(Brock Laue/CHSAANow.com)

The 2020 preseason baseball rankings are out, and the No. 1 teams are: Cherry Creek, Cheyenne Mountain, University, Peyton, and Flatirons Academy.

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

During the regular season, new polls are released each Monday.

Complete rankings for all classes are below.

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CHSAANow.com Baseball Polls

Voted upon by coaches and select media members around the state. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

Coaches and media members looking to vote should email rcasey@chsaa.org.

(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

A total of eight new teams joined this week’s basketball rankings: Chaparral (5A), Longmont (4A), Erie (4A), St. Mary’s (3A), Sedgwick County (2A), Ouray (1A), Caliche (1A) and Mile High Academy (1A).

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

Complete rankings are below.

[divider]

CHSAANow.com Boys 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.

The 2019 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.

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Class 5A

(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)

Player of the year: Jayle Stacks, Cherry Creek

Coach of the year: Matt Loyd, Ralston Valley

Honorable mention:

• Justin Anetone, Doherty, Senior, NG/DT
• Matthew Baer, Regis Jesuit, Junior, DE/DT/TE
• Jay Barry, Denver East, Junior, WR/DB
• Matty Bartels, Cherokee Trail, Senior, SB/SS
• Brandon Becker, Doherty, Senior, QB/WR
• Wiley Bennett, Boulder, Senior, WR/FS
• Brendan Bills, Fountain-Fort Carson, Senior, OL/DL
• Walker Brickle, Ralston Valley, Senior, QB
• Josh Carlson, Arapahoe, Senior, G/MLB
• Enrique Chavez, Horizon, Senior, G
• Zane Claypool, Castle View, Senior, C/DL
• Davon Desmond, Rangeview, Senior, RB/CB
• Delonte Dickey, Cherry Creek, Senior, LB
• Aaron Franklin, Denver East, Senior, WR/DB
• Chris Franquemont, ThunderRidge, Senior, WR
• Cyrus Goldsmith, Far Northeast Warriors, Junior, DT/OL/DL
• Michael Greene, Arapahoe, Junior, C/DT
• Hunter Hammerschmidt, ThunderRidge, Senior, T/DE
• Alec Hargreaves, Rocky Mountain, Senior, DE/DT
• Adam Harrington, Columbine, Senior, RB/DB
• Camwrin Harris, Overland, Senior, DB/WR
• Connor Hinkle, Mountain Range, Junior, RB/QB
• Adam Holton, Mountain Vista, Junior, QB
• John Hoyland, Legacy, Senior, K/P
• Jordan Jackson, Castle View, Senior, RB/MLB
• Romin Jimenez, Pomona, Junior, G
• Peter Krohn, Rocky Mountain, Senior, TE/DE
• Isaac Lacy, Lakewood, Junior, DL/OL
• Justin Michael, Poudre, Junior, T/G/TE
• Bryson Miller, Legend, Senior, OL
• Hunter O’Connor, Legacy, Senior, DE
• Daniel Ortiz jr, Prairie View, Senior, MLB
• Grant Page, Fairview, Sophomore, WR
• Blake Rarog, Legend, Senior, RB
• Leslie Richardson III, Smoky Hill, Junior, QB
• Isaac Ross, Ralston Valley, Senior, G
• Jake Rubley, Highlands Ranch, Junior, QB
• Ryan Rule, Highlands Ranch, Senior, T/DT
• Alexi Sanchez ventura, Cherry Creek, Senior, K
• Loris Sasia, ThunderRidge, Senior, P/DE
• TaShon Smith, Fountain-Fort Carson, Junior, DB/WR
• Matt Smith, Mountain Vista, Senior, RB/WR
• Grayson Stovall, Regis Jesuit, Sophomore, T/DT
• Adam Tasei, Columbine, Junior, K
• Anthony Thomas, Rangeview, Senior, G/DT
• Evan Tollinchi, ThunderRidge, Senior, DT/NG
• James Walker II, Cherry Creek, Junior, WR/RB
• Christian Wyatt, Valor Christian, Senior, DE/OG

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Class 4A

(Paul Shepardson/PaulShedardsonPhotography.com)

Player of the year: David Moore III, Pine Creek

Coach of the year: Todd Miller, Pine Creek

Honorable mention:

• Sam Beers, Air Academy, Freshman, RB
• Grayden Bridwell, Skyline, Junior, SB/DB/ATH
• Dalton Brummer, Windsor, Senior, DE
• Collin Brungardt, Windsor, Senior, NG/OT
• Julian Buerk, Denver South, Junior, QB/FS
• Are’an Burr, Air Academy, Junior, MLB/TE
• Nate Campanelli, Golden, Senior, OL/DT
• Yahir Chairez-salazar, Greeley Central, Sophomore, MLB/RB/LB
• Mike Cornelius, Liberty, Senior, RB/LB
• Erick Covington, Gateway, Junior, QB
• Conner Cummiskey, Heritage, Senior, QB
• Ty’Ren Draper, Hinkley, Junior, RB/DB/DL
• Hall Edmonds, Broomfield, Junior, MLB/RB
• Kyle Elligot, Cheyenne Mountain, Senior, WR/CB/FS
• Brayden Engelking, Longmont, Senior, MLB
• Beau Freyler, Pine Creek, Junior, SS
• Ben Gultig, Dakota Ridge, Junior, QB
• Max Hart, Dakota Ridge, Junior, WR/CB/K
• Joel Hesse, Skyline, Junior, OT/DT
• Hayden Iverson, Fort Collins, Senior, QB
• John Joseph, Widefield, Senior, MLB/LB/G
• Justice Kaneta, Brighton, Senior, MLB/TE
• Tank Lugo, Golden, Senior, DL/OT
• Denim Luster, Fruita Monument, Senior, RB/SS
• Colby Mauck, Loveland, Senior
• LaDarius Mays, Coronado, Senior, RB/CB
• Dawson Menegatti, Pueblo West, Senior, WR/RB
• Kevin Mulligan, Golden, Senior, WR/FS
• Erik Olsen, Heritage, Junior, TE
• Daniel Parsek, Mountain View, Junior, MLB/WR
• Mussa Pene, Liberty, Senior, WR/DB
• Steve Reyes, Dakota Ridge, Junior, MLB/FB
• Cole Riters, Silver Creek, Senior, FS/WR
• Dave Sapa, Fort Collins, Senior, FB/DL
• Tanner Sawyer, Fruita Monument, Junior, OL/DL
• Chase Silva, Skyline, Junior, QB
• Kevin Starnes, Standley Lake, Senior, FB/LB
• Trey Stewart, Monarch, Senior, LB/WR
• Grant Swenson, Broomfield, Senior, WR/CB
• Aiden Tank, Longmont, Senior, RB/FB
• Rocco Tate, Wheat Ridge, Junior, RB
• Grant Tucker, Rampart, Senior, T/DT
• Alan Wallace jr., Mesa Ridge, Senior, T/DT
• Antonio Welch-Soto, Broomfield, Senior, RB/MLB/LB
• Christopher (JR) William, Thornton, Senior, TE/DE
• Jaleen Young, Vista Ridge, Senior, DE/DT
• Raul Martinez, Montrose, Junior, OL/DL
• Colin Simcox, Chatfield, Senior, LB/WR

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Class 3A

(Lance Wendt/LanceWendt.com)

Player of the year: Raef Ruel, Palmer Ridge

Coach of the year: Ryan Goddard, Pueblo South

Honorable mention:

• Colby Arlington, Erie, Senior, C/NG
• Jj Armstrong, Green Mountain, Junior, T/DT
• JT Baughman, Roosevelt, Senior, RB/LB
• Arthur Braach, Pueblo East, Senior, T/DT
• Noah Brom, Palmer Ridge, Senior, RB/MLB
• Carter Cassin, Evergreen, Junior, RB/CB
• Paxton Crowell, Lewis-Palmer, Senior, FS/WR
• DeShon Gallegos, Skyview, Junior, QB/CB
• Luke Guarienti, Pueblo South, Junior, WR/FS
• Jose Handford, Pueblo County, Senior, RB/LB
• Logan Harris, Palisade, Senior, DE/TE
• Fynn Hyson, Durango, Senior, DE/TE
• Jonah Isakson, Discovery Canyon, Senior, QB/FS
• Brayden Keys, Mead, Junior, RB/CB
• Aaron Kness, Northridge, Junior, MLB/TE/LS
• Cord Kringlen, Holy Family, Junior, OL/DL
• Kaleb Lee, Mead, Senior, C/T
• Darius McFarland, Falcon, Sophomore, /RB/FS
• George Mendoza, Skyview, Senior, WR/DB
• Jaseim Mitchell, Harrison, Junior, QB/WR
• Andre Norman, Lutheran, Senior, WR/CB
• Braedon Peters, Holy Family, Senior, WR/DB
• Justin Podojil, Roosevelt, Senior, DE/TE
• Zach Pribyl, Palmer Ridge, Senior, K
• Marcellus Reed, Palmer Ridge, Junior, WR/CB
• Matt Schlieper, Green Mountain, Senior, DE
• Bryce Schmidt, Mead, Senior, G
• Avery Shunneson, Thomas Jefferson, Junior, MLB/TE
• John Slowey, Steamboat Springs, Senior, OL/DL
• Ian Smith, Pueblo South, Senior, DE
• Noah Tack, Lutheran, Senior, MLB/WR
• Mason Veve, Erie, Junior, RB
• John Wagner, Evergreen, Junior, TE/DE
• Cooper Walton, Roosevelt, Sophomore, RB/LB
• Romeo Wells, Harrison, Senior, RB/LB

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Class 2A

(Paul Shepardson)

Player of the year: Brock Shalla, Sterling

Coach of the year: Rob Busmente, Sterling

Honorable mention:

• Rulbe Alvarado, Basalt, Junior, WR/DB
• Mikey Babi, Bennett, Junior, QB/RB/CB
• Justin Baxstrom, Pagosa Springs, Senior, OT/DT
• Roman Benevides, Bishop Machebeuf, Senior, DT/OL
• Drew Bobo, Resurrection Christian, Sophomore, OL/DL
• Brandon Boston, The Academy, Senior, MLB/QB/K
• Will Bradley, Faith Christian, Senior, DE
• John Foutz, Bayfield, Senior, OG/MLB
• Seth Hagan, Prospect Ridge Academy, Senior, RB/LB
• Javi Hernandez, Eaton, Senior, WR/CB
• Ian Jackson, Alamosa, Senior, ATH/WR/DB
• Tristan Johnston, Basalt, Senior, TE/LB
• Mitch Lewis, Pagosa Springs, Junior, WR/RB/DB
• Reade Lindgren, Resurrection Christian, Senior, WR
• Jay Mares, Alameda, Senior, DT/T
• Cayden Mazurek, Riverdale Ridge, Junior, WR/FS/P
• Kalon Mead, Bayfield, Senior, TE/LB
• Gabe Montes, Platte Valley, Senior, LB/TB
• Emanuel Munoz alcala, University, Senior, DT/G
• Tucker Myers, Sterling, Junior, WR/S
• Michael Osgood, Faith Christian, Senior, LB/WR
• Conner Polenz, Sterling, Senior
• Zane Rankin, Lamar, Junior, QB/CB
• Matthew Redmond, Kent Denver, Senior, TE/DE
• Spencer Renfroe, Eaton, Senior, RB/LB
• Shug Reynolds, Middle Park, Senior
• Mason Robertson, Englewood, Senior, QB/LB
• Luke Seewald, Brush, Senior, QB/LB/SS
• Damian Spell, Coal Ridge, Senior, DT/OG/G
• Cooper Stratmeyer, Berthoud, Senior, RB/WR/CB
• Josh Straw, Rifle, Junior, OL/DL
• Holden Stutsman, Rifle, Senior, QB
• Sander Sveen, Kent Denver, Junior, MLB/G
• Will Thompson, D’Evelyn, Senior, K
• Koby Ullery, Elizabeth, Senior, QB/MLB
• Angel Villarruel, Englewood, Senior, OL/DL/K
• Zayne Walker, Salida, Senior
• Jaden Waller, D’Evelyn, Junior, DL/OL
• Vincent Weber, Elizabeth, Senior, QB/FS

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Class 1A

(Courtesy of Limon HS)

Player of the year: Kory Tacha, Limon

Coach of the year: Mike O’Dwyer, Limon

Honorable mention:

• Carlos Almeida, Center, Junior, TE/LB
• Matthias Brown, Strasburg, Sophomore, MLB/T
• Adnex Bumba, Jefferson, Junior, DE/LB
• Wyatt Carlson, Flatirons Academy, Junior, OL/DL
• Luis Chafino, Holyoke, Senior, QB/FS
• Wade Charles, Dolores, Senior, G/FB/MLB
• Jarren Chavez, Monte Vista, Senior, WR/CB
• Tyler Collins, Wray, Junior, QB/FS
• Taj Cornum, Centauri, Senior, RB/LB
• Tank Davis, Manual, Senior, LB/HB
• Abraham Echauri, Center, Sophomore, QB/RB/CB
• Dusty Emig, Cedaredge, Senior, DE/SB
• Blake Fabrizius, Highland, Senior, QB/TE/LB
• Keith Giles, Platte Canyon, Senior, DT/C
• Ben Griffin, Clear Creek, Senior, WR/CB
• Brandon Hooks, Florence, Senior, LB/RB
• Ethan Hotz, Monte Vista, Junior, G/NG
• Emmanuel Huerta, Wray, Senior, RB/LB
• Eric Maez, Centauri, Senior, QB/CB
• Johnny Marquez, Rye, Senior, G/NG
• Lajayzhin Miles, Manual, Senior, ILB/RB
• Seth Moss, Buena Vista, Sophomore, C/DT
• Robbie Muehlbauer, St. Mary’s, Senior, QB/CB
• Grey Neal, Paonia, Senior, QB/CB
• Kreed Rahl, Rye, Senior, MLB/G
• Mikey Ramos, Holyoke, Senior, MLB/RB
• Jaden Rigg, Highland, Senior, WR/DB
• Ricardo Rocha, Rocky Ford, Senior, DL/OL
• Cole Rogers, Meeker, Senior, WR/FS
• Trenton Rowan, Flatirons Academy, Sophomore, TE/DL
• Jose Ruiz, Yuma, Sophomore, G/DT
• Jaziah Sandoval, John Mall, Senior, T/DT
• Diego Santander, The Pinnacle, Senior, WR/CB
• Taylor Scott, Burlington, Senior
• Trey Seekins, Dolores, Senior, WR
• Tayvon Toliver, Manual, Senior, QB/CB
• Dj Van Matre, John Mall, Junior
• Tanner Younger, Clear Creek, Senior, RB/DL

[divider]

8-man

(Geoffrey Sager/MaxPreps)

Player of the year: Beau Parker, Sedgwick County

Coach of the year: Mark Van Sickle, Fowler

Honorable mention:

• Ike Andersen, Haxtun, Sophomore, MLB/LB/RB
• Braxton Asbell, Sargent, Junior, OL/DL
• Austin Beanland, Dove Creek, Junior, QB/CB
• Kade Bitterman, Elbert, Senior, RB/DB
• Logan Butterfield, Plateau Valley, Senior, OL/DL/LS
• Clay Canty, Sanford, Senior, QB/MLB
• Alejandro Castanon, West Grand, Junior, OG/MLB
• Cameron Collins, Akron, Senior, RB/DL
• Austin Davis, Rangely, Junior, OL/DL
• Rene Dominguez, West Grand, Junior, RB/DB
• Dakota Eaton, Holly, Sophomore, QB/DB
• Thomas Faucette, Sanford, Senior, RB/QB/LB
• Grayden Flint, Holly, Senior, C/DL
• Nathan Hart, Swink, Senior, OL/DL
• Luke Hiltman, Front Range Christian, Junior, QB/DB
• Michael Kelley, South Park, Senior, /QB/ILB
• Stephen King, Gilpin County, Junior, QB/LB
• Jesse Koler, Soroco, Senior, WR/DB
• Garrett Krehbiel, Dayspring Christian Academy, Sophomore, QB/MLB
• Ethan Larsen, Sanford, Sophomore, TE/DE
• Hayden Lasley, Springfield, Junior, RB/S
• Jamison Lee, Vail Christian, Senior, QB/FS
• Anthony Lujan, Rangely, Junior, RB/LB/QB
• Coletin Mazerall, Simla, Junior, QB/S
• Anthony Medina, Mancos, Senior, RB/FS
• Ty Miller, Byers, Senior, QB/WR
• Shane Montoya, Hoehne, Senior, OL/LB
• Breccen Morelli, Mancos, Senior, QB/DE
• Josh Mortensen, Sanford, Senior, WR/DE
• Dalton Parks, Calhan, Senior, /DT/OT
• Kage Pepper, Sargent, Junior, QB/LB
• Skylar Phillips, Wiley, Senior, C/FB/MLB
• Gabe Polley, Rangely, Junior, OL/DL
• Alex Ramos, Holly, Senior, Ret/LB/WR
• Ryan Richens, Rangely, Junior, TE/DL
• Brody Runkle, Pikes Peak Christian, Senior, FB/DL
• Levi Scadden, Front Range Christian, Junior, TE/DL
• Davis Schults, Simla, Senior, OL
• Micah Sharpe, Vail Christian, Senior, FB/ILB
• Eli Suiters, Swink, Senior, QB/LB
• Ryan Tempel, Haxtun, Junior, OL/DL
• Preston Terrell, Del Norte, Senior, QB/LB
• Nathan Tornone, Elbert, Senior, QB/DE
• Tyler Wytulka, Norwood, Junior, QB/DE
• Jaime Yabarra, McClave, Senior

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6-man

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

Player of the year: Brandon Williams, Fleming

Coach of the year: John King, Fleming

Honorable mention:

• Elijah Aragon, Branson/Kim, Senior, RB/LB
• Zach Armour, Stratton/Liberty, Senior, C/DE
• Zeke Craig, Stratton/Liberty, Senior, S/QB
• Kelton Davis, Branson/Kim, Senior, QB/LB
• Isaac Gonzales, La Veta, Senior, TE/ILB/WR
• Chris Hile, Flagler/Hi-Plains, Junior
• Nathaniel Holguin, La Veta, Senior, DB/WR/Ret
• Peter Hornung, Kit Carson, Senior
• Teagan Keeler, Branson/Kim, Senior, RB/LB
• Angel Medina, Eads, Senior, DE/TE
• Isaias Minchaca, Sierra Grande, Senior, DE/OL
• Walker Morelock, Deer Trail, Senior, RB/MLB
• Christian Nation, Otis, Senior, WR/RB/DB
• Kyle Nelson, Cheyenne Wells, Senior
• Elijah Roberts, Mountain Valley, Senior, RB/LB
• Cedar Ross, Mountain Valley, Senior, TE/DE/QB
• Tyler Sawyer, Cotopaxi, Senior, RB/ILB
• Lennie Valdez, Sierra Grande, Sophomore, LB/FB
• Zackary Van Esselstine, Cotopaxi, Senior, C/ILB

(Lance Wendt/LanceWendt.com)

Fort Morgan (3A), Skyline (4A) and Eaglecrest (5A) have joined this week’s football rankings.

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

Note that 6-man is now in its postseason, so no rankings for that classification will be posted.

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 class 1A-5A, these rankings will factor into postseason seeding. More information is available here.

(Adam Bright/CHSAANow.com)

Pueblo South scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown with 14 seconds left in a top-10 matchup against Durango on Friday night.

Trailing 34-28, Class 3A’s third-ranked Colts (7-1) scored on a 10-yard pass, then converted the all-important extra point to beat the No. 7 Demons 35-34.

“It was a wild finish,” Pueblo South coach Ryan Goddard told the Colorado Preps Scoreboard Show. “Our kids, they kept fighting, they kept playing hard. We were fortunate enough to make a couple of plays down the stretch and find a way, and keep fighting and scratching, and clawing for everything we got.”

South quarterback Logan Petit threw three touchdowns, including the winner to Jackson Dickerson in the fourth.

“Those two have been making those catches for a long time. We wanted to put our best guys in our best situation that we could,” Goddard said. “Logan made an excellent throw. Everett Howland for them make an excellent play for them, too, but Jackson Dickerson, he found a way to get across the goal line. It was just a tremendous effort play, and the kid didn’t want to lose. He gave it everything he had to put his team in the best position.”

Pueblo South built a 20-6 lead into the second quarter following a 40-yard fumble return for a score from Dylan Atencio-Lujan. But Durango cut that lead to 20-12 at halftime. The Demons made it a one-point game less than two minutes into the third quarter on Everett Howland’s 41-yard score.

Durango took its first lead of the game at 27-20 when Jordan Woolverton threw a touchdown pass to Gage Mestas, his second of the game, with 10 minutes remaining in the fourth.

But South, which hadn’t scored since that fumble return, responded in the form of a 20-yard rushing touchdown by Petit to regain the lead after a two-point conversion at 28-27 with four minutes left.

“It was just that type of game where I didn’t know if we were going to get another possession,” Goddard said. “I figured we’d put a little pressure on them to drive the field, and they did.”

Again, Durango drove down and scored. Again, it was Woolverton, this time on a 45-yard rush. And it was 34-28 Demons with one minute remaining.

“I wasn’t real comfortable because I knew the type of player (Woolverton) was, and he made a run on 4th-and-4 that went for about (45) yards, and he bounced off about six guys trying to make a tackle on him,” Goddard said. “At that point, there was 1:05 left. We just had a huge kickoff return at that point.”

South’s Luke Guarienti set his team with with a big return on the ensuing kickoff.

“It was a big play at a big time,” Goddard said. “This was a big-time game, and big-time guys make big-time plays. And he’s one of them. He put us in a good spot.”

The Colts marched down the field and finished the drive on Petit’s 10-yard pass to Dickerson, along with the extra point, was the difference.

Woolverton finished with four total touchdowns for Durango (5-3).

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3A: Pueblo Central 23, Pueblo Centennial 0

In the 119th Bell Game, the oldest rivalry matchup west of the Mississippi, the Wildcats ensured the Bell would ring blue.

Christian Romero opened the scoring for Central with a 41-yard fumble recovery for a score. Jeromey Baros and Brandon Martin each had a rushing touchdown.

Check out this kickoff to start the second half:

Central's kickoff team with a HUGE play to start the second half, Central recovers an amazing bounce at the 1 yd line, and scores right away. 2 pt conversion is good, score is 23-0 Central with 10:00 left in the 3rd. #DutchClark #CoPreps #ESPNTop10 #BellGame @espn pic.twitter.com/3LXjMliUDo

— Dutch Clark TV (@DutchClarkTV) October 26, 2019

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5A: (1) Cherry Creek 38, (9) Cherokee Trail 7

The Bruins (9-0), newly anointed as the No. 1 team in 5A, started fast and held a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter as they cruised to the win.

Julian Hammond III rushed for a touchdown and passed for another, and Jayle Stacks and James Walker II both rushed for a score. Myles Purchase had a 94-yard punt return for a TD.

Cherokee Trail is now 6-3 this season.

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2A: (1) Rifle 21, (8) Basalt 9

Rifle trailed 9-7 early in the fourth quarter, but rallied with two fourth-quarter touchdowns to remain unbeaten at 8-0.

“Quite frankly, I felt like our kids rose to the occasion,” Rifle coach Damon Wells to the Scoreboard Show. “They played really physical football. It was a really neat environment. It was great to get out of there with a win.”

The Bears clung to a 7-6 halftime lead, and then Basalt kicked a field goal to go up 9-7 in the fourth.

But Rifle marched right down to take a 14-9 lead with just under eight minutes to play, and then added another one to seal with two two minutes left.

The win clinched a league title for Rifle.

“This experience is going to be invaluable,” Wells said. “We have some areas we have to get better with.”

It was Basalt’s first loss, and the Longhorns are now 6-1.

[divider]

1A: (6) Centauri 28, (4) Florence 20

Centauri (7-1) built a 14-0 lead in the second quarter, only to see Florence cut it to a 21-20 lead after three quarters.

But the Falcons got a two-yard rushing score from Mason Claunch, his second of the game, with nine minutes to play to help secure the upset.

“I was really impressed with my kids,” Centauri coach Kyle Forster told the Scoreboard Show. “They came out and they didn’t put their heads down. They continued to fight and we ended up grinding out the win.”

Eric Maez had a rushing and passing score for Centauri, and Baron Holman had a receiving touchdown.

Owen Busetti and Josh Martinez each had a rushing touchdown for previously unbeaten Florence (7-1), and Jian Aguilar had a pick-six.

“We knew that they were a very physical team and physical up front with great backs,” Forster said. “I thought our kids did a really good job of containing them. Those kids that they have, you can’t stop them, and they battled all night.”

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1A: (3) Limon 40, (10) Wray 9

Limon (7-1) led 20-9 at the break, then scored 20 more points in the second half in the win.

Kory Tacha had two rushing touchdowns for the Badgers — runs of 31 and 67 yards — and Jeremiah Leeper also had a rushing TD.

“We did a nice job of running the ball,” coach Mike O’Dwyer told the Scoreboard Show. “Both Kory Tacha and Jeremiah Leeper did a great job of running the ball, and our offensive line continues to improve and get a little bit better and they opened up some good holes.”

Tyler Collins had a passing touchdown for Wray (5-3).

[divider]

8-man: (1) Sedgwick County 50, (9) Caliche 0

The Cougars had six rushing touchdowns in the big win. Now 8-0, Sedgwick County led 38-0 at halftime and it was 50-0 after three.

Caliche is now 5-3 this season.

[divider]

Notables:

• No. 3 Stratton/Liberty beat No. 5 Flagler/Hi-Plains in a 6-man showdown. “It was a fun win, and we’re excited about going forward,” Knighted Eagles coach Toby Kechter told the Scoreboard Show.
• Quite a notable upset in 5A, where Doherty (2-7) knocked off No. 10 Legend (7-2) 36-34. Tight all game long, Brandon Becker had two second-half touchdowns to help secure the win for Doherty.
• Longmont knocked off No. 10 Brighton in 4A, 20-14.
• Highlands Ranch started the season 0-5, but has now won four in a row — all in league play — following its 35-28 win over Mountain Vista, and has a shot to claim the Metro South league title against Valor Christian next week.
• Horizon beat Rocky Mountain 20-10 in an important 5A Front Range League matchup. The Hawks are now 3-1 in league play, and 4-5 overall. “We knew we had a tough non-league schedule,” Horizon coach Frank Ybarra told the Scoreboard Show. “We knew we might take some losses because we’re a pretty young football team, and we just hoped it would help us come league. And so far, so good.”
• Golden beat Wheat Ridge 21-14. It is the first time in more than 25 years that the Demons have beat their rivals in consecutive years.

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More coverage:

• A top-10 football scoreboard after Friday’s games, and Saturday’s top-10 slate.
• All scores from Friday, and Saturday’s full schedule.

(Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

Cherry Creek has moved up to the top spot in this week’s Class 5A 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 class 1A-5A, these rankings will factor into postseason seeding. More information is available here.

(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

Four new teams joined this week’s football rankings: Cherokee Trail (5A), Brighton (4A), Harrison (3A) and Elizabeth (2A).

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 class 1A-5A, these rankings will factor into postseason seeding. More information is available here.

(@riflefootball/Twitter)

A 27-point second quarter sparked the win as Rifle won the battle of the top two teams in Class 2A football.

The top-ranked Bears (6-0) beat No. 2 Delta, 47-29.

“It was a really neat environment, and I couldn’t be more proud of our kids,” Rifle coach Damon Wells told the Colorado Preps Scoreboard Show. “It was a close football game, and that’s what you would expect with a team like Delta. Their kids are tough, and I know Ben Johnson is going to have them prepared.”

Rifle trailed 3-0 early, but then scored 21 unanswered points to go up 21-3 late in the second quarter. The Bears led 27-9 at halftime.

Delta narrowed the lead to 27-17 with five minutes to play in the third quarter, but Rifle had an answer, going up 33-17 a minute into the fourth.

Rifle had six rushing touchdowns in the win.

“We ran the football, but we were able to throw it in some pretty high-leverage situations,” Wells said. “I was pretty happy with how our kids responded throughout the night.”

The Bears held a high-scoring Delta offense well below its average of 45.6 points.

“Our kids played hard, and our defensive staff really put together a great plan,” Wells said. “We were a little more exotic with our blitzes than we had been, and I think that paid off.”

Read a full story of the game from the Glenwood Springs Post-Independent.

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5A: (6) Regis Jesuit 39, (10) Legend 21

The Raiders flexed their muscles in a big top-10 win.

David Dody rushed for five touchdowns for Regis Jesuit in the game, and the Raiders are now 7-0. Nicco Marichiol also had a 35 yard TD pass to Bryce Sloan in the first quarter.

The game was tied at 7 midway through the second quarter before Dody scored two rushing touchdowns in the final five minutes of that quarter to go up 19-7 at halftime.

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3A: (1) Palmer Ridge 42, (7) Lutheran 20

Palmer Ridge (5-1) picked up yet another big win, this time in league play, as it improved to 5-1 this season.

Raef Ruel had three rushing touchdowns to lead the Bears, Noah Brom also rushed for a score, and Luke McAllister threw a TD pass to Anthony Roberson II.

The game was tied 14-14 following a 95-yard kickoff return from Lutheran’s Brandon Belgrave with three minutes to play in the half. But Palmer Ridge, after punting away the ensuing possession, took the lead when Roberson II scored on a 50-yard fumble recovery.

It was 21-14 at halftime.

The Bears extended their lead with a 49-yard rushing score from Ruel in the third quarter, and then pushed that lead to 35-14 with a 42-yard touchdown by Ruel.

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1A: (1) Strasburg 35, (9) Highland 14

Strasburg (6-0) jumped out to a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter, fought off a Highland rally, and then secured another top-10 win.

“It was a pretty hard-fought win,” Strasburg coach Brian Brown told the Scoreboard Show. “That’s a very good football team we played tonight, and a very good football team, and we were fortunate to come out on top.”

With the game tied at 14, Collin Russell found Jayden Zacher for a 5-yard touchdown pass to give his team a 21-14 lead just before halftime.

Strasburg extended its lead to 27-14 on a 15-yard rushing score by Zacher late in the third quarter, and Russell put it out of reach with a 30-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Hemphell with eight minutes left.

Russell had three touchdown passes, and another on the ground. Jack Swanson had a receiving touchdown.

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8-man: (7) Sanford 52, (3) Mancos 24

Kelton Gartrell was a human highlight reel for Sanford (6-0), accounting for four total touchdowns, including three rushing.

Included in Gartrell’s haul was an 87-yard rushing score, a 93-yard rushing score and a 78-yard punt return for a score.

“Our kids did a super job. They got off an they got their blocks,” Sanford coach Joe Cary told the Scoreboard Show. “We had a big run game from Kelton Gartrell. He just lit up the field tonight. I just can’t say enough about our boys. They came out and played a really good game tonight.”

Mancos led 6-0 and 12-6 in the first quarter, but Sanford took the lead as the first quarter closed, and never looked back. It was 26-12 at halftime.

Chase Moore had three rushing touchdowns in the loss for Mancos, and he now has 22 this season.

Sanford’s defense played really well in the win.

“Every time we had a tackle, we had 5, 6, 7 guys in the ball,” Cary said.

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8-man: (1) Sedgwick County 56, (4) Dayspring Christian 16

With the game tied 8-8 in the first quarter, Sedgwick County (7-0) scored twice in the second to built a 22-8 halftime lead, and then put up 20 points in the third quarter to take a 42-16 lead going to the fourth quarter.

The Cougars, four-time defending champions, scored twice more in the fourth to roll in the win.

Sedgwick County had six rushing touchdowns, and two passing.

“Early on, that game is a lot closer than that score shows,” Sedgwick County coach Chris Michel told the Scoreboard Show. “They’re always tough.”

Of breaking open a tight game, Michel said, “We managed to find some seams later in the second quarter, and then in the second half.”

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Notables

Merino vs. Caliche. More photos. (Dustin Price/dustinpricephotography.com)

• 8-man No. 5 Merino built a 21-6 halftime lead en route to a 28-6 win over No. 6 Caliche.
• An important upset for Cherokee Trail, which knocked off 5A No. 4 Grandview 26-7. CT is now 5-2, while Grandview is 6-1.
• In a big matchup that may decide a playoff berth in the 5A Metro 10 conference, Smoky Hill beat Denver East 49-26. With the win, the Buffaloes are 6-0 in league. Every other team has at least two losses. “(Obasanjo Sanni) returned the opening kickoff, which kind of just kicked the wheels in motion,” coach Tom Thenell told the Scoreboard Show. Full highlights of the game are available here.
• 3A No. 3 Pueblo South beat Pueblo East 28-14 in the 44th Cannon Game. A recap of the game is available from the Pueblo Chieftain.
• Quarterback Jordan Woolverton had seven total touchdowns, and kicked a field goal, as 3A No. 9 Durango rolled past Pueblo Centennial 52-10.
• In 2A, Elizabeth upset No. 8 La Junta 7-6.
• Fort Morgan beat Roosevelt in overtime, 28-27.
• 5A No. 5 Ralston Valley beat Mullen 58-17 and is 7-0. “We scored a lot of points, but there were three defensive touchdowns,” coach Matt Loyd told the Scoreboard Show.
• In a game played on Thursday, Chris Hile of 6-man No. 5 Flagler/Hi-Plains rushed for 286 yards and eight touchdowns on just 16 carries as his team beat Peetz 72-27.

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More coverage

Conifer vs. Green Mountain. More photos. (Lance Wendt/LanceWendt.com)

• Vista PEAK won one of the most important games in Aurora Public Schools in recent history by beating Hinkley in a top-10 4A matchup.
• Conifer toppled Green Mountain in a top-10 3A game.
• No. 3 Montrose ran away from No. 7 Heritage in big 4A matchup.
• No. 9 Pikes Peak Christian feels it’s earning respect in 8-man.
• A top-10 football scoreboard after Friday’s games, and Saturday’s top-10 slate.
• All scores from Friday’s Week 7 games, and a schedule for Saturday.
• Photos from Conifer/Green Mountain.
• Complete audio from the Scoreboard Show. [Colorado Preps]

In a top-10 8-man football matchup, No. 5 Merino beat No. 6 Caliche 28-6.

(Lance Wendt/LanceWendt.com)

Seven new teams joined this week’s football rankings: Conifer (3A), Eaton (2A), The Classical Academy (2A), Wray (1A), Hotchkiss (1A), Dove Creek (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 classes 1A-5A, these rankings will factor into postseason seeding. More information is available here.