CHSAANow

Tag: Grand Junction Central

  • All-state softball teams for the 2019 season

    The 2019 all-state softball teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

    These team were created following a process where the coaches voted upon a list of nominees. Players who were named first-team all-league are eligible for the all-state ballot.

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

    [divider]

    Class 5A

    (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

    Player of the year: Korbe Otis, Columbine
    Coach of the year: Jim Santaniello, Columbine

    First Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Katie Dack Rock Canyon   Junior
    Isabelle DiNapoli Chatfield RHP/1B Junior
    Ally Distler Columbine    
    Laurin Krings Loveland P/OF/1B Senior
    Jayden Mercado Fossil Ridge 3B Senior
    Korbe Otis Columbine    
    Hadlee Reichert Broomfield SS/P Junior
    Ashley West Ralston Valley P/1B Sophomore
    Yasmine Ybarra Smoky Hill 3B/C/1B Senior
    Second Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Chloe Doyle Brighton C/3B Senior
    Hannah Farley Legacy P Senior
    Lauren Griggs Legend   Senior
    Tori Haug Brighton P/RF Senior
    Erin Keen Rock Canyon   Senior
    Kayleigh Krueger Arapahoe P/1B/SS Senior
    Nikki McGaffin Fossil Ridge P Sophomore
    Nevaeh Ramirez Prairie View OF/RHP Senior
    Jayda Randle Rampart CF/1B Junior

    Honorable mention: Kendall Aragon, Sophomore, Legacy; Hannah Bailey, Sophomore, Rocky Mountain; Brooke Ballard, Senior, ThunderRidge; Amrajie Bass, Sophomore, Smoky Hill; Torie Bass, Junior, Fountain-Fort Carson; Courtney Bidwell, Junior, Chatfield; Savannah Clausen, Junior, Arvada West; Katie Cummings, Junior, Denver East; Shaylyn Cutshall, Senior, Fruita Monument; Juliana Dickson, Junior, Denver South; McKenna Fitzgerald, Junior, Ralston Valley; Elana Gerhard, Senior, Loveland; Hunter Gilbreath, Senior, Cherokee Trail; Mia Glover, Senior, Arapahoe; Kami Grammerstorf, Senior, Mountain Vista; Kyra Grauberger, Senior, Greeley West; Taylor Griffin, Senior, Douglas County; Karlee Hagan, Senior, Mountain Range; Kylie Harpman, Junior, Rocky Mountain; Hannah Hollander, Senior, Valor Christian; Haley Hoy, Senior, Castle View; Brynn Jackson, Sophomore, Pine Creek; Brianna Jennings, Junior, Rampart; Jordyn Johnson, Junior, Bear Creek; Rachel Jones, Senior, Fort Collins; Bryna Kapelke, Junior, Broomfield; Katey Kelly, Senior, Vista Ridge; Sara Larson, Senior, Chaparral; Faith Lawson, Senior, Dakota Ridge; Trish Leins, Junior, Monarch; Jacquelin Ley, Senior, Grandview; Mariana Lopez, Senior, Far Northeast Warriors; Katie Maney, Junior, Arapahoe; Destiny Martinez, Sophomore, Lakewood; Lauryn McCollam, Senior, Thornton; Reagan Medina, Sophomore, Lakewood; Alexis Mohr, Sophomore, Horizon; Elena Montoya, Junior, Pomona; Mya Murdock, Junior, Grand Junction Central; Anna Reimers, Junior, Rock Canyon; Kori Rhoads, Senior, Westminster; Shelby Robb, Senior, Arvada West; Olivia Schramm, Freshman, Windsor; Kaylee Sheets, Sophomore, Rampart; Tiana Spangler, Senior, Windsor; Halie Stoneking, Senior, Prairie View; Mikayla Sturns, Senior, Grand Junction Central; Chloe Valdez, Junior, Regis Jesuit; Denise Villalba, Senior, Liberty; Vic Wharton, Junior, Legend; Katiana Williams, Senior, Rangeview; Sidney Wilson, Senior, Northglenn; Maddy Yeingst, Senior, Cherry Creek.

    [divider]

    Class 4A

    Kat Sackett Erie softball
    (Paul Soriano)

    Player of the year: Kat Sackett, Erie
    Coach of the year: Vanessa Smith, Erie

    First Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Maddie Kuehl Silver Creek P/1B/OF Junior
    Megan Loveland Erie   Senior
    Anna Martinez Holy Family CF Senior
    Makayla Middleton Golden   Senior
    Makenzie Middleton Golden   Senior
    Katrina Robertson Mesa Ridge C/1B Senior
    Madie Rosenthal Roosevelt   Senior
    Kat Sackett Erie   Senior
    Madysun Vaughan Erie   Senior
    Second Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Bella Archuletta Pueblo South SS/3B Senior
    Peyton Balbin D’Evelyn   Senior
    Ashlynn Balliet Berthoud   Senior
    Bailey Blanchard Elizabeth   Senior
    Cassidy Chvatal Holy Family RHP Junior
    Aiyana Cordero Northfield P Freshman
    Jocelyn Garcia Widefield   Senior
    Izzie Quezada Wheat Ridge 1B Senior
    Lee Quezada Wheat Ridge SS Junior
    Jenna Ruggaber Coronado P/1B/OF Senior

    Honorable mention: Emily Abraham, Freshman, Pueblo South; Isabel Alire, Senior, George Washington; Savannah Autobee, Sophomore, Pueblo Central; Breanna Baca, Senior, Pueblo Central; Cassie Bittner, Senior, Palisade; Jada Boddy, Senior, Woodland Park; Kylee Bunnell, Senior, Mesa Ridge; Carissa Cassidy, Senior, Eagle Valley; Nya Chacon, Senior, Mountain View; Eve Dalla, Junior, D’Evelyn; Isabelle Davis, Senior, The Classical Academy; Peyton Gale, Junior, Frederick; Avery Garbarek, Sophomore, D’Evelyn; Jasmine Garbiso, Senior, Pueblo West; Makayla Garcia, Senior, Silver Creek; Noelle Gardon, Senior, Holy Family; Marla Goodspeed, Junior, Golden; Emma Graham, Senior, Golden; Leslie Guiterrez, Senior, Skyview; Erin Hanafin, Senior, Mead; Lynia Henry, Senior, Coronado; Brooklyn Horn, Junior, Kennedy; Kaylin Mares, Senior, Pueblo County; Ayva McComas, Sophomore, Niwot; Cara McGeeney, Senior, Canon City; Kennedy Michnewicz, Senior, Northridge; Angeline Mitchell, Senior, Longmont; Hailey Neener, Junior, Discovery Canyon; Josey Nichols, Senior, Conifer; Charlotte Nuccio, Senior, Evergreen; Emma Osbourne, Sophomore, Erie; Kylie Pfannenstiel, Senior, Elizabeth; Jenna Pfenning, Junior, Holy Family; Delaney Phillips, Senior, Rifle; Samantha Powell, Senior, Skyline; Dekota Rojas, Senior, Pueblo West; Aliyah Rothstein, Junior, Wheat Ridge; Jacelynn Trujillo, Senior, Pueblo County; Elizabeth Vermeulen, Senior, Evergreen; Shannon Vivoda, Senior, Pueblo East; McKinzie Wade, Lewis-Palmer.

    [divider]

    Class 3A

    (Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos)

    Player of the year: Remington Ross, Eaton
    Coach of the year: Rocky Byrd, University

    First Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Ashland Baca Strasburg OF/INF Senior
    Allie Christensen Brush   Senior
    Darby Hamilton Gunnison C/UTIL Senior
    Jenna Jaklich Limon   Senior
    Kyra McFarland University   Senior
    Rylyn Nelson Sterling SS Senior
    Mahalie Owens Limon   Senior
    Remington Ross Eaton OF Senior
    Delaney Wieneke University   Junior
    Second Team
    Name School Pos. Year
    Kiersten Bohler Sterling P Junior
    Emily Crowder Alamosa P/C Senior
    Abby McElroy Rocky Ford P/OF Sophomore
    Makenna Meyer Riverdale Ridge P/UTIL Junior
    Ashlyn Richardson Strasburg 1B/3B Senior
    Darian Riggs Strasburg OF Senior
    Hannah Schweiger Lyons C/3B Junior
    Morgan Trechter St. Mary’s P/SS Senior
    Zoe Vozick Basalt C/SS Senior

    Honorable mention: Alyssa Abitia, Senior, Lamar; Isa Alvarez, Senior, Burlington; Haylee Bowen, Junior, The Academy; Julia Coates, Senior, Peak to Peak; Alexa Deam-Nein, Senior, Wray; Graci Dietrich, Junior, Basalt; Jadin Dimeo, Senior, Platte Canyon; Brooklynn Donatone, Sophomore, Faith Christian; Alexis Dudley, Senior, Florence; Lexi Fernandez, Junior, Rocky Ford; Sierra Finn, Sophomore, James Irwin; Sydnee Fordham, Sophomore, Riverdale Ridge; Alizeh Fraizer, Freshman, La Junta; Grace Georgiou, Brush; Destiny Hackney, Junior, Riverdale Ridge;
    Lauren Herman, Sophomore, Holyoke; Jennifer Jarnagin, Junior, Eaton; Kiera Larson, Freshman, Basalt; Katlyn Long, Sophomore, St. Mary’s; Trista Marx, Sophomore, Limon; Andi Padilla, Junior, University; Hannah Paton, Senior, Lyons; Keeley Porter, Junior, Delta; Yaritza Puente, Junior, Eaton; Jamie Rader, Junior, Peak to Peak; Savanna Ramirez, Senior, The Academy; Damonyca Segura, Junior, Lamar; Shianne Willmon, Senior, Holyoke; Joy Ziegler, Sophomore, Faith Christian.

  • Softball rankings: Fossil Ridge joins at No. 9 in 5A

    Fossil Ridge Elizabeth softball
    (Lisa Hayes/StillOfTheMomentPhotography.com)

    Fossil Ridge has joined this week’s 5A softball rankings at No. 9.

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

    Complete rankings for each class are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Softball Polls

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

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Rock Canyon (9) 20-1-0 107 1 4-0-0
    2 Loveland (1) 20-1-0 88 3 3-0-0
    3 Columbine 20-2-0 86 2 3-0-0
    4 Broomfield (1) 18-3-0 63 5 2-0-0
    5 Grand Junction Central 18-2-0 57 6 3-0-0
    6 Rocky Mountain 18-3-0 49 7 3-0-0
    7 Chatfield 19-3-0 48 4 2-1-0
    8 Smoky Hill 18-3-0 23 10 3-0-0
    9 Fossil Ridge 16-5-0 20 – 2-0-0
    10 Castle View 16-5-0 15 8 2-1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Brighton 13, Legacy 13, Arapahoe 10, Hinkley 9, Cherokee Trail 3, Douglas County 1.
    Dropped out
    Brighton (9).
    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Holy Family (7) 19-1-0 114 1 3-0-0
    2 Golden (4) 20-1-0 110 2 3-0-0
    3 Pueblo South (1) 17-2-0 95 3 2-1-0
    4 Pueblo County 17-4-0 64 8 3-0-0
    5 Erie 16-4-0 62 4 2-1-0
    6 Wheat Ridge 16-5-0 61 5 2-1-0
    7 Silver Creek 17-5-0 59 6 3-0-0
    8 Pueblo Central 13-7-0 33 7 1-2-0
    9 Pueblo West 13-6-0 13 10 2-1-0
    10 Mead 14-7-0 12 9 2-1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Coronado 9, D’Evelyn 8, Rifle 5, Evergreen 2, Ponderosa 2, Mountain View 1.
    Dropped out
    None.
    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 University (11) 20-1-0 110 1 3-0-0
    2 Brush 16-5-0 81 2 2-1-0
    3 Eaton 15-6-0 78 3 2-1-0
    4 Strasburg 12-8-0 67 4 2-1-0
    5 Basalt 20-1-0 65 6 4–1-0
    6 Riverdale Ridge 17-3-0 60 5 3-1-0
    7 Sterling 14-7-0 53 7 2-1-0
    8 Lyons 12-9-0 32 8 2-2-0
    9 Limon 14-4-0 30 9 2-0-0
    10 Fort Lupton 15-6-0 12 10 0-2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Montezuma-Cortez 7, Platte Valley 4, The Academy 3, Cedaredge 2, Rocky Ford 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

  • Softball rankings: Polls add four new teams this week

    Four new teams joined this week’s softball rankings: Castle View (5A), Smoky Hill (5A), Mead (4A), Pueblo West (4A).

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

    Complete rankings for each class are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Softball Polls

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

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Rock Canyon (11) 16-1-0 143 1 2-0-0
    2 Columbine 17-2-0 115 5 3-0-0
    3 Loveland (2) 17-1-0 114 3 2-0-0
    4 Chatfield 17-2-0 81 2 1-1-0
    5 Broomfield (1) 16-3-0 76 4 2-1-0
    6 Grand Junction Central 15-2-0 64 7 5-0-0
    7 Rocky Mountain 15-3-0 58 6 2-0-0
    8 Castle View 14-4-0 28 – 3-1-0
    9 Brighton 13-4-1 22 8 3-0-0
    10 Smoky Hill 15-3-0 21 – 2-0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Fossil Ridge 18, Legacy 18, Arapahoe 14, Lakewood 13, Hinkley 9, ThunderRidge 6, Cherry Creek 5, Prairie View 4, Cherokee Trail 3, Dakota Ridge 3, Fruita Monument 3, Pomona 2, Rampart 2, Arvada West 1, Douglas County 1, Liberty 1.
    Dropped out
    Lakewood (9), Legacy (10).
    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Holy Family (6) 16-1-0 113 1 4-0-0
    2 Golden (3) 17-1-0 95 2 3-0-0
    3 Pueblo South (2) 15-1-0 93 3 3-0-0
    4 Erie (1) 14-3-0 77 5 1-1-0
    5 Wheat Ridge 14-4-0 63 4 1-2-0
    6 Silver Creek 14-5-0 48 6 1-1-0
    7 Pueblo Central 12-5-0 38 8 4-0-0
    8 Pueblo County 14-4-0 36 7 3-2-0
    9 Mead 12-6-0 11 – 5-1-0
    10 Pueblo West 11-5-0 10 – 5-0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Coronado 8, Greeley Central 8, Longmont 8, Rifle 7, D’Evelyn 6, Niwot 5, Pueblo Centennial 5, Roosevelt 4, Windsor 3, Evergreen 2, Mullen 2, Mountain View 1.
    Dropped out
    Rifle (9), D’Evelyn (10).
    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 University (14) 17-1-0 140 1 3-0-0
    2 Brush 14-4-0 111 3 3-0-0
    3 Eaton 13-5-0 105 2 1-2-0
    4 Strasburg 10-7-0 80 6 2-1-0
    5 Riverdale Ridge 14-2-0 79 5 3-1-0
    6 Basalt 16-2-0 67 4 4-1-0
    7 Sterling 12-6-0 64 8 2-1-0
    8 Lyons 10-7-0 57 7 1-3-0
    9 Limon 12-4-0 31 9 2-0-0
    10 Fort Lupton 15-4-0 22 10 2-0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Platte Valley 4, Cedaredge 3, Rocky Ford 3, Montezuma-Cortez 2, Lamar 1, The Academy 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

  • Softball rankings: Rock Canyon is the new No. 1 in 5A

    State softball Rock Canyon
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Rock Canyon has moved up to the top spot in this week’s Class 5A softball rankings.

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

    Complete rankings for each class are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Softball Polls

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

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Rock Canyon (11) 14-1-0 125 2 3-0-0
    2 Chatfield 16-1-0 96 1 1-1-0
    3 Loveland (1) 15-1-0 94 5 4-0-0
    4 Broomfield (1) 14-2-0 82 3 3-1-0
    5 Columbine 14-2-0 77 4 0-2-0
    6 Rocky Mountain 13-3-0 47 6 1-2-0
    7 Grand Junction Central 10-2-0 46 – 1-0-0
    8 Brighton 10-4-1 26 – 2-0-0
    9 Lakewood 15-2-0 21 – 2-0-0
    10 Legacy 9-4-0 19 8 2-1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Castle View 18, Fossil Ridge 14, Smoky Hill 13, Arapahoe 11, Prairie View 10, Hinkley 9, Cherokee Trail 6, Arvada West 1, Douglas County 1.
    Dropped out
    Prairie View (7), Castle View (9), Smoky Hill (10).
    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Holy Family (6) 12-1-0 104 1 3-0-0
    2 Golden (2) 14-1-0 91 3 1-1-0
    3 Pueblo South (3) 12-1-0 81 4 3-1-0
    4 Wheat Ridge 13-2-0 72 5 3-0-0
    5 Erie 13-2-0 64 2 1-2-0
    6 Silver Creek 13-4-0 58 6 3-0-0
    7 Pueblo County 11-2-0 46 8 3-1-0
    8 Pueblo Central 8-5-0 31 7 1-2-0
    9 Rifle 10-2-0 13 10 2-0-0
    10 D’Evelyn 8-6-0 9 – 1-1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Coronado 6, Berthoud 5, Mountain View 5, Pueblo East 4, Roosevelt 4, Mead 3, Mullen 2, Northridge 2, Pueblo Centennial 2, Evergreen 1, Longmont 1, Pueblo West 1.
    Dropped out
    Pueblo West (9).
    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 University (13) 14-1-0 130 1 2-1-0
    2 Eaton 12-3-0 105 2 2-1-0
    3 Brush 11-4-0 76 5 2-1-0
    4 Basalt 12-1-0 73 6 4-0-0
    5 Riverdale Ridge 11-1-0 73 4 3-0-0
    6 Strasburg 8-6-0 72 8 2-1-0
    7 Lyons 9-4-0 64 7 3-0-0
    8 Sterling 10-5-0 46 3 1-2-0
    9 Limon 10-4-0 34 9 2-0-0
    10 Fort Lupton 13-4-0 12 – 2-0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Rocky Ford 7, Montezuma-Cortez 5, Platte Valley 5, Meeker 4, Cedaredge 3, Peak to Peak 3, La Junta 2, Lamar 1.
    Dropped out
    Platte Valley (10).

  • Radio: Grand Junction Central and Palisade to battle for the WarDog football trophy

    (Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos)

    It’s Week 4 of the high school football season which means that non-league games are coming to a close and rivalries are getting dialed up.

    Throughout the state, plenty of radio broadcasts will feature games with big implications, some within the coaches poll and RPI and others for nothing other than pride.

    [divider]

    Class 3A

    (3) Palisade at Grand Junction Central

    Time: 7 p.m.

    Station: The Team 1340

    The matchup: Lat year’s battle for the WarDog Trophy went in favor of Palisade, but they’ll be fighting the injury bug this time around. Cam Tucker won’t be suiting up for the Bulldogs as Jim Davis announced on his show Friday morning. Central, meanwhile, will have Kole Taylor going so from a personnel standpoint, the Warriors may have the edge.

    Check out the game on the Team 1340.

    [divider]

    Class 2A

    Highland at Valley

    Time: 7 p.m.

    Station: KFKA 1310

    Clark Johnson on the matchup: The Huskies rolled the Vikes last year 49-7 in Gilcrest, but it may just be a little different this year as Valley brings a 2-0 record into the game. Led by QB Servando Perez and RB’s Jeff Gore and Eli Knowles the Vikings will try and get their running game going against a terrific Highland defense led by Blake Fabrizius and Holden Morgan. The Huskies have split their first two games in 2019 and look to win again versus Valley.

    Coverage begins on 1310 KFKA at 6:30.

    [divider]

    (Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos)

    Class 2A

    Eaton at (4) Platte Valley

    Time: 6 p.m. Saturday Sept. 21

    Station: KFKA 1310

    Johnson on the matchup: The Broncos have won 7 of the last 8 in the series including a 26-7 win in Eaton last year. Both teams are coming off wins last week as Eaton popped D’Evelyn 37-9 and Platte Valley won on the road at Elizabeth 30-7. Broncos senior Josh Yancey continues to hold a hot hand with 7 touchdowns in the first three weeks.

    Coverage begins at 6pm Saturday evening on 1310 KFKA.

  • Radio: Prairie vs. Stratton/Liberty leads stacked list of Week 2 football games

    Prairie Hanover football
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    The radio dial is going to be packed with solid high school football games on Friday night. From the Western Slope to the eastern plains, top teams will have their battles broadcasted for anyone within a radio signal or an internet browser.

    (If any stations are interested in featuring their games in this weekly post, please send an email to dmohrmann@chsaa.org)

    [divider]

    6-Man

    (3)Stratton/Liberty at (4) Prairie

    Time: 7 p.m. kick

    Station: 94.5 The Ranch

    Ben Blecha on the matchup : Prairie had a convincing win last week while Stratton/Liberty lost the rematch of last year’s title game. I’m really interested to see how both teams respond from their Week 1 results. It looks like it could have the makings of an offensive-minded affair!

    The game kicks off at 7pm Friday Night on 94.5 the Ranch.
    [divider]

    Class 2A

    Eaton Platte Valley football
    (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    (10) Eaton at (8) Sterling

    Time: 7:00 pm

    Station: 105.7 KPMX

    On the call: Chris Brom (Play by play)

    Blecha on the matchup: The Tigers surprised many with their overtime win last week. Eaton has a good nucleus back from a club that controlled most of last year’s meeting between the Tigers and Reds. Chris “Bull” Brom will handle play-by-play duties. He’s intrigued to see the growth from the young Tiger offensive line to see if they can duplicate last week’s effort.

    Check out the game on 105.7 KPMX.

    Salida Manitou Springs football
    (Ryan Kosley/CHSAANow.com)

    Manitou Springs at Salida

    Time: 7:00 pm (Pregame: 6:00 pm)

    Station: The Peak 92.3

    On the Call: Caleb Burggraaf (PxP) Jack Spadey (Color)

    The game: The 2019 season did not start the way Salida was hoping. The Spartans are reeling from a loss to Summit and are looking to bounce back against Manitou Springs, a team they dominated last season. The Mustangs are filled mostly with freshmen and sophomores giving them limited experience on the field. They’ll hope to counter that with the single wing offense that has been associated with the program for decades.

    Check out the game on Heart of the Rockies Radio.

    [divider]

    Class 4A

    Montrose Grand Junction Central football
    (Paul Hurschmann)

    Fruita Monument at Grand Junction Central

    Time: 7 p.m.

    Station: The Team 1340

    The game: Both Central and Fruita are coming off losses from last week. Montrose got the best of Central while Fruita hosted a talented Pueblo West team. Something will have to give this week as both teams look to get on the winning track and earn bragging rights in the Grand Junction area.

    Check out the game on 1340 The Team.

  • No. 5 Montrose football begins year with win over Grand Junction Central

    Montrose Grand Junction Central football
    (Paul Hurschmann)

    MONTROSE — Montrose, ranked No. 5 in Class 4A, opened its year with a win over Grand Junction Central on Friday.

    Montrose jumped out to a 21-0 lead, and didn’t look back en route to a 44-20 victory.

    “I really liked our effort and attitude throughout the game,” Montrose coach Brett Mertens said. “We need to fix our penalties and obviously can’t turn the ball over.”

    Montrose Grand Junction Central football
    (Paul Hurschmann)

    Cole Simmons scored from four and 41 yards out in the first quarter, and then Emmert Kasteneick scored from 53 yards away to make it 21-0.

    In the second quarter, Raul Martinez sacked Grand Junction Central quarterback Michael Gohn for a saftey, making it 23-0, before Central’s Joe Carol picked up a fumbled handoff and went 80 yards for the touchdown.

    But Montrose wasn’t done. Riley Barnhill scored from five yards out, pushing the lead to 30-7.

    The Warriors scored late in the first half on a pass from Gohn to Cole Taylor to make it 30-13 at halftime.

    In the third, Trent Blundell went 20 yards to put Montrose up 37-13. Each team scored once more in the fourth, including a 35-yard run from Kastendeick.

    “Our o-line dominated tonight all across the board,” Simmons said. “Our running back fakes were phenomenal. Also really impressed with our defense tonight as one whole unit.”

    Montrose Grand Junction Central football
    (Paul Hurschmann)
    Montrose Grand Junction Central football
    (Paul Hurschmann)
    Montrose Grand Junction Central football
    (Paul Hurschmann)

  • Radio: Berthoud vs. Platte Valley highlights Week 1 football matchups

    (Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos)

    After a slate of Week 1 games took place Thursday night, the bulk of football season truly gets underway as competition against all classes will be in full force on Friday.

    Several games can be seen on the NFHS Network while others have the opportunity to be seen on television broadcasts.

    All around the state, local radio stations will feature select games as teams begin their journey to have turnaround seasons or go hunting for a state championship.

    (If any stations are interested in featuring their games in this weekly post, please send an email to dmohrmann@chsaa.org)

    [divider]

    Class 2A

    Berthoud at (2) Platte Valley

    Time: 7 p.m. kick

    Station: 1310 KFKA

    On the call: Clark Johnson (play by play) and Bryan Kentfield (color)

    Johnson on the matchup: Preps Radio’s Friday Night Game of the Week features first year coach Cory Ticnor and his Berthoud Spartans on the road to Kersey to take on Troy Hoffman’s State runner-up Platte Valley Broncos.

    The Broncos opened with a 16-0 shutout against the Spartans last season, but things might be a little tougher for the Broncos this time around as they look to replace dual threat QB Trevon Wehrman and standout RB and LB Ernesto Rios. Look for senior Josh Yancey to step up big for Platte Valley.

    The Spartans give the controls to senior QB Sam Baird and will look to get the ball into the dangerous hands of senior Cooper Stratmeyer.

    The broadcast kicks off at 7pm Friday Night on 1310 KFKA Preps Radio.

    Salida at Summit

    Time: 7:00 pm (Pregame: 6:00 pm)

    Station: The Peak 92.3

    On the Call: Caleb Burggraaf (Play by play) Jimmy Doogan (Color)

    Burggraaf on the matchup: The Salida Spartans are coming into this season with low numbers on the football team compared to last season, but the hopes are still high with a few returning starters speckling the roster. The Spartans graduated double digit seniors from last years roster, so the big key to watch will be how the young starters react to the Friday night lights experience. Being on the road actually might be a help in this regard to take some nerves away for as many new faces as there will be.

    Check out the game on Heart of the Rockies Radio.

    [divider]

    Class 4A

    Grand Junction Central at (5) Montrose

    Time: 7 p.m.

    Station: The Team 1340

    The game: Montrose heads into the season as the fifth-ranked team in Class 4A. Coach Brett Mertens lost his leading rusher from a year ago, but senior Emmert Kastendieck appears ready to pick up the load.

    Central lost quarterback Max Marsh and he and now former head coach Shawn Marsh moved to Eaglecrest. But the Warriors still have standout tight end — and LSU commit — Kole Taylor who can be a huge difference maker on offense.

    Check out the game on 1340 The Team.

    [divider]

    8-Man

    Soroco at South Park

    Time: 1:00 pm (Pregame: Noon) on Saturday

    Station: Eagle Country 104

    On the Call: Caleb Burggraaf

    Burggraaf on the matchup: Soroco will always be a tough test, but that is exactly what the South Park Burros are hoping for this season with their schedule coming in as one of the toughest in 8-man. This matchup should only help to prep them for games with Front Range Christian, Caliche and Haxtun (all of which are home games for the Burros). South Park will be looking to replace Daigen Springer and TJ Peters as weapons in the offense, but the line is looking very good, and the running game should get some help with new size up front.

    Check out the game on Eagle Country 104.

  • Fairview, Palisade and Pueblo East among football teams with returning offensive stars

    Fairview Horizon football
    (Steve Oathout)

    The start of football season in Colorado is just two short weeks away. With some players having graduated and moved on from every team, a new set of standout student-athletes will be in the spotlight in 2019.

    But there are plenty of players coming back this season and with them come numbers that were impressive even a year ago.

    Looking at the offensive side of the ball, there are plenty of reasons to be excited for the start of football season in 2019.

    [divider]

    Passing:

    When it comes to passing stats, Fairview quarterback Aidan Atkinson led the way for all quarterbacks in 2018. The senior to be threw for a staggering 3,952 yards last year. It was a record-setting year all the way around for him and the Knights.

    For comparison, Highlands Ranch quarterback Jake Rubley threw for 1,951 yards and comes into the season No. 2 behind Atkinson in returning passing yards.

    The top-three passers in 4A all return in 2019 making the prospect of an aerial battle late in the season very intriguing.

    Ponderosa Skyline football
    (Kevin Prickett/prickettpix.com)

    Skyline’s Chase Silva threw for 2,829 yards as he helped the Falcons reach the 4A championship game. Centaurus’ Nick Faraca threw for 2,436 yards with Grand Junction Central’s Max Marsh threw for 2,296. The combination of Marsh and LSU football commit Kole Taylor is going to be a major attraction on the Western Slope this fall.

    The top five passers from 3A all graduated a year ago making George Washington’s Jaydon Green the top returning passer in the class as he threw for 1,722. Pueblo South’s Logan Petit (1,581 yards) and Durango’s Jordan Woolverton (1,560 yards) are other 3A names to keep an eye on.

    Aspen’s Tyler Ward led 2A with 2,202 yards last year and will be back as a junior in 2019 as will Meeker’s Ryan Phelan who topped all 1A passers with 1,869 in 2018.

    Front Range Christian’s Luke Hiltman led all 8-man passers with 2,079 yards and will be back this fall. Briggsdale senior Tyler Blickem returns with 2,368 passing yards from last year which topped all of 6-man.

    Granada sophomore Dominic Coleman got the attention of the class by throwing for 1,609 yards as a freshman.

    In terms of touchdowns, Atkinson set the standard state-wide with 55. Blickem threw for 36 and Silva connected on 30 touchdown passes.

    Rushing:

    Pueblo West Rampart football
    (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

    The ground attack throughout the state lost a lot of spild performers from last year. Smoky Hill’s Obasanjo Sanni returns as the top returning rusher as he cleared the 2,000-yard mark last year and averaged 181 yards per game.

    Legacy’s Dakota Key (1,799) and Fountain-Fort Carson’s Q. Jones (1,406) round out 5A’s top three returning rushers.

    There were standout runners from 3A that are also making their way back this year. Palisade’s Cam Tucker ran for 1,662 and Thomas Jefferson’s Daveon Hunter ran for 1,410 yards in nine games.

    In 4A, the top two returners both come out of Academy District 20 as Pine Creek’s David Moore III returns with 1,494 yards from last year. Down the road at Rampart, Chris Yoo totaled 1,317 yards and both backs will be seniors this fall.

    The biggest loss of production on the ground comes in 2A where 10 of the top 12 rushers from last year were seniors. Coming into this season, just Brush’s Nick Wellen (1,250) and Bishop Machebeuf’s Darius Richards (1,012) return with over 1,000 rushing yards from last year.

    That’s a big difference in 1A where the top two rushers from 2018 will be back as seniors this fall. Colorado Springs Christian senior Peyton Brones led all of 1A with 1,724 yards last year while Monte Vista’s Kaidon Wenta sat right behind him on the leaderboard with 1,475.

    Dove Creek’s Chorbin Cressler broke into the top five of all 8-man rushers as just a freshman last year with 1,243 yards and will look to build on that momentum this season. Pikes Peak Christian’s Hudson Grant is 8-man’s No. 2 returning rusher with 1,188 yards in 2018.

    Tucker returns with the most rushing touchdowns from last year with 28. Stratton/Liberty’s Jaret Lichty ran for 27 and Brones punched the ball in 24 times.

    Receiving

    Losing Kain Medrano was always going to be a big deal for Pueblo East. But if there is a silver lining, it’s that Marvon London, Jr. appears ready to fill the void.

    The senior receiver for the Eagles amassed more receiving yards than any other player returning in 2019. His 1,083 yards were seventh in the state last fall and with Medrano gone, the number has a chance of increasing this season.

    Palmer Ridge’s Deuce Roberson (937) and Harrison’s Seth Fuller (928) are the other top 3A receivers coming back.

    Fairview’s Henry Blackburn hauled 890 receiving yards to lead all 5A returners and should thrive again with Atkinson still tossing passes for the Knights.

    Heritage junior Terrance Ferguson totaled 972 receiving yards making him the top returning 4A receiver this season.

    Two of last season’s top three receivers will be back in 2A. Aspen’s Max Ufkes led the class with 920 receiving yards and Englewood’s Nate Gravagno ranked third with 824.

    As much as 1A had coming back in terms of rushing production, that is not the case with receiving. Estes Park sophomore Calum Torrey had 442 receiving yards last year which is the most for anyone who was not a senior.

    Sangre de Cristo’s Mario Enriquez leds all 8-man returners with 594 yards while Deer Trail’s Dayne Woodis comes back with 730 yards which was second in 6-man last year.

    Blackburn returns with the most receiving touchdowns form last year with 17. Woodis and Roberson each hauled in 11 touchdown catches last year.

  • Colorado preps media points out athletes to watch this fall

    State cross country generic
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    As the summer days begin to fade away, it’s nearly time to start looking to the fall. The official start of practice is just weeks away and once the ball gets rolling, the 2019-20 athletic season will consume coaches, athletes and fans for the better part of nine months.

    Over the last few weeks, CHSAANow.com has featured returning stat leaders from various sports (football leaders will come next week), but the real question that lingers is who is everyone excited to see?

    So we asked.

    We shot emails to various outlets throughout the state and asked them who they’re excited to see once competition starts next month while adding a few names of our own.

    [divider]

    The Pueblo Chieftain’s Marcus Hill and Austin White

    Athlete: Marvin London Jr.
    Year: Senior
    School: Pueblo East
    Sport: Football

    Why to watch: Marvin London Jr. had a team-high 73 receptions for the Eagles last season. He also had 1,083 yards and seven touchdowns — both second to only Kain Medrano.

    Athlete: Samantha Meehan
    Year: Senior
    School: Pueblo County
    Sport: Volleyball

    Why to watch: The Hornets senior ran rampant through the South-Central League last season and helped Pueblo County go 10-0 in league play. She led the Hornets with 284 kills, 24 aces. Meehan along with the core of Hornets hope to repeat as S-CL champs this season.

    CHSAANow.com’s Dan Mohrmann

    Athlete: Trey Jones
    Year: Senior
    School: Palmer Ridge
    Sport: Boys golf

    Why to watch: Jones has a little bit of work cut out for him this fall, but in terms of the Colorado Springs area, he’s one of the top returning golfers. He finished tied for 18th at the Class 4A state tournament and this summer tied for 14th in the JGAC Junior PGA Championship on the difficult Blue Course at the Air Force Academy.

    9News’ Taylor Temby

    Athlete: Katie Fankhouser
    Year: Senior
    School: Lyons
    Sport: Girls Cross Country

    Why to watch: Katie is a phenomenal multi-sport athlete. This fall, the 2018 runner of the year will look to defend her 2A cross-country individual state title, one that helped the Lions claim just their second ever team championship. A side note – she is also the third ranked female junior freestyle kayaker in the WORLD. To say she is competitive would be a huge understatement.

    Athlete: Gavin Sawchuk
    Year: Sophomore
    School: Valor Christian
    Sport: Football

    Why to watch: Expect Gavin to carry the same energy and momentum from his freshman season into his sophomore campaign. He put up 13 touchdowns for the Eagles in 2018 – in large part due to his speed. Sawchuk posted the fastest 100m dash time in the Colorado during the spring track and field season, and he already boasts several D1 football offers.

    Athlete: Alexisius “Q” Jones
    Year: Junior
    School: Fountain-Fort Carson
    Sport: Football

    Why to watch: Q. Jones had anything but a good ending to his season. In his first year in a Trojan varsity uniform, he amassed 1,738 all-purpose yards. But his season was cut short due to a leg injury. FFC coach Jake Novotny told us this summer that Jones will be ready to go. He’s reportedly getting looks from the University of Colorado and Wyoming and the list is expected to grow upon his return to the field.

    The Coloradoan’s Kevin Lytle

    Athlete: Nikki McGaffin
    Year: Sophomore
    School: Fossil Ridge
    Sport: Softball

    Why to watch: McGaffin starred in the pitching circle as a freshman in 2018 to help the SaberCats win 21 games. She went 14-1 with a 1.78 ERA (second in 5A), striking out 122 in 90.1 innings pitched.

    Athlete: Tate Satterfield
    Year: Senior
    School: Poudre
    Sport: Football

    Why to watch: Satterfield was eighth in 5A in 2018 with 1,238 rush yards, scoring 14 touchdowns on the ground. He’ll be a key part of an experience Poudre team that could challenge for the Front Range League title.

    The Durango Herald’s John Livingston

    Athlete: Madeleine Burns
    Year: Senior
    School: Durango High School
    Sport: Girls Cross Country

    Why to watch: A year after Burns finished 13th in the 4A girls cross country state race, she is back as a senior looking for a podium finish for the Demons. Last spring, she won the girls 3,200 meter run at the 4A state track and field meet and backed it up with a third-place finish in the 1,600. She broke the school record in the 5K last year the Liberty Bell Invitational and is primed for a big senior season after a summer of competing around the country.

    Athlete: Millie O’Ketter
    Year: Senior
    School: Durango High School
    Sport: Volleyball

    Why to watch: A senior libero and outside hitter, O’Ketter has already verbally committed to Northern Arizona University to play Division I volleyball. This summer, she competed in the Global Challenge International volleyball tournament in Croatia, helping her team to a 5-2 overall record in the udner-18 division with the lone losses coming to first-place Italy and second-place Netherlands. She led her team with 47 of the squad’s 111 digs and also led the team in serve receive accuracy and was second in assists.

    Athlete: Leland Heinicke
    Year: Senior
    School: Durango High
    Sport: Boys soccer

    Why to watch: As a junior, Heinicke had a team-high 14 goals and added four assists to help lead the Demons to the fourth seed in the 4A state tournament. At 6-foot-4, Heinicke is dangers when he gets his head on the ball in set pieces, and he has the skill to once again lead Durango on a playoff push.

    Other athletes to watch:

    Laurin Krings (Loveland softball): The returning 5A player of the year is on a mission to bring home a state championship.

    Amelia McCarthy (Cherry Creek field hockey): After falling short in the state championship game last year, McCarthy has the talent to take the Bruins to the top of the field hockey mountain.

    Kole Taylor (Grand Junction Central football): Taylor hauled in eight touchdown catches in 2018 and recently committed to LSU. He makes the Warriors an instant threat when he’s on the field.

    Cruz Culpepper (Niwot boys cross country): Last year’s 4A champ has ambitions of defending his championship this fall.