This week’s girls basketball rankings saw Centauri move up to No. 1 in Class 3A, as well as 13 new teams join the polls across five classifications.
The rankings, voted upon by coaches, are the official polls of the Association. They are a factor in the postseason. During the regular season, the poll will release each Monday.
Mountain Vista 37, Chatfield 37, Westminster 36, Denver South 33, Lakewood 31, Eaglecrest 24, Arvada West 19, Cherokee Trail 17, Columbine 16, Ponderosa 13, Pine Creek 12, Fort Collins 10, Monarch 9, Denver East 8, Loveland 8, Pueblo West 7, Fountain-Fort Carson 5, Dakota Ridge 5, Fairview 4, Liberty 2, Palmer 1, Horizon 1
Dropped out
Denver East (10), Lakewood (14), Fountain-Fort Carson (15)
Class 4A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Mullen (17)
1-1
275
1
1-1
2
Green Mountain (3)
2-0
274
3
2-0
3
George Washington (2)
3-0
243
7
3-0
4
Holy Family (1)
1-1
242
2
1-1
5
Windsor
2-0
205
–
2-0
6
Erie
1-1
197
4
1-1
7
Falcon (1)
2-0
178
8
2-0
8
Thompson Valley
2-0
137
15
2-0
9
Severance
1-1
122
8
1-1
10
Berthoud
1-1
106
5
1-1
11
The Classical Academy
2-0
98
–
2-0
12
Grand Junction Central
2-0
94
–
2-0
13
Sierra
1-0
88
10
1-0
14
Durango
3-1
78
11
3-1
15
Roosevelt (1)
2-0
71
–
2-0
Others receiving votes:
Palmer Ridge 63, Sand Creek 56, Mead 50, Lewis-Palmer 46, Canon City 45, Widefield 42, D’Evelyn 34, Evergreen 33, Montrose 27, Northridge 22, Coronado 22, Thomas Jefferson 20, Pueblo Centennial 16, Palisade 15, Battle Mountain 12, Glenwood Springs 12, Cheyenne Mountain 11, Northfield 10, Longmont 9, Discovery Canyon 9, Riverdale Ridge 8, Centaurus 7, Denver North 6, Wheat Ridge 5, Mesa Ridge 4, Greeley West 2, Eagle Valley 1, Littleton 1, Weld Central 1, Mountain View 1, Conifer 1, Steamboat Springs 1
Dropped out
Sand Creek (6), Evergreen (12), Canon City (13), Mead (14)
Class 3A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Centauri (8)
2-0
284
2
2-0
2
Lutheran (8)
2-0
278
4
2-0
3
University (1)
1-1
256
1
1-1
4
The Vanguard School (2)
1-0
238
5
1-0
5
The Academy
0-0
206
3
0-0
6
Eaton (2)
2-0
198
10
2-0
7
Delta
1-0
182
6
1-0
8
Pagosa Springs
2-0
148
8
2-0
9
St. Mary’s
1-0
147
8
1-0
10
Platte Valley
2-1
141
7
2-1
11
Manitou Springs
0-1
87
11
0-1
12
Brush
1-1
70
12
1-1
13
Moffat County
1-0
56
15
1-0
14
Grand Valley
2-0
42
–
2-0
15
Alamosa
1-2
32
13
1-2
Others receiving votes:
Faith Christian 31, Arrupe Jesuit 29, Prospect Ridge 26, Jefferson Academy 23, Lamar 23, Coal Ridge 23, Colorado Academy 19, St. Mary’s Academy 19, Valley 18, Sterling 17, Kent Denver 16, Machebeuf 15, Bennett 14, Bruce Randolph 13, Resurrection Christian 11, The Pinnacle 11, Buena Vista 11, Basalt 10, Middle Park 8, Arvada 7, DSST: Montview 6, Colorado Springs Christian 6, La Junta 6, Frontier Academy 5, Jefferson 5, KIPP Collegiate 4, Peak to Peak 4, Bayfield 4, SkyView Academy 4, Fort Lupton 3, DSST: Byers 2, Salida 1, Manual 1
Dropped out
St. Mary’s Academy (14)
Class 2A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Rye (10)
2-0
247
1
2-0
2
Sanford (3)
3-0
229
3
3-0
3
Holyoke
3-0
210
4
3-0
4
Limon (1)
2-0
181
2
2-0
5
Wray
2-0
174
5
2-0
6
Cedaredge (3)
2-0
161
10
2-0
7
Rocky Ford
1-0
141
6
1-0
8
Ignacio
0-1
96
7
0-1
9
Soroco
2-0
92
14
2-0
10
Del Norte (1)
2-1
75
8
2-1
11
Heritage Christian
1-0
72
12
1-0
12
Sedgwick County
2-0
69
–
2-0
13
Peyton
0-1
51
15
0-1
14
Yuma
0-2
48
11
0-2
15
Lotus School for Excellence
3-0
37
–
3-0
Others receiving votes:
Meeker 36, Paonia 31, Burlington 23, Rangely 22, Olathe 21, Front Range Christian 16, Hayden 15, Swink 12, Byers 12, Colorado Springs School 10, Holly 10, Denver Christian 9, Crested Butte 9, West Grand 8, Fowler 7, Lake County 7, Addenbrooke Classical 6, Wiggins 4, Dawson 4, Dayspring Christian 4, Thomas MacLaren 3, Center 2, Lyons 2, Hoehne 2, Akron 1, Crowley County 1
Dropped out
Meeker (8), Holly (13)
Class 1A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Briggsdale (17)
2-0
297
1
2-0
2
Kit Carson (1)
2-0
221
6
2-0
3
Sangre de Cristo
1-0
216
3
1-0
4
McClave
2-0
212
5
2-0
5
Simla
2-0
191
8
2-0
6
Fleming
1-1
178
2
1-1
7
Flatirons Academy
2-0
164
10
2-0
8
Haxtun
2-0
153
–
2-0
9
Cotopaxi
2-0
126
8
2-0
10
Shining Mountain
2-0
118
12
2-0
11
Kim/Branson
2-0
104
–
2-0
12
South Baca [Campo/Vilas/Pritchett]
0-1
78
4
0-1
13
Elbert (1)
1-0
62
15
1-0
14
Centennial (2)
2-0
49
–
2-0
15
Lone Star
0-1
43
7
0-1
Others receiving votes:
Dove Creek 41, Eads 39, Longmont Christian 32, North Park 23, Kiowa 23, Sierra Grande 20, Wiley 15, Merino 15, Springfield 14, Moffat 12, Peetz 11, Idalia 10, Cheraw 10, Genoa-Hugo 10, Caprock Academy 9, Belleview Christian 6, Aguilar 5, Miami-Yoder 5, De Beque 4, Granada 3, Liberty/Stratton 1
De Beque has taken over at this week’s Class 1A boys basketball rankings, and the polls as a whole added 14 new teams.
The rankings, voted upon by coaches, are the official polls of the Association. They are a factor in the postseason. During the regular season, the poll will release each Monday.
Fairview 45, Douglas County 36, Chatfield 26, Vista PEAK 22, Rampart 21, Legend 18, Heritage 16, Silver Creek 14, Fountain-Fort Carson 14, Rock Canyon 13, Mullen 13, Grandview 13, Highlands Ranch 10, Pomona 7, Denver South 6, Columbine 4, Arapahoe 4, Poudre 4, Legacy 3, Boulder 2, Horizon 1, Skyline 1
Dropped out
Fairview (12), Grandview (13), Legend (14)
Class 4A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Mead (22)
1-0
402
1
1-0
2
Lewis-Palmer
2-0
345
2
2-0
3
Longmont (1)
2-0
303
3
2-0
4
Golden
2-0
293
5
2-0
5
Windsor (3)
1-0
261
4
1-0
6
Erie
1-0
207
8
1-0
7
Pueblo Central (1)
2-0
204
10
2-0
8
Evergreen
1-1
165
6
1-1
9
Montrose
1-0
133
7
1-0
10
Pueblo East
1-0
123
11
1-0
11
Centaurus
1-1
117
12
1-1
12
Frederick
2-0
115
–
2-0
13
Pueblo South
2-0
95
–
2-0
14
Harrison
1-1
73
8
1-1
15
Aurora Central (1)
3-0
72
–
3-0
Others receiving votes:
Palmer Ridge 69, Sand Creek 57, D’Evelyn 50, Green Mountain 47, Cheyenne Mountain 44, Palisade 39, Roosevelt 35, Mountain View 35, Coronado 20, Holy Family 16, Widefield 15, Denver North 15, Canon City 13, Thomas Jefferson 12, Eagle Valley 11, Steamboat Springs 11, Lincoln 10, Thompson Valley 10, The Classical Academy 9, Mitchell 8, Discovery Canyon 8, Northfield 7, Glenwood Springs 5, Riverdale Ridge 5, Grand Junction Central 4, Weld Central 4, Severance 4, Pueblo Centennial 3, Wheat Ridge 3, Berthoud 1, Falcon 1, Pueblo County 1
Dropped out
Cheyenne Mountain (13), Holy Family (14), Green Mountain (15)
Class 3A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Lutheran (20)
2-0
381
1
2-0
2
St. Mary’s (4)
2-0
313
7
2-0
3
Faith Christian (2)
1-1
304
2
1-1
4
Manitou Springs
2-0
263
4
2-0
5
Centauri
1-0
228
8
1-0
6
Resurrection Christian
1-1
187
5
1-1
7
Eaton
1-1
171
8
1-1
8
Sterling
0-1
169
3
0-1
9
Coal Ridge
1-0
159
10
1-0
10
Colorado Academy
2-0
141
–
2-0
11
Manual
0-1
110
6
0-1
12
Highland
2-1
84
–
2-1
13
University
0-2
63
11
0-2
14
Englewood
2-1
61
–
2-1
15
Bishop Machebeuf
2-0
49
–
2-0
Others receiving votes:
Alamosa 46, Colorado Springs Christian 45, DSST: Byers 37, The Vanguard School 37, Strasburg 35, Kent Denver 32, Estes Park 24, Platte Valley 22, DSST: Green Valley Ranch 22, Gunnison 19, Salida 17, Bennett 14, DSST: College View 13, Roaring Fork 9, Brush 9, Lamar 8, Liberty Common 8, Moffat County 7, Woodland Park 7, Buena Vista 5, Aspen 4, Basalt 3, DSST: Montview 3, Grand Valley 3, DSST: Conservatory Green 2, Pagosa Springs 2, Fort Lupton 2, Montezuma-Cortez 2
Dropped out
Alamosa (12), Gunnison (13), DSST: Byers (14), The Vanguard School (15)
Class 2A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Limon (20)
2-0
326
1
2-0
2
Wray (1)
2-0
280
4
2-0
3
Fowler
1-1
230
3
1-1
4
Yuma (1)
0-2
226
2
0-2
5
Mancos
2-0
202
11
2-0
6
Sanford
2-1
174
5
2-1
7
Sedgwick County
2-0
166
10
2-0
8
Denver Christian
1-1
140
6
1-1
9
Holly
1-0
122
8
1-0
10
Ignacio
0-1
117
8
0-1
11
Meeker
2-0
95
13
2-0
12
Crested Butte
1-0
91
12
1-0
13
Peyton
0-1
90
7
0-1
14
Holyoke
2-1
84
14
2-1
15
Monte Vista
1-1
44
–
1-1
Others receiving votes:
Vail Mountain 33, Vail Christian 28, Wiggins 25, Clear Creek 22, West Grand 14, Dayspring Christian Academy 13, Sargent 12, Center 10, Soroco 10, Gilpin County 10, Golden View Classical 8, Del Norte 8, Cedaredge 7, Lotus School for Excellence 6, Thomas MacLaren 6, Swink 6, Olathe 6, Telluride 5, Akron 4, Byers 4, Dolores 3, Front Range Christian 3, Rye 2, Calhan 2, Heritage Christian 2, Crowley County 1, John Mall 1, Dawson School 1, Lyons 1
Dropped out
Vail Mountain (15)
Class 1A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
De Beque (10)
2-0
280
2
2-0
2
Mile High Academy (6)
0-0
258
1
0-0
3
Belleview Christian (3)
3-0
206
8
3-0
4
Kit Carson
2-0
189
4
2-0
5
Briggsdale
2-0
185
5
2-0
6
Merino (1)
1-0
184
3
1-0
7
Primero
2-0
159
6
2-0
8
Haxtun
2-0
122
10
2-0
9
Sangre de Cristo
1-0
100
8
1-0
10
Cheraw
2-0
87
–
2-0
11
Granada
2-0
75
13
2-0
12
Evangelical Christian
1-1
71
12
1-1
13
Denver Jewish Day
1-1
60
–
1-1
14
Flatirons Academy
2-0
58
–
2-0
15
Genoa-Hugo
1-1
54
7
1-1
Others receiving votes:
Rocky Mountain Lutheran 40, Cheyenne Wells 32, McClave 32, Denver Waldorf 31, Kim/Branson 23, Longmont Christian 23, Pikes Peak Christian 22, Eads 21, Fleming 20, Springfield 11, Sierra Grande 8, Cotopaxi 8, Walsh 8, Arickaree/Woodlin 7, Caliche 6, Flagler 3, Prairie 2, Ouray 2, Caprock Academy 1, Simla 1
Tim Yount of On The Mat provides weekly wrestling rankings for teams and individuals in all weight classes. To see individual rankings, you can subscribe to On The Mat’s full rankings.
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The preseason girls basketball rankings are led by Grandview (5A), Mullen (4A), University (3A), Rye (2A), and Briggsdale (1A).
The rankings, voted upon by coaches, are the official polls of the Association. They are a factor in the postseason. During the regular season, the poll will release each Monday.
Fruita Monument 34, Mountain Vista 32, Columbine 29, Denver South 28, ThunderRidge 27, Horizon 26, Cherokee Trail 25, Pueblo West 24, Fairview 24, Eaglecrest 19, Air Academy 13, Castle View 12, Chatfield 11, Doherty 10, Ponderosa 3, Vista Ridge 3, Pine Creek 2, Arvada West 2, Monarch 2, Rocky Mountain 1, Liberty 1
Class 4A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
Mullen (15)
0-0
276
2
Holy Family (2)
0-0
267
3
Green Mountain
0-0
196
4
Erie (1)
0-0
185
5
Berthoud
0-0
158
6
Sand Creek
0-0
155
7
George Washington (1)
0-0
150
8
Falcon
0-0
102
9
Severance
0-0
78
10
Sierra
0-0
76
11
Durango
0-0
75
12
Evergreen (1)
0-0
69
13
Canon City
0-0
65
14
Mead
0-0
63
15
Thompson Valley
0-0
54
Others receiving votes:
Montrose 47, Glenwood Springs 39, Windsor 37, D’Evelyn 28, Lewis-Palmer 22, Northridge 20, Palmer Ridge 18, Northfield 17, Thomas Jefferson 17, Greeley West 17, Golden 16, Centaurus 14, The Classical Academy 13, Pueblo County 13, Grand Junction Central 13, Fort Morgan 11, Alameda 9, Roosevelt 9, Riverdale Ridge 8, Mesa Ridge 8, Pueblo South 8, Aurora Central 6, Littleton 5, Discovery Canyon 5, Coronado 4, Frederick 4, Battle Mountain 4, Conifer 3, Weld Central 2, Harrison 1, Thornton 1
Class 3A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
University (3)
0-0
197
2
Centauri (4)
0-0
184
3
The Academy (1)
0-0
178
4
Lutheran (1)
0-0
169
5
The Vanguard School (2)
0-0
167
6
Delta
0-0
151
7
Platte Valley
0-0
133
8
St. Mary’s (3)
0-0
117
9
Pagosa Springs
0-0
116
10
Eaton (1)
0-0
102
11
Manitou Springs
0-0
87
12
Brush
0-0
71
13
Alamosa
0-0
45
14
St. Mary’s Academy (2)
0-0
43
15
Moffat County
0-0
41
Others receiving votes:
Coal Ridge 28, Faith Christian 26, Sterling 23, Colorado Springs Christian 21, Valley 21, Machebeuf 20, Grand Valley 18, DSST: Byers 17, Manual 14, Bayfield 14, Kent Denver 13, Ellicott 13, The Pinnacle 13, Resurrection Christian 12, Middle Park 11, Florence 10, KIPP Collegiate 7, Jefferson Academy 6, Estes Park 6, Buena Vista 5, Lamar 5, Colorado Academy 4, Strasburg 4, SkyView Academy 4, Liberty Common 2, Bennett 2, Gunnison 2, Peak to Peak 2, La Junta 1, Salida 1, Roaring Fork 1, Stargate School 1
Class 2A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
Rye (3)
0-0
206
2
Limon (7)
0-0
191
3
Sanford (1)
0-0
189
4
Holyoke (3)
0-0
170
5
Wray
0-0
124
6
Rocky Ford
0-0
122
7
Ignacio
0-0
121
8
Del Norte
0-0
117
9
Meeker
0-0
94
10
Cedaredge (1)
0-0
78
11
Yuma
0-0
61
12
Heritage Christian
0-0
53
13
Holly
0-0
48
14
Soroco
0-0
47
15
Peyton
0-0
41
Others receiving votes:
Colorado Springs School 33, Hotchkiss 27, Swink 26, Sedgwick County 25, Plateau Valley 22, Custer County 17, Dawson 16, Denver Christian 15, Fowler 15, Monte Vista 15, Center 14, Hayden 12, Burlington 11, Sargent 10, Swallows Charter 10, Akron 10, Crowley County 9, Calhan 8, Addenbrooke Classical 8, Crested Butte 8, Rangely 8, Trinidad 7, Olathe 6, Hoehne 6, Lotus School for Excellence 5, Byers 4, Dolores Huerta 4, Dayspring Christian 3, Front Range Christian 2, Loveland Classical 1, South Park 1
Class 1A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
Briggsdale (12)
0-0
231
2
Fleming (1)
0-0
226
3
Sangre de Cristo
0-0
171
4
South Baca [Campo/Vilas/Pritchett] (2)
0-0
146
5
McClave
0-0
134
6
Kit Carson
0-0
133
7
Lone Star
0-0
129
8
Cotopaxi (1)
0-0
127
9
Simla
0-0
107
10
Flatirons Academy
0-0
96
11
Springfield
0-0
94
12
Shining Mountain
0-0
86
13
Genoa-Hugo
0-0
66
14
Merino
0-0
63
15
Elbert (1)
0-0
42
Others receiving votes:
Kim/Branson 29, Wiley 25, De Beque 23, Dove Creek 22, Sierra Grande 12, La Veta 11, Longmont Christian 10, Idalia 9, Cheraw 7, Haxtun 7, Liberty/Stratton 6, Granada 6, Mile High Academy 5, Evangelical Christian 4, Kiowa 3, Moffat 2, Prairie 1
The preseason boys basketball rankings are out. Leading the way are Cherry Creek (5A), Mead (4A), Lutheran (3A), Limon (2A), and Mile High Academy (1A).
The rankings, voted upon by coaches, are the official polls of the Association. They are a factor in the postseason. During the regular season, the poll will release each Monday.
Fossil Ridge 40, Douglas County 40, Ralston Valley 37, Vista PEAK 26, Horizon 25, Boulder 22, Doherty 20, Arapahoe 19, Rock Canyon 19, Columbine 18, Adams City 15, Chatfield 12, Rocky Mountain 6, Pine Creek 5, Mullen 4, Broomfield 4, Rampart 4, Silver Creek 3, Hinkley 3, Dakota Ridge 2, Cherokee Trail 2, Arvada West 2, Brighton 1, Far Northeast Warriors 1
Class 4A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
Mead (10)
0-0
238
2
Lewis-Palmer (4)
0-0
192
3
Longmont
0-0
169
4
Windsor (1)
0-0
115
5
Golden
0-0
111
6
Evergreen
0-0
109
7
Montrose (1)
0-0
87
8
Harrison
0-0
86
9
Erie
0-0
82
10
Pueblo Central
0-0
81
11
Pueblo East
0-0
80
12
Centaurus
0-0
77
13
Cheyenne Mountain
0-0
70
14
Holy Family
0-0
54
15
Green Mountain
0-0
52
Others receiving votes:
Northfield 47, Lincoln 42, Widefield 37, Sand Creek 36, Thomas Jefferson 36, Glenwood Springs 35, Frederick 34, Pueblo Centennial 27, Canon City 24, D’Evelyn 20, The Classical Academy 20, Thompson Valley 19, Wheat Ridge 17, Pueblo South 16, Discovery Canyon 16, Steamboat Springs 14, Mesa Ridge 12, Berthoud 11, Aurora Central 10, Niwot 10, Coronado 9, Riverdale Ridge 9, Eagle Valley 9, Palmer Ridge 9, Palisade 7, Mountain View 7, Mitchell 5, Falcon 4, Roosevelt 4, Sierra 3, Denver North 2, Severance 2, Rifle 2, Durango 1
Class 3A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
Lutheran (16)
0-0
321
2
Faith Christian
0-0
231
3
Sterling (1)
0-0
223
4
Manitou Springs
0-0
205
5
Resurrection Christian (5)
0-0
194
6
Manual
0-0
182
7
St. Mary’s
0-0
180
8
Centauri
0-0
169
9
Eaton
0-0
161
10
Coal Ridge
0-0
115
11
University
0-0
103
12
Alamosa
0-0
94
13
Gunnison
0-0
92
14
DSST: Byers
0-0
76
15
The Vanguard School (1)
0-0
60
Others receiving votes:
Colorado Academy 57, Kent Denver 51, Bishop Machebeuf 46, Highland 40, Strasburg 39, Englewood 38, DSST: Green Valley Ranch 35, Florence 33, Ellicott 26, Colorado Springs Christian 21, Salida 15, Valley 15, Jefferson Academy 14, Middle Park 12, Stargate School 12, KIPP Denver Collegiate 11, DSST: Montview 10, DSST: College View 10, Aspen 10, Moffat County 10, Frontier Academy 9, DSST: Conservatory Green 8, Woodland Park 8, Estes Park 8, James Irwin 5, Grand Valley 4, Roaring Fork 4, Lamar 3, Bruce Randolph 3, Pagosa Springs 2, Banning Lewis 2, The Academy 1, Jefferson 1, Peak to Peak 1
Class 2A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
Limon (14)
0-0
252
2
Yuma (3)
0-0
230
3
Fowler
0-0
180
4
Wray
0-0
171
5
Sanford
0-0
165
6
Denver Christian
0-0
153
7
Peyton
0-0
149
8
Ignacio
0-0
128
9
Holly
0-0
120
10
Sedgwick County
0-0
116
11
Mancos
0-0
114
12
Crested Butte
0-0
48
13
Meeker
0-0
32
14
Holyoke
0-0
29
15
Vail Mountain
0-0
26
Others receiving votes:
Dayspring Christian Academy 23, Heritage Christian 22, Monte Vista 19, Vail Christian 11, Dawson School 10, Wiggins 8, Burlington 6, Crowley County 4, Thomas MacLaren 4, Rangely 3, Rye 3, Cedaredge 2, Hotchkiss 2, Plateau Valley 2, Dolores 2, Olathe 1, South Park 1, Dolores Huerta Prep 1, Sargent 1
Class 1A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
1
Mile High Academy (7)
0-0
228
2
De Beque (6)
0-0
226
3
Merino
0-0
157
4
Kit Carson (2)
0-0
123
5
Briggsdale
0-0
113
6
Primero
0-0
102
7
Genoa-Hugo
0-0
95
8
Belleview Christian (1)
0-0
89
9
Sangre de Cristo
0-0
87
10
Haxtun
0-0
77
11
Walsh
0-0
69
12
Evangelical Christian
0-0
68
13
Granada
0-0
61
14
Kim/Branson
0-0
59
15
Ouray (1)
0-0
55
Others receiving votes:
Cheraw 46, Denver Jewish Day 42, Cheyenne Wells 41, Simla 41, Eads 34, Edison 32, Fleming 28, Stratton/Liberty 28, Flatirons Academy 23, Denver Waldorf 19, Pikes Peak Christian 17, Springfield 14, Prairie 11, Longmont Christian 11, Sierra Grande 10, Manzanola 8, Front Range Baptist 7, Dove Creek 6, Cotopaxi 6, Wiley 3, Caprock Academy 3, McClave 1
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
After a thrilling week of Colorado playoff football games, teams roll into semifinals this weekend. With upsets in nearly every small-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 small-school games this weekend.
Breakdown: After five games of not surrendering a point, Resurrection Christian finally allowed a couple of touchdowns to their opponent. The Cougars (6-0) still got a 40-14 win over Moffat County to move on to the 1A semifinals where they’ll travel to Eaton.
Will Schrotenboer threw for 281 yards and four touchdowns last weekend and the Cougars still rushed for 177 yards as a team presenting a very dangerous and balanced offense.
Eaton traveled to Pagosa Springs and got a big 41-7 win over the Pirates to earn the right to host its semifinal game. In order to keep that dangerous Rez offense off the field, Eaton (5-2) will have to lean on its rushing attack. That’s how the team grabbed its upset win over the Pirates.
Ethan Florez rushed for 121 yards and three scores while Scott Grable added 84 yards and another rushing touchdown.
• • •
(7) Lamar at (6) Delta
(Paul Shepardson)
Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: With both teams coming off big upset wins last weekend, the second 2A semifinal brings about an intriguing matchup. Lamar’s shifty quarterback Zane Rankin has shown he has the athleticism to lead his team to something like a win over the defending 2A champs. He rushed for 117 and a touchdown as Lamar (6-1) knocked off Sterling 14-6.
Jesus Reyes led Lamar with 123 rushing yards. Rankin threw a total of one pass in the course of the game and it fell incomplete.
Without Nolan Bynum, Delta was able to travel to Platte Valley and get a 38-6 win over the Broncos. Timothy Horn rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the effort. The Panthers (5-1) advanced to the 2A title game a year ago but ultimately lost to Sterling.
A win over Lamar would give them another shot to claim that elusive state championship.
Breakdown: Limon’s quest for a third straight state title is alive after a big 41-15 win over Holyoke in the 1A quarterfinals. Trey Hines completed four of his five passing attempts for 89 yards and a touchdown. The Badgers (5-0) were very balanced on the ground as four players rushed for at least 40 yards.
Kory Tacha and Jeremiah Leeper each ran for 63 yards and a touchdown. Tacha caught Hines’ touchdown pass.
Wray trailed 7-0 after the first quarter last weekend, but a 24-point second quarter sparked the Eagles (6-1) to a 38-13 win over Hotchkiss.
Tyler Collins was outstanding running the ball as he amassed 203 yards and scored four touchdowns. He’ll try to counter Limon’s ground game on Saturday.
• • •
(2) Strasburg at (6) Centauri
(Barry Smith)
Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: Second-seeded Strasburg received quite the fight from No. 7 Meeker in the 1A quarterfinals. Strasburg (7-0) came out victorious and we have to refocus their efforts on a Centauri team that upset a solid Florence squad.
Trystan Graf led the ground effort for Strasburg by rushing for 94 yards and two touchdowns. The team totaled five rushing touchdowns in the win over Meeker.
While Florence had two standout backs in Owen Busetti and Jacob Kennedy, Mason Claunch was more than up to the task of carrying the offensive load for the Falcons (7-0). Centauri came away with the 20-17 lead which now earns them a home game in the 1A semifinals.
The Falcons have outscored their opponents 368-32 this year and can certainly claim their second upset win in a row this weekend.
Breakdown: Sedgwick County liked right at home in its playoff opener. The Cougars (7-0) have not lost a playoff game since Nov. 1, 2014 and are playing like they intend to keep that streak going into 2021.
The Cougars have won consecutive games, the most in the state. They, of course, are seeking a sixth-straight state title — something done only once before, by Limon, from 1963-68.
Dove Creek got off a strong star in its playoff opener against Rangely and rode it to a 30-12 win to advance to the semifinals. In order to take down Sedgwick County the Bulldogs (5-1) will have to lean on the combined rushing attack of Chorbin Cressler and Gage Bailey.
The duo each rushed for at least 120 yards and a touchdown in the win over Rangely and will try to carry that momentum into the semifinals.
• • •
(2) Sanford at (6) Merino
Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: Sanford (6-0) opened the playoffs with a 36-28 win over Mancos, a game that was probably a bit closer than it had hoped for. The 28 points for Mancos was the most points Sanford has given up all year so the defense will look to clamp down as it hits the road this week.
Merino pulled off the stunner of the week when it knocked off Fowler, last year’s state runner-up. The 22-6 win over the Grizzlies was the lone upset in the 8-man bracket and adjust the home game slate as the Rams (6-1) will play host to Sanford on Saturday.
Breakdown: Following a big 58-14 win over Kit Carson, the defending 6-man champions are back into the state semifinals. Kade Comstock completed just three passes for 88 yards, but two of them went for touchdowns. Chris Goss and Charles Hobbs each went for over 100 rushing yards and they both scored two touchdowns for the Wildcats.
It was a much better game than what the tandem did against Granada in the final regular season. They combined for 166 rushing yards, although they did each score two touchdowns in the 49-44 win.
Granada had a bit more trouble with Eads than Fleming did with Kit Carson. The Bobcats got the 44-35 win thanks in big part to a 22-point second quarter. They’ll get another crack at Fleming after having one of the best overall performances against the defending champions.
Dominic Coleman threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns while John Hainer ran for a blistering 219 yards and four scores.
• • •
(3) Cheyenne Wells at (2) Stratton/Liberty
Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: Stratton/Liberty returns to the semifinals following a comfortable 59-38 win over Briggsdale. Sophomore Alex Cruz ran for 108 yards and a touchdown while catching three passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.
He’ll be key for the Knighted Eagles (5-0) if they plan on returning to the 6-man state title game.
Cheyenne Wells took full advantage of playing at home, getting a 43-22 win over Prairie in the quarterfinals. The Tigers (6-0) are a run-heavy team that will rely on Evan Worely who has averaged over nine yards per carry for the bulk of the year.
They’re also averaging 53 points per game making them one of the top offensive units left on the bracket.
For the first time since 2012, Wray will head to the Class 1A football semifinals.
The Eagles, the No. 4 seed in the bracket, beat No. 5 Hotchkiss 38-13 on Saturday.
“Hats off to Hotchkiss staff and players,” Wray coach Levi Kramer said. “They have one heck of a program. I was really proud of how our boys played today. We have a ton to work on next week, but looking forward to putting in the work with this group.”
After Hotchkiss scored first, and held a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, Wray scored 24 unanswered points to lead 24-7 at halftime. Wray’s Tyler Collins paced the offense with three first-half scores.
Collins kept it up in the second half when he added a fourth touchdown, this one from 12 yards out, that made it 32-7 at the end of three quarters.
(Daniel Stoeber)
Payton Wade, a sophomore, scored in the fourth quarter to make it 38-7.
Hotchkiss’ Drayden Taylor and Blaine Peebles scored for the Bulldogs.
“Credit Coach Kramer and his kids, as they created big plays in the passing game that got them up a couple of scores,” Hotchkiss Curtis Hintz said. “They played hard for four quarters. Felt like we matched them physically in the first quarter. They hit a couple of big plays and couldn’t close the gap. Proud of this group, they had a great year. But kudos to Wray.”
Wray will advance to face top-seeded Limon in the semifinals.
“I’m proud of how my team played today,” Wray’s Tyler Collins said. “We aren’t satisfied. Our focus is beating Limon now.”
