The 2018-19 all-state wrestling teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.
These teams were created based upon results at the state meet. Coaches and wrestlers of the year were selected by the Colorado High School Coaches Association at the state meet.
Scroll down to see the teams, or use the menu below to navigate to the class of your choosing.
[divider]
Class 5A
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
Wrestler of the year: Cohlton Schultz, Ponderosa
Coach of the year: Sam Federico, Pomona
First team
Name
Year
School
Weight
Daniel Cardenas
Freshman
Pomona
120
Vince Cornella
Sophomore
Monarch
113
Franklin Cruz
Sophomore
Pomona
182
Alec Hargreaves
Junior
Rocky Mountain
195
Austin McFadden
Senior
Prairie View
152
Justin Pacheco
Senior
Pomona
132
Kenny Sailas
Sophomore
Brighton
106
Marquez Salazar
Senior
Adams City
160
Fabian Santillan
Senior
Grandview
138
Cohlton Schultz
Senior
Ponderosa
285
Mosha Schwartz
Senior
Ponderosa
126
Antonio Segura
Sophomore
Regis Jesuit
145
Jay Skalecki
Senior
Grand Junction
170
Hunter Tobiasson
Senior
Grand Junction
220
Second team
Name
Year
School
Weight
Joey Airola
Freshman
Boulder
106
Keegan Bailey
Senior
Fruita Monument
195
Tyson Beauperthuy
Junior
Doherty
152
Kai Blake
Senior
Cherry Creek
170
Joshua Deaguero
Junior
Adams City
138
Armando Garcia
Sophomore
Denver East
113
Sam Hart
Sophomore
Cherokee Trail
220
Joey Joiner
Junior
Legacy
145
Austin Kelchen
Senior
Douglas County
160
Colin Lavell
Senior
Legend
285
Jaron Mahler
Sophomore
Ponderosa
120
Randy Myers
Sophomore
Castle View
132
Jake Welch
Senior
Valor Christian
182
Wyatt Yapoujian
Junior
Pomona
126
[divider]
Class 4A
(Ray Chen/ArrayPhoto.com)
Wrestler of the year: Andrew Alirez, Greeley Central
The 2018 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.
[divider]
Class 5A
(Steve Oathout)
Player of the year: Aidan Atkinson, Fairview
Coach of the year: Ed McCaffrey, Valor Christian
First Team
Name
School
Year
Pos.
Elijah Anderson-Taylor
Eaglecrest
Senior
LB/RB
Aidan Atkinson
Fairview
Junior
QB
Reece Atteberry
Eaglecrest
Junior
OT/DE
Jordan Billingsley
Grandview
Senior
RB
Logan DeArment
Columbine
Senior
QB/CB
Andrew Gentry
Columbine
Junior
G/OT
Aidan Ikaika Keanaaina
Mullen
Junior
NG/G
Dylan James
Eaglecrest
Senior
QB/RB
Austin Johnson
Highlands Ranch
Senior
G/DT
Spencer Lambert
ThunderRidge
Senior
RB/CB
Carson Lee
Cherry Creek
Junior
OT/C
Michael Lynn
Cherry Creek
Senior
OT
Kiahn Martinez
Regis Jesuit
Senior
RB
Luke McCaffrey
Valor Christian
Senior
QB
Barrett Miller
Eaglecrest
Senior
OT/DT
Alex Padilla
Cherry Creek
Senior
QB
Alec Pell
Cherry Creek
Senior
FB/RB/LB
Billy Pospisil
Pomona
Senior
WR/FS
Cian Quiroga
Valor Christian
Senior
OT/DT
Brad Roberts
Ralston Valley
Senior
RB/LB
Roger Rosengarten
Valor Christian
Junior
DT/DE
Mason Schultz
Grandview
Senior
OL/OC/DL
Cobi Wood
Grandview
Senior
K
Ethan Zemla
Valor Christian
Senior
MLB/TE
Second Team
Name
School
Year
Pos.
Alijah Bates
Doherty
Senior
OT/DE
Garrett Bishop
Pomona
Junior
OT
Henry Blackburn
Fairview
Junior
WR/FS
Carson Brantley
Cherry Creek
Senior
FS/SS
Cade Bruckman
Grandview
Junior
MLB/FB
Corbin Curry
Columbine
Senior
Ben Earnest
Columbine
Senior
OL/DL
Ethan Frasier
ThunderRidge
Senior
MLB
Matt Greenwald
Fairview
Senior
WR/DB
Andrew Grout
Castle View
Senior
OT/DL
Jack Howell
Valor Christian
Sophomore
QB/WR/FS
Hayden Isenhart
Grandview
Senior
DE/TE
Austin Jandik
Cherokee Trail
Junior
DL/MLB
Justin Lohrenz
Columbine
Junior
TE/DE
Chase Lopez
Valor Christian
Junior
WR/DB/ATH
Kevin Lukasiewicz
Arapahoe
Senior
QB/P
Chris McEahern
Arvada West
Senior
WR
Dylan Morrill
Columbine
Senior
G/DE
Colten Muller
Pomona
Senior
WR/QB
Maxwell Nwokeuwu
ThunderRidge
Senior
OL/DL
Braden Siders
Ralston Valley
Junior
DE
Jake Steinmetz
Boulder
Senior
CB/WR
Isaac Townsend
Ralston Valley
Senior
DE/TE
Honorable mention: JJ Augustus, Eaglecrest, Senior, WR/CB; Tyler Banks, Fairview, Senior, OL/DL; Alex Bishard, Legacy, Senior, G/DT; Grayson Blackmon, Cherry Creek, Junior, DT; Vance Brazile, Cherry Creek, Senior, TE; Manuel Corrales, Westminster, Junior, OL/DL; Brian Crespo, Poudre, Junior, OL; Erik Delgado, Far Northeast Warriors, Senior, K/P; Bryce DesJardins, Fairview, Senior, WR/CB; Elijah Ewing, Denver East, Senior, WR/DB; Aaron Franklin, Denver East, Junior, WR/DB; Ryan Gilmore, ThunderRidge, Senior, QB; Thomas Harries, Ralston Valley, Senior, FS/WR; Zach Heckman, Fossil Ridge, Senior, G/OT; David Hoage, Smoky Hill, Senior, RB/MLB; Pierce Holley, Lakewood, Senior, QB; Cole Jesch, Ralston Valley, Senior, OT/C; Q Jones, Fountain-Fort Carson, Sophomore, RB/FS/SS; Adam Karas, Pomona, Junior, OT; Luke Keefe, Regis Jesuit, Senior, DE/DT; Dakota Key, Legacy, Junior, RB/LB; Casey Knutsen, Fossil Ridge, Senior, SS/RB/P; Colin Lavell, Legend, Senior, OT/G; Ryan Le, Mountain Vista, Senior, G/C; Brady Legault, Arvada West, Senior, G/DT; Devon Lobato, Doherty, Senior, FS; Geno Macias, Regis Jesuit, Senior, LB/SS; JP Martinez, Westminster, Senior, OL/DL; Mikey McClelland, Chaparral, Senior, DT/DE; Raymond Mclaughlin, Fountain-Fort Carson, Senior, C; Kyle Moretti, Pomona, Junior, MLB/FB; Sam Motzkus, ThunderRidge, Senior, DE; Brandy Okeke, Grandview, Senior, DE/LB; Trustin Oliver, Legend, Senior, WR; Lance Opp, Highlands Ranch, Senior, WR/LB; Cole Oster, Castle View, Senior, S/RB; Matt Pando, Northglenn, Senior, C; Dadrian Paris, Horizon, Senior, WR; Cole Parrott, Columbine, Senior, DL/TE/LS; Dayne Prim, Grandview, Senior, WR; Jalon’e Rice, Overland, Senior, WR/CB; Scott Ruckel, ThunderRidge, Senior, WR; Myles Ruiz, Cherokee Trail, Senior, DB/WR; Obasanjo Sanni, Smoky Hill, Junior, RB; Gavin Sawchuk, Valor Christian, Freshman, WR; Ben Schneider, Ralston Valley, Senior, LB/MLB; Liban Shongolo, Adams City, Senior, QB/SS; Malik Sparrow, Cherokee Trail, Senior, RB; Preston Stansel, Boulder, Senior, ATH; Grant Stewartson, Highlands Ranch, Junior, OL/DL; Jack Thiele, Pomona, Senior, SS/CB; Anthony Thomas, Rangeview, Junior, G/DT.
[divider]
Class 4A
(David Harvey/ImageProPhotography.com)
Player of the year: Zach Weinmaster, Loveland
Coach of the year: Wayne McGinn, Loveland
First Team
Name
School
Year
Pos.
Garrett Beckman
Greeley West
Senior
OT/G
Ryder Blair
Ponderosa
Senior
LB/TE
Brenden Bower
Loveland
Senior
C/NG
Travis Bretches
Loveland
Senior
DE/G
Steven Croell
Broomfield
Senior
QB
Bryce Delahoy
Rampart
Senior
RB/NG
Ethan Drewes
Skyline
Senior
MLB/OT/DT
Chris Eckerman
Montrose
Senior
RB/DB
Jered Garcia
Dakota Ridge
Senior
RB
Jeremy Hollingsworth
Skyline
Senior
RB
Anthony Johnston
Chatfield
Senior
OT/DE
Kaden Jolley
Fruita Monument
Senior
DE
Riley Kinney
Loveland
Senior
QB
Isaiah Meyers
Loveland
Senior
CB/SB
David Moore III
Pine Creek
Junior
RB/CB
Cody Rakowsky
Loveland
Senior
RB/CB
Telvin Townsend
Longmont
Senior
OT/FB
Ethan Waite
Ponderosa
Senior
DE/FB
Deonte Washington
Vista Ridge
Senior
DE/LB
Zach Weinmaster
Loveland
Senior
RB/SS
Derek West
Greeley West
Senior
RB/SS
Kyle West
Skyline
Senior
WR/LB
Charlie Wildermuth
Chatfield
Senior
K/WR
Second Team
Name
School
Year
Pos.
Cade Balleweg
Grand Junction Central
Senior
WR/RB/ATH
Hunter Barnes
Chatfield
Senior
RB
Sean Boylan
Loveland
Senior
MLB/FB
Ryan Capasso
Broomfield
Senior
LB/OT
Thomas Ceniceros
Montrose
Senior
DT/OL
Matthew Eich
Broomfield
Sophomore
K
Drake Engelking
Longmont
Senior
RB/FB
Alex France
Standley Lake
Senior
QB/DB
Travis Heath
Fruita Monument
Senior
OL/DL
Matthew Heitmann
Dakota Ridge
Junior
OL/DL/LS
Tanner Hickey
Grand Junction Central
Senior
FS/SS
Frankie Ingraldi
Widefield
Senior
RB/LB
Kyle Jameson
Pueblo West
Senior
FS/WR
Max Lofy
Pine Creek
Junior
ATH
LaDarius Mays
Coronado
Junior
RB/FS
Collin Morrison
Loveland
Senior
DE
Treyton Queen
Fruita Monument
Senior
FB/DE
Marc Rocha
Standley Lake
Senior
OL/DL
Ryan Ruger
Broomfield
Senior
G/OT
Chase Silva
Skyline
Sophomore
QB/FS
Levi Taylor
Ponderosa
Senior
OT
Jack Walters
Golden
Senior
WR/FS
Adam Weaver
Pine Creek
Senior
G/DT
Honorable mention: Donovan Andrus, Grand Junction, Senior, DE/OG; Cauy Boulden, Montrose, Senior, WR/DB; Andre Brown, Greeley West, Senior, DE; Blake Bucca, Standley Lake, Senior, OL/DL; Ricky Childers, Skyline, Senior, G/NG; Drake Cortez, Brighton, Senior, WR/RB/CB; Oakley Dehning, Longmont, Senior, QB; Michael Deschene, Loveland, Senior, MLB/FB; Sam Dirks, Silver Creek, Senior, DT/DE; Nick Faraca, Centaurus, Junior, QB; Austin Fiala, Monarch, Junior, RB/MLB; Alex Guzman, Bear Creek, Senior, OT; Isaac Hesse, Skyline, Senior, OT/DL; Kevin Hooks, Cheyenne Mountain, Senior, DB/WR; Soren Howard, Wheat Ridge, Senior, OT/DE/TE; Joe Hufford, Ponderosa, Junior, WR/K/Ret.; Christian Jones, Air Academy, Junior, DL/OL; Noah Karwacki, Vista Peak Prep, Senior, K/P; Emmert Kastendieck, Montrose, Junior, RB/CB; Faleao Leatiota, Mesa Ridge, Senior, NG/C; Jacob Lee, Pueblo West, Senior, DL; Max Marsh, Grand Junction Central, Junior, QB; Braden Martinez, Windsor, Senior, LB/DB; Chandler Mason, Pueblo West, Junior, QB/LB/MLB; Nejon McCray, Denver South, Senior, DE/DT; Kolton Miller, Ponderosa, Sophomore, WR/Ret.; Micaylon Moore, Fort Collins, Senior, WR/DB/Ret.; Gianni Palazzo, Heritage, Senior, QB/SB; Joey Piacenza, Greeley West, Senior, TE/LB; Harlan Potts, Hinkley, Senior, MLB/OT; Elias Rolfe, Pine Creek, Junior, DE; Zach Rush, Fruita Monument, Senior, QB/C; Tyler Schemp, Greeley Central, Senior, OL/DL; Joshua Sharpes, Loveland, Senior, OT; Cole Simmons, Montrose, Junior, OL/LB; Chris Smith, Liberty, Senior, TE/LB; Michael Thompson, Aurora Central, Senior, MLB/TE; Andy Vickery, Heritage, Junior, G/NG; Jack Wathen, Skyline, Senior, WR/LB; Cameron White, Rampart, Senior, G/NG; Elijah Williams, Gateway, Senior, LB/WR.
[divider]
Class 3A
(Chris Fehrm/Chris Fehrm Photography)
Player of the year: Ty Evans, Palmer Ridge
Coach of the year: Al Melo, Harrison
First Team
Name
School
Year
Pos.
Griffin Anderson
Discovery Canyon
Senior
K
Luc Andrada
Pueblo East
Senior
QB/CB
Jason Bruce
Palisade
Senior
RB/CB
Gage Clawson
Discovery Canyon
Junior
G/MLB
Carl Cox
Palisade
Junior
G/ILB
Aidan Cullen
Palmer Ridge
Senior
DE/OT/ATH
Jacob Dillon
Palmer Ridge
Senior
DT
Ty Evans
Palmer Ridge
Senior
QB
Nathan Hackney
Erie
Senior
DT/G
Kyle Helbig
Holy Family
Senior
TE/WR/DE
Daveon Hunter
Thomas Jefferson
Junior
LB/RB
Mitchell Jefferis
Palmer Ridge
Senior
OC
Kain Medrano
Pueblo East
Senior
WR/FS
Jaymeson Nelms
Erie
Senior
DE/TE
Isaiah Padilla
Lewis-Palmer
Senior
G/DT
Anthony Roberson II
Palmer Ridge
Junior
CB/SB
Dominic Robles
Pueblo East
Senior
DT/OT
Noah Roper
Erie
Senior
RB/FS/CB
Aumiere Shedrick
Harrison
Senior
RB/DL
Jaden Sparks
Palmer Ridge
Senior
WR/MLB
Cameron Tucker
Palisade
Junior
QB/FS
Evan Walsh
Lewis-Palmer
Senior
RB/CB/Ret.
Orlando Westbrook-Sanchez III
Harrison
Senior
QB/DB
Second Team
Name
School
Year
Pos.
Zack Anderson
Discovery Canyon
Senior
QB
Spencer Brooks
Erie
Senior
OT/LB
Cody Bruce
Palmer Ridge
Junior
OL/DL
Braden Christie
Pueblo South
Senior
Julian Custine
Erie
Senior
K/P
Brennen DiBella
Mead
Senior
OT
Luke Gair
Glenwood Springs
Senior
SB/SS
Patrick Gonzales
Pueblo East
Senior
RB/SB/MLB
JP Hamer
Fort Morgan
Senior
RB
Isaac Linker
Fort Morgan
Senior
QB/MLB
Dawson Marcum
Durango
Senior
RB/SS
Quinn Meinert
Green Mountain
Junior
LB
Ryan Monteleone
Discovery Canyon
Senior
RB/CB
Nick Norris
Fort Morgan
Junior
OT
Jay Olson
Mead
Senior
TE/DE
Logan Robinson
Frederick
Senior
DE/G
Jeremiah Runco
Pueblo East
Senior
DT/OT
Brandon Samora
Pueblo East
Senior
OT/G/DT
Joel Scott
Lewis-Palmer
Senior
TE/LB
Keshaun Taylor
Thomas Jefferson
Junior
WR/DB
Trey Towndrow
Green Mountain
Junior
QB/RB
Miron Washburn
Harrison
Senior
OL/DL
Will Woodward
Evergreen
Senior
OL/DL
Honorable mention: Joseph Alejo, Palisade, Junior, TE/LB; Austin Ban, Steamboat Springs, Senior, RB/LB; Will Banks, Green Mountain, Junior, DE; Cayden Camper, Pueblo County, Senior, K/P; Dante Ciaravola, Frederick, Senior, RB/SB/WR; Zak Cossette, Eagle Valley, 0, RB/MLB; Sebastian Dalton, Holy Family, Senior, DT/RB; Hector Escobar, Battle Mountain, Senior, DT/OT/LS; Ben Haefeli, Evergreen, Senior, FS/RB/CB; Ben Hersam, Mitchell, Senior, RB/MLB; Jahvell Johnson-Humphrey, George Washington, Senior, WR/CB; Marcus Kemm, Skyview, Senior, CB/SB; Michael Kumlin, Kennedy, Senior, LB/TE; Tanner Leise, Mead, Senior, DE; Matt Lyons, Harrison, Senior, OL/LB; Nico Martin, Pueblo Central, Senior, RB/WR; Nathaniel Mesa, Harrison, Senior, OL/DL; Taylor Morgan, Summit, Senior, DT/OT/G; Gabe Morgan, Canon City, Junior, OL/DL; Cameron Nellor, Thompson Valley, Junior, SB/QB/SS; Buddie Niccoli, Pueblo Centennial, Senior, RB/LB; Gavin Orbus, Holy Family, Senior, OL; Dorian Pacheco, Lutheran, Freshman, RB/LB; Grant Pullen, George Washington, Senior, DE/TE; Alex Rodriguez, Glenwood Springs, Senior, G/DT; Caleb Sherrill, Falcon, Senior, LB/RB; Cole Sniff, Pueblo South, Senior, RB/FB; Max Tafoya, Denver North, Senior, OT/DT; Nick Wall, Roosevelt, Senior, WR/CB; Carver Willis, Durango, Junior, OT/DT.
[divider]
Class 2A
(Lance Wendt/LanceWendt.com)
Player of the year: Jon Nuschy, La Junta
Coach of the year: Ty Buderus, La Junta
First Team
Name
School
Year
Pos.
Ty Addington
La Junta
Senior
C/DE
Ty Beaman
Berthoud
Senior
DE/OT
Vince Deleo
Salida
Senior
MLB/FB/RB
Isaac Harris
Sterling
Senior
SB/CB
David Hawkins
Bayfield
Senior
LB/RB
Kyle Hecker
Resurrection Christian
Senior
OT/MLB
Noah Hollander
Aspen
Senior
WR/FS
Gryphin Hooper
Platte Valley
Junior
OT/DE
Peter Kuppinger
Resurrection Christian
Senior
DE
David Nagy
Faith Christian
Senior
RB
Jon Nuschy
La Junta
Senior
QB/SS
Hunter Paxton
Sterling
Senior
OT/DT
Alberto Perez
Platte Valley
Junior
TB/LB/K
Jake Reardon
Basalt
Senior
RB/DB
Jake Reuss
Basalt
Senior
OL/LB
Trevor Reuss
Basalt
Senior
QB/LB
Ernesto Rios
Platte Valley
Senior
TB/LB/P
Jacob Tafoya
La Junta
Senior
OT/NG
Jacob Thielen
Faith Christian
Senior
LB/OL
Tanner Vines
Rifle
Senior
RB/MLB
Wyatt Warfel
Rifle
Senior
C/DE
Trevon Wehrman
Platte Valley
Senior
QB
Zane Zuhlke
Resurrection Christian
Senior
FS/WR
Second Team
Name
School
Year
Pos.
Jordan Abbott
Faith Christian
Senior
S/WR
Connor Aragon
Pagosa Springs
Senior
RB/MLB
Aiden Barrios
Delta
Senior
OL/DL
Holt Brashears
Salida
Senior
DE/C
Jake Braun
D’Evelyn
Junior
OT/DE
Matthew Broughton
Montezuma-Cortez
Senior
FB/LB
Brendan Bunting
Platte Valley
Senior
WR/DB
Zach Busmente
Sterling
Junior
MLB/OT
Ty Garnhart
Eaton
Senior
QB/SS/FS
Christian Lamb
Faith Christian
Senior
G
Joey Licht
Kent Denver
Senior
QB/DB
Isaac Lorenzen
Bayfield
Senior
NG/OT
Kyle Lueck
Resurrection Christian
Senior
RB/LB
Armondo Martinez
Alamosa
Senior
G/DE
Noah Miles
D’Evelyn
Senior
ILB/WR/P
Keyon Prior
Bayfield
Senior
RB/CB
Alex Riedel
Resurrection Christian
Senior
LB/RB
Eli Smith
Salida
Senior
WR/LB
Reece Ullery
Elizabeth
Senior
RB/FS
John Van Hattem
Resurrection Christian
Senior
OC
James Waddles
La Junta
Senior
OT/DE
Daniel Westbrook
Bayfield
Senior
DE/OT
Josh Yancey
Platte Valley
Junior
WB/DB
Honorable mention: Jared Baker, Moffat County, Senior, G/DE; Andrew Borquez, Alameda, Senior, DL/OL; Antonio Chavez, La Junta, Junior, RB/LB; Bryson Cox, Woodland Park, Sophomore, TE/DE; Garrett Craig, The Classical Academy, Senior, OL/DL; Henry Fritzler, Eaton, Senior, DT/G; Hadley Holloway, Bennett, Senior, OT/DT; Dillon Jonsson, Aspen, Senior, OT/DT; Walker Kee, Lamar, Junior; Tyler Kissler, Valley, Senior, CB/WR; Ben Kuhnel, Middle Park, Senior, WR/S/ATH; Dillon Lucas, Prospect Ridge Academy, Senior, RB/LB; John Paul Luebbers, Bishop Machebeuf, Senior, G/DE; Goskany Luquin, Basalt, Senior, DE/OL; Ethan Mackley, Rifle, Junior, G/DE; Ryan Malden, La Junta, Junior, QB/RB; Grady Mandl, The Academy, Senior, WR/CB; Alex Maravilla, Eaton, Senior, MLB/OT; Caleb Miramontes, Delta, Senior, RB/LB; Swayde Noyes, Montezuma-Cortez, Senior, OT/DE; Danny Pelphrey, Berthoud, Senior, WR/DB; Antonio Rivera, Alamosa, Senior, MLB; Riley Romero, La Junta, Senior, WR; Nick Segal, University, Senior, LB/RB; Damian Spell, Coal Ridge, Junior, DT/OG/G; Brady Sullivan, D’Evelyn, Senior, ILB/OG; Angel Villarruel, Englewood, Junior, OL/DL; Mark Walvoord, Kent Denver, Senior, OL/DL; Nick Wellen, Brush, Junior, RB/MLB; Ethan Winden, Weld Central, Senior; Hunter Zentz, Manitou Springs, Senior, WR/CB.
[divider]
Class 1A
(Alan Versaw/stoutroadsportspage.com)
Player of the year: Cannan Bennett, Limon
Coach of the year: Mike O’Dwyer, Limon
First Team
Name
School
Year
Pos.
James Amick
Meeker
Senior
DL/OL
Cannan Bennett
Limon
Senior
QB/LB
Logan Blevins
Platte Canyon
Senior
OT/DT
Peyton Brones
Colorado Springs Christian
Junior
MLB/FB
Owen Busetti
Florence
Sophomore
MLB/RB
Bennie Chacon
Centauri
Senior
OT/DT
Adam Chacon
Centauri
Junior
MLB/G
Tristan Crowther
Centauri
Senior
DE/WR
Eddie Duron
Strasburg
Senior
G/MLB
Hauk Hubbard
Limon
Senior
RB/LB
Chris Lopez
Monte Vista
Senior
OT/DE
Logan Marx
Limon
Junior
OL/DL
Greg Olsen
Colorado Springs Christian
Senior
Ryan Phelan
Meeker
Sophomore
QB/DE
Braden Sandersfeld
Limon
Senior
WR/DB
JC Spence
Strasburg
Senior
FS/RB
Kory Tacha
Limon
Sophomore
RB/LB
Jesus Trejo
Holyoke
Senior
MLB/RB
Luis Villalpando
Meeker
Senior
LB/K/G
Trevor Walker
Peyton
Senior
RB/LB
Wyatt Warren
Strasburg
Senior
MLB/RB
Braden Witzel
Burlington
Senior
Javier Zamora
Limon
Senior
OL/DL
Second Team
Name
School
Year
Pos.
Morgan Arnold
Limon
Senior
OL/DL
Chase Beckner
Holyoke
0
DT/G
Carson Berghuis
Wray
Junior
DE/OT
Jaykhale Boiter
Jefferson
Senior
NG/G
Cannon Buford
Crowley County
Senior
OT/NG
Gabriel Calhoun
St. Mary’s
Senior
ATH
Joe Dunn
Colorado Springs Christian
Sophomore
Anthony Felice
Paonia
Senior
RB/LB
Daniel Frates
Peyton
Senior
DT/G
Jim Gabriel
Buena Vista
Junior
OT/DT
Lucas Gerding
Clear Creek
Senior
QB/FS/ATH
Josh Gonzales
Peyton
Senior
RB/FS
Eli Hanks
Meeker
Senior
RB/LB
J.D. Hart
Peyton
Senior
WR/CB
Cade Hillman
Wray
Senior
RB/MLB
Javier Lancaster
Florence
Junior
OG/NG
Zach Martin
Centauri
Senior
WR/CB
Deontay Martinez
Centauri
Senior
C/DE
Blake Mosenteen
Holyoke
0
RB/SS
Levi Peterson
Paonia
Junior
OT/DE
Kurvonte Rice
Jefferson
Senior
SB/QB
Trevor Tinajera
Platte Canyon
Senior
FS/TE
Kaidon Wenta
Monte Vista
Junior
RB/LB
Honorable mention: Koby Anderson, Highland, Senior, TE/LB; Lukas Baltzer, Colorado Springs Christian, Senior; Rian Chavez, Colorado Springs Christian, Sophomore, MLB; Bert Chrastil, Estes Park, Senior, RB/LB; Taylor Clark, Grand Valley, Senior, DE/TE; Edward Cruz, Cornerstone Christian Academy, Senior, OL/DL; Adrian Diaz De Leon, The Pinnacle, Senior, RB/LB/SS; Zach Dube, Cornerstone Christian Academy, Senior, QB/DL; Abraham Echauri, Center, Freshman, WR/CB/ATH; Jase Lantto, Peyton, Junior, DL/OL; Carlos Lopez, Center, Senior, OT/DT/FB; Ivan Martinez Pantaleon, The Pinnacle, Senior, OL/DL/K; Jacob Miller, St. Mary’s, Junior, WR/DB; Grey Neal, Paonia, Junior, QB/LB; Jonathan Pena, Grand Valley, Senior, RB/SB/SS; Jared Reynolds, Cedaredge, Senior, LB/QB; Ricardo Rocha, Rocky Ford, Junior, OL/DL; Ben Sanchez, Clear Creek, Senior, WR/DB; Trevor Smith, Strasburg, Junior, C/DT; Logan Stewart, Highland, Senior, QB/DB; Chad Sutherland, Strasburg, Junior, G/DT; Daniel Tena, Burlington, Senior; David Trujillo, Rocky Ford, Senior, WR/DB; Wesley Van Matre, John Mall, Junior, RB/LB; Taj VanderLinde, Cedaredge, Senior, DL/OL; Lane Walter, Crowley County, Senior, DE/G; Malaki Walters, Florence, Senior, LB/OG; Quamon Williams, Crowley County, Junior; Luke Yates, Buena Vista, Junior, WR/FS.
[divider]
8-man
(Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos)
Player of the year: Layne Green, Sedgwick County
Coach of the year: Chris Michel, Sedgwick County
First Team
Name
School
Year
Pos.
Eric Alcala
Sedgwick County
Senior
C/DT
Luis Dominguez
West Grand
Senior
QB/DB
Quinton Flanscha
Fowler
Senior
RB/CB
Matt Frank
Merino
Senior
RB/CB
Layne Green
Sedgwick County
Senior
RB/DE
Jordan Knight
West Grand
Senior
OG/LB
Jace Logan
Soroco
Senior
RB/ILB
Trysten Moltrer
Hoehne
Senior
RB/DB
Shane Montoya
Hoehne
Junior
OL/DL
Grady Nielsen
Rangely
Senior
OL/DL
Derrick Poss
Akron
Senior
RB/LB
Max Quint
Merino
Senior
OL/DL
Kyle Rowe
Hoehne
Senior
RB/DE
Ethan Walter
Sedgwick County
Senior
Hugh Wheatley
West Grand
Senior
WR/DB
Adam Zink
Caliche
Senior
RB/MLB
Second Team
Name
School
Year
Pos.
Braxton Asbell
Sargent
Sophomore
OL/DL
Drew Brannan
Rangely
Senior
QB/DB
Erick Chaparro
Holly
Senior
RB/ILB/Ret.
Kobe Davis
Holly
Senior
DE/QB/WR
Beau Dukes
Springfield
Senior
QB/LB
Chance Garcia
Mancos
Senior
RB/MLB
Tommy Harmon
Pikes Peak Christian
Senior
WR/DE/K
CJ Hoff
Front Range Christian
Senior
WR/DB
Federico Orozco
Hoehne
Senior
TE/LB
Marcos Ramirez
West Grand
Senior
OG/DE
Devin Ramirez
Rangely
Senior
RB/DB/QB
Austin Stauffer
West Grand
Senior
OG/DE
Christian Still
Dayspring Christian Academy
Sophomore
QB/CB
Frank Torrez
Sargent
Senior
ATH
Justin Traxler
Akron
Senior
QB/S
Traevonn Walton
Caliche
Senior
NG/G
Honorable mention: Braden Anderson, Haxtun, Senior, WR/LB; Jayce Bauer, Wiley, Senior, C/DE/FB; Chris Bolt, Pikes Peak Christian, Senior, OL/DT; Riley Clayton, Sangre de Cristo, Senior, TB/LB; Zach Dolan, Vail Christian, Senior; Devon Frazier, Las Animas, Senior, LB/OL/K; Nate Freeman, Plateau Valley, Senior, OL/DL; Will Gabriel, Norwood, Senior, RB/LB; Dalton Gartrell, Sanford, Senior, TE/DE; Austin Green, Dove Creek, Senior, G/DE; Darias Harms, Simla, Junior; Terrance Heath, Sedgwick County, Sophomore, WR/TE/DE; Jaden Hottinger, Akron, Senior, RB/CB; Isaia Jarvis, Pikes Peak Christian, Senior, OL/LB; Stephen King, Gilpin County, Sophomore, QB/CB; Drew Lloyd, Front Range Christian, Senior, TE/DL; Brad Mazerall, Simla, Senior; Sean McKinley, Pikes Peak Christian, Junior, RB/LB; Austin Mclean, Dayspring Christian Academy, Junior, DT/G; Keegan Medina, Del Norte, Senior, QB; Mikey Mikita, Calhan, Senior, RB/LB; Tristan Moore, Rangely, Senior, TE/ILB; Breccen Morelli, Mancos, Junior, QB/DE; Bryar Morgan, Elbert, Senior; Brendyn Nordyke, Holly, Senior, NG/OG/RB; Beau Parker, Sedgwick County, Junior; Franchesco Rivera, Hoehne, Junior, OL/DL; Adam Sapp, Custer County, Senior, OL/DL; Thor Schiffer, Fowler, Junior, RB/OL/DL; Brady Shelley, Byers, Senior, CB/WR; Tyshawn Silva, Justice, Senior, ATH/DB/Ret.; Daigen Springer, South Park, Senior, TB/DB; Eli Suiters, Swink, Junior, DL/TE.
[divider]
6-man
(Dustin Price/DustinPricePhotography.com)
Player of the year: Bryson Long, Peetz
Coach of the year: Toby Kechter, Stratton/Liberty
First Team
Name
School
Year
Pos.
Bryce Carlstrom
North Park
Senior
ATH
T.J. Conaway
Kit Carson
Senior
Cordell Farmer
Kit Carson
Junior
DE/TE
Devon Jara
Granada
Senior
QB
Walter Jordan
Prairie
Senior
Jaret Lichty
Stratton/Liberty
Sophomore
RB/LB
Tyson Lichty
Stratton/Liberty
Senior
QB/LB
Bryson Long
Peetz
Senior
RB
Sam McGinnis
Idalia
Senior
Bryce Miracle
Otis
Senior
RB
Quade Pelton
Cheyenne Wells
Junior
Ethan Richmond
Stratton/Liberty
Senior
RB/TE/DE
Second Team
Name
School
Year
Pos.
Tyler Blickem
Briggsdale
Junior
QB
Chris Bryan
Kit Carson
Senior
Jade Cozart
Cheyenne Wells
Senior
Lucas Hart
Cheraw
Senior
RB/LB
Duchea High
Colorado School for the Deaf Blind
Senior
QB/S
Kyle Klann
Flagler/Hi-Plains
Senior
Levi Shean
Stratton/Liberty
Senior
TE/LB
Steven Tunstall
Cotopaxi
Senior
FB/OL/DE
Ty Warren
La Veta
Senior
ILB/FB/HB
Isaih Wellman
Mountain Valley
Senior
DE/RB/LB
Cooper White
Peetz
Junior
RB
Eltan Yarger
Stratton/Liberty
Senior
FB/LB
Honorable mention: Josh Baca, Granada, Senior, RB; Zayd Banks, Flagler/Hi-Plains, Sophomore; Vincent Bauer, Briggsdale, Senior, FS/WR; Axel Escareno, Manzanola, Junior, FS/QB; Brock Follett, North Park, Junior, RB/DE/LB; Isaac Gonzales, La Veta, Junior, DE/TE/WR; Chris Goss, Fleming, Sophomore, DE/WR; David Hammel, Mountain Valley, Senior, LB/TE/DE; Ty Hunt, Otis, Senior, QB/ILB/S; Cesar Iturralde, Branson/Kim, Senior, RB/FS; Dominic Martinez, Manzanola, Senior, MLB/FB; Coy McDonald, Walsh, Junior, ILB/DB/RB; Ambrosio Mondragon, Sierra Grande, Senior, WR/DE; Trey Moore, Prairie, Senior; Walker Morelock, Deer Trail, Junior, LB/RB; Alex Salazar, Walsh, Senior, RB/LB/C; Caleb Scharsch, Sierra Grande, Sophomore, TB/LB; Greg Tidquist, Genoa-Hugo, Senior, QB/S; Zackary Van Esselstine, Cotopaxi, Junior, C/DE; Brandon Williams, Fleming, Junior, RB/MLB.
With his team up four points, La Junta senior Jon Nuschy sat back in zone coverage and Brendan Bunting slip underneath him. Quarterback Trevon Wehrman saw the route across the middle and took the air, hoping to lead his team to a come from behind win.
But Nuschy jumped the route and picked off the ball.
La Junta held on for a 7-3 win at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl, claiming its second state football title in the last three years. Nuschy scored the game’s only touchdown on a two-yard run and also grabbed that interception to kill the Broncos drive, and any chance taking the championship out of the Tigers’ hands.
“That was a good football from the very start to the very end,” La Junta coach Ty Buderus said. “It was stressful, but the kids played their hearts out. So did Platte Valley. They played a heck of a football game. We were just lucky enough to come out on top.”
Early on it looked like the game was going to feature a very different result. The Broncos (12-1 overall) went with a heavy dose of their dual rushing attack of Wehrman and Ernesto Rios. The duo accounted for 90 combined rushing yards in the first half.
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
But finding the end zone proved to be a problem. On Platte Valley’s second drive of the game, Wehrman seemed to find the end zone on a one-yard run but an illegal block pushed them back. They couldn’t convert on third down and opted for a field goal to go up 3-0.
“I didn’t know if we were going to stop them the whole game after that series,” Buderus said. “They just kept running it and getting first downs. Our kids gritted their teeth. They were pinned back and held them to a field goal and that was a win in my eyes.”
The Tigers (13-0) started their second drive of the game with 8 minutes, 28 seconds left in the second quarter. Nuschy used a title option to get outside of the tackle box which is where the majority of the offensive yards came on the day.
He capped it off with the touchdown run to end an aggravating stretch where Platte Valley had completely owned time of possession.
“It was frustrating, but they have a great offense,” Nuschy said. “They have a great guy running the ball and (Wehrman) is a great player. But we just went out and had to grind.”
Overall, Nusch ended his day running the ball 19 times for 93 yards.
Neither team put points on the board in the second half, but Platte Valley nearly took the in the third quarter. From the 19-yard line Wehrman dropped to pass but was forced to scramble. He cut into space and had to get past a couple of defenders to reach the end zone. But the ball came loose.
The Tigers took over and the Broncos struggled to move the ball again until their final drive of the game when Nuschy created another turnover for La Junta.
His efforts on offense and defense earned him Most Valuable Player honors, but the state championship trophy was the only award he was searching for on Saturday.
“(The MVP) doesn’t mean a lot but winning that state championship means the world,” Nuschy said. “I’d rather us have the state championship without me being the MVP. But it’s a great honor and I’m thankful for everything I’ve done and achieved.”
The Broncos did get the ball back with just over 20 seconds to play in the game. Wehrman got the Broncos into striking distance and had one shot at a heave toward the end zone, but James Waddles broke through the offensive line and dropped Wehrman with a sack to end the game.
“As soon as I saw him in my vicinity, I knew I had to make the play,” Waddles said. “I grabbed him and took him down and here we are.”
Prior to the state championship win in 2016, the Tigers had gone through a 58-year stretch between state titles. The 2018 title is the sixth for La Junta’s football program.
In his first year as head coach after his brother Clint left for Pueblo West, Buderus now has his ring to claim and was grateful that the Tigers didn’t have to wait more than a half-century to get it done.
But he knew in the end the credit for this championship has to go to his senior class and the leadership that the players instilled in this team.
“Those guys took control of this team and they knew this year was win it or bust for them,” Buderus said. “They’ve been here twice before so I think the seniors on this team deserve a lot of credit and Jon was a big part of that.”
PUEBLO — While looking around and dreaming of coming away with a state football championship, the La Junta and Platte Valley football players couldn’t help but listen to the wise words of CSU-Pueblo coach John Wristen.
While getting the two teams pumped up for Saturday’s game, he explained to them what the point of the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl was when it was made home of the resurgent football program of CSU-P.
“We were going to celebrate championships,” Wristen told the boys. “And it starts with a group of people who want to roll up their sleeves and get to work. That’s also how you win games.”
The Tigers and Broncos are ready to roll up their sleeves and battle it out at the ThunderBowl in Class 2A’s first neutral site football title game. After 12 games for each team, they have combined for zero total losses in 2018. That just means that on Saturday, something is going to have to give.
“If you ask those young men, they remember exactly the day they lost their last game,” Broncos coach Troy Hoffman said. “We were undefeated at that time too.”
It came when Platte Valley was the top seed in last year’s 2A playoffs. A 9-6 loss to Eaton ended what looked like a championship run in the making. They’re hoping it just got delayed a year.
(Jeff Tucker/jefferywtucker.zenfolio.com)
The Broncos (12-0 overall) boast a dual-threat running attack from running back Ernesto Rios and quarterback Trevon Weherman. Both were freshmen when Platte Valley last advanced to the 2A title game in 2015, a 28-20 loss to Bayfield.
Watching from the sideline, Rios took in the experience of a championship atmosphere and knew right away that he never wanted to feel the same pain the Broncos players felt that day.
“I took a lot in,” Rios said. “Even though I didn’t play that year, the group we had was amazing. I just don’t want to have that feeling of losing the title.”
On paper, the two teams look similar in the sense that they both enjoy running the ball. But Rios sees a difference in style, one that he believes can play to Platte Valley’s favor.
“I think we have the advantage with speed,” he said. “They’re very powerful guys and we’ve seen that on film. I think it’ll come down to speed.”
Jon Nuschy was the quarterback for that championship team two years ago and has made playing in this game somewhat of a habit. Logic would say that Nuschy should be comfortable in a championship game at this point, but each one has played out differently and he knows that 2018 will be emotional for him.
“A little because this is my last one,” Nuschy said. “This is my last game as a Tiger. It has some heavy pressure but we just have to step up and do our jobs and our seniors have to be leaders.”
Nuschy has been the same offensive force for the Tigers that he’s been in the past. Running behind a sizable and talented offensive line, he has rushed for 1,666 yards this year, 494 of those yards have come in the Tigers three playoff wins.
For a team that has now played in a state title game at home and on the road, the idea of a big-venue neutral location is welcome. But even with that being the case, they know they can’t be in a position to appreciate unless they work their way to that championship game.
“It’s always good to play at home, but we’re just happy to be in this game,” Tigers coach Ty Buderus said. “We worked our butts off to be here.”
On Wednesday, they got to enjoy the benefits of that work with a tour of the CSUP facility and a preview of what the atmosphere will be like.
Saturday at 1 p.m. the time for talk and appreciation is over. For both teams, it’s time to get those sleeves rolled up and get to work.
The La Junta football team braved the subfreezing temperatures and occasional freezing drizzle when it faced Faith Christian in the Class 2A state semifinals Saturday.
The 2018 all-state softball teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.
These team were created following a process where the coaches voted upon a list of nominees. Players who were named first-team all-league are eligible for the all-state ballot.
Coaches also voted specifically for player and coach of the year.
[divider]
Class 5A
(Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)
Player of the year: Laurin Krings, Loveland Coach of the year: Kristen Shirk, Legend
