Class 5A Heritage hockey looked to improve to 3-1 on the season and met up with Dakota Ridge in a Friday nightcap.
Tag: Dakota Ridge
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Chatfield boys hoops stampede into 5A Jeffco League play
LITTLETON — Chatfield’s boys basketball continued its impressive surge out of the gates to start the 2021 season.
The Chargers (3-0 record, 1-0 in league) opened up Class 5A Jeffco conference play Monday night with a 79-69 victory over area rival Dakota Ridge. The game was originally scheduled to be played at Dakota Ridge High School, but because of a deep cleaning at DRHS, the game was moved hours before tipoff to Chatfield High School.
Chatfield senior Nathan Jacobson (5) drives on Dakota Ridge senior Jonathan Junker during the Class 5A Jeffco League opener Monday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics) A bit of an earlier start and location change could have spelled doom for the Eagles, who suffered defeats of 35 and 56 points last week to Legend and George Washington. However, Dakota Ridge was in the game the whole way against the Chargers.
“It was really close. It was tough,” said Chatfield senior Dylan Carter of the South Jeffco rivalry game that was a one-possession game until late in the fourth quarter. “We let them (Dakota Ridge) stay in it. We gave up a lot of open 3-pointers. Our defense was kind of lacking, but our offense was going well for us.”
Carter and junior Chase Miller led the Chargers with 18 points each. Senior Nate Jacobson pitched in 13 points and senior Ethan Johnson had 10 points. Chatfield’ fifth starter Ethan Goroski was just short of hitting double-figures with 9 points.
“Any of our guys can score 20 points on any night,” Carter said. “I think we have a lot of good scorers and shooters on this team.”
Carter and Johnson closed out the game going 7-for-8 from the free-throw line in the final minute to prevent Dakota Ridge getting the upset victory.
“We knew it was going to be a fight. Rivalry games always are,” Chatfield coach Erik Buehler said. “Dakota Ridge has some really skilled players and are very similar to us. We knew it was going to be a battle the whole time.”
Dakota Ridge seniors Gino Corridori and Hunter Hickman combined for 43 points in the loss. Eagles’ coach Sean Kovar was pleased to see the likes of sophomores Carson Evans and Alex Rodriguez knock down some shots.
Dakota Ridge senior Hunter Hickman pulls up for a jumper Monday night. Hickman had 16 points on the night for the Eagles. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics) The Eagles were able to make 11 3-pointers to stay within reach of the Chargers for the entire game.
“We are going to keep fighting and respond to adversity,” Kovar said after the loss. “We are going to continue to get better every single day.”
Dakota Ridge (0-3, 0-1) will have a bit of practice time this week before trying to capture its first win of the season. The Eagles are scheduled to return to their home court to face Arvada West on Friday, Feb. 5.
“The growth already from game one to game three has been tremendous,” Kovar said.
Chatfield is scheduled to face Bear Creek on the road Wednesday night. The Chargers have been impressive offensively averaging over 80 points per game.
“Offense was kind of our bugaboo at times last year,” Buehler said. “We would go on these o-fer stretches. We focused a lot in the offseason on that.”
The 8-game losing streak Chatfield suffered through to end its regular season last year might be a distant memory, but Carter still wants the Chargers to finish as strong as they have started this season.
“We don’t want what happened last year to repeat this season,” Carter said. “We are giving it our all with all these seniors.”
Dakota Ridge senior Gino Gorridori (32) challenges the shot of Chatfield senior Ethan Goroski (2) during the first half Monday night at Chatfield High School. Corridori scored a game-high 27 points, but it wasn’t enough as Chatfield came away with a 79-69 victory. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics) -
Photos: No. 14 Legend boys basketball tops Dakota Ridge
A quick start in the first quarter led Class 5A No. 14 Legend to a 70-45 win over Dakota Ridge on Wednesday.
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Dakota Ridge boys hoops prepared to maneuver through upcoming season
Dakota Ridge’s boys basketball team hopes to be in the mix for a Class 5A Jeffco League title this year after finishing tied for third last season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics) LITTLETON — Dakota Ridge’s boys basketball team won’t be making any excuses this season.
“I’ve decided as a program that we were never going to complain about rules, masks, games or the season,” Dakota Ridge boys basketball coach Sean Kovar said after practice Jan. 20. “As long as we get a chance to come together as brothers to be a family. We are just super excited to be here with balls bouncing and shoes squeaking.”
While every high school basketball team across the state will be dealing with COVID-19 pandemic rules and regulations, the Eagles took a big hit before players took the court for official practices this week. Taeshaud Jackson Jr. — Class 5A Jeffco League first-team all-conference selection last season as a junior — won’t be on the court for Dakota Ridge.
Dakota Ridge boys basketball coach Sean Kovar works with players during the first week of practice. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics) Jackson decided to leave Dakota Ridge and Colorado to enrolled in a California prep school. He averaged a double-double last season with 15.7 points and 11.6 rebounds per game.
“I was obviously disappointed for our program because I knew what an awesome kid and player he was, but we totally supported him in his decision,” Kovar said of Jackson. “Anyone who comes through our program we want the best for them. He was in a situation where he could better his situation and we completely supported that. We are excited to see where he ends up playing at the next level.”
Jackson had been catching the eyes of Division I programs.
Dakota Ridge would have had a formidable one-two inside punch with the 6-foot-6 Jackson and 6-foot-8 senior Gino Corridori.
“It was for sure disappointing, but Taeshaud is my brother and I want the best for him,” Corridori said. “Obviously I would have liked him to stay, but it was his decision at the end of the day.”
A positive for the Eagles is having Corridori back at 100 percent. Corridori averaged 14.3 points and 7.8 rebounds last season, but in only 10 games. A broken wrist kept Corridori on the bench for the first half of the season.
“It’s huge,” Kovar said of having Corridori back. “He is a leader and is one of our rocks. We play through him a lot. Over the last four years he is one of the most improved players we’ve ever seen come through our program. He can do it all.”
Dakota Ridge senior Gino Corridori has already signed to continue his basketball career at Western Colorado University after graduation. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics) Western Colorado University saw the talent too. Corridori has already signed to play basketball at the Division II program in Gunnison. Before heading off to the next level, Corridori sees the Eagles as a 10-win team during the shorted 14-game regular season.
“It feels great because I know I can contribute right way this year,” Corridori said. “It was hard to watch last year.”
Dakota Ridge played its best basketball last year in the playoffs. As the No. 41 seed in the state tournament, the Eagles upset No. 24 Doherty in the opening round. Dakota Ridge nearly clipped rival and No. 9 Columbine in the second round. The Rebels were able to rally late to escape with a narrow 59-54 victory.
“We always talk about playing our best basketball at the end during the state tournament,” Kovar said. “I felt like we were there last year and had a really good chance to beat a really good team. It just didn’t go our way.”
Kovar is counting on his other three seniors — Hunter Hickman, Joel Dominic and Jonathan Junker — on leading Dakota Ridge into the Eagles’ season that begins Jan. 27 with a road game at Legend.
“You definitely have to come out with a different mindset,” said Hickman, who was a 5A Jeffco League honorable mention selection last season. “You can’t just go out and get a handful of preseason games under your belt. We have to come out hitting it hard.”
Dakota Ridge senior Hunter Hickman, left, returns as a Class 5A Jeffco League honorable mention selection last year. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics) -
All-state football teams for the 2020 season
The 2020 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.
Because there will be two football seasons during the 2020-21 school year, this is the all-state football team for Season A. There will be a separate all-state football team released for Season C.
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Class 5A
(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com) Player of the year: Myles Purchase, Cherry Creek
Coach of the year: Dave Logan, Cherry Creek
First Team Name School Pos. Year Al Ashford III Cherry Creek CB/WR/FS Senior James Betschart Legend OL Senior Julian Hammond Cherry Creek QB Senior Gunnar Helm Cherry Creek TE Senior Jake Hives Columbine OL Senior Aaron Karas Pomona T Junior Nick Lyon Valor Christian T/DT Senior Braden Miller Eaglecrest OT Junior Liam O’Brien Fairview QB Senior Seyi Oladipo Eaglecrest CB Senior Boden Page Cherry Creek P Junior Grant Page Fairview WR Junior Chase Penry Cherry Creek WR Senior Jack Pospisil Pomona QB/DB Senior Domingo Prince Cherry Creek T/G Senior Myles Purchase Cherry Creek CB/RB Senior Leslie Richardson III Smoky Hill QB Senior Ty Robinson Eaglecrest WR/S Senior Gavin Sawchuk Valor Christian RB Junior Mukendi Wa-Kalonji Grandview DE Senior Arden Walker Cherry Creek DE/LB Senior Brayden Wood Fairview DE Senior Gus Zilinskas Cherry Creek DT/FB Senior Second Team Name School Pos. Year Jackson Anderson Valor Christian C/DE Senior Jay Barry Fairview DB Senior Austin Brown Ralston Valley T/G Senior Seth Cromwell Columbine FB/MLB Junior Caden Dollar Fossil Ridge MLB/RB Senior Connor Eise Legend RB Senior George Fitzpatrick Cherry Creek T/TE Junior Elijah Hamilton Valor Christian TE/MLB/TE Senior Anthony Harris Jr. Smoky Hill WR Junior Sam Krysa Mountain Vista CB/WR Senior Isaac Lacy Lakewood DL/OL Senior Aidan Lehman Mullen K/P Senior Mason Maddox Cherokee Trail DT/G Senior Jake Maikkula Valor Christian T/DT Junior Malik Majekodunmi Cherry Creek LB/DE Senior Brannon McGowan Arapahoe LT/RG Junior Justin Michael Poudre T/G/TE Senior Jaxon Muma Legend S Senior Clay Nanke Regis Jesuit DE/TE Senior Jordan Norwood Valor Christian MLB/RB Junior Ezekiel Peirce Arapahoe RB/LB/MLB Senior James Walker II Cherry Creek RB Senior AJ Zamora Pomona RB/LB Senior Honorable mention:
- Tanner Arkin, LB/TE, Fossil Ridge, Senior
- Spencer Aye, G, Regis Jesuit, Senior
- Matthew Baer, DE/DT, Regis Jesuit, Senior
- Mike Beeson, T/LS, Horizon, Senior
- Jake Berry, OL, Fairview, Senior
- Charlie Carlston, WR, Ralston Valley, Senior
- Mason Dickerson, FS, Legacy, Junior
- David Dody, RB, Regis Jesuit, Senior
- Jackson Dorr, P, Valor Christian, Senior
- Stone Fletcher, DT/NG, Horizon, Junior
- Blake Haggerty, CB/WR, Castle View, Junior
- Andrew Hale, S/WR, Valor Christian, Junior
- Evan Harrell, CB/SS, Cherokee Trail, Junior
- Jaxon Heil, SS/RB, Mullen, Junior
- Adam Holton, LB/WR, Mountain Vista, Senior
- JuJu Howard, LB, Pomona, Senior
- Wesley Jones, K, Columbine, Junior
- Ryan Kawashima, Cherokee Trail,
- Cole Kesner, C/DT, Highlands Ranch, Senior
- Sean Kidd, RB/SB, Rocky Mountain, Senior
- Tyson Lambert, ILB/TE, ThunderRidge, Senior
- Tyler Larson, WR, Valor Christian, Senior
- JP Luketu, RB, Eaglecrest, Senior
- Connor Mantelli, K/P, Douglas County, Senior
- Colton Martin, DB, Grandview, Senior
- Watson McBride, DE/T, Valor Christian, Senior
- Ren Miller, C/NG, Castle View, Senior
- Chase Muller, RB/DB, Pomona, Junior
- JJ Nelson, CB, Chaparral, Senior
- Cody Pettitt, DE/G, Fossil Ridge, Senior
- Garrett Quenzer, G, Prairie View, Senior
- Ryan Randall, DE, Rocky Mountain, Senior
- Jonah Rubadue, G/DT, Chaparral, Senior
- Michael Runnels, LB/RB, Arvada West, Sophomore
- Luke Sandy, TE/OL/DL, Legend, Junior
- Chris Sarkodie, T, Overland, Senior
- Kalen Shoemaker, QB, Legend, Senior
- Braelon Tate, Legacy, Junior
- Anthony Tocchini, T/C, Regis Jesuit, Senior
- Chase Tompkins, WR/CB/FS, ThunderRidge, Junior
- Jarrell Trahan, RB/CB, Highlands Ranch, Senior
- Nunie Tuitele, DE, Regis Jesuit, Junior
- Kade Unberhagen, Doherty, Senior
- Marc Wessbecker, FS/RB, Castle View, Junior
- Trace Williams-Mitchel, T/DT, Columbine, Junior
- Hunter Wilson, MLB, Cherokee Trail, Senior
- Jack Zilligen, LB, Rock Canyon, Senior
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Class 4A
(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com) Player of the year: Zack Rakowsky, Loveland
Coach of the year: Jeff Mauck, Loveland
First Team Name School Pos. Year Colten Brueggeman Montrose OL Senior Cale Cormaney Rampart QB/FS Senior Conroy raymond Dixon-agnew Loveland T/NG Senior Kaden Dudley Palmer Ridge WR/SS Senior Hall Edmonds Broomfield MLB/RB Senior Matthew Eich Broomfield K/P Senior Beau Freyler Pine Creek FS/WR/RB Senior Jayden Fuller Fountain-Fort Carson G/DE Senior Ben Gultig Dakota Ridge QB Senior Jack Hanenburg Ponderosa QB Senior Aidan Hockel Loveland G/DE Senior Zaine Hood Brighton DT Senior Tanner Jolley Fruita Monument DE/T Senior Connor Jones Palmer Ridge T/G Junior Q Jones Fountain-Fort Carson RB Senior Luke McAllister Palmer Ridge QB Senior Charlie Offerdahl Dakota Ridge DB/RB/KR Senior Cael Porter Ponderosa RB/S Senior Zack Rakowsky Loveland QB/S Senior Thomas Schneider Fountain-Fort Carson T/DE Senior Chase Silva Skyline QB/FS Senior Jason Soderlin Dakota Ridge OL Senior Joey Treccia Ponderosa G Senior Second Team Name School Pos. Year Justice Brashear Broomfield T/G Senior Grayden Bridwell Skyline SB/SS Senior Are’an Burr Air Academy MLB/LB Senior Anthony Costanzo Palmer Ridge FS/WR Junior Brayden Dorman Vista Ridge QB Sophomore Tai Faavae Fountain-Fort Carson MLB/RB Sophomore Terrance Ferguson Heritage WR/TE Senior Nico Gagliardi Cheyenne Mountain DE/RB/TE Junior Mason Galbreath Dakota Ridge WR Senior Spencer Hardy Dakota Ridge DL/FB Senior Kevin J allen Broomfield OL/DL Senior Cameron Jones Palmer Ridge DE/TE Senior Braden Kramer Pine Creek ATH/DL Junior Justis Laulu Vista Ridge DT/G Junior Ian Loomis Loveland MLB/FB Junior Lukas Moran Pueblo West DE Senior John Pastore Erie T/DT Junior Tilo Pena Dakota Ridge K Senior Jadyn Tafoya Loveland ILB/TE/RB Senior Armony Trujillo Fruita Monument Junior Mason Veve Erie WR/RB Senior Conner Waite Windsor ILB/OG/LS Senior Jaydon Young Rampart NG/C Senior Honorable mention:
- DJ Allen, WR/DE/TE, Widefield, Junior
- Oscar Aranday, G/DT, Skyline, Senior
- Kaden Arrastia, OL, Dakota Ridge, Senior
- Lamaine Arrington jr, RB/FS, Pueblo West, Junior
- Claudio Austin, Grand Junction Central, Senior
- Austin Bierhaus, CB/LB/TE, Loveland, Senior
- Trent Blundell, RB/DB, Montrose, Senior
- Jake Boley, OLB, Cheyenne Mountain, Senior
- Eli Bowman, WR/FS, Brighton, Senior
- CJ Brown, T/DT, Rampart, Senior
- Braxton Burrows, WR/LB, Widefield, Senior
- Yahir Chairez-Salazar, MLB/RB, Greeley Central, Junior
- JJ Dickerson, K/P, Mesa Ridge, Senior
- Aiden Gaddis, DT, Longmont, Senior
- Isacc Gomez, WR/DB, Thornton, Sophomore
- Jimmy Grace, DL/OL, Monarch, Sophomore
- Austin Griffin, FB, Montrose, Junior
- Jack Hanson, K, Cheyenne Mountain, Senior
- Eric Haslett, MLB/T, Rampart, Senior
- Espin Hernandez, FB/MLB, Fruita Monument, Senior
- Joel Hesse, DT/T/DE, Skyline, Senior
- Daymond Hill Jr., RB, Cheyenne Mountain, Senior
- Eli Hubert, WR/CB, Silver Creek, Junior
- thane humiston, RB/DE, Mesa Ridge, Junior
- Alexis Irizarry, CB/RB, Greeley West, Junior
- Anthony Jay, G/C, Liberty, Senior
- Aiden Johnson, HB/LB/SS, Grand Junction, Senior
- Caleb Johnson, WR, Longmont, Junior
- Joe Killian, WR/RB/C, Loveland, Senior
- Mason Lowe, WR, Chatfield, Sophomore
- Raul Martinez, OL/DL, Montrose, Senior
- Troy McCarthy, RB/LB, Standley Lake, Senior
- Mason Micci, RB/DB, Coronado, Senior
- Carter Motichka, WR, Ponderosa, Senior
- Branyon Murdock, Pine Creek, Senior
- Joe Naple, MLB/ATH, Palmer, Junior
- Keegan Patterson, QB/SS, Longmont, Junior
- Hunter Peck, ILB/OG/FB, Windsor, Senior
- Matthew Ramsey, G/LB, Brighton, Senior
- Marcellus Reed, WR/CB, Palmer Ridge, Senior
- Ray Salvatore, DE/G, Fountain-Fort Carson, Senior
- Eric San Souci, OL/DL, Coronado, Senior
- Christopher Smith, G/DE, Wheat Ridge, Senior
- Jaden Solano, WR/DB, Broomfield, Senior
- Philip Sonntag, T/G, Pueblo West, Senior
- Ryan Toy, OL/DL, Golden, Senior
- Adrian Valenzuela, RB/CB, Bear Creek, Senior
- AJ Wheeler, DL/OL, Broomfield, Senior
- Gavin Whetzal, LB/WR, Pine Creek, Junior
- Tyson Williams, WB/CB/K, Loveland, Junior
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Class 3A
(Brad Cochi) Player of the year: Jordan Woolverton, Durango
Coach of the year: David Vogt, Durango
First Team Name School Pos. Year Isaac Abramson Lutheran C/G Senior Nathan Bailey Mead RB/LB Senior Tommy Brake Roosevelt OL/DL Senior Andrew Cole Roosevelt T Senior Ben Finneseth Durango WR/SS Senior Liam Gray Holy Family K/WR Senior Luke Guarienti Pueblo South WR/FS Senior Brig Hartson Roosevelt QB/LB Senior Trevin Johnson Holy Family RB Senior Cord Kringlen Holy Family OL/DL Senior George Longoria Pueblo South RB/LB Senior Brian Mata Pueblo South T Junior Dorian Pacheco Lutheran RB/MLB Junior Ford Pitts Durango DE/LB Senior Kyler Reimers Durango DE Senior Ethan Ryan Durango G/DT Senior Kenny Seriani Palisade TE/DE Senior Kevin Sjogren Palisade TE/LB/LS Junior Noah Wagner Conifer RB/MLB Senior Cooper Walton Roosevelt LB/RB Junior Brody Welch Holy Family OL/DL Senior Briggs Wheatley Fort Morgan QB Junior Jordan Woolverton Durango QB/FS Senior Second Team Name School Pos. Year Lisandro Aguilar Eagle Valley ILB/FB Senior JJ Armstrong Green Mountain T/DT Senior Josh Bates Durango C/G Sophomore Jace Bellah Pueblo South QB/CB Junior Bennie Edwards Fort Morgan G/DT/DT Senior Rocco Estes Durango DE Senior Gavin Garrettson Mead QB Junior Brenden Harding Pueblo East WR/CB/FS Senior Chase Hartman Pueblo County QB/SS Senior Jake Hatton Lewis-Palmer OL/DL Senior Griffin Lauritano Evergreen QB/FS/SS Senior Jason Logan Canon City OL/DL Senior Noah Martens Evergreen RB/MLB/SS Senior Allen Ortiz Green Mountain WR/SS Senior Cole Rairick Lutheran T/DE Junior Alex Rix Roosevelt C/G Senior Devon Scriber Discovery Canyon G/DT Senior Hayden Sock Mead RB/CB/P Senior Keegan Sterkel Roosevelt RB/CB Senior Justin Trostel Holy Family LB Senior Gunner Truby Conifer MLB/QB/TE Senior Gabe Vickers Fort Morgan G/MLB Senior Michael White Holy Family QB Senior Honorable mention:
- Buddy Almintakh, DT/G, Pueblo East, Senior
- Ayden Bartko, QB, Niwot, Senior
- Ray Bellotti, DT, Conifer, Senior
- Connor Clancy, K, Discovery Canyon, Senior
- Aidan Collins, WR/FS/RB, Summit, Junior
- Breckin Davis, WR/FS, Lewis-Palmer, Senior
- Patrick Diem, RB/SS, Northridge, Senior
- Zach Hansen, Evergreen, Senior
- Gabe Harrison, QB/DB, Palisade, Senior
- Clay Heffron, TE/DE/WR, Pueblo Central, Senior
- Gavin Howes, DE/OT, Pueblo County, Senior
- Alex Hurr, WR, Mountain View, Senior
- Marshall Jones, OG/ILB, Battle Mountain, Junior
- Cameron Kalaf, QB/SB, Summit, Senior
- Graham Kalaf, G/DL, Summit, Junior
- Aaron Kness, TE/MLB/LS, Northridge, Senior
- William Knight, DT, Durango, Junior
- Cael Langford, RB/MLB, Fort Morgan, Senior
- Reese Lehman, T/DL, Frederick, Senior
- John Lopez, RB/FS, Pueblo South, Senior
- Cayden Mazurek, WR/FS/P, Riverdale Ridge, Senior
- Elijah Morales, ATH/FS, Battle Mountain, Junior
- Tyler Morrison, SS/TE, Eagle Valley, Senior
- Anthony Munoz, DT/G, Roosevelt, Sophomore
- Seth Newton, WR/DB, Canon City, Senior
- Kenneth Pasion, QB/SS/RB, Discovery Canyon, Senior
- Tucker Peterson, WR/FS, Roosevelt, Sophomore
- Mason Rosser, DT/C, Conifer, Junior
- Dylan Ruane, FB/MLB, Discovery Canyon, Senior
- Brady Samaras, LB/FB, Holy Family, Junior
- Josh Smith, OL/DL, Canon City, Senior
- Corby Tecu, RB/LB, Mead, Junior
- Colton Thewes, LB/WR, Lutheran, Senior
- Jeremiah Vasquez, C/DT, Battle Mountain, Senior
- John Wagner, T/DE, Evergreen, Senior
- Craig Wright, WR, Niwot, Junior
- Devan Zahl, QB/DE, Lewis-Palmer, Junior
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Class 2A
(Lance Wendt/wendt5280.com) Player of the year: Zane Rankin, Lamar
Coach of the year: Zac Lemon, Eaton
First Team Name School Pos. Year Tanner True Eaton DE/C/G Senior Brady Albrandt Sterling DE/TE Senior Tanner Applebee Resurrection Christian MLB/RB Senior Colbi Braslin Delta WR/DL Senior Blake Buxton Lamar WR/CB Senior Nolan Bynum Delta QB/SS Senior Alex Castaneda Lamar DE/G Senior Ryan Dirksen Eaton DE/RB Junior Ethan Florez Eaton RB/LB Junior Caleb Frink Moffat County RB/SS Senior James Goff Delta OL/ILB Senior Jeff Gore Valley RB/LB Senior Scott Grable Eaton QB Senior Justin Hawthorne Resurrection Christian LB/DE Junior Devyn Kincade Lamar OL Senior Keaton Knaub Sterling DT/TE/DE Senior Juan Maravilla Eaton RB/LB Senior Kade McDaniel Platte Valley Senior Tucker Myers Sterling Senior Zane Rankin Lamar QB/CB Senior Evan Raymond Pagosa Springs G/DT Senior Holden Tatman Resurrection Christian DE Senior Alex Vonderharr Woodland Park K/P Junior Second Team Name School Pos. Year Peter Bullett Berthoud G/DT Senior Kaden Carlson Platte Valley OL Senior Bryson Cox Woodland Park TE/DE Senior Daniel Cruz Moffat County G/DE Senior Luis DeLaTorre Lamar K Senior Crosby Edwards Bayfield QB/WR/CB Senior Cesar Hinojos Brush FB/DE Junior Dylan Jaramillo Fort Lupton C/DT Junior Jackson Keil Sterling WR/FS Junior Devyn Lauer Platte Valley Junior Eddie Lemos Resurrection Christian S/WR Junior Mitch Lewis Pagosa Springs WR/SS Senior Caden Measner University SB/SS Senior Weston Meyer Platte Valley SB/CB Junior Jack Myers University T/G Senior Salvador Rojas Eaton RB/FS Senior Peyton Rose Sterling WR/FS Senior Christian Scandrett Resurrection Christian LB/TE Senior Corey Scranton Moffat County G/DT Senior Brad Self Platte Valley OL Senior Bryce Strang University LB/T Senior Dylan Tressler Pagosa Springs RB/CB Senior Morgan Tribbett Eaton DE Sophomore Honorable mention:
- Damian Antonio Ramos, CB/RB, Lamar, Senior
- Grant Aucoin, QB/MLB, Pagosa Springs, Senior
- Wil Aucoin, RB/DE, Pagosa Springs, Junior
- Shane Bishop, QB, D’Evelyn, Senior
- Brandon Blanco, MLB, Valley, Senior
- Brock Burkholder, WR/CB, Sterling, Senior
- Gage Butler, RB/FS, Eaton, Senior
- Joseph Campagna, RB/MLB, Moffat County, Senior
- Ryan Connelley, Elizabeth, Junior
- Logan Curtis, Platte Valley, Junior
- Kayden Derbigny, DT/T, Fort Lupton, Sophomore
- Dylan Evans, LB/RB, Resurrection Christian, Senior
- Hunter gator Goff, TE/ILB, Delta, Junior
- AJ Goldfain, MLB/FB, Resurrection Christian, Senior
- Pedro Gomez, OL, Lamar, Senior
- Nate Gravagno, WR/LB, Englewood, Senior
- Logan Hafey, DE/T, Moffat County, Junior
- Colton Johnson, RB/LB, Delta, Senior
- Gunner Johnson (labbe), QB/DB, Englewood, Junior
- Cameron Kirwan, T/DE, Middle Park, Senior
- Jayden Lawrence, G/C, Elizabeth, Junior
- Alejandro Maltos-Garcia, QB/SS, Brush, Junior
- Aidan O’Donnell, WR/FS, Pagosa Springs, Senior
- Damian Orozco, DE/LB, Alamosa, Junior
- Sebastian Owens, C/G, Arvada, Senior
- Jace Perez, WR/CB, Elizabeth, Junior
- Servando Perez, QB/SS, Valley, Senior
- Garrett Purman, C/G, Berthoud, Junior
- Braden Roskam, RB/FS, Woodland Park, Senior
- Nathan Scharnhorst, QB/FS, Delta, Junior
- Zayne Stam, Weld Central, Junior
- Taran Teeter, MLB/FB, Moffat County, Junior
- Anthony Torrez, RB/MLB, La Junta, Junior
- Zachary Vaughan, OG/DT, Severance, Junior
- Kyle Wellen, RB, Brush, Junior
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Class 1A
(Paul Soriano) Player of the year: Kory Tacha, Limon
Coach of the year: Mike O’Dwyer, Limon
First Team Name School Pos. Year Alexis Aguilar Wray G/MLB Senior Joey Beckner Holyoke DE/T Senior Matthias Brown Strasburg MLB/T Junior Owen Busetti Florence MLB/RB Senior Chance Cannon Limon G Junior Mason Claunch Centauri RB/CB Junior Tyler Collins Wray QB/FS Senior Bijah Cornell Florence TE/DE Senior Trystan Graf Strasburg RB/FS Senior A.j. Hemphill Strasburg WR/MLB Senior Trey Hines Limon QB/CB Junior Jeremiah Leeper Limon RB/LB Junior Nico Marchitelli Gunnison QB/LB/P Senior Christian Matus Hotchkiss OT/DT Senior Holden Morgan Highland RB/LB Senior Ryan Phelan Meeker QB/DE Senior Collin Russell Strasburg QB/CB Senior Landon Salmans Wray C/DT Senior Kaysen Schmidt Limon DL/OL Senior Byron Shawcroft Centauri QB/DE Junior Miles Sprague Holyoke QB/LB Junior Kory Tacha Limon LB/RB Senior Julian Valencia Strasburg K/WR Freshman Second Team Name School Pos. Year Junior Arambula Wray SS/WR Senior Ky Bandy Limon LB/RB Junior Evan Bright Florence OL/LB Senior Zach Buhr Centauri RB/LB Junior Alex Carr Limon DB/TE Senior Rian Chavez Colorado Springs Christian DT/G Senior Mac Copeland Bennett RB/MLB Senior Juan Cortes Yuma T/DE/DT Senior Joe Dunn Colorado Springs Christian RB/SS Senior Cobi Garcia Monte Vista MLB/RB Senior Jeiven Gonzalez Highland OL/DT Junior Traycer Hall Hotchkiss FB/ILB Senior Coulson Hollembeak Hotchkiss DE/G Junior Brandon Hussey Peyton RB/LB/ILB Senior John Jacoby Bennett DT/G/T Senior Cooper Main Meeker G/LB Senior Carter Neff Hotchkiss C/DE/MLB Junior Blaine Peebles Hotchkiss FS/P Junior Colton Pettit Highland TE/LB Senior Julian Sullivan Florence OL/DL Senior Kelton Turner Meeker RB/SS Junior Tell Wade Wray OL/DL Sophomore Mordecai White Hotchkiss RB/DB Junior Honorable mention:
- Carlos Almeida, TE/DT, Center, Senior
- Grant Blackmon, T/DT, Platte Canyon, Senior
- Cooper Brower, C, Rye, Senior
- Sam Buckhanan, OL/ILB/QB, Gunnison, Junior
- Adnex Bumba, DE/LB, Jefferson, Senior
- Shawn Campbell, WR, Ignacio, Junior
- Yahir Chavez, QB/ATH, Hotchkiss, Senior
- Colby Clatterbaugh, RB/MLB, Meeker, Senior
- Zak Cobb, C/DT/ILB, Peyton, Junior
- Brady Collins, WR/NG, Wray, Sophomore
- MIke Dean, DT/DE/T, Platte Canyon, Senior
- Dusty Duran, TE/DE, Monte Vista, Junior
- Nate Early, WR/DB, Banning Lewis Academy, Junior
- Zachary Eskelson, OL/DT, Meeker, Junior
- Dom Felice, TE/DE, Paonia, Senior
- Parker Franz, OL/LB, Burlington, Senior
- Severin Grundvig, ILB/RB, Colorado Springs Christian, Senior
- Gael Guzman, G/DT/K, Bennett, Senior
- Allen Hardey, FS/SS/QB, Platte Canyon, Junior
- Baron Holman, WR/CB, Centauri, Junior
- Cade Killin, DE/T, Holyoke, Junior
- Fletcher Madrid, Del Norte, Senior
- Josh Martinez, QB/DB/WR, Florence, Senior
- Quentin Nolan-Henson, DE/G, Rocky Ford, Senior
- Tyrese Otero, WR/CB/FS, Monte Vista, Senior
- Isaac Peerman, Del Norte, Senior
- Clay Robinson, RB/SS, Yuma, Junior
- Aidyn Shafer, G/DT, Holyoke, Junior
- Wyatt Sprague, WR/SS, Holyoke, Freshman
- Caleb Stockton, Colorado Springs Christian, Senior
- Jack Swanson, WR/FS, Strasburg, Senior
- Iley Tuttle, FS/WR/CB, Peyton, Senior
- Brody Wagner, G/LB, Cedaredge, Senior
- Evan Walls, G/C/T, Prospect Ridge Academy, Senior
- Deklan Wilk, LB, Prospect Ridge Academy, Senior
- Jeremy Woodward, RB/LB, Meeker, Senior
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8-man
(Kevin Prickett/prickettpix.com) Player of the year: Kelton Gartrell, Sanford
Coach of the year: Chris Michel, Sedgwick County
First Team Name School Pos. Year Derrick Alber Merino DE/SE Junior Nolan Carlson Sedgwick County G/DE Junior Jared Ehmke Sedgwick County QB Senior Trent Elliott Merino RB/MLB Senior Kaleb Fowler Sedgwick County Senior Andrew Frank Merino CB/RB Senior Kelton Gartrell Sanford RB/MLB Junior Hayden Gray Dove Creek G/DE Senior Omar Guerrero Sanford C/NG Senior Terrance Heath Sedgwick County WR/DE Senior Fabian Lopez Sedgwick County Senior Coletin Mazerall Simla Senior Chase Moore Mancos RB Junior Gabriel Proctor Fowler LB/OL Senior Christian Still Dayspring Christian Academy QB/CB Senior Jaciel Villalobos Sedgwick County SS/WR Senior Second Team Name School Pos. Year Jhett Alapai Elbert TE/DL Senior Jackson Bates Fowler HB/DB Senior Mason E hanagan Swink DT/G/FB Senior Brandon Eglinton Calhan QB Senior Colt Fury Mancos G Senior Tate Goddard Sedgwick County MLB/FB Senior Andrew Harris Pikes Peak Christian QB/LB/RB Senior Josh Holman Sanford QB/LB Junior Stephen King Gilpin County RB/QB/S Senior Ethan Larsen Sanford WR/DE Junior Xavier Livesay Akron FB/DL Junior Anthony Lujan Rangely QB/FB/FB Senior Matthew Mendoza Swink HB/WR/S Senior Brett Price Sanford RB Senior Adam Schultz Crowley County Senior Ryan Tempel Haxtun OL/DL Senior Honorable mention:
- Nathaniel Aguilar, Crowley County, Senior
- Hector Almeida, South Park, Senior
- Braxton Asbell, ATH, Sargent, Senior
- Braxton Bates, TE/DB, Fowler, Senior
- Austin Beanland, C/DE, Dove Creek, Senior
- Blake Boulter, QB/DE/LB, Gilpin County, Senior
- Jakob Buller, QB/K/P, West Grand, Senior
- Alejandro Castanon, C/LB, West Grand, Senior
- Wyatt Cook, FB/LB/DE, Holly, Senior
- Christian Cova, WR, Mancos, Senior
- Chorbin Cressler, QB/CB, Dove Creek, Junior
- Austin Davis, OL/MLB, Rangely, Senior
- Brody Despard, RB/DB, Byers, Senior
- Rene Dominguez, RB/KR, West Grand, Senior
- Dakota Eaton, RB/DT/SE, Holly, Junior
- Zachery Edwards, RB/LB, Pikes Peak Christian, Senior
- Jose Garcia, CB/WR, Dolores Huerta Prep, Senior
- Brayden Glover, RB, Simla, Sophomore
- Traevin Jones, TE/LB, Caliche, Senior
- Owen Knode, QB/DB, Haxtun, Junior
- Hayden Lasley, Springfield, Senior
- Jacob Martin, CB/WR, Dayspring Christian Academy, Junior
- Aiden Martinez, McClave, Sophomore
- Keihlin Myers, QB/QB/QB, Rangely, Junior
- Vincent Nowicki, RB/WR/LB, Vail Christian, Junior
- Slater O’Brien, OL/DL, Vail Christian, Senior
- Grayson Pachner, QB/SE, Akron, Senior
- Kage Pepper, ATH, Sargent, Senior
- Monte Pickering, MLB/G, Lyons, Senior
- Gabe Polley, G, Rangely, Senior
- Sam Puderbaugh, OL/DL, Norwood, Senior
- Kevin Rice, DE/G/LB, Swink, Senior
- Isaiha Rivas, LB, Dolores Huerta Prep, Senior
- Damian Romero, QB/DB, Fowler, Senior
- Austin Schake, OG/DE, West Grand, Senior
- Rylee Smith, TE/DE, Fowler, Senior
- Cooper Tixier, G/DE, Wiley, Sophomore
- Tyler Wytulka, QB, Norwood, Senior
- Cade Zordel, RB/LB, Wiley, Senior
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6-man
(Lance Wendt/wendt5280.com) Player of the year: Brady Kuntz, Fleming
Coach of the year: John King, Fleming
First Team Name School Pos. Year Damien Barnes Eads RB/DE Senior Dominic Coleman Granada QB/RB/DB Junior Kade Comstock Fleming QB/S Senior Alex Cruz Stratton/Liberty FB/DE Sophomore Sullivan Farmer Kit Carson Senior Chris Goss Fleming LB/RB Senior John Hainer Granada FB/NG Sophomore Tyler Hase Stratton/Liberty TE/DE Senior Brady Kuntz Fleming DE/LB/HB Senior Jaret Lichty Stratton/Liberty RB/LB Senior Evan Worley Cheyenne Wells Junior Arek Wulf Prairie RB/DB/ATH Senior Second Team Name School Pos. Year Layne Brown Briggsdale TE/MLB Senior Malik Carlson Briggsdale RB/LB Junior Daniel Escareno Manzanola DE/QB/TB Junior Cordell Garriott North Park Senior Preston Hernandez Cheyenne Wells Senior Nolan Hill Peetz Senior Andy Long Prairie QB/DE/ATH Junior Trey Pearce Cheraw DB/QB Senior Evan Pieper North Park Junior Rogelio Rangel Cheyenne Wells Junior Dalton Sweazy Hanover OL/QB/MLB Junior Dayne Woodis Deer Trail Junior Honorable mention:
- Gus Andreatta, WR/DE/P, La Veta, Junior
- Richie Atencio, DL/OT, Sierra Grande, Senior
- Dillon Ball, Cheyenne Wells, Junior
- Logan Breyer, TE/DL, Stratton/Liberty, Sophomore
- Isiah Chairez, LB/RB/ATH, Sierra Grande, Junior
- Ty Coleman, Cotopaxi, Sophomore
- Peyton Cranson, Branson/Kim, Sophomore
- Jonathan De Jesus, RB/LB, Weldon Valley, Senior
- Yahir Enriquez, Idalia, Junior
- Junior Flores, RB/LB, Weldon Valley, Senior
- Samuel Koolstra, RB/LB, Arickaree/Woodlin, Junior
- Levi Miller, Genoa-Hugo, Senior
- Wyatt Miller, Genoa-Hugo, Junior
- Kevin Rodriquez, Walsh, Senior
- Nick Schroeder, WR/LB, Hi-Plains, Senior
- Cade Smith, Branson/Kim, Sophomore
- Porter Spady, RB/LB/K, Eads, Freshman
- Salvador Vigil, QB/S/LB, Mountain Valley, Senior
- Tatum White, DB/LB/SB, Cheraw, Junior
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Jay Madden steps down as head football coach at Pomona
Jay Madden celebrates with his family after Pomona’s 56-49 victory over Eaglecrest in the Class 5A state championship game in 2017 at Mile High Stadium. (Lance Wendt/CHSAANow.com) ARVADA — After nearly two decades leading Pomona High School’s football program, Jay Madden officially stepped down as head coach this week.
“Number one is I’m tired. I’ve been doing this a long time and the stuff that goes along with being a head coach wears you out,” Madden said in a phone interview Tuesday morning. “I love coaching. I love kids. I love football. I’ll probably never quit coaching.”
Madden will remain as a teacher at Pomona. He has a few more years before retiring from teaching and wants to focus on being a father.
Jay Madden spent 26 years as a head high school football coach in Colorado with stops at Alameda, Dakota Ridge, Mullen and Pomona. (Lance Wendt/CHSAANow.com) “It was time to not be the boss anymore,” Madden said. “It’s time to be a dad. I’ve got a son who will be a sophomore in high school next school year. I can be his dad for three years, recharge my batteries and hopefully go back and do this all over again.”
What Madden — 1986 Pomona graduate — has done as a high school football coach in Colorado since his first head coaching job at Alameda in 1995 is impressive. He spent five seasons at Dakota Ridge (1996-2000) and two years at Mullen (2001 and 2002) before heading back to his alma mater for an 18-year stint.
At Pomona, he guided the Panthers to the Class 5A state quarterfinals each year except for once since 2008. As one of the smallest 5A football schools in the state, the Panthers advanced to the state semifinals six times and played in four state championship games (2009, 2015, 2016 and 2017), including winning the 5A title in 2017 over Eaglecrest.
“Honestly, I had no idea,” Madden said of his goals when he took over the Pomona football program in 2003. “At the time I was just glad to be back in Jefferson County. I had been told when I took the job that it was never going to be the same as the glory days. We were going to prove them wrong and I believe we did that.”
There are numerous on-field memories that Madden will never forget. The state championship victory at Mile High Stadium, a 2011 victory over Mullen and even this season defeating rival Ralston Valley with a last-second field goal.
“Eighteen years is one spot is a long time. It was a good run, that’s for sure,” Madden said. “We did it the right way. We grew where we were planted and made this a great place.”
Walking away from a program that Madden spent 18 years building into a perennial powerhouse was difficult.
Jay Madden guided the Panthers to a 7-1 record this past season, including a Class 5A Jeffco League title and advancing to the state semifinals. (Lance Wendt/CHSAANow.com) “There is never an easy time to step down because you always have another great group of kids that you love,” Madden said. “Number one is I’m going to miss the players. The before practice time. The weight room time. The times where the kids are just being kids. And I’m going to miss my assistant coaches.”
Pomona athletic director Mike Santarelli has the task of finding Madden’s replacement. That won’t be an easy to replace Madden who racked up a 218-86 record as head coach over 26 seasons.
“Jay is probably the best Xs and Os coach I’ve ever seen,” Santarelli said. “He is always one step ahead of everybody. He does an outstanding job of getting his players ready for games.”
Santarelli added that Madden’s ability to adjust from year-to-year when it comes to highlighting the strengths of his players is unmatched.
“We just have to start looking,” Santarelli said. “We are changing. Demographics and interests aren’t the same. COVID hasn’t helped us either. We’ve got to get someone who is willing to put the time and effort in.”
Madden said there wasn’t an extra pressure taking over his alma mater back in 2003, but there was extra pride building up Pomona were he had been around since when his father became the freshman football coach in 1980.
“We’ve had some great kids. Great coaches and a great community,” Madden said.
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Loveland football upsets top-seed Dakota Ridge to reach 4A state title game
ENGLEWOOD — Loveland’s historically rich football program is heading to its 15th state championship game.
The No. 4-seeded Indians upset top-seed Dakota Ridge 20-14 at Randy Penn Stadium on the campus of Englewood High School on Saturday afternoon in the Class 4A state semifinal.
Loveland senior Zack Rakowsky (5) won’t go down easy during the Indians’ 20-14 victory over Dakota Ridge on Saturday at Englewood High School. More photos from the game. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics) “We’ve been in dogfights before. It’s nothing new to us,” Loveland senior Zack Rakowsky said moments after the final horn sounded. “Dakota Ridge is a really tough opponent. We knew if we played our kind of football we’d walk out of here with a win.”
Loveland (8-0 record) scored touchdowns on its first three offensive possessions against Dakota Ridge (7-1) to jump out to a 20-7 lead midway through the second quarter. Junior Tyson Williams finished off the opening drive of the game with a 12-yard touchdown run to cap off an 80-yard, 10-play drive.
Following a quick scoring drive by Dakota Ridge that was capped off by a 3-yard touchdown catch by senior Cavica Wilkerson from quarterback Ben Gultig, the Indians answered again with another 80-yard scoring drive.
Loveland sophomore quarterback Garrett Harstad scored from 2 yards out to give the Indians a 13-7 lead.
“Loveland did a good job of running the ball,” Dakota Ridge coach Ron Woitalewicz said. “We couldn’t get a stop in the first half.”
The Eagles had scored on 13 consecutive drives dating back to their state quarterfinal victory a week ago when they went 12-for-12, but Loveland ended that streak forcing Dakota Ridge to punt with just under 8 minutes left in the second quarter.
The next play would be the biggest offensive play of the game for Loveland. Rakowsky took an inside handoff and raced into the end zone for a 73-yard run to extend Loveland’s lead to 20-7.
“The momentum after that you could feel it on our sideline,” Rakowsky said of the longest play from scrimmage of the game. “It was just great blocking. I wasn’t even touched. I thank my offensive line for that.”
Dakota Ridge senior Spencer Hardy (37) chases down Loveland senior Zack Rakowsky during the fourth quarter Saturday. The Eagles shutout Loveland in the second half, but Dakota Ridge still came up short suffering a 20-14 loss in the Class 4A state semifinal. More photos from the game. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics) Rakowsky carried the offensive load for the Indians with over 20 carries for nearly 200 yards on the ground.
Both defenses found their footing in the second half. In fact, the only score after halftime came on an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown by Dakota Ridge junior Dante Capolungo with 6:40 left in the fourth quarter to cut Loveland’s lead to 20-14.
“I thought it was going out of bounds, but then it took that one hop and from there I knew I was off,” Capolungo said. “I was able to get the touchdown to flip the game and the momentum. We had a chance.”
Dakota Ridge did have a golden opportunity after the Eagles’ defense forced a 3-and-out by Loveland. The Eagles took over on their 41-yard line with 4:21 remaining. However, after getting an initial first-down Dakota Ridge’s drive stalled.
Loveland junior Ian Loomis sacked Gultig on a 4th-down play to give the ball back to the Indians. Loveland managed one more first-down run by Rakowsky and ran out the clock to end the game.
“It is just so thrilling,” Loomis said of his monster sack that ended the Eagles’ final offensive drive. “On fourth downs that is my best time. Fourth downs just get my going and I just go through the line.”
Loveland junior Ian Loomis (22) wraps up Dakota Ridge senior Charlie Offerdahl during the Class 4A state semifinal Saturday at Englewood High School. A pair of sacks by Loomis helped Loveland to a 20-14 victory. More photos from the game. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics) Loomis had a key sack in the third quarter that ended another Dakota Ridge drive.
“I really thought it would be our defense that was going to win this game,” Loomis said. “I think we put them in uncomfortable positions.”
Loveland is now back in a familiar position, play for another state title. The Indians have a 7-7 record in state championship games. Loveland’s last title came just two years ago in 2018 where the Indians defeated Skyline.
Palmer Ridge — a powerhouse in 3A before moving up to 4A this season — will be Loveland’s opponent in the 4A title game next week. The Bears (6-0) defeated Fountain-Fort Carson 28-12 in the other 4A semifinal Saturday afternoon.
“I think we are ready for it,” Loomis said of the upcoming 4A title game against Palmer Ridge. “We were so motivated coming into this game facing the No. 1 team. I think we’ll come in and beat Palmer Ridge.”
The Eagles were trying to head to their first state title game since 2004. Dakota Ridge lost to ThunderRidge 35-29 in the 4A state championship game 16 years ago.
“I’m so proud of these kids because they gave up a lot,” Woitalewicz said. “They sacrificed social time. They all went remote (learning) so they didn’t get quarantined. They didn’t hang out with friends. They really sacrificed so they could have this season. We knew they season would be special.”
Woitalewicz’s 2019 squad came within seconds of advancing to the title game last season. Broomfield defeated Dakota Ridge 17-15 with a last-second field goal at Jeffco Stadium. The crushing defeat has definitely motivated this year’s senior-laden team.
“These seniors were great leaders. They set a high standard for us to come back next year,” Capolungo said of Dakota Ridge’s back-to-back state semifinal appearances. “They showed all us young guys how to be a complete team.”
Dakota Ridge senior Mason Galbreath (10) attempts to make a leaping grab, but Loveland senior Joe Killian (9) is able to break out the pass during the Class 4A state semifinal Saturday at Englewood High School. More photos from the game. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics) -
Photos: (4) Loveland stuns (1) Dakota Ridge in 4A football semis
Loveland advanced to the Class 4A football state championship game after a stunning 20-14 win over top-seeded Dakota Ridge.
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Football: The championship matchups are set in all classifications
(Barry Smith) It was semifinal Saturday as all seven classes were in action. That means that each championship matchup has been set up ahead of next week’s Championship Weekend at CSU Pueblo.
Here is how the day played out.
Browse a database of state football championship games through history at this link.
[divider]
Class 5A
- Matchup: Cherry Creek vs. Valor Christian
- Kickoff: 12/5, 6 p.m.
•••
(1) Cherry Creek 35, (4) Pomona 7
Cherry Creek scored on a Hail Mary as the first half ended to turn a one-score game to a 21-7 advantage, and the Bruins’ offense kept it up in the second half as they advanced to a third-straight title game.
Julian Hammond III threw two touchdowns, and star defensive back/offensive threat Myles Purchase had three touchdowns. Cherry Creek’s Gunnar Helm and Chase Penry each had receiving scores.
Cherry Creek, the defending champions, will be making its 19th appearance in a state title game, and third straight.
Find a photo gallery from the game here.
•••
(2) Valor Christian 45, (3) Legend 0
Already up 14-0 after the first quarter, Valor Christian exploded for 31 second-quarter points as the Eagles advanced to the program’s 10th state title game.
Valor score two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter, including one from Jordan Norwood, and then their special teams (blocked punt return from Mitchell Bigelow) and defense (Luke Meyer’s 17-yard fumble return) added two more scores early in the second.
Jackson Zimmermann added a receiving score, and Gabe Sawchuk scored on the ground.
Valor Christian is 8-1-0 in its previous trips to a championship game.
Find a photo gallery from the game here.
[divider]
Class 4A
- Matchup: Loveland vs. Palmer Ridge
- Kickoff: 12/4, 6 p.m.
•••
(4) Loveland 20, (4) Dakota Ridge 14
Loveland scored all of its points in the first half, and its defense held firm to secure a second championship game appearance in three years.
Tyson Williams had a 12-yard rushing touchdown which opened the scoring in the first quarter. After Dakota Ridge took a 7-6 lead, Loveland’s Garrett Harstad scored from 3 yards out.
Then, in the second quarter, Zack Rakowsky broke off a 73-yard rushing score for Loveland.
Loveland moves on to make its 15th championship game appearance.
A complete recap of the game is available here.
Find a photo gallery from the game here.
•••
(2) Palmer Ridge 28, (6) Fountain-Fort Carson 12
Palmer Ridge is headed to a fourth-consecutive state championship game, but their first in 4A after winning three-straight 3A titles.
Luke McAllister threw three touchdown passes for the Bears, who led 14-6 at halftime, and then had a touchdown each in the third and fourth quarters.
Find a photo gallery from the game here.
[divider]
Class 3A
- Matchup: Roosevelt vs. Durango
- Kickoff: 12/5, 2 p.m.
•••
(1) Roosevelt 49, (4) Pueblo South 19
A tight game through the first two quarters, Roosevelt’s Brig Hartson scored from 6 yards out in the final minute of the first half to put his team up 21-13.
Pueblo South’s Jace Bellah scored in the third quarter to cut it to 21-19, but Roosevelt close the game with 28 unanswered points.
This will be Roosevelt’s third championship game appearance, and first since 2015.
A complete recap of the game is available here.
Find a photo gallery from the game here.
•••
(3) Durango 34, (2) Holy Family 14
Durango built a 21-0 halftime lead, one it extended to 28-0 early in the third quarter as the Demons flexed their muscle in the win.
“The kids just executed our game plan perfectly,” Durango coach David Vogt told the Colorado Preps Scoreboard Show. “Our offense just really was rolling.”
Jordan Woolverton led the way for Durango with two rushing touchdowns, a passing score, and an interception on defense. Gage Mestas had two touchdowns: one receiving, and one rushing. Ben Finneseth also added a 40-yard rushing touchdown.
It is Durango’s first appearance in a championship game since 1988, and fourth overall. They are 0-3-1 all-time in title games.
“Every year, that’s our goal: To make it to the state championship,” Vogt said. “To accomplish that, it’s great for everybody who has ever been in the program. Everybody is so happy for the program, and the town is just elated, too.”
Find a photo gallery from the game here.
[divider]
Class 2A
- Matchup: Eaton vs. Lamar
- Kickoff: 12/4, 2 p.m.
•••
(5) Eaton 27, (1) Resurrection Christian 13
This will be Eaton’s first appearance in a state championship game since 2003, and the program’s eighth overall. Eaton has won one championship before, in 2000.
“The look on the players’ faces, it’s classic. It just brings tears to your eyes. Excited for them, that their hard work is playing off. You just love to see that look on their faces,” Eaton coach Zac Lemon told the Scoreboard Show.
Eaton led 14-7 at the half, and pushed their lead to 27-7 in the fourth quarter.
“We knew it was going to be a battle in the trenches. It wasn’t easy, but our guys battled,” Lemon said. “We did a little ‘bend, but don’t break.’ Guys played selfless, and excellent.”
Find a photo gallery from the game here.
•••
(7) Lamar 7, (6) Delta 6
Lamar’s lone score came less than a minute into the second quarter, when Zane Rankin hit Blake Buxton for a 38-yard touchdown. A Luis DeLaTorre extra point immediately after ultimately proved to be the difference in this game.
“Zane put it right on him for the touchdown,” Lamar coach Jason Tice told the Scoreboard Show.
The lead held through halftime and into the third quarter when Delta’s Nathan Scharnhorst scored from 6 yards out with 8 minutes remaining in the quarter. The extra point attempt, though, was not good.
“Our defense stood tall,” Tice said. “The defense really did a nice job today.”
Lamar will head to a title game for the first time since 1963.
“We’ve got great kids. This senior class is remarkable. It’s one of the best senior classes I’ve ever been a part of,” Tice said. “These guys just go out there and they play for one another. As a coach, that’s all you can ask for.”
[divider]
Class 1A
- Matchup: Limon vs. Strasburg
- Kickoff: 12/5, 10 a.m.
•••
(1) Limon 24, (4) Wray 14
The Badgers, two-time defending champions, are headed back to the title game.
Tied at halftime, Limon took a 14-7 lead with three minutes to play in the third following a long drive.
“Our kids did a really nice job,” Limon coach Mike O’Dwyer told the Scoreboard Show. “We had talked all week that this game was going to be 3 and 4 and 5 yards, and the team that can sustain that drive and not make mistakes and turn the ball over would win. I really thought our kids did a nice job. We ate up about 8 and a half minutes.”
The Badgers added a field goal early in the fourth to go ahead 17-7.
“To make it a two-score game, you felt a little bit more comfortable,” O’Dwyer said.
Wray cut the lead to 17-14 three minutes later, but Limon sealed the game with a touchdown pass with two minutes remaining.
“It was a great team effort on the defensive side,” O’Dwyer said.
Limon has the most championships of any program in the state, with 19. They have been to a title game 27 times before, also the most in the state.
Find a photo gallery of the game here.
•••
(2) Strasburg 27, (6) Centauri 14
For the fifth-straight year, Strasburg will head to the championship game. The squad has played Limon each of the past two seasons.
Down 14-0 in the first half, and 14-6 at halftime, Strasburg got a rushing touchdown and a two-point conversion midway through the third quarter to tie things at 14-14. Then, with five minutes to play in the fourth quarter, another rushing score gave Strasburg a 21-14 lead.
“When we got down 14-0, nothing was working for us offensively. Centauri came out and they were flying around the football,” Strasburg coach Brian Brown told the Scoreboard Show. “We told the boys, ‘We’re not used to this, but we got to keep our composure.’ Our boys, they never seem too worried about what the score is. They just know that if they keep doing the things they do best, good things will happen.”
They then sealed the game with a pick-6 with three minutes to play.
Strasburg will be making its seventh appearance in a championship game.
[divider]
8-man
- Matchup: Sedgwick County vs. Sanford
- Kickoff: 12/3, 6 p.m.
•••
(1) Sedgwick County 46, (4) Dove Creek 6
The Cougars have advanced to their sixth-straight state title game, and are looking to become just the second program to ever win six consecutive championships. Only Limon has done it before, from 1963-68.
“I think later on down the road, we’ll be able to look back and realize what had happened. Right now, we’re just a one-day-at-a-time team, just like everybody else,” Sedgwick County coach Chris Michel told the Scoreboard Show.
Sedgwick County scored four times on the ground, once through the air, and also had a 64-yard punt return for a score. The Cougars led 40-6 at halftime.
“We do a really good job, when we get some momentum, of capitalizing on that,” Michel said.
•••
(2) Sanford 16, (6) Merino 14
This marks the first time in program history that Sanford will play for a state football championship.
“Beyond excited,” Sanford coach Joe Cary told the Scoreboard Show. “We’re extremely excited to be able to go and do this.”
Sanford trailed 14-8 at halftime in a physical game. They went ahead 16-14 in the fourth quarter on a speed-option play.
“The kids never dropped their heads,” Cary said. “Never once did they let the doubt creep in. They just fought and fought.”
[divider]
6-man
- Matchup: Fleming vs. Stratton/Liberty
- Kickoff: 12/3, 2 p.m.
•••
(1) Fleming 52, (4) Granada 46
It was a shootout back-and-forth kind of game between the two teams that saw a number of lead changes.
Granada led 46-38 in the fourth quarter, but a long touchdown run cut it to 46-44 for Fleming. The Wildcats then took the lead for good on an 8-yard pass.
“It was a great game,” Fleming coach John King told the Scoreboard Show.
Fleming, the defending champion, will head back to the championship game for a second year in a row, and for the seventh time in program history.
“I’m sure it’s going to be one heck of a test for us again,” King said.
•••
(2) Stratton/Liberty 36, (3) Cheyenne Wells 15
It’ll be a fourth-straight title game appearance for the Knighted Eagles, and a rematch of last year’s title game, won by Fleming.
Against Cheyenne Wells, Stratton/Liberty trailed 15-14 at halftime. They closed with 22 unanswered points.
“I thought we just played harder, with more heart, and more urgency, in the second half,” Stratton/Liberty Toby Kechter told the Scoreboard Show. “The second half, we just ran right at them and we finally found some holes.”
This will be Stratton/Liberty’s 15th championship game in program history.
“We’re excited. You take away our best player Week 2, and our kids really stepped up,” Kechter said. “They played with a lot of heart and desire and want-to.”
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Football playoff preview: Class 5A, 4A and 3A semifinals
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com) After a thrilling week of Colorado playoff football games, teams roll into semifinals this weekend. With upsets in nearly every big-school classification, intriguing matchups have been set as teams prepare to earn a chance to get to the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl in Pueblo to compete for state football championships.
Here is a look at the semifinal games for the big-school games this weekend.
[divider]
Class 5A
• • •
(4) Pomona at (1) Cherry Creek
(Theodore Stark/tstark.com) Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: Two coaches very familiar with each other will face off once again as they each look to claim another state title. Dave Logan led Cherry Creek to the 5A crown last year and has a team loaded with talent once again in 2020.
Quarterback Julian Hammond has thrown for over 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns and he also has the experience of leading the Bruins (7-0) to a state title. Cherry Creek won their quarterfinal game over Regis Jesuit 29-6 thanks to big plays from James Walker and Myles Purchase.
Pomona fell behind early in its quarterfinal game against Eaglecrest but behind Ian Dexter’s 101 rushing yards and the team’s six total rushing touchdowns, the Panthers grabbed a 49-14 win to advance.
Cherry Creek beat Pomona 12-7 in last year’s semifinals and the Panthers certainly wouldn’t mind evening the score this weekend.
• • •
(3) Legend at (2) Valor Christian
Paul Shepardson / Paul Shepardson Photography Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: Without Gavin Sawchuk, it seemed like Valor Christian’s game against Cherokee Trail was going to get a whole lot tougher. But Zach Wiley had other plans.
The backup ran for four first-half touchdowns to help the Eagles (6-0) to a 49-14 win over the Cougars. A few of those touchdowns were set up by brilliant completions from Sean McNair to Tyler Larson.
Valor is looking to get back to the state title game after getting beaten in the state quarterfinals a year ago.
Speaking of backup running backs, no one had a better weekend than Legend’s Bryce Vaz.
The junior broke out for 310 yards and six touchdowns as the Titans (7-0) beat Fairview 56-35 to advance to the state semifinals for the first time in the program’s history. Vaz spent his freshman year at Valor and is looking forward to displaying his ability against his former school.
[divider]
Class 4A
• • •
(4) Loveland at (1) Dakota Ridge
(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics) Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: Dakota Ridge wasn’t messing around when the postseason got underway as it scored 10 offensive touchdowns to beat Montrose 76-34 in the quarterfinals.
Ben Gultig ran for 101 yards and a touchdown and Noah Triplett accounted for three of the Eagles’ seven total rushing touchdowns on the day.
Loveland’s trip to the semifinals came thanks in part to a major boost on the defensive side of the ball.
Joe Killian’s pick-six was came at a crucial time and led the team to a 28-7 win over Broomfield, the 2019 4A runner-up. Zack Rakowsky had a banner day running the ball, amassing 183 yards and two touchdowns.
• • •
(2) Palmer Ridge at (6) Fountain-Fort Carson
(Paul Shepardson / Paul Shepardson Photography) Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: Palmer Ridge is in search of its fourth straight state title and its first in 4A. The Bears (5-0) looked strong in their 32-7 win over Pine Creek in the quarterfinals.
Luke McAllister threw for 367 yards and five touchdowns, four of which landed in the hands of Marcellus Reed.
The Palmer Ridge passing attack will be countered by one of the best running backs in the state.
Q. Jones put his talent on a full display in the Trojans (6-1) 41-38 win over Ponderosa last week. Jones ran for 332 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
Palmer Ridge is on the road because of a rule in 4A through 6-man which allows teams with fewer postseason home games to host.
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Class 3A
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(4) Pueblo South at (1) Roosevelt
(Barry Smith) Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: Roosevelt was nearly the victim of a major upset at the hands of Fort Morgan in the quarterfinals.
A last-second field goal from Brecken Sawyer gave the Roughriders (6-0) the win and moved them on to the semis. Cooper Walton was also crucial to the win as he punched in two rushing touchdowns.
Pueblo South advanced to the semifinals due to Mead forfeiting their game last week because of COVID-19 issues.
The Colts (5-0) have looked strong all year as George Longoria has rushed for 816 yards and 12 touchdowns in just four games. South beat Vista Ridge 35-28 in its most recent game.
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(3) Durango at (2) Holy Family
(Lance Wendt/wendt5280.com) Date and time: Nov. 28, 12 p.m.
Breakdown: Holy Family made a big statement in its playoff opening win against Evergreen. The Tigers (7-0) maintained a balanced offensive attack as Michael White threw for 242 yards and four touchdowns.
Oscar Sena caught five passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns and the team overall rushed for 133 yards and a pair of scores.
Durango’s banner season continued as the Demons beat Lutheran 47-6 in the 3A quarterfinals.
Jordan Woolverton threw for 154 yards and three touchdowns while Ben Finneseth ran for 130 yards and scored two touchdowns.