The Season D all-state boys track and field teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

These teams were created based upon results at the state meet.

In order to be considered for athlete of the year, they must first have made the all-state team by winning an event.

Athletes of the year were selected based upon their performance at the state meet. Coaches of the year were selected based upon the team champions.

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(Claire Semerod/Cherry Creek High School)

Class 5A

Athlete of the year: Ky Oday, Cherry Creek

Coach of the year: John Reyes, Grandview

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(Brent Murphy/brentmurphyphoto.com)

Class 4A

Athlete of the year: Zane Bergen, Niwot

Coach of the year: Maurice Henriques, Niwot

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(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Class 3A

Athlete of the year: Joshua Medina, Alamosa

Coach of the year: Mark Roggy & Eileen Phillips, Resurrection Christian

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Class 2A

Athlete of the year: Anthony Martinez, Lake County

Coach of the year: Lucas Lubbers, Yuma

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Class 1A

Athlete of the year: Jacob Jefferson, Arickaree/Woodlin

Coach of the year: Joe Packard, Heritage Christian

The Season C 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-2A, 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.

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(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

Class 5A

Player of the year: Ja’Derris Carr, Vista PEAK Prep

Coach of the year: Tony Lindsay Sr., Far Northeast

Honorable mention:

• Robert Barron, MLB/P/RB, Westminster, Senior
• Jonah Buerk, RB, Denver South, Sophomore
• Michael Bufmack, CB/MLB, Rangeview, Junior
• Joseph Capra, QB/FS, Denver South, Sophomore
• Jaylen Carrizales, WR/DB, Vista PEAK Prep, Senior
• Joe Connor, RB/LB, Fort Collins, Senior
• Cyrus Goldsmith, DT/OL, Far Northeast Warriors, Senior
• Elijah Graham, Boulder, Senior
• Dre’Monti Jackson, RB/DB, Far Northeast Warriors, Sophomore
• Max Jones, RB/DB, Fort Collins, Junior
• Elijah Lopez, G/MLB, Denver South, Senior
• Garrett Manning, OLB, Denver South, Senior
• Dorion McGarity, WR/DB, Fort Collins, Junior
• Julian Mechels, WR, Boulder, Junior
• Chris Nguyen, G/DT/DT, Westminster, Senior
• Armani Patterson, RB, Rangeview, Sophomore
• Leonardo Ramos-valles, DE/TE, Far Northeast Warriors, Junior
• Isaai Rubio, ILB/OG, Hinkley, Senior
• Andrew Seest, QB/LB, Fort Collins, Junior
• Blake Smotherman, TE/DE, Fort Collins, Junior
• George West, CB/RB, Hinkley, Senior
• Demario Williams, WR/FS, Rangeview, Junior

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(Brad Cochi)

Class 4A

Player of the year: Avery Shunneson, Thomas Jefferson

Coach of the year: Mike Griebel, Thomas Jefferson

Honorable mention:

• Daniel Ameyaw, HB/LB, George Washington, Senior
• Brian Chairez, OLB, Skyview, Junior
• Nolan Favreau, Falcon, Senior
• Jacob Nelms, MLB, Falcon, Sophomore
• Octavio Paredes, K, Kennedy, Senior
• Carlos Serrano, ILB, Kennedy, Senior
• Tre’Shawn Smith, Thomas Jefferson, Senior
• DaVonn Stevens, RB/LB, Harrison, Senior
• Owen Thornton, ILB/HB, George Washington, Senior
• Nestor Torrez, OL/DL, Harrison, Senior
• BJ Weatherford, WR/OLB, Aurora Central, Junior
• Jesse Weber, OL/DL, Harrison, Junior
• RJ Webster, RB/FB/LB, Gateway, Senior
• Blake Wilson, Thomas Jefferson, Senior
• Eddie Zygowicz, OLB/FS, Centaurus, Senior

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(Ray Chen/ArrayPhoto.com)

Class 3A

Player of the year: Kaden Wolf, Rifle

Coach of the year: Todd Casebier, Rifle

Honorable mention:

• Noah Akin, WR/CB, Aspen, Senior
• Trevin Beckman, RB/LB, Basalt, Sophomore
• Ty Blackmer, QB/SS, Montezuma-Cortez, Senior
• Garrett Dollahan, RB/SS, Glenwood Springs, Senior
• Isaiah Eliot, QB/SS, The Academy, Sophomore
• Almorion Germany, SS/RB, Sand Creek, Senior
• Ryan Hansen, OT/DE, Steamboat Springs, Senior
• Teddy Huttenhower, Glenwood Springs, Junior
• Dylan Kohlbrenner, MLB/FB, The Academy, Senior
• Kyler Krob, SS/WR/WR, Montezuma-Cortez, Senior
• Embrey Marantino, RB/DB, Rifle, Senior
• Sam Sherry, WR/LB, Basalt, Junior
• Storm Silich, Aspen, Senior
• Charlie States, RB/OLB, The Academy, Senior

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(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Class 2A

Player of the year: Joah Armour, Manitou Springs

Coach of the year: Cory Archuleta, Manitou Springs

Honorable mention:

• Rai-zohn Bell, WR/RB/DB, Manual, Senior
• Tate Christian, , Manitou Springs, Junior
• Joshua Garduno, RB/FS, Ellicott, Senior
• JD McCown, WR/DT, Estes Park, Senior
• Kaden McFee, FB/OLB, Buena Vista, Senior
• Rylan Norton, , Buena Vista, Senior
• Jacob Phelps, RB/DE, Buena Vista, Sophomore
• Elijah Quinonez, C/DL, Manual, Senior
• Noah Rumbyrt, OL/DL, Flatirons Academy, Senior
• Isaac Sternhagen, OL/DL, Flatirons Academy, Senior
• Blake Thomas, RB/QB/OLB, Roaring Fork, Junior
• Elijah Josiah White, WR/LB, Manual, Junior

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(Marcus Hill)

8-man

Player of the year: Grant Arellanes, Hoehne

Coach of the year: Gabe Dasko, Hoehne

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

LAKEWOOD – Harrison Witt had already made history this year, so his primary goal on Saturday at Jefferson County Stadium was a win.

With exceptional competition by his side, however, history accompanied victory.

Mountain Vista’s outstanding senior won the Class 5A boys 1,600-meter title at the state meet with a Colorado prep record time of 4 minutes, 4.36 seconds. He topped his own record of 4:05.18 set earlier this year.

Rather than a record, Witt’s main focus was to beat Cherry Creek’s Parker Wolfe, who is also one of the best distance runners in state history. Wolfe finished in 4:10.09, which would have been a 5A state meet record had it not been for Witt’s performance.

“I just set out to go for the win,” Witt said. “I think (the record) comes with it when we both race as hard as we can. Parker is obviously an insane competitor and he took a lot of that race, but the records just come with it when we push ourselves to run hard.”

Wolfe set the pace for the first two laps, with Witt just a few feet behind him. With about 500 meters to go, however, Witt began to sprint and he didn’t stop until he cross the finish line.

“I just wanted to try to hang (with Wolfe) and make it a sprint race, which I think I can handle,” he said. “The last 100 I was like, ‘Just get me to the finish,’ but the first three laps felt very, very strong.”

Witt also set a 5A meet record in the 800 meters (1:48.75) on Friday, putting a cap on his career before going to Princeton.

“It was just a great feeling. It’s very exciting,” he said of his final prep meet. “It’s incredible. A great way to end the season for sure.”

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(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Class 5A

When this season began, Grandview didn’t view itself as the type of team to win a state title. The Wolves showed championship potential throughout the year, however, and on Saturday claimed the first boys team title in program history, 78.5 to 57 over second-place Cherry Creek.

“We’re just a whole bunch of football players that had nothing to do,” said junior Malique Singleton. “We have a whole bunch of kids that just came out for fun and we just started going to meets, started winning and we’re like, ‘Oh we could actually win it.’”

The Wolves did it on the strength of their relays. Singleton helped the Wolves win the 800-meter relay on Friday and finish seventh in the 1,600 relay on Saturday. Grandview added a first-place finish in the 400-meter relay on Saturday (41.96 seconds).

“I think the relays mean more to us because we’re just friends and we’re a team and we can rely on each other and we’re really good at doing that,” Singleton said.

The junior added that the Wolves were inspired by their head coach, John Reyes.

“The other part of it is it just means so much to our head coach, John Reyes,” he said. “He puts all of his time and dedication in it, so for us to see him realize that he’s finally brought a state title here to Grandview, at least for me personally that meant the most.”

With  many of the Wolves being underclassmen, they are already looking ahead to 2022.

“We have the depth to go do it again; we just have to work at it and go for it,” Singleton said.

In the sprints, there wasn’t any one runner who was dominant. In fact, the wealth was spread among many on Saturday.

Sterling Brassfield of Eaglecrest won the 100 meters (10.63); D’Andre Barnes of Regis Jesuit won the 200 meters (21.69); and Ky Oday of Cherry Creek won the 400 meters (48.00).

In other 5A finals on Saturday, Gregory Anderson of Far Northeast won the 110 hurdles (14.14); Michael Bennett of Lakewood won the 300 hurdles (37.35); Garrett Searls of Horizon won the pole vault (14-9); Rangeview won the 1,600-meter relay (3:21.51); and Braiden Dishman of Fossil Ridge won the discus (167 feet, 2 inches) to sweep the throws.

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

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Class 4A

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Thomas Jefferson senior Avery Shunneson closed his career by sweeping the throws. On Saturday, he won the shot put (54-8) to go with the discus title he won Thursday.

“It’s very exciting. The perfect finish for sure,” he said.

The Princeton-bound Shunneson didn’t get a meet record in the shot, as he did Thursday in the discus, but that didn’t bother him. From the time he finished third in the discus in 2019, he had been aiming to win – and he did it twice this week.

“It means everything,” he said. “It’s been a goal for a long time. Obviously everyone struggled with not being able to compete last year, so to finish both (events) on top feels really good.”

For the second state meet in a row, Niwot came away with the team title, 90-59 over cross-town rival Longmont.

The Cougars were led Saturday by Zane Bergen claiming his third individual title of the weekend, posting a 4A meet record in the 1,600 meters (4:09.51). He won the 800 and 3,200 earlier in the meet.

Frederick’s Ryan Chacon, fully cleared within the last two weeks after a knee injury during basketball season, capped a remarkable comeback by winning the 200 meters (21.96) and leading the Warriors to a win in the 1,600 relay (3:23.78). Both were school records and gave Frederick its first event championships, regardless of gender, since 2006. Chacon was also second in the 400 and fourth in the 100.

Longmont’s Eddie Kurjak capped his weekend with another win, this time in the triple jump (45-5.75). He set a meet record in the high jump on Friday and was also second in the long jump this weekend.

In other 4A finals on Saturday, Brian Rose of Discovery Canyon won the 110 hurdles (14.75); Braylon Fenderson of Riverdale Ridge won the 100 meters (10.96); Justin Blaton of Grand Junction Central won the 400 (47.84); Derek Allen of Widefield won the 300 hurdles (38.73); and Cheyenne Mountain won the 400-meter relay (43.14).

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

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Class 3A

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

There were times this season that Peak to Peak senior Aidan Graziano didn’t think he could win a state title. He kept chugging along, however, and on Saturday closed his career as the champion in the 110-meter hurdles (15.05 seconds).

“After a season of putting in the work and times where I didn’t feel motivated, you’ve just got to keep putting in that work,” he said. “When it all pays off with a state title, it’s such a great feeling.

“I’ve been wanting a state title for as long as I can remember and here we are.”

The team title came down to the wire, with Resurrection Christian outlasting The Classical Academy, 73-71. The Cougars trailed going into the final event of the day, the 1,600-meter relay, but won that race with a time of 3:24.91, while The Classical Academy was sixth.

Alamosa’s Joshua Medina finished as a three-time champ, winning a thriller in the 1,600 meters and posting a time of 4:20.47. He also won the 800 and 3,200 this weekend.

Other champions on Saturday included Logan Hafey of Moffat County in the 300 hurdles (39.26); Brayden Savage of Frontier Academy in the 100 meters (10.81); Drew Morton of The Classical Academy in the 400 meters (50.01); Devyn Lauer of Platte Valley in the 200 (21.94); Woodland Park’s Sonny Ciccarelli in the high jump (6-8); and Lutheran in the 400-meter relay (42.90).

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Class 2A

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Earlier this season, Yuma junior Clay Robinson posted a time of 22.16 seconds in the 200 meters that would have been good enough to beat the 2A state meet record – except it wasn’t in the state meet.

On Saturday, he thought he finally got the mark, winning the state title in 22.17. The record is 22.23 by Mike Carl in 2009.

“It’s awesome,” Robinson said. “I broke it earlier in the season, but they told me I had to wait for the state event, so I waited and I got it and I’m pretty pleased with that.”

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Unfortunately for Robinson, it was later determined his time was wind-aided, so Carl will keep the record, but Robinson is still a champion, in many ways. He also won the 100 meters (11.87) and helped Yuma to the team title, 76 to 48.5 over second-place Lake County.

“It was awesome,” he said of his individual titles. “I came out and I just wanted the win and did whatever it took to win. I’m happy.”

Robinson was also third in long jump and was pleased to see Yuma win for the first time since its only other team title in 1996.

“We haven’t won a team title in like 25 years,” he said. “That would be something special for Yuma. Our boys team is pretty legit and we’re fast and we kept it and we want this title.”

Crested Butte’s Connor Williams is going home a two-time champ, as well. On Saturday, he won the 1,600 meters in 4:19.99. He won the 800 on Friday.

Centauri’s Mason Claunch won the 400 meters (49.70) and helped his team to a win in the 400 relay (44.62). He also helped them win the 800 relay on Friday.

In other Saturday finals: Lake County’s Anthony Martinez won the 110 hurdles (15.44); Blaine Pebbles of Hotchkiss won the 300 hurdles (40.04); Nathan Freeman of Dayspring Christian won the long jump (20-11.5); Nate Early of Banning Lewis won the high  jump (6-1); and Ouray won the 1,600-meter relay (3:30.88).

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Class 1A

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Sophomore Jacob Jefferson of Arrickaree/Woodlin had a sensational first career state meet, claiming a pair of state titles on Saturday. He won the 110 hurdles in 16.24 seconds and the 400 meters in 52.49 seconds.

In his first high school track season, Jefferson said his main goals were to get a couple school records and, “That’s what I did today.”

One of them had particularly special meaning.

“I got the 400 and the 110s, which is a really big deal to my family because my family has run the 110s since, I think, my mom,” he said.

In fact, his older brother, Joseph, held the school record before Jacob broke it on Saturday.

Heritage Christian cruised to the team title, 141 to 79.5 over DeBeque, and the Eagles did so on the strength of its depth, as they did not win any event titles on Saturday.

DeBeque, meanwhile, won several titles on the final day of the meet. The Dragons were led by senior Wesley Ryan, who won the 100 meters in 11.52 seconds and the high jump with a leap of 6 feet, 6 inches. Junior Trevor Lewis also won a title for the Dragons, taking the 1,600 meters in 4:36.14.

Lone Star senior Brady Kuntz closed his career with a 1A meet record in the pole vault with a leap of 13 feet, 6.5 inches.

Other champions on Saturday included Josh Duran of Antonito in the 300 hurdles (41.29); Haxtun in the 400 relay (46.20); and Cade Mitchek of Cheyenne Wells in the 200 meters (23.10), and helping the Tigers to a win in the 1,600-meter relay (3:40.25).

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Results from the 2021 Class 5A girls tennis regionals, which includes info on who has qualified for the state championships.

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A list of girls tennis regional schedules for the 2021 season.

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Class 5A

Region 1

• Date: June 1-2
• Site: Cherry Creek HS
• Site contact: Chris Jacobs
• Schools: Cherry Creek, Boulder, Legend, Northglenn, Columbine, Overland.

Region 2

• Date: June 2
• Site: Fairview
• Site contact: Rod Beauchamp
• Schools: Fairview, Valor Christian, ThunderRidge, Horizon, Grandview, Highlands Ranch.

Region 3

• Date: June 2
• Site: Denver City Park
• Site contact: Michelle Topf
• Schools: Denver East, Castle View, Legacy, Hinkley, Far Northeast, Eaglecrest.

Region 4

• Date: June 2
• Site: Fossil Ridge
• Site contact: Brandon Carlucci
• Schools: Fossil Ridge, Cherokee Trail, Chaparral, Rocky Mountain, Adams City, Arvada West.

Region 5

• Date: June 2
• Site: Mountain Vista
• Site contact: Jim Flanigan
• Schools: Mountain Vista, Arapahoe, Fountain-Fort Carson, Monarch, Mountain Range.

Region 6

• Date: June 2-3
• Site: Ken Caryl
• Site contact: Craig Aukland
• Schools: Chatfield, Regis Jesuit, Fort Collins, Doherty, Lakewood.

Region 7

• Date: June 2-3
• Site: APEX
• Site contact: Kim Greason
• Schools: Ralston Valley, Poudre, Rock Canyon, Prairie View, Douglas County.

Region 8

• Date: June 4
• Site: CMU
• Site contact: Paul Cain
• Schools: Fruita, Heritage, Smoky Hill, Broomfield, Rangeview.

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Class 4A

Region 1

• Date: June 2-3
• Site: Pine Creek & John Venezia Park
• Site contact: Ron Sukle
• Schools: Discovery Canyon, Air Academy, Falcon, Palmer Ridge, Pine Creek, Ponderosa, Sand Creek.

Region 2

• Date: June 3-4
• Site: Kent Denver
• Site contact: Richard Judd
• Schools: Kent Denver, Aurora Central, Denver South, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Gateway, Vista PEAK, Littleton.

Region 3

• Date: June 1-2 (June 3-4 rain dates)
• Site: Mullen (doubles) & Harlow Park Courts (singles)
• Site contact: Hank Hooper
• Schools: Mullen, Bear Creek, Denver North, Golden, Evergreen, Wheat Ridge, Green Mountain, Dakota Ridge, Pomona.

Region 4

• Date: June 3
• Site: North Lake Park
• Site contact: Chris Stine
• Schools: Loveland, Frederick, Greeley Central, Greeley West, Mead, Mountain View, Severance, Windsor, Thompson Valley.

Region 5

• Date: June 1-2
• Site: Niwot
• Site contact: Joe Brown
• Schools: Niwot, Centaurus, Erie, Longmont, Thornton, Silver Creek, Skyline, Standley Lake.

Region 6

• Date: June 3-4
• Site: Cheyenne Mountain HS
• Site contact: Kris Roberts
• Schools: Cheyenne Mountain, Coronado, Lewis-Palmer, Liberty, Mitchell, Palmer, Rampart.

Region 7

• Date: June 4-5
• Site: Pueblo City Park
• Site contact: Ed Francis
• Schools: Pueblo East, Canon City, Pueblo Centennial, Pueblo West, Mesa Ridge, Widefield.

Region 8

• Date: June 4
• Site: CMU
• Site contact: Paul Cain
• Schools: Grand Junction, Durango, Grand Junction Central, Montrose.

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Class 3A

Region 1

• Date: June 1-2
• Site: Colorado Academy
• Site contact: Jon Hill
• Schools: Colorado Academy, Lincoln, Lutheran, Denver West, Kennedy, St. Mary’s Academy.

Region 2

• Date: June 2
• Site: Holy Family
• Site contact: Ben Peterson
• Schools: Holy Family, Prospect Ridge, Justice, Skyview, Northfield.

Region 3

• Date: June 3-4
• Site: Dakota Ridge HS
• Site contact: Jerry McWhorter
• Schools: D’Evelyn, Arvada, Conifer, Englewood, Jefferson, Alameda.

Region 4

• Date: June 3-4
• Site: Windsor
• Site contact: Steve Longwell
• Schools: Eaton, Fort Morgan, Northridge, Severance, Sterling, University.

Region 5

• Date: June 3
• Site: Dawson
• Site contact: Mike Jacobsma
• Schools: Dawson, Berthoud, Fort Lupton, Peak to Peak.

Region 6

• Date: June 2-3
• Site: Memorial Park
• Site contact: Marc Knutila
• Schools: St. Mary’s, Colorado Springs Christian, Colorado Springs School, Sierra, Vanguard, Fountain Valley.

Region 7

• Date: June 3-4
• Site: Pueblo City Park
• Site contact: Ed Francis
• Schools: Pueblo South, Pueblo Central, Pueblo County, La Junta, Harrison, Salida.

Region 8

• Date: June 1-2
• Site: Canyon View Park (GJ)
• Site contact: Christina Curtis
• Schools: Delta, Aspen, Basalt, Cedaredge, Glenwood Springs, Montezuma-Cortez, Paonia, Steamboat Springs, Vail Mountain.

On May 15, 2021, the Far Northeast football team beat Boulder in the Season C state championship game at CSU-Pueblo’s Thunderbowl to capture the program’s first title. Filmmaker David Parfitt captured the action.

PUEBLO — The final Season C football championships were claimed as Far Northeast and Rifle left the Neta and Eddie DeRose Thunderbowl with titles.

Coverage

• 3A: Rifle erases the clock to beat TCA for state title | Bracket
• 5A: Anderson does it all as Far Northeast beats Boulder for state title | Bracket

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Rifle 35, TCA 34

• Link to gallery

(Ray Chen/ArrayPhoto.com)

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Far Northeast 34, Boulder 0

• Link to gallery

(Ray Chen/ArrayPhoto.com)

(Brad Cochi)

The first team to emerge from the Class 4A semis was the No. 2 Far Northeast Warriors, who rode their stifling defense to win over No. 3 Vista PEAK. Then on Saturday night, No. 4 Boulder won a low-scoring slugfest against No. 8 Denver East.

Far Northeast and Boulder will go head-to-head for the trophy when the 5A state championship game begins on Saturday at 7 p.m. at CSU-Pueblo’s Neta and Eddie DeRose Thunderbowl Stadium

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(2) Far Northeast 23, (3) Vista PEAK 16

What started as an uncertain and confusing school year now has a chance to end in a special and potentially historic football season for the Far Northeast Warriors.

At Evie Dennis Stadium on Friday night, the second-seeded Warriors (5-2) won 23-16 over the No. 3 Vista PEAK Bison (5-3) in the Class 5A state semifinals for the spring Season C campaign. It took an outstanding defensive effort and a late stand against a dangerous Bison offense to get them there, and the Warriors earned a chance to compete for their program’s first state championship on Saturday night in Pueblo.

“I told my guys that this is a weird year,” FNE head coach Tony Lindsay Sr. said. “Montbello has been to the championship a couple times – like in ’81 – but we’ve never taken state. Aside from remembering the pandemic, you’ll remember what you did during the pandemic. So, to top it off with something like that would be special after all the months and months of everything we’ve had to do just to come out and play football.

“It’s just awesome.”

The Warriors’ defense paced their semifinal triumph from start to finish, forcing a sack fumble for a safety on the Bison’s opening drive of the evening and holding Vista PEAK well below its scoring average of 26.75 points per game. The Bison only led briefly in the first quarter when Jaylen Carrizales caught a touchdown pass.

Both teams were playing with significant injuries to key offensive players. But Far Northeast’s Gregory Anderson was able to overcome his bumps and bruises to run for a long touchdown in the second quarter. Later in the frame, the Warriors forced their second of three first-half turnovers, another sack fumble that Daeontez Thomas returned for a touchdown. Warriors senior Abdullahi Mberwa made a spectacular diving touchdown grab late in the second quarter to send Far Northeast into halftime with a 23-6 lead.

In the second half, the Warriors fumbled twice and a 28-yard field goal combined with Carrizales’ second touchdown of the game cut the lead to seven. With 2 minutes, 10 seconds remaining in the game, Vista PEAK’s Nathan Hunholz blocked a punt at midfield to give his team a chance at a game-tying drive. But the Warriors defense held strong one more time to seal the victory and punch their ticket to the title game.

“We’ve worked for this all week and all season,” Warriors senior Emmanuel Nwaneto said. “Our defensive coach got us ready and we came out strong. We came out here with 14 dudes. Other teams have us outnumbered. But it’s just the heart and the coaching staff that we have. We just came out here and showed why we’re the best defense in the state.

“We’re a family and a strong group of individuals, and there’s nothing that can break us.”

In Saturday’s title game at CSU-Pueblo’s Thunderbowl Stadium, Far Northeast will face the winner of Saturday afternoon’s semifinal between No. 4 Boulder and No. 8 Denver East.

(Brad Cochi)

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(4) Boulder 6, (8) Denver East 3

It has been nearly three decades since the Boulder football team last played for a championship, but that opportunity has finally arrived once again at the end of the Season C campaign.

On Saturday night at Recht Field, the No. 4-seeded Panthers ground out a 6-3 win over No. 8 Denver East in the Class 5A state semifinals to punch their ticket to the spring title game. The Panthers last won the state championship in 1992, and will have a chance to win their program’s fourth when they take the field at the CSU-Pueblo Thunderbowl next Saturday night.

“We’ve all had to overcome so much — the community, us personally, with COVID, with everything,” Boulder coach Ryan Bishop told BoCoPreps.com’s Brent New. “Words can’t describe it. I lost my mom in September and I know that she is just so proud, so proud. And that’s what this is about. Overcoming adversity, making this community proud, this school proud, the administration proud.”

In the final coaches poll of the Season C regular season, Denver South, Thomas Jefferson, Glenwood Springs, Buena Vista and Hoehne were voted No. 1 in their respective classifications.

The rankings, voted upon by coaches, are the official polls of the Association. Polls are released each Monday.

Complete rankings are below.

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CHSAANow.com Football Polls

Voted upon by coaches around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing bcochi@chsaa.org. These rankings are part of the postseason seeding process.

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

In the latest poll, three new teams – Denver South, Glenwood Springs and Buena Vista – took over at No. 1.

The rankings, voted upon by coaches, are the official polls of the Association. Polls are released each Monday.

Complete rankings are below.

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CHSAANow.com Football Polls

Voted upon by coaches around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing bcochi@chsaa.org. These rankings are part of the postseason seeding process.