COLORADO SPRINGS — Senior Night was one to remember for No. 9-ranked Pikes Peak Christian as its rolled past Custer County 58-0.
Senior running backs Nathan Seay and Hudson Grant combined for five touchdowns while senior center Ben Kopriva had a receiving touchdown and senior full back Brody Runkle scored a two-point conversion.
“I think the most special thing is that this core, these seniors, I’ve had them since sixth grade,” said Eagles coach Kelvin Thorne. “When I got here, we only had two kids, so we’ve built from the ground up. They’ve been together a long time. They play as a team.”
Kelvin’s son, Jackson, is also a senior on the team. The younger Thorne had four passing touchdowns in the game.
“It’s such a blessing,” said the elder Thorne. “I think the coolest thing for me is him being a quarterback, as he’s developed, we’ve been able to connect together. He helps call plays (and) it’s just a special thing so it’s a blessing for sure. It’s pretty exciting.”
Compared to most schools with 8-man football teams, Pikes Peak Christian is truly unique. They are the only 8-man football team in Colorado Springs — a city in which over 460,000 people call home.
Most 8-man football team come from high schools with in rural areas, so for a school like Pikes Peak Christian in a city like Colorado Springs to have an 8-man team is definitely unusual.
“We’re the only 8-man team in the city so it’s weird because we go to these farm teams in the plains and these teams, they’re tough and they have that community feel,” Kelvin Thorne said. “They take a lot of pride in their football so it’s a different animal. “It’s taken some time to get the city kids into that mix, but the thing is we run it like 11-man. We pass, we throw, (and) we run different formations so to us, we’re just teaching football IQ.”
After finishing last season 10-2 and making it to the semifinals in last season’s playoffs, the Eagles are becoming more than just the “big city” 8-man team in their division.
“I think we’re starting to get that respect,” said Thorne. “We went to the Final 4 last year and so we’re getting that respect, but we’ve still got to push a little harder to get up one more time.
“Sometimes when we get to those smaller communities, it takes them a minute. We have to earn that respect because they’re tough. Some of these programs have been successful 20 to 30 years and so really, we’re still kind of new, but I think tonight was a good example where other teams are starting to go, ‘Whoa.’ They respect us more.”
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
(Steve Oathout)
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
(David Harvey/ImageProPhotography.com)
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
(Chris Fehrm/Chris Fehrm Photography)
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
(Lance Wendt/LanceWendt.com)
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
(Alan Versaw/stoutroadsportspage.com)
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
(Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos)
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.
[divider]
6-man
(Dustin Price/DustinPricePhotography.com)
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.
Rock Canyon’s Emily Sloan. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
LAKEWOOD — Emily Sloan knows Class 4A’s top hurdler well.
Nearly a decade ago, Sloan and Anna Hall were already teammates in a club track program. They have been great friends ever since.
Now donning the black and gold of Rock Canyon and the blue and white of Valor Christian, the tandem has flourished into Colorado’s premier hurdlers.
During the state track preliminary rounds of the 300 hurdles at Jeffco Stadium, Sloan saw her friend break her Colorado record with a time of 40.76 seconds, bettering the Jaguar’s time of 40.77 last week at the Continental League Championships. Then, Sloan managed to flip the script on Hall and take her record back in her 5A prelim with a new all-classification best of 40.60.
In a terrific display of sportsmanship and a sign of the friends’ bond, Hall cheered loudly on the infield during Sloan’s attempt at the feat.
“I definitely had extra motivation going into that race, because Anna’s my best friend,” Sloan, a senior, said. “I’m happy she got it, but I definitely wanted to take it back from her. She’s a great competitor though. We’ll push each other throughout the years.
“We’re sisters almost.”
Sloan and Hall, still only a junior, tallied the second and third best times in the nation for the 2018 season. As impressive as Friday’s hurdle races happened to be, the prep stars have a laundry list of other accomplishments.
Sloan chose to sign with the University of Oregon, having already claimed four state titles (three in a row in 100 hurdles) going into her final season for the Jaguars.
“It’s been a dream school of mine since I was little,” she said. “I knew that would be the best place to give me a shot at my goals.”
She has ambitions of winning an individual and team national championship at Oregon, but before she embarks on even greater goals she’ll be putting the final touches on an illustrious prep career on Saturday in the 100 hurdles (No. 1 seed), 300 hurdles, and 200 (No. 2 seed at 23.93 seconds).
Valor Christian’s Anna Hall. (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
As for Hall, the junior has been a national champion indoors in the high jump and pentathlon, along with being tabbed the defending state champion in both hurdles in 4A.
On top of that, she claimed her first long jump state crown on Friday with a mark of 18 feet, 9.75 inches. Valor Christian’s latest elite female in track could have a flurry of accomplishments coming her way at the prep level and beyond.
As usual, the 4A and 5A competitions delivered plenty of eye-opening performances. Denver East girls continued their domination in sprints with a time of 46.51 seconds in the 400-meter relay in prelims, tying the state record held by George Washington from 2007. Later on in the meet, despite not running Arria Minor in the final, the Angels won the 800 relay (1:40.25).
Denver East and Grandview both shattered the all-classification state records (previously held by George Washington) in the 800 meter sprint medley relay with marks of 1:42.62 and 1:42.89. Freshman Kyairra Reigh ran the 400 anchor leg for East.
The beauty of track and field is that times and marks never lie though. With competitors from all five classifications testing themselves against the state’s finest athletes at Jeffco Stadium, small school competitors sometimes prove themselves as the best in Colorado.
Soroco’s Ben Kelley.
Soroco senior Ben Kelley shattered the 2A state record in the 800 three consecutive seasons at Jeffco Stadium (1:55.61 in 2016, 1:54.75 in 2017, 1:52.77 in 2018). He also broke the classification record in the 1,600 with a time of 4:17.23 at the St. Vrain Invite last week, a best time held by Paul Roberts of Lyons in 2016 (4:17.35).
Kelley also claimed state crowns in cross country as a senior, the 1,600 as a junior, and the 3,200 as a junior. He has chosen to pursue collegiate running at Columbia University in the Ivy League.
Oh, and the sensational Soroco harrier even ran the fastest 800 time in all classifications on Friday. Kelley feels inspired by the town he lives in.
“I come from a super small community,” he said. “We have less than 90 kids in our school, so we’re practically 1A. We’re like a family. We get a lot of support from the community. Even the teachers, people who aren’t necessarily associated with athletics, they always keep up with it.”
The state track and field meet will resume at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.
[divider]
Class 5A notes:
Fairview junior Marlena Preigh (2:09.19) fended off Broomfield senior Madison Mooney (2:10.19) and Highlands Ranch sophomore Bryce Johansen (2:10.55) in the 800-meter run.
Grandview senior Kylee Harr (5-10) won high jump with an impressive mark.
Landon Rast, a senior for the Legend Titans, won the 800 in 1:53.03.
Fountain-Fort Carson boys (1:26.53) beat a game Cherry Creek (1:26.65) contingent in the 800 relay. Fountain also finished first in prelims of the 1,600 relay (3:17.85).
Class 4A notes:
Valor Christian girls won the 800 relay (1:41.89). They might also claim the team title on Saturday.
Discovery Canyon junior Liberty Ricca (10:57) and Valor Christian sophomore Cole Sprout (9:22) topped all competitors in the 3,200 races.
Mead girls (1:45.17) continued their high-level relay performances with a sprint medley championship.
Niwot freshman Taylor James (2:13.55) strided away from everyone in the two-lap 800 final. Former Niwot great Elise Cranny holds the classification state meet record with a time of 2:08.
Vista Ridge senior Raymon Harper has been terrific in all three jumps, finishing first in long jump (23-3) and second in high jump (6-9). He was also the winner of the triple jump on Thursday.
Garrett Martin, a Standley Lake veteran, cleared 6 feet, 10 inches to conquer high jump.
Pine Creek boys were victorious in the 800 relay (1:28.07).
Silver Creek superstar James Lee (1:54.25) is a back-to-back 800 state champion.
Class 3A notes:
TCA senior Erika Willis, the sister of Colorado record holder Andrea, broke her own 3A state meet record in pole vault. Last season she cleared 12-5, but this year 12-9 won it over Platte Canyon’s Hayley Rayburn (12-6).
The Classical Academy also won the girls 800 relay (1:43.91).
Sierra senior Alexandria Burns brought a triple jump title back to Colorado Springs with a mark of 36-5.
Maggi Congdon of Steamboat Springs (2:14) and Rasce Englehardt (1:56.41) claimed the 800 crowns. Denver West sophomore Yasin Sado (1:56.45) was barely second in the two-lapper.
Pagosa Springs senior Keena Murphy (127-10) topped the field in girls discus.
Faith Christian senior Reece Davidson finished first in another throwing event (53-4.50 in shot put).
Lutheran boys broke a 16-year record held by Yuma in the 800 relay with a blistering 1:28.01. The previous 3A record was 1:28.31. Lutheran girls won the sprint medley relay as well (1:49.43).
Bayfield senior Carl Heide (38.36) shattered the 3A state meet record in the 300 hurdles. The record was from 1995 and held by Ben Myers of Colorado Springs Christian (38.39).
Class 2A notes:
Telluride senior Soleil Gaylord (11:16) won her third consecutive title in the 3,200 with a 37-second winning margin.
Monika Williams anchored Denver Christian to a victorious sprint medley relay (1:51.67).
Peyton junior Kaylee Kearse (2:18) pulled away from the field in the 800. Peyton also won the 800 relay in 1:48.93.
Logan Kuskie of Lyons continued a family tradition of success in pole vault with a gold medal (11-2).
Holyoke sophomore Taeryn Trumper (18-1.75) was the long jump champion.
Burlington senior Alex Bauer won girls shot put (39-2.25).
Cedaredge (1:32.02) claimed the boys 800 relay.
Rocky Ford senior Cody Danley (9:42) put his foot on the gas in the final 1,600 as Lyons sophomore Isaac Roberts (9:55) and Custer County freshman Micah Zeller (10:04) showed plenty of distance promise for future years while rounding out the top three in the 3,200.
Brady Lenz of Sanford outperformed everyone in triple jump (43-2.5).
Crowley County junior Lane Walter (160-1) was terrific in boys discus.
Jake Chrisman of Yuma won pole vault (13-4).
Class 1A notes:
Springfield nipped the 1A state record in the girls sprint medley relay with a time of 1:53.88. JT Borunda also won boys discus (136-6) for Springfield. They were also champions in the girls 800 relay (1:50.89).
Heritage Christian once again dominated distance events as Leeann Wagner (2:25) and Levi Kilian (1:59.13) crushed the 800 races. Isaiah Bowsher finished runner-up in the 800 as well.
43-1.5 won boys triple jump (Jade Cass of Pawnee).
Genoa-Hugo swept gold and silver in girls shot put as Heather Graham (39-5.5) and Ryely Smartt (36-8) were first and second.
Matalynn Dawson (Miami-Yoder) was impressive in triple jump with a mark of 34-6.
Jerraldawn Rector of Simla (5-1) beat Dawson in a jump-off in the girls high jump discipline as both cleared 5-1.
Plateau Valley (10:28.66) shattered the 1A girls state record in the 3,200 relay. Heritage Christian boys did the same (8:23.44).
Haxtun boys (1:32.93) broke the classification record in the 800 relay.
The 2017 all-state football teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.
These teams were created following a lengthy process which included nominations from leagues, and then a vote of head coaches across the state.
Players were placed onto the first-team, second-team and honorable mention based upon the number of votes they received. In 5A-1A, spots were reserved for linemen and one kicker/punter, while 8-man reserved spots for linemen.
CHSAA does not determine who makes or doesn’t make the team; they are created entirely from the results of the coaches’ vote.