LAKEWOOD — Luc Andrada saw a glimpse of the future.
“Before the 4×100, I swear I’ve never been more confident before a race,” Andrada said on the final day of the state track and field championships. “I had a weird gut feeling that we would PR by half a second and win it. That’s what we did.”
Andrada and his teammates capped off a terrific weekend for Pueblo East, claiming the 4A 400-meter relay title in a time of 42.40 seconds.
But, the victory did not come so easily. In the preliminary round, held on Friday, Pueblo East finished 4th with a time of 42.98. Only 0.17 of a second separated Windsor in 1st and Skyline in 5th though.
The senior sprinter knew how close Saturday’s final would be, but Pueblo East had a lightning rod in Andrada as the anchor leg. As long as he could get the baton relatively close to the leaders, he would have a chance of winning.
After all, he was the 4A king of the sprints this season, tallying gold medals in the 100 and 200-meter dashes. Andrada simply has next-level speed.
“We were thankful to be in lane three, so we could see our competition in front of us,” he said.
And, Kain Medrano, Joe Padula, and Marvin London gave Andrada a shot. They were in the thick of the race with one leg to go, but Skyline (42.54, 2nd place) and Canon City (42.63, 3rd) were ahead.
Andrada made it all up in the final 100 meters, causing the Jeffco Stadium crowd to buzz.
He had plenty of spectators chatting about him throughout the final day of competition. His winning times of 10.51 in the 100 and 21.21 in the 200 were slightly wind-aided but very swift.
The 4A 100 state record of 10.53, which Andrada would’ve beaten if his time was wind-legal, has been held since 2000 (Gregg Trigg of Fountain Fort-Carson).
Nevertheless, Andrada put the finishing touches on a memorable prep career, and with style, while also anchoring Pueblo East to a 4×200 relay state crown on Friday.
“They just gave me a chance,” he said of the 4×200. “With a team like that, how can you lose it?”
Medrano, Padula, and Oscar Flores were the other members of that relay as they gave Andrada the baton in a close battle with Pueblo West (runner-up).
For all of Andrada’s accomplishments in football, East was the state runner-up his senior year and the champion in 2016, Medrano has been a decorated athlete as well. He broke the 4A state meet record in discus on Thursday (188-6) and finished runner-up in shot put.
Medrano will soon be a football player for UCLA, while Andrada will compete at Brigham Young University in both football and track.
“He motivates me to be a better person day in and day out,” Andrada said of their friendship. “He’s always pushing me to be better. He deserves every accomplishment.”
[divider]
Class 5A
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
The Valor Christian boys won their first state championship as a track and field team with 90 points. They also won the girls title as Fort Collins (57 boys points) was the runner-up for both genders.
Cian Quiroga will bring a title back to Valor in the discus (182-4) and Cole Sprout won his second 1,600 crown (4A in 2018) in 4:13. They also earned gold in the 4×100 relay (42.46).
Fort Collins’ Joseph Maguire, the anchor of their 4×400 relay group, just barely edged out Arapahoe at the line as the teams ran 3:18.77 and 3:18.78.
A terrific 110 hurdles showdown between seniors Zion Gordon of Regis Jesuit and Cameron Harris of Brighton produced swift times of 13.85 and 14.03. Gordon, a University of Southern California recruit, won the 5A crown.
Gordon (10.67) got the better of Harris (10.72) again in the 100-meter dash, the next event on Saturday. Both will be competing at the collegiate level as Brighton’s super sprinter signed with Air Force.
Harris was also the runner-up in the 300 hurdles to Garrett Nelson of Poudre (37.16). Nelson’s time was sixth-fastest in Colorado prep history.
Eaglecrest’s Langston Williams will bring a gold medal back to Aurora with his 400 win (48.59).
Monarch’s Max Manson capped his storied career with three pole vault state titles. He cleared 16 feet, 8 inches in his prep finale.
[divider]
Class 4A
Niwot needed to finish at least fifth in the final event of the weekend, the 4×400 relay, to capture the team crown over Pueblo East but instead the Cougars won the event in a time of 3:22.86. Niwot bettered Pueblo East 66-60 in the final team standings. The Cougars also won the girls crown.
Zhaire Jackson (Northfield) topped the 110 hurdles field in 14.60 seconds.
Niwot junior Cruz Culpepper smoothly crossed the line in 4:16.69 to earn a 1,600 championship, adding to his 800 crown on Friday and helping Niwot earn a team trophy.
Brendan Young, the pride of Canon City, won a pair of jump titles this weekend (long and triple). He leapt 47 feet, 11 inches in triple jump Saturday.
[divider]
Class 3A
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
Manitou Springs produced the 100 and 200 champion in Jayden Omi. His times were 10.97 and 22.14 seconds.
Nate Hanson of Lutheran (14.31) was the 110-hurdles champion as the Lions swept the boys (91.5 points) and girls team titles. Mike Ciccio was second in the 400 and Lutheran piled up points with great depth.
Lutheran has won six state titles in boys track and field.
Denver West, with brothers Yasin and Ahmed Sado finishing 1-2 in the 1,600, was the runner-up with 65 points.
Elizabeth’s Mason Anthony, the 3A state record holder in the 300 hurdles, didn’t quite top his best time but still finished 1st in 38.67.
Alamosa won the boys (3:23) and girls (3:58) 4×400 relays, while Ian Jackson and Lilly Lavier were individual 400 champions for Alamosa.
[divider]
Class 2A
Lyons boys (68 points) claimed their fifth team title in track and field, but first since 2015. Mancos was the runner-up with 57. Lyons excelled in distance events once again.
Both competitors, Grant Redmond of Soroco and and Jake Chrisman of Yuma, cleared 6 feet, 7 inches in the high jump but Redmond won with fewer attempts. Chrisman was the pole vault gold medal winner on Thursday.
David Trujillo of Rocky Ford was the champion in the 100 with a time of 11.19.
Clear Creek boys won the 4×100 relay (44.10).
Alex Ramos (Holly, 50.14) cruised in the 400.
Jaden Evans of Telluride (4:30.27) held off Isaac Roberts of Lyons (4:30.77) in the 1,600.
Victor Mendoza (20 feet, 10.5 inches) of Yuma was the long jump champion.
[divider]
Class 1A
The Heritage Christian boys scored points in bunches, securing the team title again with 148 points. They won in 2018 in much the same way with firepower in distance as Levi Kilian (4:28) and Seth Bruxvoort (4:32) both shattered the 1A State meet record in the 1,600 and were 1st and 2nd.
HCA tallied points in many other events, as well, including the 300 hurdles (Ryan Zrubek, champion) and the 200 (Jaden Johnson, 1st).
Arlo Garner of Cotopaxi (15.48) was the state champion in 110 hurdles.
Elton Yarger of Stratton/Liberty broke the triple jump state record yesterday and clinched the 400 title in 50.61 seconds today.
Pikes Peak Christian’s Tommy Harmon (12-10) climbed higher than anyone in pole vault.
Simla (3:37.82) won the 4×400 relay and finished runner-up in the team standings. Simla also claimed the 4×100 title and Darias Harms was the 100 champion in a new 1A State Meet record of 11.18.
LAKEWOOD — Just two years ago, Yasin Sado was a soccer player with a hidden gift for running.
By the end of Friday’s state track and field competitions, plenty of spectators at Jeffco Stadium became well aware of that gift. After all, he did clinch the Class 3A 3,200 and 800 titles on the same day.
As someone who is still a newcomer to being part of a track team (second track season), he was confident but also unsure of just how fast he could go in the 3,200, the first event of the day. Sado, donning the orange and black colors of Denver West, had only raced the distance once before in 2019, recording a time of 9 minutes, 42 seconds at the Denver South Rebel Invite on March 31.
To upset the No. 1 seed, Mason Norman (9:24 season best), Sado knew he needed to go faster. He did, posting a winning time of 9:29.
Norman, a two-time winner of state cross country for The Classical Academy, led most of the race, pulling William Ledden (Peak to Peak) and Sado through the first 1,600 meters in 4 minutes, 46 seconds. Then, with only 800-meters left, Sado and Norman were still even with one another.
“I felt pretty good with two laps to go, but my coach said to just wait until the last lap,” Sado said of staying patient before making his winning move.
That move was a speedy 57-second final lap. He stayed smooth the entire way, then raised his arms in celebration as he crossed the finish line.
Norman, also a junior, was the runner-up in a time of 9:41. Sado’s brother, Ahmed, closed hard to secure third place in 9:42.
A few hours later, with a 3,200 on his legs, the Denver West junior hoped to capture the 800 championship as well.
Holy Family’s Braden Bartlett had something different in mind, accelerating the pace enough to drop all 3A challengers except Sado in the final 200 meters.
“I was just staying behind [University‘s Noah Smith], then the Holy Family guy was going pretty fast,” Sado said. “I just kicked during the last 400.”
The Denver West junior (1:56.25) found a burst, passing Bartlett (1:56.95, second) with only a few strides to go.
In just his second-ever track season, Sado has now won a pair of state titles. He did finish as the 800 runner-up as a sophomore, but as the No. 1 seed in the 1,600 on Saturday, a lofty time of 4:16, Sado could be a three-time champion.
What a way to kick off a track career.
He was a club soccer player, and just a soccer player in his eyes, only two years ago. The fact Sado’s brother, Ahmed, was third and fifth in the 800 (1:59) made Friday that much sweeter.
“He has been injured for cross country and track, but he’s really happy with how he did today,” Sado noted. “He didn’t believe he could get third.”
[divider]
Class 5A
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
Cole Sprout, the owner of an all-classification state record in the 3,200 – 8:57 earlier this season — won the event in a time of 9:11.84. Sprout is still only a junior for Valor Christian, but has been a record-breaker many times already. Dakota Ridge’s Austin Vancil (9:17) was second on Friday.
As for the 800, David Cardenas (1:53.47) will bring a gold medal back to Grand Junction Central. Connor Ohlson, also of Dakota Ridge, was second in 1:54.
Fairview’s superstar senior Marlena Preigh won the girls 800 in 2:08.55, defending her title.
Micaylon Moore, the triple jump winner on Friday, represented Fort Collins well in clinching back-to-back titles in long jump. His best mark was 24 feet, 0.25 inches.
[divider]
Class 4A
Niwot put their stamp on the 800 once again as sophomore Taylor James beat former Cougar great Elise Cranny’s 4A state meet record of 2:08.50 with a mark of 2:08.28. She
Soon after, junior Cruz Culpepper (1:52.93) won an 800-meter title of his own for Niwot.
Pueblo West’s Cisco Padilla (6-5) claimed the high jump gold medal.
Grace Scuzs of Palmer Ridge (11 feet, 4 inches) bettered everyone in pole vault.
[divider]
Class 3A
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
In a race that was reminiscent of the 4A girls 3,200 yesterday, Sierra Bower (Basalt) and Kaylee Thompson (The Classical Academy) pulled away from the field and matched wits, stamina, and speed for eight consecutive laps. A better sprint down the homestretch allowed Thompson to clinch the title in 10:58.0 seconds. Bower was just behind in 10:58.3.
Lutheran’s Noah Kelly (14-6) finished as the pole vault king of 3A.
Mason Anthony of Elizabeth set a 3A record in the 300 hurdles (37.82).
Gunnison’s Kelita Baroumbaye (47-00.75) captured the triple jump crown with an excellent mark.
Lutheran (1:48.12) broke the 3A state record in the 800-meter sprint medley relay, besting runner-up Elizabeth (1:48.55).
Lily Lavier of Alamosa captured the two-lap crown (800-meters) in 2:13.08.
Moffat County (1:45.83) proved to have the best group of sprinters in the 800-meter relay.
Jordan Lanning of Bayfield (18-2.50) conquered the long jump.
[divider]
Class 2A
Colton Jonjak-Plahn of Lyons (1:59.43) topped the 800 field with a diving win.
Hotchkiss (1:50.81) cruised to a near-four second victory in the sprint medley relay.
Hannah Wilkie of Rangely (2:19) was the 800 winner.
[divider]
Class 1A
Elton Yarger of Stratton/Liberty set a classification triple jump record, winning with a mark of 44-8.25.
Faith Novess of De Beque cleared 5 feet, 7 inches to capture the 1A girls state record for the first time as a senior. She will compete for the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs next year.
“My goal was to get 5-6 and beat the state record,” Novess said. “I love representing De Beque. A lot of people think since we’re a small school, we don’t have good athletes. They take us for granted.”
They did win the girls sprint medley on Thursday, while also capturing the 4×200 relay crown on Friday.
“I think that really set the mood for the whole weekend,” Novess said of the sprint medley’s victory.
Levi Kilian (1:56) and Seth Bruxvoort (1:58) swept the gold and silver medals and tallied plenty of team points for Heritage Christian. The Eagles posted 10 more points in the boys 4×200 relay (1:33.63).
Voted upon by coaches and select 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.
Class 5A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Mountain Vista (8)
4-2
116
1
4-2
2
Heritage (4)
1-0
112
2
1-0
3
Cherry Creek
1-1
87
3
1-1
4
Pine Creek
1-0
75
4
1-0
5
Ralston Valley
3-0
49
–
3-0
6
Rocky Mountain
0-0
42
5
0-0
7
Legend
2-3
33
–
2-3
8
Rock Canyon
4-0
29
8
4-0
9
Valor Christian
0-0
28
9
0-0
10
Dakota Ridge
2-0
19
–
2-0
Others receiving votes:
Cherokee Trail 11, Regis Jesuit 9, Fort Collins 8, Arapahoe 7, Broomfield 6, Douglas County 6, Highlands Ranch 4, Mountain Range 4, Chatfield 3, Fruita Monument 3, Legacy 3, Chaparral 2, Grand Junction Central 2, Castle View 1, Columbine 1.
Dropped out:
Mountain Range (6), Cherokee Trail (7), Regis Jesuit (10).
Class 4A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Pueblo West (10)
5-2
116
1
5-2
2
Cheyenne Mountain
4-1
90
2
4-1
3
Holy Family (1)
0-0
87
3
0-0
4
Roosevelt
2-0
63
6
2-0
5
Lewis-Palmer
3-1
58
–
3-1
6
Longmont
1-1
43
4
1-1
7
Montrose (1)
5-1
29
–
5-1
8
Evergreen
1-1
27
5
1-1
9
Golden
1-0
23
–
1-0
10
Wheat Ridge
0-0
22
7
0-0
Others receiving votes:
Palmer Ridge 21, Pueblo Centennial 16, Air Academy 10, Pueblo Central 9, Denver North 8, Canon City 6, Pueblo South 6, Silver Creek 6, Thompson Valley 6, Centaurus 4, Elizabeth 4, Fort Morgan 3, Berthoud 1, Erie 1, Thomas Jefferson 1.
Dropped out:
Fort Morgan (8), Palmer Ridge (9), Canon City (10).
Class 3A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
University (9)
1-0
90
1
1-0
2
Faith Christian
0-0
76
2
0-0
3
Eaton
0-0
61
8
0-0
4
Sterling
0-0
50
9
0-0
5
Lutheran
0-0
46
3
0-0
6
Kent Denver
1-0
40
6
1-0
7
Lamar
1-3
31
5
1-3
8
Peak to Peak
0-1
26
7
0-1
9
Alamosa
2-1
23
10
2-1
10
Resurrection Christian
2-2
18
–
2-2
Others receiving votes:
Colorado Academy 11, Valley 9, Bayfield 5, Delta 5, Brush 2, La Junta 2.
Dropped out:
Delta (4).
Class 2A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Peyton (9)
0-0
90
1
0-0
2
Dayspring Christian
3-0
73
4
3-0
3
Yuma
4-0
70
8
4-0
4
Dawson School
0-0
58
6
0-0
5
Hotchkiss
0-0
48
2
0-0
6
Rocky Ford
2-2
39
5
2-2
7
Paonia
0-0
36
7
0-0
8
Front Range Christian
2-0
26
–
2-0
9
Swink
2-1
19
10
2-1
10
Rye
2-1
16
–
2-1
Others receiving votes:
Calhan 13, Limon 6, Burlington 1.
Dropped out:
Limon (3), Calhan (9).
Class 1A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Nucla (3)
1-1
66
1
1-1
2
Cornerstone Christian (4)
2-0
65
3
2-0
3
Longmont Christian
2-0
58
2
2-0
4
Stratton/Liberty
0-0
49
4
0-0
5
Otis
0-0
42
5
0-0
6
Peetz
0-0
33
7
0-0
7
Dove Creek
0-0
30
9
0-0
8
Eads
0-0
16
10
0-0
9
Caliche
0-2
13
6
0-2
10
Cotopaxi
2-1
6
–
2-1
Others receiving votes:
Haxtun 4, Denver Jewish 2, Evangelical Christian 1.
Here’s a breakdown of the records that were broken this season:
Team records
Stratton/Liberty, the 6-man champion, scored 792 points, breaking the record for points by a team, which had been 752 by the 2012 Fleming team. Stratton/Liberty scored more than 60 points eight times, and more than 50 in all 12 of their wins.
Fairview set the passing record with 4,636 yards, beating the previous record of 4,300 by the 2011 D’Evelyn team. The school record was 4,129, set in 2014.
Fairview also set the team passing touchdown record with 59. The previous record was 52 (Alamosa in 2006).
Arvada West QB Johnny Krutsch set the career record with 1,242 pass attempts. Former Bear Creek quarterback Justin Holland (1997-2000) held the previous record at 1,081.
Krutsch also set the career completions record with 723. Bear Creek’s Sean Davis (1992-95) held the previous record at 701.
Vista PEAK’s Noah Karwacki set the state record for punting average with 50.13 per kick, breaking the previous mark of 47.9, set by Northglenn’s Jack Weil in 1979.
Coaching records
West Grand’s Chris Brown extended his career coaching wins record, and he now is 337-127 since 1976.
Kent Denver’s Scott Yates also extended his career record to 332-79.
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.
STRATTON — Stratton/Liberty got some redemption for their only regular-season loss, using a big first quarter to defeat Kit Carson 57-18 to claim the 6-man state football championship.
“It is an amazing feeling — tough loss during the regular season — but we knew that we just had to get back to work and it was time to go again,” Stratton/Liberty sophomore Jaret Lichty said. “We knew that we were probably going to see them again, and when it was time to see them we were ready to go.”
During the regular season, Kit Carson (11-1) handed Stratton/Liberty (12-1) their lone loss of the season in a 28-21 nailbiter at Kit Carson High School.
Putting that loss behind them, the Knighted Eagles used their home field advantage on Saturday to jump up to a quick 23-0 lead to close out the first quarter due to a couple of touchdowns from senior running back Ethan Richmond and Jaret Lichty.
“They just came out ready to play,” Stratton/Liberty head coach Toby Kechter said, “probably getting beat last year in the state championship was the best thing that could happen for this team. They were just focused and ready to play.”
Looking to put a stop to the bleeding, Kit Carson was able to kick off the second quarter with a touchdown of their own to cut into the Stratton/Liberty lead. Carrying some momentum, Kit Carson continued to dig into the lead as Chris Bryan found the end zone to make it 23-12.
But Stratton/Liberty continued to be lifted by the phenomenal performance from Lichty, who closed out the second quarter with two more touchdowns to help the Knighted Eagles take a firm 37-12 lead into halftime.
“At halftime, he just said that the game is not over yet, we have to go and win the second half and that is how we played all season, we just had to keep on going,” Lichty said.
Lichty continued to have a phenomenal showing, as he opened up the third quarter with another rushing touchdown to extend Stratton/Liberty’s lead.
Closing out the game, Stratton/Liberty senior fullback Eltan Yarger put the game to bed with a couple of rushing touchdowns to help the Knighted Eagles come away with the 57-18 victory to claim the 6-man state title.
Merino put an end to the longest active football winning streak in the state when the Rams upset No. 1 Sedgwick County 27-24 in an 8-man game on Friday night.
The win ended Sedgwick County’s winning streak at 30 games, handing the Cougars their first loss since 2016. It was also Sedgwick County’s first in-state loss since 2014, a span of 39 games.
“To be honest with you, it’s all still kind of a blur, but our defensive performance tonight was excellent,” coach Dan Sutter told the Colorado Preps Scoreboard Show. “We had a lot of kids step up.”
Sedgwick County (7-1) led the game 14-0, but Merino (5-4) rallied to tie the game at halftime.
“I think our boys were maybe a little juiced at the beginning, and just maybe wanted to make a play that wasn’t there to make early on,” Sutter said. “So we gave up a couple of early quick scores, but then we settled in. … We took our time trying to chisel our way back into it.”
Senior Matthew Frank had a pick-six that Sutter called the turning point for Merino.
“It just changed the complexion of the game,” Sutter said.
Merino also had a goal-line stop on the 1-yard-line late in the game.
“It was great,” Sutter said. “I can’t remember exactly every play on the stand, but I guarantee I’m going to go back and look at it tonight before I can sleep.”
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6-man: (2) Kit Carson 28, (1) Stratton/Liberty 22
Kit Carson rallied with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to secure the important win.
“It was a wild one,” Kit Carson coach Curt Connelley told the Scoreboard Show.
The final touchdown came with three minutes to play, and had to make a fourth-down stop to hold Stratton/Liberty.
“We were up with three minutes, and we had to make a stop there, and we got it done,” Connelley said.
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5A: (5) Grandview 28, (2) Cherry Creek 21 (2 OT)
Grandview rallied from being down 14-0 in the first half to tie the game at 14, with the second touchdown coming with just over three minutes to play.
After trading quick touchdowns in the first OT, Grandview won the game in the second overtime by stopping Cherry Creek on its possession.
“The defense kept us in it,” Grandview coach John Schultz told the Scoreboard Show.
Grandview had four touchdown passes in the win.
Schultz pointed to his team’s experience in close games this season as one reason for the win.
“The kids were down on themselves and upset about their mistakes, but they never lost their cool, and they just kept battling, and the defense stood strong while we got ourselves together,” Schultz said.
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5A: (10) Smoky Hill 35, Westminster 28
Smoky Hill is 10-0 for the first time since 1980, and has secured a spot in the 5A playoffs by winning the Metro 10 League.
In a game that decided the league title, the two teams were tied at 7 early, and then at 14 at halftime. But Smoky Hill grabbed the lead for good with a 56-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, and then held off Westminster in the fourth quarter.
The regular season comes to an end for Class 5A as well as 6-man, 8-man, 1A and 2A. There are some great games that can be found on radio signals throughout Colorado.
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2A: (4) Bayfield at (5) Salida
Time: 7 p.m. kick
Station: The Peak 92.3
On the call: Caleb Burggraaf (Play by play), Dan R. (sideline)
Burggraaf on the matchup: It comes down to the game most thought it would for the league title. The Spartans defense has been the force to be reckoned with, compiling 80 tackles for a loss this year and holding Cortez to only 9 yards of offense in their second shutout of the season this year. The Wolverines come into the game after a struggle in their rivalry game against Pagosa Springs, but still played well, particularly on the defensive side themselves, and their D-line has been a very strong unit and the Salida offensive line will have their hands full throughout the night. Expect a defensive battle between the two in this top-five matchup in the RPI.
Romero on the matchup: This matchup has it all…for fans of offense Stratton/Liberty averages 65 points per game, while Kit Carson puts up just over 62 points per game. For fans of defense the Knighted Eagles give up just over 16 per contest, while the Wildcats check in at just over 9 per game, through the last 2 weeks Kit Carson has given up double figures for the only times this season. The big question for this game is simple though, can Kit Carson stop the Stratton/Liberty rushing game that averages 306 yards per game?
Listen on KAT Country 98.3 FM or katcountry983.com by clicking sports.
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1A: Monte Vista at Buena Vista
Time: 7 p.m. kick
Station: Eagle Country 104
One the call: Jimmy Doogan (Play by play), Bob Marken (Color)
Burggraaf on the matchup: It all comes down to one game for both Buena Vista and Monte Vista, as both are hoping to make the postseason. BV is in good shape, sitting at 11th in the RPI while Monte Vista is on the bubble needing a win. If the Demons are going to win, they need a strong performance from their defense as their offense has been streaky this season. Defensively though, their youth has stepped up and has really improved on the edges.
