CHSAANow

Tag: Dakota Ridge

  • Douglas County takes over atop 5A softball poll

    (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)
    Grandview beat then-No. 1 Eaglecrest last week. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    Douglas County is unbeaten, and now, the No. 1 team in Class 5A softball.

    The Huskies moved up from No. 3 after wins over Heritage and Mountain Vista last week — as well as a loss by former No. 1 Eaglecrest to Grandview.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Softball 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

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Douglas County (4) 11-0-0 81 3 3-0-0
    2 Brighton (4) 12-0-0 79 2 3-0-0
    3 Eaglecrest (1) 11-2-0 72 1 5-1-0
    4 Fossil Ridge (1) 11-1-0 71 4 2-1-0
    5 Dakota Ridge 12-3-0 43 5 3-1-0
    6 Ralston Valley 10-3-0 39 6 3-1-0
    7 Legend 10-3-0 33 9 3-0-0
    8 Grandview 10-3-0 29 7 3-1-0
    9 Legacy 9-4-0 23 8 4-0-0
    10 Loveland 8-2-0 16 10 3-1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Columbine 15, Rock Canyon 12, Grand Junction 10, Rampart 10, Heritage 7, Pine Creek 5, Rocky Mountain 4, Mountain Range 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Wheat Ridge (9) 13-1-0 99 1 4-0-0
    2 Erie 9-2-1 81 2 2-0-0
    3 Pueblo East (1) 11-2-1 76 3 3-0-0
    4 Ponderosa 10-3-0 69 4 1-1-0
    5 Berthoud 10-2-0 51 6 2-0-0
    6 Frederick 8-3-0 46 5 2-0-0
    7 D’Evelyn 9-4-0 24 8 3-1-0
    8 Valor Christian 11-4-0 23 9 0-1-0
    9 Silver Creek 7-5-0 16 7 0-2-0
    10 Broomfield 7-5-0 15 10 2-0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Pueblo West 14, Discovery Canyon 7, Mullen 7, Pueblo South 6, Thompson Valley 6, Thomas Jefferson 4, Mountain View 3, Montrose 2, Woodland Park 2.
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Strasburg (5) 12-0-0 59 1 2-0-0
    2 Holy Family (1) 11-0-0 53 3 3-0-0
    3 Sterling 12-2-0 48 4 2-0-0
    4 Valley 8-5-0 42 2 1-3-0
    5 Rocky Ford 14-2-0 33 7 2-0-0
    6 Lamar 12-2-1 30 6 3-0-0
    7 La Junta 8-6-0 23 5 1-3-0
    8 Eaton 6-6-1 17 8 2-1-0
    9 Brush 7-6-0 10 9 1-1-0
    10 Basalt 7-3-0 7 – 2-0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Cedaredge 4, Florence 4.
    Dropped out
    Cedaredge (10).

  • Ralston Valley rallies to win Jeffco softball showdown over Dakota Ridge

    Dakota Ridge freshman Melissa Mages, left, tags out a sliding Ralston Valley sophomore Hannah Peterson during the Class 5A Jeffco League game Tuesday in Arvada. Peterson came through for the Mustangs late with a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning for a 2-1 Ralston Valley victory. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Dakota Ridge freshman Melissa Mages, left, tags out a sliding Ralston Valley sophomore Hannah Peterson during the Class 5A Jeffco League game Tuesday in Arvada. Peterson came through for the Mustangs late with a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning for a 2-1 Ralston Valley victory. (Dennis Pleuss)

    ARVADA — Ralston Valley sophomore Hannah Peterson delivered on an extra-inning promise Tuesday afternoon.

    With the Class 5A Jeffco League softball showdown between No. 5 Dakota Ridge and No. 6 Ralston Valley locked in a 1-1 tie going to the bottom of the eighth inning, Peterson told one of her closest friends — starter pitching and fellow sophomore Rylie Strong — she would hit the ball. Peterson came through, ripping an RBI single to score freshman Alexa Samuels from second base and give the Mustangs (8-2, 1-0 in league) a 2-1 victory in their conference opener.

    “Jeffco 5A is always tough,” Ralston Valley coach Wendy Davies said. “Dakota Ridge is a tough team. Having a chance to start out with them is always good. I think it builds your confidence when you beat a team that has a tradition of being good.”

    Dakota Ridge softball coach Marv Van Lingen, far right, talks with Jessica Arneach and Melissa Mages during the Eagles' Class 5A Jeffco League game Tuesday at Ralston Valley High School. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Dakota Ridge softball coach Marv Van Lingen, far right, talks with Jessica Arneach and Melissa Mages during the Eagles’ Class 5A Jeffco League game Tuesday at Ralston Valley High School. (Dennis Pleuss)

    Peterson’s confidence might have been a little shaken early on. She had a couple of miscues leading up to her being the hero with the walk-off RBI. The sophomore was tagged out trying to stretch a single into a double in the first inning and had an error at third base in the top of the eighth inning.

    Asked about dwelling on her mistakes, Peterson said, “I did a little bit. I’m not going to lie. I probably shouldn’t have done that.”

    Peterson was the only Mustang to have a multiple-hit game off Dakota Ridge senior ace Rachelle Foos. Junior Kat Schaefer had the other big hit for the Mustangs, an RBI double in the fifth inning to score sophomore Katelyn Eldredge at tie game at 1.

    “It’s nice that (the players) believe in themselves enough and (the coaches) believe they will come through in those situations,” Davies said.

    Dakota Ridge (10-3, 1-1) couldn’t come up with a big hit after the Eagles took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Sophomore Megan Sansburn laced a triple and scored on a single by junior Baillie Brooks. It was the only run of the game for Dakota Ridge, who stranded 12 runners on base.

    Strong improved her pitching record to 8-1 on the season by scattering 11 hits and working out of multiple jams. She also got plenty of help from her defense. Senior Sierra Galbreath turned a key double play in the top of the eighth inning when the Eagles had runners at first and second with no outs.

    “We didn’t have timely hits and that’s the name of the game,” first-year Dakota Ridge coach Marv Van Lingen said.

    Foos was solid on the mound for Dakota Ridge, giving up just seven hits over eight innings while striking out six batters in the loss. She pitched a two-hit shutout the day before in Dakota Ridge’s league opening 8-0 victory against Bear Creek.

    The next two weeks will be highly competitive with 5A Jeffco teams fighting to win the league title. Van Lingen has been a part of the Eagles’ softball program since the early 2000s before taking over the head job this season. He is confident that his squad has enough time to be in the mix for a league title, but it won’t be easy.

    “When it gets to league (play) it always seems that every team picks up their game,” Van Lingen said. “There is no team in here (5A Jeffco) that you overlook.”

    Ralston Valley sophomore Rylie Strong delivers a pitch to the plate Tuesday against Dakota Ridge. Strong improved her record on the mound to 8-1 on the season. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Ralston Valley sophomore Rylie Strong delivers a pitch to the plate Tuesday against Dakota Ridge. Strong improved her record on the mound to 8-1 on the season. (Dennis Pleuss)

  • Valor Christian lone newcomer to softball rankings

    Valor Christian was the only new team in the three CHSAANow.com softball polls this week, entering the Class 4A ranking at No. 9.

    Complete rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Softball 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

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Eaglecrest (4) 6-1-0 72 1 0-0-0
    2 Brighton (1) 9-0-0 70 2 1-0-0
    3 Douglas County (2) 8-0-0 51 3 1-0-0
    4 Fossil Ridge (1) 9-0-0 50 5 1-0-0
    5 Dakota Ridge 9-2-0 45 4 2-0-0
    6 Ralston Valley 7-2-0 41 6 0-0-0
    7 Grandview 7-2-0 24 7 1-0-0
    8 Legacy 5-4-0 19 8 1-0-0
    9 Legend 7-3-0 17 9 1-0-0
    10 Loveland 5-1-0 14 10 0-0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Grand Junction 12, Rock Canyon 11, Standley Lake 6, Chatfield 4, Arvada West 2, Cherokee Trail 2, Columbine 2, Mountain Vista 2, Central G.J. 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Wheat Ridge (7) 9-1-0 70 1 0-0-0
    2 Erie 7-2-1 60 2 0-0-0
    3 Pueblo East 8-2-1 51 3 1-0-0
    4 Ponderosa 9-2-0 43 4 1-1-0
    5 Frederick 6-3-0 34 5 0-0-0
    6 Berthoud 8-2-0 30 7 1-0-0
    7 Silver Creek 7-3-0 25 6 0-0-0
    8 D’Evelyn 6-3-0 20 9 0-1-0
    9 Valor Christian 11-3-0 12 – 2-0-0
    10 Broomfield 5-5-0 10 8 0-1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Pueblo West 9, Discovery Canyon 8, Pueblo South 6, Mullen 4, Falcon 1, Roosevelt 1, Thompson Valley 1.
    Dropped out
    Pueblo South (10).

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Strasburg (6) 10-0-0 66 1 1-0-0
    2 Valley 7-2-0 60 2 1-0-0
    3 Holy Family (1) 8-0-0 57 4 0-0-0
    4 Sterling 10-2-0 54 3 0-1-0
    5 La Junta 7-3-0 36 6 2-0-0
    6 Lamar 9-2-1 35 5 1-0-0
    7 Rocky Ford 12-2-0 34 8 2-0-0
    8 Eaton 4-5-1 19 7 1-1-0
    9 Brush 6-5-0 13 10 1-0-0
    10 Cedaredge 6-2-0 7 9 0-1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Basalt 4, Florence 1.
    Dropped out
    None.

  • Chatfield picks up the pace in downing Dakota Ridge

    Chatfield junior quarterback Kyle Winkler (11) heads upfield with an entourage of linemen including Connor Haines, Jake Jones and Joey Roselli on Thursday night at Jeffco Stadium. The Chargers improved to 3-0 with a 42-27 victory against Dakota Ridge. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Chatfield junior quarterback Kyle Winkler (11) heads upfield with an entourage of linemen including Connor Haines, Jake Jones and Joey Roselli on Thursday night at Jeffco Stadium. The Chargers improved to 3-0 with a 42-27 victory against Dakota Ridge. (Dennis Pleuss)

    LAKEWOOD — Playing as fast as possible on offensive is the current trend on the football field. It appears Chatfield’s super-charged offense might just be ahead of the curve when it comes to diversity to go along with speed.

    The Chargers’ high-octane, no-huddle offense had 74 snaps Thursday night in front of Chatfield’s homecoming crowd at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. The Chargers downed Jeffco rival Dakota Ridge 42-27 to move to 3-0 this season.

    Chatfield moved into the No. 9 slot of the CHSAANow.com Class 5A football poll this week and continued its hot start on the opening drive Thursday night. The Chargers went 80 yards on 13 plays with five different receivers catching balls and four different players carrying the football. Junior quarterback Kyle Winkler capped off the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to senior Austin Steinhoff.

    “That is definitely what we want to do,” Winkler said, referring to the opening drive. “We have a lot of variety with our offense. All of our receivers are great players. It gives you the self assurance that whoever you throw the ball to they are going to make plays.”

    Winkler finished the night 22-for-29 passing for 177 yards and four touchdowns. Senior Brandon Zanier led all Chargers’ receivers with six catches for 91 yards and a touchdown.

    “We knew in the offseason that we had a lot of skill kids,” Chatfield coach Brett McGatlin said. “It makes it fun for the kids, which I always love.”

    The Chargers needed their depth to close out the victory in the final quarter. Dakota Ridge (1-2) closed to within 28-21 early in the fourth quarter after Eagles’ quarterback Braxton Thais hooked up with senior Tucker Barr for a 24-yard touchdown. Then senior Aaron Nelson scored from one yard out after a special teams’ miscue set Dakota Ridge up at Chatfield’s 10-yardline.

    Chatfield senior running back Brendan Murphy was having a huge game with 21 carries for 171 yards and a touchdown, but left the game in the fourth quarter with an injury. Winkler helped ease the pain of losing Murphy by throwing a 22-yard touchdown to Zanier the play after Murphy was helped off the field.

    Dakota Ridge senior receiver Jake Sanchez (6) takes a shot from Chatfield senior defensive back Reece Rumsey (4) Thursday night at Jeffco Stadium. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Dakota Ridge senior receiver Jake Sanchez (6) takes a shot from Chatfield senior defensive back Reece Rumsey (4) Thursday night at Jeffco Stadium. (Dennis Pleuss)

    Dakota Ridge did answer with Nelson’s second touchdown run of the game to make the score 35-27 after a failed 2-point conversion with 5:23 left in the fourth quarter.

    Senior Austin Steinhoff had a big 27-yard run on the ensuing drive for Chatfield. Junior Sean O’Dell had a 35-yard reception to put the Chargers on Dakota Ridge’s 6-yard line. O’Dell finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown catch from Winkler to seal the victory.

    “It’s a rivalry game. We can see their school from our school,” McGatlin said. “(Dakota Ridge is) a good football. That’s going to be a really good 4A football team.”

    Dakota Ridge coach Ron Woitalewicz called the loss a “moral” victory.

    “Very proud of our kids,” Woitalewicz said. “It was 28-7 and a lot of kids would fold up and get blown out. I thought our kids fought and competed all the way to the end.”

    The Eagles’ two losses this year have come at the hands of 5A’s top ranked ThunderRidge (2-0) and Chatfield.

    “Playing games like this will make us better and tougher when our league (play) rolls around,” Woitalewicz said.

    Dakota Ridge has a pair of non-league road games against George Washington and Central of Grand Junction before diving into its 4A Plains League play.

    Chatfield faces another 5A Jeffco school in Arvada West next Friday at the North Area Athletic Complex in Arvada before kicking off its 5A Super 6 conference schedule with Lakewood.

  • 5A softball ranking narrows at the top

    Eaglecrest held onto its spot atop the CHSAANow.com softball poll, but things are getting close at the top of the Class 5A ranking.

    Four different teams received first-place votes this week: Brighton (No. 2), Douglas County (No. 3) and Fossil Ridge (No. 5). Loveland was the lone newcomer to the poll, at tenth.

    Complete rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Softball 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

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Eaglecrest (4) 6-1-0 103 1 1-1-0
    2 Brighton (2) 8-0-0 99 5 6-0-0
    3 Douglas County (3) 7-0-0 81 3 0-0-0
    4 Dakota Ridge 7-2-0 66 4 3-1-0
    5 Fossil Ridge (3) 8-0-0 65 9 3-0-0
    6 Ralston Valley 7-2-0 58 8 2-0-0
    7 Grandview 6-2-0 36 7 0-0-0
    8 Legacy 4-4-0 35 2 0-3-0
    9 Legend 6-3-0 24 6 0-0-0
    10 Loveland 5-1-0 22 – 5-1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Rock Canyon 17, Grand Junction 16, Standley Lake 12, Arvada West 10, Pine Creek 9, ThunderRidge 7, Chatfield 4, Rampart 4, Columbine 3, Rocky Mountain 3, Cherokee Trail 2, Mountain Vista 2.
    Dropped out
    Rock Canyon (10).

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Wheat Ridge (12) 9-1-0 120 1 1-1-0
    2 Erie 7-2-1 96 3 2-0-0
    3 Pueblo East 7-2-1 90 2 2-0-0
    4 Ponderosa 8-1-0 77 4 2-0-0
    5 Frederick 6-3-0 61 5 2-1-0
    6 Silver Creek 7-3-0 51 6 1-1-0
    7 Berthoud 7-2-0 50 8 3-1-0
    8 Broomfield 5-4-0 24 7 1-0-0
    9 D’Evelyn 6-2-0 20 9 3-2-0
    10 Pueblo South 7-2-0 17 – 1-1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Valor Christian 14, Discovery Canyon 13, Pueblo West 12, Mullen 4, Roosevelt 4, Niwot 3, Thomas Jefferson 2, Thompson Valley 2, Falcon 1.
    Dropped out
    Niwot (10).

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Strasburg (5) 9-0-0 56 1 4-0-0
    2 Valley 6-2-0 50 3 4-1-0
    3 Sterling 10-1-0 49 4 4-0-0
    4 Holy Family (1) 8-0-0 48 2 2-0-0
    5 Lamar 8-2-1 31 5 0-2-0
    6 La Junta 5-3-0 28 6 2-0-0
    7 Eaton 3-4-1 21 7 0-2-1
    8 Rocky Ford 10-2-0 20 8 5-0-0
    9 Cedaredge 6-1-0 13 10 3-0-0
    10 Brush 5-5-0 10 – 3-3-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Akron 2, Florence 1, Platte Valley 1.
    Dropped out
    Niwot (10).

  • ThunderRidge, Ralston Valley both move up in football poll ahead of Saturday’s game

    (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)
    (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    We’ve got a No. 2 vs. No. 3 showdown on our hands this Saturday in Class 5A football.

    ThunderRidge, following an impressive showing, bumped up one spot from its preseason No. 3 ranking in this week’s CHSAANow.com football poll. And Ralston Valley, the Grizzlies’ opponent this weekend, went from seventh to third after two big wins.

    Valor Christian remained in the top spot, and garnered 22 of the 23 first-place votes. Cherry Creek stayed put at fourth, while Grandview (No. 5) and Pomona (No. 6) swapped spots.

    Columbine is seventh in the 5A ranking, and Cherokee Trail dropped from second to eighth following its loss to Chatfield.

    Regis Jesuit moved up one spot to ninth, and Fairview is the lone new team to the 5A poll, at tenth. The Knights edged Chatfield with 42 total points to the Chargers’ 38. Grandview and Arapahoe are also just on the fringe.

    The 4A ranking continued to be led by Monarch, and added Montrose (No. 5), Loveland (No. 8) and Dakota Ridge (No. 10).

    Wheat Ridge jumped up one spot to second in 4A following its win over Windsor.

    Silver Creek stayed on top of 3A, which added Palisade (No. 8), Lutheran (No. 9) and D’Evelyn (No. 10).

    Platte Valley is the only new No. 1 team among all classifications, having taken over the top spot in 2A following a win over previous No. 1 Kent Denver.

    Complete rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Football Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A | 8-man | 6-man

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS
    1 Valor Christian (22) 1-0 229 1
    2 ThunderRidge (1) 1-0 179 3
    3 Ralston Valley 2-0 166 7
    4 Cherry Creek 1-0 152 4
    5 Grandview 1-0 109 6
    6 Pomona 1-0 88 5
    7 Columbine 1-0 68 8
    8 Cherokee Trail 0-1 56 2
    9 Regis Jesuit 1-0 52 10
    10 Fairview 1-0 42 –
    Others receiving votes:
    Chatfield 38, Grand Junction 33, Arapahoe 28, Douglas County 8, Eaglecrest 5, Fountain-Ft. Carson 3, Mullen 3, Overland 3, Rocky Mountain 2, Horizon 1.

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS
    1 Monarch (14) 1-0 140 1
    2 Wheat Ridge 1-0 116 3
    3 Denver South 1-0 108 2
    4 Pine Creek 1-0 97 4
    5 Montrose 2-0 64 –
    6 Falcon 1-0 63 10
    7 Pueblo West 1-0 47 5
    8 Loveland 1-0 37 –
    9 Windsor 0-1 19 8
    10 Dakota Ridge 0-1 16 –
    Others receiving votes:
    Green Mountain 14, Mesa Ridge 14, Pueblo South 12, Standley Lake 7, Longmont 5, Vista Ridge 4, Rampart 3, Ponderosa 2, Broomfield 1, Montbello 1.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS
    1 Silver Creek (9) 1-0 117 1
    2 Discovery Canyon (1) 2-0 80 6
    3 Rifle (2) 1-0 77 2
    4 Elizabeth 1-0 70 3
    5 Conifer 2-0 68 5
    6 Holy Family 1-0 48 9
    7 Roosevelt 1-0 45 8
    8 Palisade 1-0 37 –
    9 Lutheran 2-0 34 –
    10 D’Evelyn 2-0 27 –
    Others receiving votes:
    Coronado 14, Pueblo East 13, Northridge 9, Eagle Valley 7, Erie 6, Evergreen 4, Glenwood Springs 2, Woodland Park 2.

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS
    1 Platte Valley (6) 1-0 78 2
    2 Florence (2) 1-0 73 3
    3 Kent Denver 0-1 59 1
    4 Brush 1-0 56 6
    5 Eaton 1-1 44 4
    6 La Junta 1-0 37 7
    7 Faith Christian 1-1 28 8
    8 Strasburg 1-0 22 10
    9 Lamar 1-0 17 –
    10 Manitou Springs 1-0 12 –
    Others receiving votes:
    Aspen 4, Fort Lupton 4, Sterling 4, Bayfield 2.

    Class 1A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS
    1 Cedaredge (4) 1-1 82 1
    2 Limon (4) 1-0 81 3
    3 Buena Vista (1) 1-0 69 2
    4 Hotchkiss (1) 1-0 60 8
    5 Wiggins 1-0 51 7
    6 Monte Vista 1-0 44 6
    7 Centauri 1-0 37 4
    8 Holyoke 1-0 28 9
    9 Wray 0-1 22 5
    10 Rye 1-0 19 –
    Others receiving votes:
    Resurrection Christian 18, Burlington 16, Crowley County 11, Paonia 6, Yuma 4, Meeker 2.

    8-man
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS
    1 Hoehne (7) 1-0 70 1
    2 Dayspring Christian 1-0 61 4
    3 Akron 1-0 49 7
    4 Caliche 1-0 44 8
    5 Elbert 1-0 34 5
    6 Fowler 0-1 26 3
    7 Sargent 2-0 24 –
    8 Haxtun 1-0 21 –
    9 Simla 2-0 12 –
    10 McClave 1-0 9 –
    Others receiving votes:
    Norwood 8, Hayden 6, Kiowa 5, Sangre de Cristo 5, Granada 3, Sanford 3, Springfield 3, Dove Creek 1, Soroco 1.

    6-man
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS
    1 Liberty/Stratton (5) 1-0 33 5
    2 Hi-Plains (1) 1-0 27 4
    3 Eads (1) 1-0 24 2
    4 Fleming 0-1 8 1
    5 Arickaree 1-0 6 –
    Others receiving votes:
    Bethune 2, Peetz 2, Briggsdale 1, Deer Trail 1, Hanover 1.

  • Wheat Ridge new No. 1 team in 4A softball ranking

    (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)
    (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    Wheat Ridge has overtaken Pueblo East atop the Class 4A CHSAANow.com softball poll.

    The Farmers, off to an 8-0-0 start, were No. 2 last week but moved up to No. 1 by virtue of a 6-0-0 week which included a 7-2 victory over Pueblo East, last week’s top-ranked team.

    Elsewhere, Douglas County went from unranked to No. 3 in the 5A poll, which also added Ralston Valley (No. 8) and Fossil Ridge (No. 9).

    Strasburg continued to lead the 3A poll.

    Complete rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Softball Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Eaglecrest (9) 5-0-0 106 1 2-0-0
    2 Legacy (1) 4-1-0 93 2 3-1-0
    3 Douglas County 7-0-0 48 – 5-0-0
    4 Dakota Ridge 4-1-0 46 3 2-1-0
    5 Brighton 2-0-0 45 9 1-0-0
    6 Legend 6-3-0 42 8 6-2-0
    7 Grandview (1) 6-2-0 38 10 5-1-0
    8 Ralston Valley 5-2-0 36 – 4-2-0
    9 Fossil Ridge 5-0-0 34 – 5-0-0
    10 Rock Canyon 3-3-0 29 4 3-3-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Loveland 24, Arvada West 14, Chatfield 14, Grand Junction 12, Cherokee Trail 7, Bear Creek 4, Rampart 4, Castle View 2, Denver East 2, Mountain Vista 2, Prairie View 2, Standley Lake 1.

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Wheat Ridge (6) 8-0-0 84 2 6-0-0
    2 Pueblo East (3) 5-2-1 79 1 2-2-1
    3 Erie 5-2-1 75 3 3-2-1
    4 Ponderosa 6-1-0 60 4 4-1-0
    5 Frederick 4-2-0 42 5 1-2-0
    6 Silver Creek 6-2-0 32 8 4-2-0
    7 Broomfield 4-4-0 25 – 3-3-0
    8 Berthoud 4-1-0 24 7 2-1-0
    9 D’Evelyn 3-0-0 16 10 1-0-0
    10 Niwot 1-2-0 12 6 0-2-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Discovery Canyon 10, Mullen 9, Pueblo South 7, Montrose 6, Valor Christian 5, Mountain View 2, Palmer Ridge 2, Pueblo West 2, Roosevelt 1, Sand Creek 1, Weld Central 1.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Strasburg (5) 5-0-0 65 1 2-0-0
    2 Holy Family (2) 6-0-0 63 2 4-0-0
    3 Valley 2-1-0 52 3 2-0-0
    4 Sterling 6-1-0 50 5 2-0-0
    5 Lamar 8-0-1 32 – 7-0-1
    6 La Junta 3-3-0 31 7 1-3-0
    7 Eaton 3-2-0 27 6 1-1-0
    8 Rocky Ford 5-2-0 26 4 4-2-0
    9 Burlington 2-2-0 12 – 2-1-0
    10 Cedaredge 3-1-0 9 – 2-1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Florence 5, Platte Valley 4, Basalt 3, Dolores Huerta 3, Gunnison 2, Akron 1, Brush 1.

  • Hopper, Westmoreland lead ThunderRidge over Dakota Ridge in opener

    HIGHLANDS RANCH — This Hopper kid, he’s a weapon. Combine him with a quarterback like Brody Westmoreland, and back the two up with a defense like that? Yeah, this team could go far.

    Wide receiver Mark Hopper had two touchdowns and 153 yards as ThunderRidge easily handled Dakota Ridge, 30-7, in the opener for both teams on Thursday night at Shea Stadium.

    “I knew he would be a good threat for us,” said Grizzlies coach Joe Johnson.

    Hopper, a senior, is coming off a season in which he had 568 yards receiving and five touchdowns. But Thursday night was easily the best game of his career. The seven catches, 153 yards and two scores were all career highs.

    “I felt really good today,” Hopper said after the game.

    His best catch of the night was the back-breaker, and came late in the second quarter after Westmoreland rolled to his right and lofted a pass toward the end zone. A Dakota Ridge defender tipped the ball at the goal line, but Hopper, while falling backwards near the end line, was able to haul it in.

    Dakota Ridge had been hanging around up to that point, but that score gave ThunderRidge a 21-0 lead just before the half.

    “Me and Hopper have had a connection since we were 7 years old. We’ve known each other forever,” Westmoreland said. “We’ve been best friends ever since, and we’ve just always been on the same ball field — either baseball or football — and just tearing it up together.”

    Said Hopper: “We have the best chemistry. We’re best friends in school, always go to lunch together. He just always knows where I’m at, and that really helps.”

    ThunderRidge beat Dakota Ridge on Thursday night at Shea Stadium. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    ThunderRidge beat Dakota Ridge on Thursday night at Shea Stadium. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Westmoreland, the Grizzlies’ longtime starter, finished the game 10-for-10 with 204 yards and two touchdowns through the air. He also had 84 yards and another score on the ground.

    “He’s a big-timer for us,” Johnson said of Westmoreland. “He’s very confident. Sometimes, he corrects me when I get us in the wrong formation: ‘No, we’ve got to do this, coach.’ ‘Yeah, you’re right. Call that.’ He’s just a great kid, and a great leader for us, too. And has been for a long time, not just this year.”

    Running back Matt Stanley, a junior, finished with 118 yards and two touchdowns while rushing behind a solid offensive line that includes top recruit Sam Jones.

    ThunderRidge’s defense was tested, especially because the offense lost four fumbles. But the unit more than did its part, allowing just 68 yards on the ground — though Dakota Ridge quarterback Braxton Thais did have a good night with 201 yards and a touchdown pass.

    “I was very pleased,” Johnson said. “I was more happy with our defense than our offense, to be honest. I thought we played real well. I think they’re a good offensive football team. They do some things well, that kid throws the ball well.”

    Linebacker Tyler Seno had two interception for the Grizzlies.

    ThunderRidge, ranked third in CHSAANow.com’s Class 5A football poll, ended last season with a defeat to eventual champion Valor Christian in the semifinals. Many are expecting this team to reach at least that point again in 2013.

    “They are pretty high, the expectations, but I think we’ve got good leaders who keep us under control,” Hopper said.

  • Legend, Brighton join 5A softball rankings

    Legend and Brighton and cracked the CHSAANow.com softball poll this week.

    Eaglecrest (3-0) remained atop the 5A ranking, while Pueblo East (4A) and Strasburg (3A) held firm atop their respective polls.

    Complete rankings for all classes are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Softball Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Eaglecrest (6) 3-0-0 87 1 3-0-0
    2 Legacy (1) 1-0-0 79 2 1-0-0
    3 Dakota Ridge (1) 2-0-0 63 4 2-0-0
    4 Rock Canyon 0-0-0 62 3 0-0-0
    5 Loveland 0-0-0 47 5 0-0-0
    6 Chatfield 1-0-0 31 6 1-0-0
    7 Castle View 0-0-0 30 7 0-0-0
    8 Legend 0-1-1 24 – 0-1-1
    9 Brighton (1) 1-0-0 22 – 1-0-0
    10 Grandview 1-1-1 16 10 1-1-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Ralston Valley 9, Arvada West 7, Fossil Ridge 6, Mountain Vista 6, Cherokee Trail 4.

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Pueblo East (7) 3-0-0 88 1 3-0-0
    2 Wheat Ridge (1) 2-0-0 73 2 2-0-0
    3 Erie 2-0-0 65 3 2-0-0
    4 Ponderosa 2-0-0 54 5 2-0-0
    5 Frederick 3-0-0 48 9 3-0-0
    6 Niwot (1) 1-0-0 34 4 1-0-0
    7 Berthoud 2-0-0 33 6 2-0-0
    8 Silver Creek 2-0-0 27 – 2-0-0
    9 Discovery Canyon 0-0-0 17 7 0-0-0
    10 D’Evelyn 2-0-0 15 – 2-0-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Broomfield 10, Valor Christian 8, Thompson Valley 7, Montrose 5, Mountain View 5, Pueblo South 4, Mullen 1, Roosevelt 1.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Strasburg (6) 3-0-0 69 1 3-0-0
    2 Holy Family 2-0-0 59 3 2-0-0
    3 Valley (1) 0-1-0 56 2 0-1-0
    4 Rocky Ford 1-0-0 47 4 1-0-0
    5 Sterling 4-1-0 42 5 4-1-0
    6 Eaton 2-1-0 35 6 2-1-0
    7 La Junta 2-0-0 32 7 2-0-0
    8 Basalt 0-0-0 19 10 0-0-0
    9 Florence 1-1-0 11 9 1-1-0
    10 Gunnison 2-3-0 6 – 2-3-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Lamar 5, Burlington 3, The Classical Academy 2.

  • Returning powers top boys cross country’s preseason rankings

    Three defending champions head the preseason boys cross country polls released on Tuesday.

    Mountain Vista (5A), Coronado (4A) and Lyons (2A) won championships in their respective classifications last season and opened 2013 at the top spot in the Colorado Track XC/CHSAANow.com boys cross country rankings.

    Frontier Academy is the top-ranked team in 3A.

    [divider]

    Colorado Track XC/CHSAANow.com Boys Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org.

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

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM PTS PVS
    1 Mountain Vista (6) 75 –
    2 Boulder (1) 65 –
    3 Fort Collins 61 –
    4 Cherry Creek (1) 50 –
    5 Thornton 48 –
    6 Monarch 46 –
    7 Arapahoe 35 –
    8 Rock Canyon 29 –
    9 Dakota Ridge 13 –
    10 Heritage 7 –
    Others receiving votes:
    ThunderRidge 5, Pomona 3, Fossil Ridge 2, Rampart 1.

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM PTS PVS
    1 Coronado (5) 77 –
    2 Pueblo West (2) 65 –
    3 The Classical Academy (1) 61 –
    4 Thompson Valley 44 –
    5 Durango 42 –
    6 Air Academy 36 –
    7 Cheyenne Mountain 32 –
    8 Broomfield 31 –
    9 Palmer Ridge 30 –
    10 Centaurus 10 –
    Others receiving votes:
    Eagle Valley 6, Battle Mountain 5, Evergreen 1.

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM PTS PVS
    1 Frontier Academy (4) 56 –
    2 Salida 52 –
    3 Lamar (2) 38 –
    4 Estes Park 37 –
    5 Holy Family 33 –
    6 Faith Christian 32 –
    7 Peak to Peak 23 –
    8 Pagosa Springs 17 –
    9 Bayfield 13 –
    10 Alamosa 12 –
    Others receiving votes:
    Sterling 6, Buena Vista 4, Aspen 2, Brush 2, Platte Canyon 2, Gunnison 1.

    Class 2A
    RK TEAM PTS PVS
    1 Lyons (7) 70 –
    2 Crested Butte 63 –
    3 Vanguard 52 –
    4 Telluride 43 –
    5 Hotchkiss 39 –
    6 Rocky Ford 33 –
    7 Mancos 23 –
    8 Wiggins 15 –
    9 Alexander Dawson 14 –
    10 Custer County 13 –
    Others receiving votes:
    Skyview Academy 7, Resurrection Christian 6, Del Norte 3, Antonito 2, Rye 2.