvin Townsend	Longmont	Senior	OT/FB
Ethan Waite	Ponderosa	Senior	DE/FB
Deonte Washington	Vista Ridge	Senior	DE/LB
Zach Weinmaster	Loveland	Senior	RB/SS
Derek West	Greeley West	Senior	RB/SS
Kyle West	Skyline	Senior	WR/LB
Charlie Wildermuth	Chatfield	Senior	K/WR

Second Team
Name	School	Year	Pos.
Cade Balleweg	Grand Junction Central	Senior	WR/RB/ATH
Hunter Barnes	Chatfield	Senior	RB
Sean Boylan	Loveland	Senior	MLB/FB
Ryan Capasso	Broomfield	Senior	LB/OT
Thomas Ceniceros	Montrose	Senior	DT/OL
Matthew Eich	Broomfield	Sophomore	K
Drake Engelking	Longmont	Senior	RB/FB
Alex France	Standley Lake	Senior	QB/DB
Travis Heath	Fruita Monument	Senior	OL/DL
Matthew Heitmann	Dakota Ridge	Junior	OL/DL/LS
Tanner Hickey	Grand Junction Central	Senior	FS/SS
Frankie Ingraldi	Widefield	Senior	RB/LB
Kyle Jameson	Pueblo West	Senior	FS/WR
Max Lofy	Pine Creek	Junior	ATH
LaDarius Mays	Coronado	Junior	RB/FS
Collin Morrison	Loveland	Senior	DE
Treyton Queen	Fruita Monument	Senior	FB/DE
Marc Rocha	Standley Lake	Senior	OL/DL
Ryan Ruger	Broomfield	Senior	G/OT
Chase Silva	Skyline	Sophomore	QB/FS
Levi Taylor	Ponderosa	Senior	OT
Jack Walters	Golden	Senior	WR/FS
Adam Weaver	Pine Creek	Senior	G/DT

Honorable mention: Donovan Andrus, Grand Junction, Senior, DE/OG; Cauy Boulden, Montrose, Senior, WR/DB; Andre Brown, Greeley West, Senior, DE; Blake Bucca, Standley Lake, Senior, OL/DL; Ricky Childers, Skyline, Senior, G/NG; Drake Cortez, Brighton, Senior, WR/RB/CB; Oakley Dehning, Longmont, Senior, QB; Michael Deschene, Loveland, Senior, MLB/FB; Sam Dirks, Silver Creek, Senior, DT/DE; Nick Faraca, Centaurus, Junior, QB; Austin Fiala, Monarch, Junior, RB/MLB; Alex Guzman, Bear Creek, Senior, OT; Isaac Hesse, Skyline, Senior, OT/DL; Kevin Hooks, Cheyenne Mountain, Senior, DB/WR; Soren Howard, Wheat Ridge, Senior, OT/DE/TE; Joe Hufford, Ponderosa, Junior, WR/K/Ret.; Christian Jones, Air Academy, Junior, DL/OL; Noah Karwacki, Vista Peak Prep, Senior, K/P; Emmert Kastendieck, Montrose, Junior, RB/CB; Faleao Leatiota, Mesa Ridge, Senior, NG/C; Jacob Lee, Pueblo West, Senior, DL; Max Marsh, Grand Junction Central, Junior, QB; Braden Martinez, Windsor, Senior, LB/DB; Chandler Mason, Pueblo West, Junior, QB/LB/MLB; Nejon McCray, Denver South, Senior, DE/DT; Kolton Miller, Ponderosa, Sophomore, WR/Ret.; Micaylon Moore, Fort Collins, Senior, WR/DB/Ret.; Gianni Palazzo, Heritage, Senior, QB/SB; Joey Piacenza, Greeley West, Senior, TE/LB; Harlan Potts, Hinkley, Senior, MLB/OT; Elias Rolfe, Pine Creek, Junior, DE; Zach Rush, Fruita Monument, Senior, QB/C; Tyler Schemp, Greeley Central, Senior, OL/DL; Joshua Sharpes, Loveland, Senior, OT; Cole Simmons, Montrose, Junior, OL/LB; Chris Smith, Liberty, Senior, TE/LB; Michael Thompson, Aurora Central, Senior, MLB/TE; Andy Vickery, Heritage, Junior, G/NG; Jack Wathen, Skyline, Senior, WR/LB; Cameron White, Rampart, Senior, G/NG; Elijah Williams, Gateway, Senior, LB/WR.

[divider]

Class 3A

Player of the year: Ty Evans, Palmer Ridge

Coach of the year: Al Melo, Harrison

First Team
Name	School	Year	Pos.
Griffin Anderson	Discovery Canyon	Senior	K
Luc Andrada	Pueblo East	Senior	QB/CB
Jason Bruce	Palisade	Senior	RB/CB
Gage Clawson	Discovery Canyon	Junior	G/MLB
Carl Cox	Palisade	Junior	G/ILB
Aidan Cullen	Palmer Ridge	Senior	DE/OT/ATH
Jacob Dillon	Palmer Ridge	Senior	DT
Ty Evans	Palmer Ridge	Senior	QB
Nathan Hackney	Erie	Senior	DT/G
Kyle Helbig	Holy Family	Senior	TE/WR/DE
Daveon Hunter	Thomas Jefferson	Junior	LB/RB
Mitchell Jefferis	Palmer Ridge	Senior	OC
Kain Medrano	Pueblo East	Senior	WR/FS
Jaymeson Nelms	Erie	Senior	DE/TE
Isaiah Padilla	Lewis-Palmer	Senior	G/DT
Anthony Roberson II	Palmer Ridge	Junior	CB/SB
Dominic Robles	Pueblo East	Senior	DT/OT
Noah Roper	Erie	Senior	RB/FS/CB
Aumiere Shedrick	Harrison	Senior	RB/DL
Jaden Sparks	Palmer Ridge	Senior	WR/MLB
Cameron Tucker	Palisade	Junior	QB/FS
Evan Walsh	Lewis-Palmer	Senior	RB/CB/Ret.
Orlando Westbrook-Sanchez III	Harrison	Senior	QB/DB

Second Team
Name	School	Year	Pos.
Zack Anderson	Discovery Canyon	Senior	QB
Spencer Brooks	Erie	Senior	OT/LB
Cody Bruce	Palmer Ridge	Junior	OL/DL
Braden Christie	Pueblo South	Senior
Julian Custine	Erie	Senior	K/P
Brennen DiBella	Mead	Senior	OT
Luke Gair	Glenwood Springs	Senior	SB/SS
Patrick Gonzales	Pueblo East	Senior	RB/SB/MLB
JP Hamer	Fort Morgan	Senior	RB
Isaac Linker	Fort Morgan	Senior	QB/MLB
Dawson Marcum	Durango	Senior	RB/SS
Quinn Meinert	Green Mountain	Junior	LB
Ryan Monteleone	Discovery Canyon	Senior	RB/CB
Nick Norris	Fort Morgan	Junior	OT
Jay Olson	Mead	Senior	TE/DE
Logan Robinson	Frederick	Senior	DE/G
Jeremiah Runco	Pueblo East	Senior	DT/OT
Brandon Samora	Pueblo East	Senior	OT/G/DT
Joel Scott	Lewis-Palmer	Senior	TE/LB
Keshaun Taylor	Thomas Jefferson	Junior	WR/DB
Trey Towndrow	Green Mountain	Junior	QB/RB
Miron Washburn	Harrison	Senior	OL/DL
Will Woodward	Evergreen	Senior	OL/DL

Honorable mention: Joseph Alejo, Palisade, Junior, TE/LB; Austin Ban, Steamboat Springs, Senior, RB/LB; Will Banks, Green Mountain, Junior, DE; Cayden Camper, Pueblo County, Senior, K/P; Dante Ciaravola, Frederick, Senior, RB/SB/WR; Zak Cossette, Eagle Valley, 0, RB/MLB; Sebastian Dalton, Holy Family, Senior, DT/RB; Hector Escobar, Battle Mountain, Senior, DT/OT/LS; Ben Haefeli, Evergreen, Senior, FS/RB/CB; Ben Hersam, Mitchell, Senior, RB/MLB; Jahvell Johnson-Humphrey, George Washington, Senior, WR/CB; Marcus Kemm, Skyview, Senior, CB/SB; Michael Kumlin, Kennedy, Senior, LB/TE; Tanner Leise, Mead, Senior, DE; Matt Lyons, Harrison, Senior, OL/LB; Nico Martin, Pueblo Central, Senior, RB/WR; Nathaniel Mesa, Harrison, Senior, OL/DL; Taylor Morgan, Summit, Senior, DT/OT/G; Gabe Morgan, Canon City, Junior, OL/DL; Cameron Nellor, Thompson Valley, Junior, SB/QB/SS; Buddie Niccoli, Pueblo Centennial, Senior, RB/LB; Gavin Orbus, Holy Family, Senior, OL; Dorian Pacheco, Lutheran, Freshman, RB/LB; Grant Pullen, George Washington, Senior, DE/TE; Alex Rodriguez, Glenwood Springs, Senior, G/DT; Caleb Sherrill, Falcon, Senior, LB/RB; Cole Sniff, Pueblo South, Senior, RB/FB; Max Tafoya, Denver North, Senior, OT/DT; Nick Wall, Roosevelt, Senior, WR/CB; Carver Willis, Durango, Junior, OT/DT.

[divider]

Class 2A

Player of the year: Jon Nuschy, La Junta

Coach of the year: Ty Buderus, La Junta

First Team
Name	School	Year	Pos.
Ty Addington	La Junta	Senior	C/DE
Ty Beaman	Berthoud	Senior	DE/OT
Vince Deleo	Salida	Senior	MLB/FB/RB
Isaac Harris	Sterling	Senior	SB/CB
David Hawkins	Bayfield	Senior	LB/RB
Kyle Hecker	Resurrection Christian	Senior	OT/MLB
Noah Hollander	Aspen	Senior	WR/FS
Gryphin Hooper	Platte Valley	Junior	OT/DE
Peter Kuppinger	Resurrection Christian	Senior	DE
David Nagy	Faith Christian	Senior	RB
Jon Nuschy	La Junta	Senior	QB/SS
Hunter Paxton	Sterling	Senior	OT/DT
Alberto Perez	Platte Valley	Junior	TB/LB/K
Jake Reardon	Basalt	Senior	RB/DB
Jake Reuss	Basalt	Senior	OL/LB
Trevor Reuss	Basalt	Senior	QB/LB
Ernesto Rios	Platte Valley	Senior	TB/LB/P
Jacob Tafoya	La Junta	Senior	OT/NG
Jacob Thielen	Faith Christian	Senior	LB/OL
Tanner Vines	Rifle	Senior	RB/MLB
Wyatt Warfel	Rifle	Senior	C/DE
Trevon Wehrman	Platte Valley	Senior	QB
Zane Zuhlke	Resurrection Christian	Senior	FS/WR

Second Team
Name	School	Year	Pos.
Jordan Abbott	Faith Christian	Senior	S/WR
Connor Aragon	Pagosa Springs	Senior	RB/MLB
Aiden Barrios	Delta	Senior	OL/DL
Holt Brashears	Salida	Senior	DE/C
Jake Braun	D’Evelyn	Junior	OT/DE
Matthew Broughton	Montezuma-Cortez	Senior	FB/LB
Brendan Bunting	Platte Valley	Senior	WR/DB
Zach Busmente	Sterling	Junior	MLB/OT
Ty Garnhart	Eaton	Senior	QB/SS/FS
Christian Lamb	Faith Christian	Senior	G
Joey Licht	Kent Denver	Senior	QB/DB
Isaac Lorenzen	Bayfield	Senior	NG/OT
Kyle Lueck	Resurrection Christian	Senior	RB/LB
Armondo Martinez	Alamosa	Senior	G/DE
Noah Miles	D’Evelyn	Senior	ILB/WR/P
Keyon Prior	Bayfield	Senior	RB/CB
Alex Riedel	Resurrection Christian	Senior	LB/RB
Eli Smith	Salida	Senior	WR/LB
Reece Ullery	Elizabeth	Senior	RB/FS
John Van Hattem	Resurrection Christian	Senior	OC
James Waddles	La Junta	Senior	OT/DE
Daniel Westbrook	Bayfield	Senior	DE/OT
Josh Yancey	Platte Valley	Junior	WB/DB

Honorable mention: Jared Baker, Moffat County, Senior, G/DE; Andrew Borquez, Alameda, Senior, DL/OL; Antonio Chavez, La Junta, Junior, RB/LB; Bryson Cox, Woodland Park, Sophomore, TE/DE; Garrett Craig, The Classical Academy, Senior, OL/DL; Henry Fritzler, Eaton, Senior, DT/G; Hadley Holloway, Bennett, Senior, OT/DT; Dillon Jonsson, Aspen, Senior, OT/DT; Walker Kee, Lamar, Junior; Tyler Kissler, Valley, Senior, CB/WR; Ben Kuhnel, Middle Park, Senior, WR/S/ATH; Dillon Lucas, Prospect Ridge Academy, Senior, RB/LB; John Paul Luebbers, Bishop Machebeuf, Senior, G/DE; Goskany Luquin, Basalt, Senior, DE/OL; Ethan Mackley, Rifle, Junior, G/DE; Ryan Malden, La Junta, Junior, QB/RB; Grady Mandl, The Academy, Senior, WR/CB; Alex Maravilla, Eaton, Senior, MLB/OT; Caleb Miramontes, Delta, Senior, RB/LB; Swayde Noyes, Montezuma-Cortez, Senior, OT/DE; Danny Pelphrey, Berthoud, Senior, WR/DB; Antonio Rivera, Alamosa, Senior, MLB; Riley Romero, La Junta, Senior, WR; Nick Segal, University, Senior, LB/RB; Damian Spell, Coal Ridge, Junior, DT/OG/G; Brady Sullivan, D’Evelyn, Senior, ILB/OG; Angel Villarruel, Englewood, Junior, OL/DL; Mark Walvoord, Kent Denver, Senior, OL/DL; Nick Wellen, Brush, Junior, RB/MLB; Ethan Winden, Weld Central, Senior; Hunter Zentz, Manitou Springs, Senior, WR/CB.

[divider]

Class 1A

Player of the year: Cannan Bennett, Limon

Coach of the year: Mike O’Dwyer, Limon

First Team
Name	School	Year	Pos.
James Amick	Meeker	Senior	DL/OL
Cannan Bennett	Limon	Senior	QB/LB
Logan Blevins	Platte Canyon	Senior	OT/DT
Peyton Brones	Colorado Springs Christian	Junior	MLB/FB
Owen Busetti	Florence	Sophomore	MLB/RB
Bennie Chacon	Centauri	Senior	OT/DT
Adam Chacon	Centauri	Junior	MLB/G
Tristan Crowther	Centauri	Senior	DE/WR
Eddie Duron	Strasburg	Senior	G/MLB
Hauk Hubbard	Limon	Senior	RB/LB
Chris Lopez	Monte Vista	Senior	OT/DE
Logan Marx	Limon	Junior	OL/DL
Greg Olsen	Colorado Springs Christian	Senior
Ryan Phelan	Meeker	Sophomore	QB/DE
Braden Sandersfeld	Limon	Senior	WR/DB
JC Spence	Strasburg	Senior	FS/RB
Kory Tacha	Limon	Sophomore	RB/LB
Jesus Trejo	Holyoke	Senior	MLB/RB
Luis Villalpando	Meeker	Senior	LB/K/G
Trevor Walker	Peyton	Senior	RB/LB
Wyatt Warren	Strasburg	Senior	MLB/RB
Braden Witzel	Burlington	Senior
Javier Zamora	Limon	Senior	OL/DL

Second Team
Name	School	Year	Pos.
Morgan Arnold	Limon	Senior	OL/DL
Chase Beckner	Holyoke	0	DT/G
Carson Berghuis	Wray	Junior	DE/OT
Jaykhale Boiter	Jefferson	Senior	NG/G
Cannon Buford	Crowley County	Senior	OT/NG
Gabriel Calhoun	St. Mary’s	Senior	ATH
Joe Dunn	Colorado Springs Christian	Sophomore
Anthony Felice	Paonia	Senior	RB/LB
Daniel Frates	Peyton	Senior	DT/G
Jim Gabriel	Buena Vista	Junior	OT/DT
Lucas Gerding	Clear Creek	Senior	QB/FS/ATH
Josh Gonzales	Peyton	Senior	RB/FS
Eli Hanks	Meeker	Senior	RB/LB
J.D. Hart	Peyton	Senior	WR/CB
Cade Hillman	Wray	Senior	RB/MLB
Javier Lancaster	Florence	Junior	OG/NG
Zach Martin	Centauri	Senior	WR/CB
Deontay Martinez	Centauri	Senior	C/DE
Blake Mosenteen	Holyoke	0	RB/SS
Levi Peterson	Paonia	Junior	OT/DE
Kurvonte Rice	Jefferson	Senior	SB/QB
Trevor Tinajera	Platte Canyon	Senior	FS/TE
Kaidon Wenta	Monte Vista	Junior	RB/LB

Honorable mention: Koby Anderson, Highland, Senior, TE/LB; Lukas Baltzer, Colorado Springs Christian, Senior; Rian Chavez, Colorado Springs Christian, Sophomore, MLB; Bert Chrastil, Estes Park, Senior, RB/LB; Taylor Clark, Grand Valley, Senior, DE/TE; Edward Cruz, Cornerstone Christian Academy, Senior, OL/DL; Adrian Diaz De Leon, The Pinnacle, Senior, RB/LB/SS; Zach Dube, Cornerstone Christian Academy, Senior, QB/DL; Abraham Echauri, Center, Freshman, WR/CB/ATH; Jase Lantto, Peyton, Junior, DL/OL; Carlos Lopez, Center, Senior, OT/DT/FB; Ivan Martinez Pantaleon, The Pinnacle, Senior, OL/DL/K; Jacob Miller, St. Mary’s, Junior, WR/DB; Grey Neal, Paonia, Junior, QB/LB; Jonathan Pena, Grand Valley, Senior, RB/SB/SS; Jared Reynolds, Cedaredge, Senior, LB/QB; Ricardo Rocha, Rocky Ford, Junior, OL/DL; Ben Sanchez, Clear Creek, Senior, WR/DB; Trevor Smith, Strasburg, Junior, C/DT; Logan Stewart, Highland, Senior, QB/DB; Chad Sutherland, Strasburg, Junior, G/DT; Daniel Tena, Burlington, Senior; David Trujillo, Rocky Ford, Senior, WR/DB; Wesley Van Matre, John Mall, Junior, RB/LB; Taj VanderLinde, Cedaredge, Senior, DL/OL; Lane Walter, Crowley County, Senior, DE/G; Malaki Walters, Florence, Senior, LB/OG; Quamon Williams, Crowley County, Junior; Luke Yates, Buena Vista, Junior, WR/FS.

[divider]

8-man

Player of the year: Layne Green, Sedgwick County

Coach of the year: Chris Michel, Sedgwick County

First Team
Name	School	Year	Pos.
Eric Alcala	Sedgwick County	Senior	C/DT
Luis Dominguez	West Grand	Senior	QB/DB
Quinton Flanscha	Fowler	Senior	RB/CB
Matt Frank	Merino	Senior	RB/CB
Layne Green	Sedgwick County	Senior	RB/DE
Jordan Knight	West Grand	Senior	OG/LB
Jace Logan	Soroco	Senior	RB/ILB
Trysten Moltrer	Hoehne	Senior	RB/DB
Shane Montoya	Hoehne	Junior	OL/DL
Grady Nielsen	Rangely	Senior	OL/DL
Derrick Poss	Akron	Senior	RB/LB
Max Quint	Merino	Senior	OL/DL
Kyle Rowe	Hoehne	Senior	RB/DE
Ethan Walter	Sedgwick County	Senior
Hugh Wheatley	West Grand	Senior	WR/DB
Adam Zink	Caliche	Senior	RB/MLB

Second Team
Name	School	Year	Pos.
Braxton Asbell	Sargent	Sophomore	OL/DL
Drew Brannan	Rangely	Senior	QB/DB
Erick Chaparro	Holly	Senior	RB/ILB/Ret.
Kobe Davis	Holly	Senior	DE/QB/WR
Beau Dukes	Springfield	Senior	QB/LB
Chance Garcia	Mancos	Senior	RB/MLB
Tommy Harmon	Pikes Peak Christian	Senior	WR/DE/K
CJ Hoff	Front Range Christian	Senior	WR/DB
Federico Orozco	Hoehne	Senior	TE/LB
Marcos Ramirez	West Grand	Senior	OG/DE
Devin Ramirez	Rangely	Senior	RB/DB/QB
Austin Stauffer	West Grand	Senior	OG/DE
Christian Still	Dayspring Christian Academy	Sophomore	QB/CB
Frank Torrez	Sargent	Senior	ATH
Justin Traxler	Akron	Senior	QB/S
Traevonn Walton	Caliche	Senior	NG/G

Honorable mention: Braden Anderson, Haxtun, Senior, WR/LB; Jayce Bauer, Wiley, Senior, C/DE/FB; Chris Bolt, Pikes Peak Christian, Senior, OL/DT; Riley Clayton, Sangre de Cristo, Senior, TB/LB; Zach Dolan, Vail Christian, Senior; Devon Frazier, Las Animas, Senior, LB/OL/K; Nate Freeman, Plateau Valley, Senior, OL/DL; Will Gabriel, Norwood, Senior, RB/LB; Dalton Gartrell, Sanford, Senior, TE/DE; Austin Green, Dove Creek, Senior, G/DE; Darias Harms, Simla, Junior; Terrance Heath, Sedgwick County, Sophomore, WR/TE/DE; Jaden Hottinger, Akron, Senior, RB/CB; Isaia Jarvis, Pikes Peak Christian, Senior, OL/LB; Stephen King, Gilpin County, Sophomore, QB/CB; Drew Lloyd, Front Range Christian, Senior, TE/DL; Brad Mazerall, Simla, Senior; Sean McKinley, Pikes Peak Christian, Junior, RB/LB; Austin Mclean, Dayspring Christian Academy, Junior, DT/G; Keegan Medina, Del Norte, Senior, QB; Mikey Mikita, Calhan, Senior, RB/LB; Tristan Moore, Rangely, Senior, TE/ILB; Breccen Morelli, Mancos, Junior, QB/DE; Bryar Morgan, Elbert, Senior; Brendyn Nordyke, Holly, Senior, NG/OG/RB; Beau Parker, Sedgwick County, Junior; Franchesco Rivera, Hoehne, Junior, OL/DL; Adam Sapp, Custer County, Senior, OL/DL; Thor Schiffer, Fowler, Junior, RB/OL/DL; Brady Shelley, Byers, Senior, CB/WR; Tyshawn Silva, Justice, Senior, ATH/DB/Ret.; Daigen Springer, South Park, Senior, TB/DB; Eli Suiters, Swink, Junior, DL/TE.

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6-man

Player of the year: Bryson Long, Peetz

Coach of the year: Toby Kechter, Stratton/Liberty

First Team
Name	School	Year	Pos.
Bryce Carlstrom	North Park	Senior	ATH
T.J. Conaway	Kit Carson	Senior
Cordell Farmer	Kit Carson	Junior	DE/TE
Devon Jara	Granada	Senior	QB
Walter Jordan	Prairie	Senior
Jaret Lichty	Stratton/Liberty	Sophomore	RB/LB
Tyson Lichty	Stratton/Liberty	Senior	QB/LB
Bryson Long	Peetz	Senior	RB
Sam McGinnis	Idalia	Senior
Bryce Miracle	Otis	Senior	RB
Quade Pelton	Cheyenne Wells	Junior
Ethan Richmond	Stratton/Liberty	Senior	RB/TE/DE

Second Team
Name	School	Year	Pos.
Tyler Blickem	Briggsdale	Junior	QB
Chris Bryan	Kit Carson	Senior
Jade Cozart	Cheyenne Wells	Senior
Lucas Hart	Cheraw	Senior	RB/LB
Duchea High	Colorado School for the Deaf Blind	Senior	QB/S
Kyle Klann	Flagler/Hi-Plains	Senior
Levi Shean	Stratton/Liberty	Senior	TE/LB
Steven Tunstall	Cotopaxi	Senior	FB/OL/DE
Ty Warren	La Veta	Senior	ILB/FB/HB
Isaih Wellman	Mountain Valley	Senior	DE/RB/LB
Cooper White	Peetz	Junior	RB
Eltan Yarger	Stratton/Liberty	Senior	FB/LB

Honorable mention: Josh Baca, Granada, Senior, RB; Zayd Banks, Flagler/Hi-Plains, Sophomore; Vincent Bauer, Briggsdale, Senior, FS/WR; Axel Escareno, Manzanola, Junior, FS/QB; Brock Follett, North Park, Junior, RB/DE/LB; Isaac Gonzales, La Veta, Junior, DE/TE/WR; Chris Goss, Fleming, Sophomore, DE/WR; David Hammel, Mountain Valley, Senior, LB/TE/DE; Ty Hunt, Otis, Senior, QB/ILB/S; Cesar Iturralde, Branson/Kim, Senior, RB/FS; Dominic Martinez, Manzanola, Senior, MLB/FB; Coy McDonald, Walsh, Junior, ILB/DB/RB; Ambrosio Mondragon, Sierra Grande, Senior, WR/DE; Trey Moore, Prairie, Senior; Walker Morelock, Deer Trail, Junior, LB/RB; Alex Salazar, Walsh, Senior, RB/LB/C; Caleb Scharsch, Sierra Grande, Sophomore, TB/LB; Greg Tidquist, Genoa-Hugo, Senior, QB/S; Zackary Van Esselstine, Cotopaxi, Junior, C/DE; Brandon Williams, Fleming, Junior, RB/MLB.

It appears that defending girls basketball state champions are going to have their work cut out for them in 2016-17.

Only Valor Christian comes in as a No. 1 team in the CHSAANow.com preseason girls basketball rankings as a team who also finished the season hoisting a state championship trophy.

The Eagles won their second-straight Class 4A title last year, beating league rival Evergreen 55-40.

The Cougars will start the season at No. 4.

Led by Michaela Onyenwere, Grandview comes in as the top team in 5A. The Wolves advanced to the Final 4 last season, but lost a heartbreaker to eventual state champion ThunderRidge.

The Grizzlies did not break into the top 10 to start the season.

In 3A, it’s the 2016 state runner-up Manitou Springs who comes in as the No.1 team to start the year.

The Mustangs return senior Shelby Megyeri, who is regarded as one of the top guards in the state.

Defending 3A champion, Lutheran lands at No. 4 in the 3A poll.

Like the 3A poll, it’s the runner-up that will start the season at No. 1 in 2A. After falling to Yuma 55-46 in the 2A title game, Paonia will start the 2016-17 season as the top team in the class.

Yuma isn’t far behind though as the defending champ sit at No. 2.

A stunning upset in the first round of the 1A state tournament ended Kit Carson’s bid at a state title, but the Wildcats find themselves as the team to beat to start this season.

They take the No. 1 spot in the preseason 1A rankings.

Idalia comes into the season at No. 4 after claiming last year’s 1A title.

The girls basketball regular season will begin Nov. 30.

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.

Complete rankings are below.

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CHSAANow.com Girls Basketball Polls

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.

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

Class 5A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS
1	Grandview (11)	0-0	118
2	Ralston Valley	0-0	89
3	Highlands Ranch (1)	0-0	83
4	Cherry Creek	0-0	81
5	Lakewood	0-0	76
6	Horizon	0-0	61
7	Regis Jesuit	0-0	28
8	Pine Creek	0-0	24
9	Arapahoe	0-0	17
10	Loveland	0-0	14
Others receiving votes:
Broomfield 11, Monarch 10, Fruita Monument 9, Doherty 8, Fairview 8, ThunderRidge 7, Fossil Ridge 5, Poudre 4, Rampart 4, Castle View 1, Chaparral 1, Grand Junction Central 1.

Class 4A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS
1	Valor Christian (12)	0-0	135
2	Holy Family	0-0	113
3	Mullen	0-0	78
4	Evergreen	0-0	66
5	Pueblo South (3)	0-0	61
6	Mesa Ridge	0-0	59
7	Sand Creek	0-0	46
8	D’Evelyn	0-0	40
9	Pueblo West	0-0	39
10	Golden	0-0	36
Others receiving votes:
Longmont 33, Windsor 32, Durango 17, Falcon 16, Air Academy 12, Green Mountain 8, Pueblo East 8, Palisade 6, Berthoud 5, Montrose 5, Discovery Canyon 3, Thomas Jefferson 3, Rifle 2, Centaurus 1, Elizabeth 1.

Class 3A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS
1	Manitou Springs (5)	0-0	87
2	Sterling (2)	0-0	84
3	Pagosa Springs	0-0	76
4	Lutheran (1)	0-0	62
5	Centauri	0-0	58
6	St. Mary’s (1)	0-0	52
7	Eaton (1)	0-0	38
8	Faith Christian	0-0	27
9	Lamar	0-0	19
10	Liberty Common	0-0	11
Others receiving votes:
Moffat County 7, Coal Ridge 5, Grand Valley 5, Bennett 4, Olathe 3, Resurrection Christian 3, Alamosa 2, Cedaredge 2, Colorado Springs Christian 2, Kent Denver 1, Strasburg 1, Trinidad 1.

Class 2A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS
1	Paonia (9)	0-0	99
2	Yuma (1)	0-0	70
3	Swink	0-0	67
4	Wray	0-0	64
5	Akron	0-0	28
6	Soroco	0-0	26
7	Haxtun	0-0	20
8	Del Norte	0-0	19
9	Lyons	0-0	17
10	Highland	0-0	16
Others receiving votes:
Ignacio 15, Clear Creek 14, Evangelical Christian 14, Sanford 13, West Grand 12, Hoehne 10, Sargent 7, Simla 7, Ellicott 6, Limon 5, Meeker 5, Calhan 4, Ridgway 4, Burlington 2, Fowler 2, Center 1, Custer County 1, Denver Christian 1, Norwood 1.

Class 1A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS
1	Kit Carson (7)	0-0	88
2	Fleming (1)	0-0	55
3	Heritage Christian	0-0	53
4	Idalia (1)	0-0	49
5	Briggsdale	0-0	47
6	South Baca	0-0	35
7	Genoa-Hugo/Karval	0-0	25
8	Antonito	0-0	23
9	Kiowa	0-0	21
10	Branson/Kim	0-0	18
Others receiving votes:
Cheyenne Wells 15, McClave 13, Jim Elliot 11, La Veta 10, Sangre de Cristo 10, Hi-Plains 5, Springfield 5, Eads 4, Holly 4, Otis 3, Stratton/Liberty 1.