Fossil Ridge Archives - Page 59 of 62

Rangeview, Fossil Ridge move up in 5A boys basketball ranking

Rangeview and Fossil Ridge both made big jumps in this week’s CHSAANow.com 5A boys basketball poll.

Rangeview, ranked fifth last week, is up to No. 3 following a 2-0 week. Included was a 74-70 win over then-No. 9 Chaparral.

Fossil Ridge, meanwhile, went from sixth to fourth after going 3-0 last week. The standout win was a 58-51 win over then-No. 3 Eaglecrest.

The 5A ranking continued to be led by Denver East, which has also started 3-0 at the Great Western Shootout in Utah. Overland remained in the No. 2 spot despite going 1-2 at the same tournament.

Highlands Ranch rounds out the 5A top 5.

The other No. 1 teams also stayed the same this week: Valor Christian (4A), Holy Family (3A), Sanford (2A) and Caliche (1A).

Complete rankings for all classes are below.

[divider]

CHSAANow.com Boys 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	Denver East (18)	3-0	180	1	3-0
2	Overland	1-2	137	2	1-2
3	Rangeview	2-0	125	5	2-0
4	Fossil Ridge	3-0	124	6	3-0
5	Highlands Ranch	1-0	95	4	1-0
6	Regis Jesuit	2-0	84	7	2-0
7	Eaglecrest	3-1	59	3	3-1
8	Mountain Vista	1-0	58	8	1-0
9	Legend	2-0	30	10	2-0
10	Chaparral	1-1	27	9	1-1
Others receiving votes:
ThunderRidge 23, Arapahoe 18, Cherry Creek 7, Fort Collins 6, Grandview 6, Monarch 6, Grand Junction 3, Chatfield 2.
Dropped out
None.

Class 4A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Valor Christian (11)	2-0	119	1	2-0
2	Cheyenne Mountain (1)	1-0	96	3	1-0
3	Thomas Jefferson	0-0	78	5	0-0
4	Pueblo East	2-1	76	2	2-1
5	Thompson Valley	3-0	58	8	3-0
6	Longmont	2-0	57	7	2-0
7	Sand Creek	2-0	51	9	2-0
8	Denver South	1-2	44	4	1-2
9	D’Evelyn	2-1	28	6	2-1
10	Golden	3-0	25	–	3-0
Others receiving votes:
Falcon 16, Ponderosa 7, Air Academy 3, Mesa Ridge 3, Lewis-Palmer 2, Greeley Central 1, Palmer Ridge 1, Pueblo West 1.
Dropped out
Lewis-Palmer (10).

Class 3A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Holy Family (7)	3-0	96	1	3-0
2	Brush (3)	1-0	90	2	1-0
3	Colorado Academy	2-0	73	3	2-0
4	Faith Christian	1-2	61	4	1-2
5	Colorado Springs Christian	0-0	55	5	0-0
6	Bishop Machebeuf	1-0	34	–	1-0
7	Moffat County	0-0	28	7	0-0
8	Aspen	0-0	23	10	0–1
9	Jefferson Academy	0-0	19	9	0-0
10	Kent Denver	1-1	16	6	1-1
Others receiving votes:
Sterling 11, Denver Science & Tech 10, Valley 8, Pagosa Springs 7, Eaton 6, The Pinnacle 4, Centauri 3, University 3, Platte Valley 2, Grand Valley 1.
Dropped out
Eaton (8).

Class 2A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Sanford (9)	0-0	108	1	0-0
2	Yuma (2)	1-0	93	5	1-0
3	Lutheran	1-1	81	2	1-1
4	Akron	1-0	74	7	1-0
5	Ignacio	3-0	67	6	3-0
6	Resurrection Christian	1-2	41	4	1-2
7	Denver Christian (1)	0-2	35	3	0-2
8	Peyton	1-0	34	–	1-0
9	Limon	1-1	24	8	1-1
10	Simla	1-1	22	9	1-1
Others receiving votes:
Swink 16, Rye 13, Haxtun 11, Sedgwick County 6, Alexander Dawson 5, Byers 5, Heritage Christian 5, Meeker 5, Paonia 5, Crowley County 4, Hayden 3, Dayspring Christian 2, Sangre de Cristo 1.
Dropped out
Swink (10).

Class 1A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Caliche (6)	2-0	69	1	2-0
2	Hi-Plains (1)	2-0	63	2	2-0
3	McClave	2-0	53	5	2-0
4	Norwood	1-1	48	3	1-1
5	Shining Mountain	2-0	32	4	2-0
6	Vail Christian	1-1	29	8	1-1
7	Prairie	1-1	17	–	1-1
8	Holly	1-1	13	6	1-1
9	Jim Elliot Christian	1-0	12	–	1-0
10	Granada	0-0	10	10	0-0
Others receiving votes:
Walsh 9, Fleming 8, Cheyenne Wells 6, Denver Jewish Day 5, Ouray 3, Primero 3, Stratton 3, Arickaree 1, Pawnee 1.
Dropped out
Fleming (7), Otis (9).

December 9, 2013

5A girls basketball ranking adds Fossil Ridge, Ralston Valley

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).

December 9, 2013

Denver East leads preseason 5A boys basketball poll

Denver East, Valor Christian, Holy Family, Sanford and Caliche are the preseason boys basketball favorites in their respective classifications.

Those teams were the No. 1 picks in the 5A through 1A CHSAANow.com rankings released Monday morning.

Denver East received 19 of 20 first-place votes in the 5A poll. The Angels return their top five scorers from last season’s runner-up squad, including University of Colorado commit Dominique Collier and his 20.1 points per game.

Overland is No. 2 in the 5A ranking, and is following by defending champion Eaglecrest at No. 3. Highlands Ranch is fourth, and Rangeview rounds out the top 5.

Fossil Ridge is sixth in the 5A poll, Regis Jesuit is seventh, Mountain Vista is eighth, Chaparral is ninth and Legend is tenth. Monarch narrowly missed the top-10.

A total of 23 teams appeared on preseason ballots in the 5A ranking.

Another runner-up from a season ago, Valor Christian, heads the 4A preseason ranking. The Eagles return their top eight scorers from last season. That includes Chase Foster, who averaged 20.0 points per game last season.

Pueblo East is second in the 4A ranking, and is followed by No. 3 Cheyenne Mountain, No. 4 Denver South and No. 5 Thomas Jefferson. Two-time defending champion Lewis-Palmer is ranked 10th to begin the 2013-14 season.

Holy Family heads the 3A poll, though No. 2 Brush received an equal amount of first-place votes (five). The Tigers reached the Great 8 last season.

Defending 3A champion Pagosa Springs is unranked to begin the year.

In 2A, Sanford is the No. 1 pick. The Indians reached the Final 4 last season. Denver Christian, last season’s champion, is ranked third.

Caliche heads the preseason 1A poll. The Buffaloes were in last season’s semifinals. Defending champion McClave is ranked fifth.

Complete rankings for all classes are below.

[divider]

CHSAANow.com Boys 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	Denver East (19)	0-0	199
2	Overland	0-0	148
3	Eaglecrest (1)	0-0	106
4	Highlands Ranch	0-0	100
5	Rangeview	0-0	87
6	Fossil Ridge	0-0	79
7	Regis Jesuit	0-0	72
8	Mountain Vista	0-0	52
9	Chaparral	0-0	51
10	Legend	0-0	44
Others receiving votes:
Monarch 41, Chatfield 22, Fort Collins 19, Cherokee Trail 17, ThunderRidge 11, Montbello 10, Abraham Lincoln 9, Grandview 9, Fairview 7, Cherry Creek 6, Dakota Ridge 5, Grand Junction 5, Arapahoe 1.

Class 4A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS
1	Valor Christian (12)	0-0	151
2	Pueblo East	0-0	101
3	Cheyenne Mountain (2)	0-0	100
4	Denver South (1)	0-0	87
5	Thomas Jefferson	0-0	84
6	D’Evelyn	0-0	63
7	Longmont	0-0	59
8	Thompson Valley	0-0	58
9	Sand Creek (1)	0-0	48
10	Lewis-Palmer	0-0	32
Others receiving votes:
Broomfield 25, Falcon 13, Ponderosa 9, Windsor 9, Mesa Ridge 8, Elizabeth 6, Sierra 5, Durango 4, Frederick 4, Pueblo West 4, Greeley Central 3, Pueblo South 3, Green Mountain 1, Kennedy 1, Palisade 1, Widefield 1.

Class 3A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS
1	Holy Family (5)	0-0	100
2	Brush (5)	0-0	85
3	Colorado Academy (1)	0-0	84
4	Faith Christian	0-0	66
5	Colorado Springs Christian	0-0	54
6	Kent Denver	0-0	32
7	Moffat County	0-0	31
8	Eaton	0-0	28
9	Jefferson Academy	0-0	27
10	Aspen	0-1	21
Others receiving votes:
Sterling 14, Denver Science & Tech 12, Manitou Springs 12, Pagosa Springs 12, The Pinnacle 12, Bishop Machebeuf 5, Centauri 5, Fort Lupton 2, Alamosa 1, Frontier Academy 1, Roaring Fork 1.

Class 2A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS
1	Sanford (8)	0-0	130
2	Lutheran (1)	0-0	124
3	Denver Christian (3)	0-0	110
4	Resurrection Christian (1)	0-0	77
5	Yuma (1)	0-0	74
6	Ignacio	0-0	69
7	Akron (1)	0-0	59
8	Limon	0-0	50
9	Simla	0-0	34
10	Swink	0-0	30
Others receiving votes:
Peyton 18, Paonia 9, Crowley County 6, Rocky Ford 6, Meeker 5, Rye 5, Byers 4, Hayden 4, Sierra Grande 4, Haxtun 3, Heritage Christian 3, Sangre de Cristo 1.

Class 1A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS
1	Caliche (3)	0-0	48
2	Hi-Plains (1)	0-0	39
3	Norwood	0-0	34
4	Shining Mountain	0-0	30
5	McClave (2)	0-0	26
6	Holly	0-0	25
7	Fleming	0-0	23
8	Vail Christian	0-0	22
9	Otis	0-0	19
10	Granada	0-0	18
Others receiving votes:
Prairie 8, Denver Jewish Day 6, Pawnee 6, Elbert 5, Primero 5, Jim Elliot Christian 4, La Veta 4, Bethune 3, Stratton 3, Deer Trail 2.

December 2, 2013

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	–

December 2, 2013

Photo gallery: Horizon tops Fossil Ridge in football

WESTMINSTER — Horizon beat Fossil Ridge 36-7 on Saturday in football.

October 27, 2013

4A’s Windsor, 3A’s Lamar join this week’s volleyball polls

Windsor (4A), Lamar (3A), Vail Christian and Rocky Mountain Lutheran (1A) are newcomers to this week’s CHSAANow.com volleyball polls.

The five No. 1s from last week — Grandview (5A), Lewis-Palmer (4A), Manitou Springs (3A), Resurrection Christian (2A) and Caliche (1A) — all stayed put.

Complete rankings for all classes are below.

[divider]

CHSAANow.com Volleyball Polls

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

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

Class 5A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Grandview (10)	16-2	109	1	2-0
2	Arapahoe (1)	16-2	100	2	2-0
3	Fossil Ridge	17-0	84	3	2-0
4	Regis Jesuit	16-2	71	5	2-0
5	Doherty	15-3	53	4	2-0
6	Cherry Creek	14-4	51	6	2-0
7	Mountain Vista	15-4	44	8	0-0
8	Eaglecrest	12-5	32	7	1-1
9	Lakewood	14-4	20	10	2-0
10	Fruita Monument	15-3	17	9	2-0
Others receiving votes:
Rampart 15, Cherokee Trail 6, Ralston Valley 3.
Dropped out
None.

Class 4A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Lewis-Palmer (10)	17-1	136	1	2-0
2	Longmont (2)	17-0	120	3	2-0
3	Cheyenne Mountain (1)	15-2	119	2	1-1
4	Air Academy	18-4	79	4	5-1
5	Thomas Jefferson (1)	17-0	63	5	2-0
6	Montrose	15-3	60	7	3-0
7	Ponderosa	12-6	58	6	0-0
8	Valor Christian	14-4	38	8	4-2
9	Battle Mountain	18-1	32	9	6-0
10	Windsor	14-4	21	–	2-0
Others receiving votes:
Coronado 15, Niwot 10, Elizabeth 8, Roosevelt 7, Pueblo West 5.
Dropped out
Niwot (10).

Class 3A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Manitou Springs (6)	19-0	94	1	1-0
2	Eaton (4)	19-1	93	2	3-0
3	Valley	15-5	75	3	2-1
4	Platte Valley	13-5	55	5	2-0
5	Holy Family	13-5	46	4	1-2
6	Bayfield	15-3	45	6	2-0
7	Gunnison	16-3	44	7	1-0
8	Lamar	17-2	27	–	2-0
9	Sterling	12-5	25	8	2-0
10	Coal Ridge	16-2	24	9	1-1
Others receiving votes:
University 16, Fort Lupton 4, Olathe 3, Machebeuf 1, St. Mary’s 1.
Dropped out
University (10).

Class 2A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Resurrection Christian (7)	19-0	88	1	4-0
2	Fowler (2)	19-0	78	2	2-0
3	Lutheran	17-2	67	3	1-1
4	Paonia	19-0	66	4	3-0
5	Sangre de Cristo	18-1	39	6	2-0
6	Sargent	17-2	35	5	3-0
7	Swink	16-3	32	7	3-0
8	Yuma	14-5	26	8	3-1
9	Lyons	13-6	25	9	0-2
10	C.S. School	18-1	15	10	2-0
Others receiving votes:
Dayspring Christian 7, Akron 5, Ridgway 4, SkyView Academy 3, Del Norte 2, Rye 2, Custer County 1.
Dropped out
None.

Class 1A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Caliche (6)	17-1	69	1	1-0
2	Otis (1)	18-1	63	2	3-0
3	Dove Creek	19-0	48	5	2-0
4	Fleming	16-3	47	3	2-0
5	Flagler	16-3	44	4	4-0
6	Eads	17-2	32	6	2-0
7	Hi-Plains	14-5	20	7	2-0
8	Idalia	10-5	15	8	0-0
9	Vail Christian	14-5	13	–	2-0
10	Rocky Mountain Lutheran	17-2	12	–	2-1
Others receiving votes:
Edison 11, La Veta 7, Stratton 3, Cheraw 2, Belleview Christian 1.
Dropped out
Stratton (9), Edison (10).

October 21, 2013

Softball roundup: Fossil Ridge scores a semifinal ticket

Aurora Sports Park sits quiet prior to Saturday’s action. More photos. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

A roundup of Saturday’s action at the state softball tournaments at Aurora Sports Park.

Class 5A

Bracket

AURORA — Fossil Ridge won its first two games at Saturday’s opening rounds of the 5A state softball tournament by a combined score of 29-7. It now finds itself in the semifinals for the first time in school history.

In fact, Fossil Ridge had never even won a game at the state tournament before Saturday.

The third-seeded SaberCats beat No. 14 Pine Creek in the opening round, 10-3, then followed with a 19-4 mercy-rule-shortened win over No. 6 Eaglecrest which ended on Haley Donaldson’s walk-off three-run home run.

Legacy softball coach Dawn Gaffin goes over instructions between innings Saturday afternoon during the Lightning's 8-1 quarterfinal victory against Dakota Ridge. Legacy, 5-time Class 5A state champion, will face Brighton in the 5A state semifinals 10 a.m. Sunday at Aurora Sports Park. (Dennis Pleuss) — Legacy softball coach Dawn Gaffin goes over instructions between innings Saturday afternoon during the Lightning’s 8-1 quarterfinal victory against Dakota Ridge. Legacy, 5-time Class 5A state champion, will face Brighton in the 5A state semifinals 10 a.m. Sunday at Aurora Sports Park. More photos. (Dennis Pleuss)

Fossil Ridge is 22-1 in 2013. The SaberCats’ lone loss this season came to Legacy on Sept. 16. They could get a rematch on Saturday — but first they’ll need to get past No. 7 Legend, another first-timer in the semis.

Legend (19-5) dispatched No. 10 Grandview 13-8 to open the tournament, then beat No. 2 Rock Canyon 6-1 in the quartefinals.

No. 9 Brighton was the lone team to knock off a No. 1 seed on Saturday. The Bulldogs, now 22-2, beat No. 1 Douglas County 8-4 in the quarterfinals. That followed an 11-1 win over No. 8 Loveland, the defending champion.

In the semis, Brighton will get No. 5 Legacy, which beat a pair of Jeffco squads (Chatfield and Dakota Ridge) to earn its seventh consecutive berth into the state tournament semifinals.

No. 12 Chatfield gave Legacy a tough test before the Lightning pulled away in the late innings for a 6-2 win.

“I think we kind of learned from it,” Legacy senior pitcher Haley Smith said. “Our bats were kind of cold at first, but we had everybody set up.”

Legacy used some “small ball” tactics in the third inning against No. 4 Dakota Ridge to score four runs on the way to an 8-1 victory.

Despite the rich tradition of winning five straight 5A state crowns from 2007 to 2011, Smith doesn’t believe Legacy will be nervous going into the semifinals.

“If anything I think there is less pressure because everyone thinks we can’t do it,” Smith said. “We are the underdogs.”

Semifinal games:

(9) Brighton vs. (5) Legacy, 10 a.m.
(3) Fossil Ridge vs. (7) Legend, 10 a.m.

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4A state softball — Broomfield is headed to the semifinals. More photos. (Pam Wagner)

Class 4A

Bracket

Fifth-seeded Broomfield narrowly survived being No. 13 D’Evelyn’s second upset victim of the day. But the Eagles did survive, and advance, to the 4A semifinals on Sunday.

Broomfield rallied from 2-0 and 4-2 holes to hold on and beat D’Evelyn 7-6 on Saturday. The Eagles had a four-run fifth-inning which led to the win. They will face top-seeded Wheat Ridge in the semifinals.

Wheat Ridge junior Erin Dalton connects with a pitch during the Farmers' 5-0 win against Roosevelt in the opening round of the Class 4A state softball tournament Saturday at Aurora Sports Park. (Dennis Pleuss) — Wheat Ridge junior Erin Dalton connects with a pitch during the Farmers’ 5-0 win against Roosevelt in the opening round of the Class 4A state softball tournament Saturday at Aurora Sports Park. More photos. (Dennis Pleuss)

Wheat Ridge didn’t have much problem advancing.

The Farmers shut out No. 16 Roosevelt by a 5-0 score in the opening round and cranked out 11 hits in a 9-4 quarterfinal victory against No. 8 Mountain View. Still, Wheat Ridge coach Marty Stricklett said there is “some improving to do” going into the final day of the season.

The Farmers edged Broomfield 2-0 earlier this season. Sophomore Christina Nelson hit a two-run home run in the first inning and senior pitcher Jessica Salbato pitched a shutout against Broomfield back on Aug. 30.

A 1-0 loss to Niwot in the 4A semifinals last year still motivates the Farmers heading into their eighth straight trip to the state semifinals.

“Tomorrow we are still going off what happened last year,” Stricklett said. “We’ve got to show up and play our game. The name of our game is hitting. We’ve got to hit the ball.”

On the other side of the bracket, No. 6 Erie beat No. 11 Silver Creek 11-1 and No. 3 Pueblo East 7-1 to advance to Sunday. The Tigers will face No. 2 Ponderosa, which escaped No. 15 Palmer Ridge’s upset bid, 5-4, to open the tournament, then beat No. 7 Berthoud 6-0 in the quarters.

Semifinal games:

(1) Wheat Ridge vs. (5) Broomfield, 10 a.m.
(6) Erie vs. (2) Ponderosa, 10 a.m.

[divider]

Class 3A

Bracket

The four semifinalists at the 3A level each only played one game on Saturday. That’s because Strasburg, Sterling, Holy Family and Valley all had opening-round byes as seeds Nos. 1-4.

Top-seeded Strasburg beat No. 9 Basalt 11-0, and will meet No. 4 Valley, which eeked past No. 5 Eaton 1-0.

In the other semifinal, No. 2 Sterling will meet No. 3 Holy Family. Sterling beat No. 7 Lamar 5-0 and Holy Family beat No. 11 Dolores Huerta 3-0.

Semifinal games:

(1) Strasburg vs. (4) Valley, 10 a.m.
(3) Holy Family vs. (2) Sterling, 10 a.m.

— Reporting from Dennis Pleuss and Ryan Casey.

October 20, 2013

Fossil Ridge notches important win over Poudre in boys soccer

FORT COLLINS — All Fossil Ridge boys soccer coach Shannon Clarke could do was shake his head.

His SaberCats have spent the season dominating the run of play, yet had very little to show for it. Their 7-5-1 overall mark and 5-3-1 Front Range League mark entering Wednesday nights season finale against crosstown rival Poudre had them on the outside looking in as far as an automatic bid to the 32 team Class 5A playoff field.

They still might need a few things to go their way, but the SaberCats did themselves a huge favor at J. Ray French Field by dispatching Poudre 1-0. If anything, it’s a win that could impress the selection committee and earn them an at-large bid.

“Like every game this season, I felt like we completely dominated the play and had a gagillion chances to their very few, and finally tonight we get the winning stroke,” Clarke said. “So many times it has gone the other way for us, just like that.”

Fossil Ridge completely dominated the run of play and out-shot the Impalas 12-1, including 10-0 in the second half. Yet, they had nothing to show for it for the first 75 minutes of the game.

Finally, in the 76th minute, the SaberCats lined up for a corner kick and Elliot Weber sent a well-placed ball to the near post and senior midfielder Jarrett Pugh finished with his head past goalie Hector Torales.

“We just had to keep with our system and we had a couple of calls go against us and we were pushing to get that goal the whole game,” said Pugh, who proudly wore the captain’s band. “We just kept working hard, serving in those balls and we were finally able to get one. This was a good team win.”

Torales was brilliant in net for the Impalas, who scored a huge win for the playoffs chances on Tuesday night against Fort Collins. The senior, who had never played soccer before this year, finished with 11 saves — none bigger than midway through the second half on a Gage Clifton shot.

“He’s an athletic kid and he’s got great hands,” said Poudre coach Erik Eckhoff of his goalie. “He’s a humble kid and he likes to work and he’s been huge for us.”

Poudre drops to 10-4 overall and now 5-4 in a very deep league. Eckhoff thinks his team has done enough to warrant a shot at postseason play.

“But a game like that and the game against Collins (Tuesday) night definitely helps us, even though this was a 1-0 loss, it’s still a 1-0 loss to one of the better teams in the state and a team that dominated us for most of the game,” he said. “Based on last night and tonight, people don’t look at 1-0 losses to Fossil and say they are totally out. They are going to say ‘Wow, they busted their butt.’”

Also on the line Wednesday night were Choice City bragging rights. Between the four 5A schools in the city of Fort Collins, it is the SaberCats — who beat Rocky Mountain and Poudre and tied Fort Collins — that will hold the crown for another season.

“City games, you can just throw the records out the window,” Pugh said. “We all play with each other in club and we all know each other really well and we have these rivalries in the fall, so it’s always nice to get a win against a city team.”

The CHSAA will announce all three classifications of state brackets on Sunday afternoon.

October 17, 2013

Five new teams join this week’s volleyball rankings

Battle Mountain (4A), University (3A), Swink (2A), Idalia (1A) and Edison (1A) are the newcomers to this week’s CHSAANow.com volleyball polls.

All five No. 1 teams stayed put.

Complete rankings for all classes are below.

[divider]

CHSAANow.com Volleyball Polls

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

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

Class 5A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Grandview (10)	14-2	118	1	2-0
2	Arapahoe (1)	14-2	104	2	1-1
3	Fossil Ridge (1)	15-0	96	3	3-0
4	Doherty	13-3	72	5	2-0
5	Regis Jesuit	14-2	71	4	2-0
6	Cherry Creek	12-4	57	6	1-1
7	Eaglecrest	11-4	48	7	1-1
8	Mountain Vista	15-4	30	8	3-0
9	Fruita Monument	13-3	21	9	2-1
10	Lakewood	12-4	18	10	2-0
Others receiving votes:
Rampart 9, Cherokee Trail 7, Rangeview 4, Ralston Valley 3, Fort Collins 2.
Dropped out
None.

Class 4A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Lewis-Palmer (7)	15-1	115	1	2-0
2	Cheyenne Mountain (4)	14-1	107	2	2-0
3	Longmont (1)	15-0	97	3	3-0
4	Air Academy	13-3	70	4	2-0
5	Thomas Jefferson	15-0	53	5	2-0
6	Ponderosa	12-6	51	6	2-1
7	Montrose	12-3	50	7	1-1
8	Valor Christian	10-2	43	8	2-0
9	Battle Mountain	12-1	20	–	2-0
10	Niwot	15-5	12	9	1-1
Others receiving votes:
Windsor 11, Roosevelt 10, Coronado 7, Pueblo West 6, Elizabeth 4, Mead 3, Silver Creek 2, Pueblo Central 1, Thompson Valley 1.
Dropped out
Coronado (10).

Class 3A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Manitou Springs (7)	18-0	94	1	2-0
2	Eaton (4)	16-1	93	3	3-0
3	Valley	13-4	84	2	2-1
4	Holy Family	12-3	66	6	1-0
5	Platte Valley	11-5	57	4	1-1
6	Bayfield	13-3	55	5	2-1
7	Gunnison	15-3	42	7	1-0
8	Sterling	10-5	38	8	1-2
9	Coal Ridge	15-1	21	9	2-0
10	University	9-6	20	–	2-0
Others receiving votes:
Lamar 14, Machebeuf 7, Olathe 7, Bennett 3, Clear Creek 2, St. Mary’s 2.
Dropped out
Lamar (10).

Class 2A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Resurrection Christian (5)	15-0	92	1	2-0
2	Fowler (3)	17-0	88	2	2-0
3	Lutheran (2)	16-1	83	3	3-0
4	Paonia	16-0	70	4	2-0
5	Sargent	14-2	45	6	2-0
6	Sangre de Cristo	16-1	38	5	2-0
7	Swink	13-3	29	–	5-1
8	Yuma	11-4	28	8	1-0
9	Lyons	13-4	27	7	3-0
10	C.S. School	16-1	24	9	3-0
Others receiving votes:
Akron 10, Dayspring Christian 6, Kiowa 3, Ridgway 2, Byers 1, Rye 1.
Dropped out
Akron (10).

Class 1A
RK	TEAM	W-L	PTS	PVS	LW
1	Caliche (8)	16-1	80	1	3-0
2	Otis	15-1	71	2	1-0
3	Fleming	14-3	57	4	3-0
4	Flagler	12-3	52	5	1-1
5	Dove Creek	17-0	46	6	1-0
6	Eads	15-2	41	3	2-2
7	Hi-Plains	12-5	27	7	0-1
8	Idalia	10-5	14	–	3-1
9	Stratton	10-5	12	8	3-1
10	Edison	16-0	11	–	2-0
Others receiving votes:
Rocky Mountain Lutheran 10, Vail Christian 8, La Veta 5, Arickaree 3, Elbert 2, Cheraw 1, Kit Carson 1.
Dropped out
Rocky Mountain Lutheran (9), Vail Christian (10).