CHSAANow

Tag: Pueblo South

  • Lakewood, Cherry Creek jump into 5A girls basketball ranking

    Chaparral Lakewood girls basketball
    Lakewood is No. 7 in this week’s 5A poll. (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

    Lakewood, coming off a 4-0 week, has jumped into the 5A CHSAANow.com girls basketball ranking.

    The Tigers (6-0) are No. 7 this week, and are joined by fellow newcomer Cherry Creek (3-1), which is No. 9 this week.

    Regis Jesuit remained as the unanimous No. 1 pick in 5A. In fact, the Nos. 1-4 teams stayed the same this week. The Raiders continued to be followed by No. 2 Highlands Ranch, No. 3 ThunderRidge and No. 4 Grandview.

    Fossil Ridge jumped up from ninth to fifth, and Rock Canyon from eighth to sixth. Castle View is eighth, and Monarch is tenth.

    Broomfield (4A), Holy Family (3A), Yuma (2A) and Caliche (1A) all remained atop their respective rankings this week.

    Complete rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Girls Basketball Polls

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

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

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Regis Jesuit (16) 4-0 160 1 2-0
    2 Highlands Ranch 4-1 138 2 0-0
    3 ThunderRidge 5-0 125 3 2-0
    4 Grandview 5-0 112 4 3-0
    5 Fossil Ridge 6-0 89 9 2-0
    6 Rock Canyon 2-1 72 8 0-0
    7 Lakewood 6-0 45 – 4-0
    8 Castle View 2-1 38 5 1-1
    9 Cherry Creek 3-1 25 – 1-0
    10 Monarch 1-1 21 6 1-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Poudre 17, Ralston Valley 15, Pine Creek 13, Horizon 8, Grand Junction 4, Arapahoe 2, Denver East 2, Mountain Vista 2, Rampart 1.
    Dropped out
    Poudre (7), Ralston Valley (10).

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Broomfield (13) 5-0 130 1 3-0
    2 Pueblo South 4-1 103 2 3-1
    3 Valor Christian 5-0 92 7 2-0
    4 Pueblo West 4-0 86 4 1-0
    5 Mesa Ridge 3-0 75 3 1-0
    6 Elizabeth 5-0 65 10 4-0
    7 D’Evelyn 4-3 45 8 2-1
    8 Palmer Ridge 4-1 43 5 1-1
    9 Sand Creek 3-2 23 6 2-1
    10 Silver Creek 4-2 17 9 1-2
    Others receiving votes:
    Thompson Valley 9, Air Academy 7, Glenwood Springs 7, Steamboat Springs 4, Pueblo East 3, Englewood 2, Longmont 2, Berthoud 1, Palisade 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Holy Family (10) 6-0 100 1 4-0
    2 Pagosa Springs 4-0 89 2 3-0
    3 Centauri 5-0 73 3 2-0
    4 Eaton 4-0 68 5 1-0
    5 Lamar 4-0 64 4 3-0
    6 Bishop Machebeuf 4-1 43 – 3-0
    7 Estes Park 4-1 26 – 2-1
    8 St. Mary’s 2-1 22 6 2-1
    9 Coal Ridge 4-1 17 – 3-0
    10 Strasburg 4-0 14 – 3-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Kent Denver 10, Jefferson Academy 7, Sterling 6, Trinidad 6, Manitou Springs 3, The Classical Academy 2.
    Dropped out
    Peak to Peak (7), Valley (8), Kent Denver (9), Sterling (10).

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Yuma (7) 3-0 79 1 1-0
    2 Akron (1) 2-0 69 2 1-0
    3 Peyton 4-0 59 3 3-0
    4 Lutheran 2-0 55 4 1-0
    5 Sangre de Cristo 3-0 38 6 0-0
    6 Liberty Common 7-0 35 10 3-0
    7 Simla 4-0 31 9 3-0
    8 Paonia 2-2 25 8 1-1
    9 Hoehne 3-1 22 – 2-1
    10 Kiowa 4-0 10 – 2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Highland 7, Meeker 4, Del Norte 2, Heritage Christian 1, Holyoke 1, Sedgwick County 1, The Vanguard 1.
    Dropped out
    Holyoke (5), Meeker (7).

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Caliche (5) 4-0 58 1 2-0
    2 Eads 3-0 49 2 2-0
    3 Norwood (1) 3-0 47 3 1-0
    4 Idalia 4-0 44 4 2-0
    5 Dove Creek 4-0 32 7 2-0
    6 Kit Carson 2-1 30 6 2-1
    7 Prairie 4-0 22 – 2-0
    8 Liberty/Stratton 2-2 15 – 2-2
    9 Cheraw 3-0 12 – 2-0
    10 McClave 3-0 9 – 2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Holly 6, Walsh 3, Hi-Plains 2, Jim Elliot Christian 1.
    Dropped out
    Stratton (5), Hi-Plains (8), Belleview Christian (9), Holly (10).

  • Pine Creek moves up in 5A wrestling rankings

    Pine Creek jumped up in the 5A wrestling rankings provided by On The Mat this week. The Eagles were No. 12 in the preseason, which goes to 15 teams. They are No. 6 this week.

    The four No. 1 teams — Arvada West (5A), Broomfield (4A), Brush (3A), Paonia (2A) — remained the same from the preseason.

    Complete team rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    On The Mat Wrestling Rankings

    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.

    To subscribe via PayPal, choose your subscription option on this page click on the corresponding PayPal button. To subscribe by mail or fax and pay by personal check, click here for a printable subscription form. Email Tim Yount at tim@onthematrankings.com with questions.

    To purchase individual weeks of the rankings (as opposed to the entire season), you will need to use the printable subscription form and pay by check. The season ranking subscriptions are offered at a discounted rate.
    [divider]
    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Arvada West 1
    2 Rocky Mountain 2
    3 Ponderosa 3
    4 Pomona 4
    5 Cherry Creek 5
    6 Pine Creek 12
    7 Chaparral 7
    8 Fruita Monument 8
    9 Coronado 6
    10 Greeley West 11
    Dropped out
    Fountain Fort-Carson (9), Grand Junction (10).

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Broomfield 1
    2 Thompson Valley 2
    3 Discovery Canyon 3
    4 Pueblo South 4
    5 Windsor 5
    6 Pueblo Central 6
    7 Palisade 7
    8 Montrose 8
    9 Weld Central 9
    10 Mead 10
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Brush 1
    2 Valley 2
    3 Dolores Huerta 3
    4 Centauri 6
    5 Lamar 4
    6 Alamosa 5
    7 Monte Vista 8
    8 La Junta 9
    9 Bennett 10
    10 Fort Lupton 7
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Paonia 1
    2 Meeker 2
    3 Baca County 3
    4 Swink 4
    5 Rocky Ford 5
    6 Sedgwick County/Fleming 6
    7 Akron 7
    8 Merino 8
    9 Wray 9
    10 Center 10
    Dropped out
    None.

  • Pueblo’s basketball programs on track to continue recent success

    Pueblo South's girls basketball team, pictured during last season's championship game in Boulder. (Courtesy photo)
    Pueblo South’s girls basketball team, pictured during last season’s championship game in Boulder. (Courtesy photo)

    PUEBLO — Just when it seemed Pueblo prep girls and boys basketball teams might become an afterthought to the rest of the state, there has been a statement made by the Steel City the last several years.

    The Pueblo South and Pueblo West girls basketball teams are each coming off back-to-back Class 4A final four appearances and the Colts won state a year ago. On the boys side, South (2009) and East (2010) each lost in the state finals to Sierra. Pueblo West, meanwhile, lost in the state semifinals in 2011 to Windsor.

    This season has a strong mix of old and new in Pueblo hoops and South’s girls team is taking aim at its sixth state crown.

    “The biggest thing I told the girls is that we’re really not defending a state championship anymore,” veteran South coach Shannan Lane said. “Last year is done and gone. That trophy is won and we’re proud of that, but this is a new season and new challenges are ahead. I think the girls realize that and they have grown a lot as a team. We know we will probably go through some bumps and adversity, but we just hope we will put everything together at the right time.”

    The Colts, who are No. 2 in the latest CHSAANow.com rankings, are led by senior guard/forward Shannon Patterson. The 5-foot-6 Patterson is a four-year starter for the Colts and has signed to play at Colorado State University-Pueblo. Through South’s first two wins this season, Patterson is averaging 24.5 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals.

    “Our first step is to try and figure out the identity of our team,” Patterson said. “In the end, we want to play the toughest teams in the state and show them we deserved what we won last year. This year I just want to do whatever I need to in order to help us win.”

    In addition, to Patterson, fellow starters Kendra Jesik, Jaylyn Duran (guards) and post player Sissy Hall are back. The task the Colts have is replacing graduated Mikala Gordon. The athletic guard/post player is now at Colorado Christian University.

    “We need to see who is going to pick up the slack with Mikala gone,” Lane said.

    Lane said freshman Maddie Leigh, who is 5-foot-9, is one candidate who could help fill Gordon’s void.

    South’s rival Pueblo West is trying to reload after losing star post player Taylor Leyva to Northern Arizona University as well as other standout seniors.

    “I think we are in a good place right now,” second-year coach Gil Lucero said. “I know a lot of people think because we graduated such a good class we would be down, but I feel like we have some strong returners and some girls who are ready to make a name for themselves.”

    The Cyclones, who are No. 4 in the latest CHSAANow.com rankings, return two starters in guards senior Bri Rodriguez and junior Haley Simental.

    Pueblo East's Dylan Gavin. (Al Anderson)
    Pueblo East’s Dylan Gavin. (Al Anderson)

    On the boys side, it appears Pueblo East and South will be the top teams in the South-Central League. East won the S-CL last year before being eliminated in the Sweet 16 by Cheyenne Mountain. The Eagles are No. 4 in the latest CHSAANow.com poll.

    “The first goal is to win the S-CL and then go as far in the state playoffs as we can,” said East coach Dave Ryder, who is in his tenth season guiding the Eagles. “Last year we felt like we stubbed our toe pretty hard and we feel like there is a little bit of redemption to try and advance. We just want to be the best competitive team we can be and let everything pan out on the floor.”

    The Eagles return starters point guard T.J. Gradisar and post players Dylan Gavin and Jimmy Valdez, all are seniors.

    “The S-CL is going to be very competitive this season and I think we can compete with any of the Class 4A teams in the state,” Ryder said. “There are some really good teams in 4A, but we know we can make a run if we get a little luck and a couple of bounces go the right way for us.”

    Pueblo South’s boys squad also could turn some heads this season. The Colts are paced by veteran guard Jared Baros and post player Trey Parker, but they also have a slew of young talent in their program. Pueblo West has been strong in recent seasons, but will have to regroup after being depleted by graduation. Central could be a sleeper team with high-scoring sophomore Michael Ranson supplying the roar for the Wildcats.

  • 5A girls basketball ranking adds Fossil Ridge, Ralston Valley

    Regis Jesuit continues to be atop the 5A girls basketball ranking. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)
    Regis Jesuit continues to be atop the 5A girls basketball ranking. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    Fossil Ridge and Ralston Valley have joined this week’s CHSAANow.com 5A girls basketball poll.

    Fossil Ridge is off to a 4-0 start, including in-state wins over Chaparral and Fruita Monument, as well as a 2-0 showing in Wyoming. The SaberCats are No. 9 this week.

    Ralston Valley is No. 10 in the poll. The Mustangs went 2-1 last week with a loss to Rock Canyon, but beat Cherry Creek and then-No. 3 Arapahoe. Arapahoe dropped out this week.

    The No. 1 teams from last week all stayed put. So Regis Jesuit (5A), Broomfield (4A), Holy Family (3A), Yuma (2A) and Caliche (1A) all continue to lead their respective polls.

    Complete rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Girls Basketball Polls

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

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

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Regis Jesuit (22) 2-0 220 1 2-0
    2 Highlands Ranch 4-1 181 2 4-1
    3 ThunderRidge 3-0 152 8 3-0
    4 Grandview 2-0 149 4 2-0
    5 Castle View 1-0 87 7 1-0
    6 Monarch 0-0 81 6 0-0
    7 Poudre 3-0 80 10 3-0
    8 Rock Canyon 2-1 78 5 2-1
    9 Fossil Ridge 4-0 45 – 4-0
    10 Ralston Valley 2-1 34 – 2-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Horizon 28, Lakewood 18, Cherry Creek 15, Arapahoe 14, Rampart 9, Chaparral 6, Bear Creek 4, Pine Creek 4, Denver East 3, Grand Junction 1, Palmer 1.
    Dropped out
    Arapahoe (3), Cherry Creek (9).

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Broomfield (10) 2-0 125 1 2-0
    2 Pueblo South (3) 1-0 118 2 1-0
    3 Mesa Ridge 2-0 106 4 2-0
    4 Pueblo West 3-0 63 6 3-0
    5 Palmer Ridge 3-0 50 8 3-0
    6 Sand Creek 1-1 48 5 1-1
    7 Valor Christian 3-0 45 – 3-0
    8 D’Evelyn 2-2 44 3 2-2
    9 Silver Creek 3-0 41 – 3-0
    10 Elizabeth 1-0 36 – 1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Montrose 21, Conifer 4, Longmont 4, Pueblo County 4, Delta 2, Canon City 1, Mullen 1, Thompson Valley 1, Windsor 1.
    Dropped out
    Montrose (7), Canon City (9), Air Academy (10).

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Holy Family (13) 2-0 130 1 2-0
    2 Pagosa Springs 1-0 100 2 1-0
    3 Centauri 3-0 86 5 3-0
    4 Lamar 1-0 74 4 1-0
    5 Eaton 3-0 64 7 3-0
    6 St. Mary’s 0-0 56 6 0-0
    7 Peak to Peak 1-0 35 9 1-0
    8 Valley 0-0 34 8 0-0
    9 Kent Denver 3-0 33 – 3-0
    10 Sterling 2-1 24 10 2-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Bishop Machebeuf 23, Olathe 16, Faith Christian 7, Clear Creek 6, Grand Valley 5, Jefferson Academy 4, Manitou Springs 4, Estes Park 3, Coal Ridge 2, Denver Science & Tech 2, Platte Valley 2, Salida 2, Brush 1, Classical Academy 1, Trinidad 1.
    Dropped out
    Denver Science & Tech (3).

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Yuma (7) 2-0 88 1 2-0
    2 Akron (1) 1-0 76 2 1-0
    3 Peyton 1-0 63 4 1-0
    4 Lutheran (1) 1-0 57 3 1-0
    5 Holyoke 1-0 45 6 1-0
    6 Sangre de Cristo 3-0 37 5 3-0
    7 Meeker 1-0 25 10 1-0
    8 Paonia 1-1 20 7 1-1
    9 Simla 1-0 18 – 1-0
    10 Liberty Common 4-0 16 – 4-0
    Others receiving votes:
    The Vanguard 15, Wray 9, Highland 6, Hoehne 5, Del Norte 4, Limon 4, Rye 3, Heritage Christian 2, Kiowa 1, Springfield 1.
    Dropped out
    Rye (8), The Vanguard (9).

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Caliche (5) 2-0 67 1 2-0
    2 Eads 1-0 57 2 1-0
    3 Norwood (2) 2-0 55 5 2-0
    4 Idalia 2-0 43 4 2-0
    5 Stratton 0-0 41 3 0-0
    6 Kit Carson 0-0 34 6 0-0
    7 Dove Creek 2-0 23 – 2-0
    8 Hi-Plains 0-0 15 7 0-0
    9 Belleview Christian 3-0 14 – 3-0
    10 Holly 2-0 9 – 2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Wiley 6, Briggsdale 5, Prairie 5, Walsh 4, McClave 3, Centennial 2, Jim Elliot Christian 1, South Baca 1.
    Dropped out
    Kim (8), Pawnee (9), Walsh (10).

  • Regis Jesuit on top of 5A girls basketball’s preseason ranking

    (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)
    Regis Jesuit begins 2013-14 atop the 5A girls basketball poll. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    Regis Jesuit is the unanimous No. 1 selection in CHSAANow.com’s preseason girls basketball ranking in 5A.

    The poll, released on Monday, featured 18 first-place votes. The Raiders received each one. And it makes sense: Regis Jesuit did not graduate any players from last year’s team which won the title. The squad also has six seniors committed to Division I schools, including Diani Akigbogun (Texas) and Justine Hall (Purdue).

    Highlands Ranch, last season’s 5A runner-up, is No. 2 in the preseason ranking. Arapahoe is third, Grandview is fourth and Rock Canyon rounds out the top-5.

    Monarch, with coach Gail Hook returning from a one-year hiatus, is sixth. Castle View is seventh, ThunderRidge is eighth, Cherry Creek is ninth and Poudre is tenth.

    (Pam Wagner)
    Holy Family is ranked No. 1 in 3A girls basketball. Broomfield is No. 1 in 4A. (Pam Wagner)

    In 4A, Broomfield heads the preseason poll. The Eagles reached last year’s semifinals, where they lost to eventual champion Pueblo South by three points. Pueblo South begins the season ranked No. 2.

    Holy Family is on top of the 3A ranking. The Tigers won last year’s championship.

    The 2A poll is headed by Yuma, even though the Indians received three first-place votes to Akron’s four. Akron beat Yuma in last season’s title game, and is ranked second.

    Caliche is the preseason No. 1 team in 1A. The Buffaloes lost in last season’s quarterfinals. Defending champion Wiley is unranked to begin the season.

    Complete rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Girls Basketball Polls

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

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

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Regis Jesuit (18) 0-0 180
    2 Highlands Ranch 0-0 145
    3 Arapahoe 0-0 115
    4 Grandview 0-0 85
    5 Rock Canyon 0-0 75
    6 Monarch 0-0 69
    7 Castle View 0-0 53
    8 ThunderRidge 0-0 51
    9 Cherry Creek 0-0 41
    10 Poudre 0-0 34
    Others receiving votes:
    Horizon 30, Chaparral 22, Denver East 21, Lakewood 18, Ralston Valley 16, Palmer 14, Fossil Ridge 10, Rampart 8, Legacy 2, Heritage 1.

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Broomfield (8) 0-0 137
    2 Pueblo South (5) 0-0 123
    3 D’Evelyn (2) 0-0 119
    4 Mesa Ridge 0-0 109
    5 Sand Creek 0-0 74
    6 Pueblo West 0-0 44
    7 Montrose 0-0 42
    8 Palmer Ridge 0-0 28
    9 Canon City 0-0 19
    10 Air Academy 0-0 17
    Others receiving votes:
    Silver Creek 16, Windsor 15, Mullen 14, Valor Christian 14, Elizabeth 12, Pueblo County 9, Centaurus 8, Golden 5, Rifle 5, Evergreen 4, Greeley Central 4, Glenwood Springs 3, Thompson Valley 2, Berthoud 1, Conifer 1.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Holy Family (14) 0-0 140
    2 Pagosa Springs 0-0 107
    3 Denver Science & Tech 0-0 101
    4 Lamar 0-0 70
    5 Centauri 0-0 68
    6 St. Mary’s 0-0 63
    7 Eaton 0-0 42
    8 Valley 0-0 35
    9 Peak to Peak 0-0 30
    10 Sterling 0-0 26
    Others receiving votes:
    Bishop Machebeuf 21, Kent Denver 15, Manitou Springs 11, Olathe 8, Coal Ridge 7, Grand Valley 7, Clear Creek 6, Platte Valley 4, Salida 3, Trinidad 3, Moffat County 2, Buena Vista 1.

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Yuma (3) 0-0 82
    2 Akron (4) 0-0 74
    3 Lutheran (2) 0-0 67
    4 Peyton 0-0 66
    5 Sangre de Cristo 0-0 33
    6 Holyoke 0-0 27
    7 Paonia 0-0 26
    8 Rye 0-0 18
    9 The Vanguard 0-0 17
    10 Meeker 0-0 16
    Others receiving votes:
    Ignacio 11, Del Norte 9, Hoehne 9, Simla 8, Las Animas 5, Liberty Common 5, Swink 5, Limon 4, Sanford 4, Burlington 3, Calhan 3, Heritage Christian 2, Springfield 2, Center 1, Highland 1.

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS
    1 Caliche (4) 0-0 57
    2 Eads 0-0 56
    3 Stratton 0-0 40
    4 Idalia 0-0 39
    5 Norwood (2) 0-0 35
    6 Kit Carson 0-0 31
    7 Hi-Plains 0-0 30
    8 Kim 0-0 23
    9 Pawnee 0-0 19
    10 Walsh (1) 0-0 18
    Others receiving votes:
    Dove Creek 13, Wiley 9, Belleview Christian 4, Prairie 4, Cheraw 3, Otis 3, McClave 2, Jim Elliot Christian 1.

  • Preseason On The Mat wrestling rankings released

    Arvada West, which placed eighth at last season’s Class 5A state wrestling tournament, begins the season atop the On The Mat rankings.

    Defending champions Broomfield (4A) and Paonia (2A) also open the season as preseason No. 1s. Brush, a fifth-place finisher last season, is atop the 3A ranking.

    Pomona, the defending 5A champion, opens the season at No. 4.

    Alamosa won the 3A title last year, and is No. 5 in that preseason ranking.

    Complete team rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    On The Mat Wrestling Rankings

    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.

    To subscribe via PayPal, choose your subscription option on this page click on the corresponding PayPal button. To subscribe by mail or fax and pay by personal check, click here for a printable subscription form. Email Tim Yount at tim@onthematrankings.com with questions.

    To purchase individual weeks of the rankings (as opposed to the entire season), you will need to use the printable subscription form and pay by check. The season ranking subscriptions are offered at a discounted rate.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Arvada West –
    2 Rocky Mountain –
    3 Ponderosa –
    4 Pomona –
    5 Cherry Creek –
    6 Coronado –
    7 Chaparral –
    8 Fruita –
    9 Fountain Fort Carson –
    10 Grand Junction –
    11 Greeley West –
    12 Pine Creek –
    13 Fossil Ridge –
    14 Mountain Range –
    15 Lakewood –

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Broomfield –
    2 Thompson Valley –
    3 Discovery Canyon –
    4 Pueblo South –
    5 Windsor –
    6 Pueblo Central –
    7 Palisade –
    8 Montrose –
    9 Weld Central –
    10 Mead –
    11 Mesa Ridge –
    12 Longmont –
    13 Air Academy –
    14 Pueblo East –
    15 Erie –

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Brush –
    2 Valley –
    3 Dolores Huerta –
    4 Lamar –
    5 Alamosa –
    6 Centauri –
    7 Fort Lupton –
    8 Monte Vista –
    9 LaJunta –
    10 Bennett –
    11 Jefferson –
    12 Strasburg –
    13 Buena Vista –
    14 Sterling –
    15 Holy Family –

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM PVS
    1 Paonia –
    2 Meeker –
    3 Baca County –
    4 Swink –
    5 Rocky Ford –
    6 Sedgwick County/Fleming –
    7 Akron –
    8 Merino –
    9 Wray –
    10 Center –
    11 Dove Creek –
    12 Highland –
    13 Norwood –
    14 Holly –
    15 Crowley County –

  • Two-point conversion in double-overtime lifts Montrose to 4A football title game

    (Rich Goddard/High Desert Imaging)
    (Rich Goddard/High Desert Imaging)

    PUEBLO — This game needed a hero and Angelo Youngren delivered Saturday afternoon.

    The senior running back sped around the right corner and leaped into the end zone on a two-point conversion propelling Montrose to a dramatic 39-38 double-overtime win past Pueblo South in a Class 4A semifinal game at a frigid Dutch Clark Stadium.

    “I live next to my coach (Todd Casebier) and I have grown up with him and he will go for it when he believes we can get it,” the 5-foot-9, 185-pound Youngren said about his coach’s decision to go for the two-point conversion win. “I trusted my teammates and I believe in them. I’m going to make it every time I can when the hole that’s open. It is unbelievable to win like this and go to the state championship game.”

    Montrose (12-1) advances to play Pine Creek (11-2) at 11 a.m. Saturday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Pine Creek beat Monarch 21-7 Saturday.

    (Rich Goddard/High Desert Imaging)
    (Rich Goddard/High Desert Imaging)

    “We kind of talked about it and we had a good play,” Montrose coach Casebier said about the two-point conversion. “We put it in our guys’ hands and we made a play, but give them (South) a ton of credit. That could have gone either way and fortunately it went for us.”

    Youngren finished with 35 carries for 184 yards and two scores. Youngren missed the four games leading up to the playoffs with a broken collarbone.

    “This was just awesome,” Youngren said.

    The Indians last played in the state title game in 1990 and ’91, losing both times. Pueblo South was hosting its first semifinal state football game since the school opened in 1959 and was trying to reach its inaugural state championship game. The Colts also had their 10-game winning streak snapped.

    “I figured they would go for two,” South coach Ryan Goddard said. “It was the play we thought they were going to run and they executed it well. They made a play and credit to them.”

    Montrose held a 21-7 halftime lead, thanks to quarterback Kameron DeVincentis’ 36-yard touchdown pass to Peter Shearer as the second-quarter expired.

    The Colts, however, never quit.

    (Rich Goddard/High Desert Imaging)
    (Rich Goddard/High Desert Imaging)

    Quaterback Nathan Spinuzzi snuck in for a 1-yard touchdown and then he tossed a pass over the middle to tight end Isiah Panunnzio who broke a slew of tackles on the way to a 93-yard score to tie the game at 21-21 with 31 seconds left in the third quarter.

    That’s where the score remained until Lucas Ruiz-Diaz’s 27-yard field with 1:58 remaining in the fourth quarter. Montrose’s scoring drive was kept alive when South was called for a facemask penalty on fourth-and-2 at the Colts’ 20-yard line with 3:15 on the clock.

    Trailing 24-21, Spinuzzi fueled a frantic 47-yard drive and with 3 seconds remaining he booted a 38-yard field goal right through the uprights.

    “Nathan’s a fantastic kicker, but Ray Mitchell had a heck of a hold on that play,” Goddard said. “He got the ball down and he gave Nate a chance. Nate was just being Nate. He’s a football player and he’s playmaker.”

    In overtime, each team received a possession at their opponent’s 10-yard line.

    Montrose took the lead 31-24 on a 7-yard touchdown catch by Mike Rocha. South countered with Garrett Krage’s 6-yard scoring run to tie the score.

    South then took the upper hand when Spinuzzi lunged in for another 1-yard score on fourth-and-1. Spinuzzi’s PAT put the Colts up 38-31.

    With pressure at a paramount, the Indians rose to the occasion. Youngren crashed in for a 1-yard score to get Montrose within 38-37, setting the stage for his riveting 2-point conversion run.

    “We wanted to see what they were going to do and I thought our defense battled,” Casebier said. “We thought we might have had a stop on fourth down and we didn’t get it. I didn’t want to keep going score-for-score. We just thought we had a chance to go win it and we were able to do that.”

    Panunnzio, a sophomore, was just trying to come to grips with this bitter defeat.

    “I was a little surprised they went for two,” said the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder who also is a standout defensive end. “It hurts a lot (to lose). We have come so far and to have it end like that was horrible. We gave them a fight and fought with them all the way to the end and that’s all we can really ask for.”

  • Chat replay: Football’s semifinals and championship games

    Tools

    The live event will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
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    Live chat

     


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    Featured game


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    Live games
    Class Game Time Notes
    5A Cherokee Trail at Valor Christian 1 p.m. Semifinals
    5A Fairview at ThunderRidge 1 p.m. Semifinals
    4A Pine Creek at Monarch 1 p.m. Semifinals
    4A Montrose at Pueblo South 1 p.m. Semifinals
    3A The Classical Academy at Coronado 1 p.m. Semifinals
    3A Silver Creek at Delta 1 p.m. Semifinals
    2A Faith Christian at Platte Valley 1 p.m. Championship
    1A Centauri at Paonia 1 p.m. Championship
    8-man Dayspring Christian at Caliche 1 p.m. Championship

  • 4A football preview: Pueblo South finally hosting a semifinal

    Pueblo South's Nathan Spinuzzi. (Tim Visser/MaxPreps.com)
    Pueblo South’s Nathan Spinuzzi. (Tim Visser/MaxPreps.com)

    View the 4A football playoff bracket.

    No. 1 Montrose (11-1) at No. 5 Pueblo South (11-1)
    1 p.m. Saturday at Dutch Clark Stadium

    For the first time since the school opened in 1959, Pueblo South is hosting a semifinal game. The Colts reached the semis in 2003 and 2004, but were on the road each time.

    “Hopefully we can take advantage of being at home and make the most of it,” Pueblo South coach Ryan Goddard told ColoradoPreps.com’s Scoreboard Show on Saturday.

    Pueblo South has now won 10 consecutive games, including a 27-21 victory against Dakota Ridge in the quarterfinals. The Colts’ offense has largely come on the ground — they’re a 65/35 split tilted toward rushing — but Nathan Spinuzzi is a definitive threat to pass. He has 16 passing touchdowns and a 66.3 completion percentage.

    Senior Garrett Krage shoulders most of the rushing load with 215 carries, 1,274 yards and 30 touchdowns this season.

    Montrose, meanwhile, got a big boost as the playoffs started when senior running back Angelo Youngren returned from a broken collarbone after missing four games. In the Indians’ two playoff wins, he has 306 yards and three touchdowns. Here’s how valuable he can be: In Montrose’s 39-34 win over Monach during the regular season — arguably the biggest game of the 4A season to date — he had 266 yards and three scores.

    But Youngren’s absence during the regular season also meant the emergence of junior Mike Rocha, who has 1,440 yards and 26 touchdowns this season. In the playoffs, Rocha has 174 yards and five scores.

    If there’s a difference between the two, it’s this: Youngren is 5-10, 188; Rocha is 6-0, 202. Expect Rocha, who’s listed as a fullback, to handle short-yardage and goal-to-go situations.

    Pueblo South has never reached a championship game. Montrose last went in 1991 and 1990, but lost both times.

    This is the first time Montrose has reached the semifinals under coach Todd Casebier.

    “This is the fifth time we’ve been (to the quarterfinals), and it’s the first time we’ve been able to win it,” Casebier told the Scoreboard Show on Saturday. “We finally got over the hump.”

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    No. 3 Pine Creek (10-2) at No. 6 Monarch (10-1)
    1 p.m. Saturday at Centaurus HS

    Pine Creek was last in the championship game during the 2011 season.
    Pine Creek was last in the championship game during the 2011 season.

    Pine Creek opened the season 1-2. The Eagles, though, opened with three 5A teams that all reached the postseason. Perhaps this is why teams play those games: They’re tests, designed to prepare you for the postseason.

    Well, Pine Creek certainly looks prepared. The Eagles took out Pueblo West, 35-18, in the first round, then handled a powerful Windsor program 25-0 in the quarters.

    They’ve done it by spreading the ball around. Nine different plays have scored rushing touchdowns this season; six have caught a scoring pass. Still, Pine Creek still has the go-to guys. On the ground, that’s Austin Schultz (743 yards, 10 touchdowns), Avery Anderson (318, seven) and Scotty Savage (676, six). Through the air, junior quarterback Tommy Lazzaro (21 touchdown passes) is targeting Austin Meachum (532 yards, eight scores) and Savage (550, seven).

    Pine Creek is in search of its first championship game appearance since 2011, when it lost to Valor Christian.

    Monarch, the defending champion, has rolled off seven wins in a row after that midseason loss to Montrose. During that stretch, the Coyotes are outscoring opponents by an average of 41.9 points.

    Included were wins over playoff teams Montbello, Broomfield and Standley Lake during the regular season, as well as the 62-28 win over Vista Ridge to open the postseason, and then last week’s quarterfinal victory against Loveland, 42-8.

  • Playoff football roundup: Pueblo South tops Dakota Ridge to move to semis

    A roundup of Saturday’s playoff football games. Find Friday’s roundup here.

    Class 5A

    ThunderRidge claimed the final semifinal spot with a 13-9 win over Grandview. Backup quarterback Branden Brenning led the Grizzlies to the win. Read the full story here.

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    Class 4A

    Pueblo South is headed to the semifinals for the first time since 2004 with a 27-21 win over Dakota Ridge.

    “We got them to fumble in their first possession, and we marched it right down and got a big score, got some momentum going in our favor,” Pueblo South coach Ryan Goddard told Colorado Preps’ Scoreboard Show. “Then we had a big interception and a long return, and were able to make some plays off of that and turn that into points, as well. We’ve been pretty successful this year in winning the turnover battle. If you win turnovers and third downs, you’re going to be OK most of the time.”

    Pueblo South will face Montrose in the semifinals.

    “Our kids were excited after the game, and I was excited for them,” Goddard said. “I told them they did a good job, and that they’re a special team and they have an opportunity to do something special here, and they’re making their impact on the program. But it’s time to go to work on Monday and we’ve got to start thinking about Montrose.”

    Montrose beat Denver South 47-27 on Saturday. The Indians led 33-6 at halftime.

    “Our guys did a great job of just executing. We were able to get on them on some special teams stuff and get a couple of short fields,” Montrose coach Todd Casebier told the Scoreboard Show. “We had some good special teams in the first half.

    “South kept playing until the very end, but we were just too much for them today.”

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    Class 3A

    Defending champion Silver Creek rolled into the semifinals. The Raptors handled Pueblo East, 34-14.

    “It was a really big win. That Pueblo East team was as good a team as we’ve played,” Silver Creek coach Mike Apodaca told the Scoreboard Show. “We’re real fortunate to get a win.”

    Silver Creek will play Delta in the semifinals. Delta beat Glenwood Springs 13-9 on Saturday.

    “We’re excited about the trip,” Apodaca said. “Western Slope football is good football. … It’s exciting. It’s good 3A football, and a good community, so it’s an exciting trip for our kids.”

    Coronado beat Roosevelt 29-27 to claim a spot in the other semifinal. It will meet The Classical Academy, which upset Palisade on Friday.

    “There’s special things happening with these young men,” Coronado coach Bobby Lizzarraga told the Scoreboard Show. “It’s showing up on the field.”

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    Class 2A

    The 2A title matchup is set: Faith Christian will play Platte Valley. Both teams upset higher-seeded opponents on Saturday.

    Faith Christian, seeded fourth, beat No. 1 Brush 24-14 on Saturday.

    “In the first half, it was one of those games where it looked like neither team was going to punt, because we couldn’t stop each other,” Faith Christian coach Blair Hubbard told the Scoreboard Show. “Then, the adjustments and the turnovers in the second half were just a big part of it.”

    No. 3 Platte Valley beat No. 2 Manitou Springs, 13-7. The Broncos are making a second-consecutive trip to the title game.

    “We made some mistakes that have been uncharacteristic of what we’ve been doing the last few weeks,” Platte Valley Troy Hoffman told the Scoreboard Show, “but we fought back, we regrouped very well in the fourth quarter and the kids fought through this barrier, this obstacle and they came through with a victory today. I’m very proud of them.”

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    Class 1A

    Paonia will face Centauri in the 1A championship next week.

    Centauri topped Limon 21-8 to reach the title game for the first time in school history.

    “We’re ready to play this,” Centauri coach Kyle Forster told the Scoreboard Show. “This was a goal we had 14 weeks ago, and it’s come true. Now we’re just going to have to go in and play our best because Paonia is playing their best football of the year right now, too. So it’s going to be a real big dog-fight.”

    Paonia beat Buena Vista 28-14 on Saturday.

    “We came out and we were ready to go,” Paonia coach Brent McRae told the Scoreboard Show, “but getting (an early) score and then the first three-and-out we got and scoring again — just the confidence. Our kids knew they would be able to run the ball and that just carried us the whole game.”

    Of the title game, McRae said, “It’s going to be a fun day.”

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    8-man

    Caliche and Dayspring Christian will play for the 8-man title.

    Caliche topped top-seeded Hoehne 44-40, while Dayspring Christian edged Norwood 44-43 with a 22-yard field goal in the final moments.

    “We made big plays. That’s probably what the difference was,” Dayspring Christian coach Mick Holmes told the Scoreboard Show. “It came down to a field goal with seven seconds left. It’s kind of funny — we talked about it all week: ‘It may come down to a field goal.’ And we put it through the uprights.”

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    6-man

    Liberty/Stratton captured the 6-man title with a 44-40 win over Hi-Plains. Read the full story here.