League overview: Frederick and Mead, two 3A powerhouses, move into a new football league this fall, joining up with former Denver Prep members Denver North, George Washington and Riverdale Ridge. Niwot moves into the league as well. Mead was the state runner-up a year ago, with Frederick reaching the second round.
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Denver North
Head coach: Jesus Escobedo
2021 Record: 5-5 (2-3 Denver Prep)
Returning All-State Players: None
A pair of league losses in the final two games of the season may have prevented Denver North from a trip to the postseason, but it’s sure to provide the Vikings with some added motivation this fall. North moves into the North Central 1, with quarterback Frankie Dardano (2,215 yards, 22 touchdowns as a sophomore) helping to guide a young offense. He wasn’t the only sophomore to get a lot of playing time in 2021, as linebackers Eli Espinoza and Elijah Burg were among the team’s top tacklers.
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Frederick
Head coach: Matt Loyd
2021 Record: 9-2 (3-1 North Central 2)
Returning All-State Players: Parker Ayres (First Team); Kooper Anderson, Hunter Kennel, Cruz Zamudio (Honorable Mention)
The Golden Eagles welcomed longtime Ralston Valley coach Matt Loyd to helm the program this fall. Frederick won nine games a year ago, losing to eventual state champion Fort Morgan in the postseason. All-state running back Travis Ayres graduated, but Cruz Zamudio rushed for more than 1,000 yards and scored 10 touchdowns as a junior. Kamarly Davy recorded eight sacks as a sophomore and defensive back Lafai Purcell had three interceptions. Gabriel Maes returns to anchor the offensive line.
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George Washington
Head coach: Dwight Swift
2021 Record: 7-3 (4-1 Denver Prep)
Returning All-State Players: Marcellus Honeycutt (Second Team); Silas Evans, Jarai Vaughn (Honorable Mention)
The Patriots enjoyed a strong 2021 season with seven victories, and while the team came up short of a playoff berth, the Patriots do have some experience and talent headed into the upcoming season. Three juniors earned all-state honors last fall, with Marcellus Honeycutt rushing for 1,417 yards and 20 touchdowns. Silas Evans and Honeycutt were among the team’s top offensive targets, and Jarai Vaughn helped anchor the line on both sides of the ball. On defense, Honeycutt had seven interceptions.
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Mead
Head coach: Jason Klatt
2021 Record: 10-3 (3-1 North Central 2)
Returning All-State Players: Zach Dibella (Second Team)
It was another spectacular showing for Mead last fall. Even with a pair of regular season losses, the Mavericks worked their way to the state championship game before coming up just short against Fort Morgan. Now coach Jason Klatt, in his 12th season, is set to re-load with another group going into 2022. Among those is senior offensive lineman Zach Dibella, a second-team all-state selection. Senior running back Sean Medlock, senior running back/linebacker Christian Ayers and senior center Kannon Garrettson are also key returners, while Klatt said a number of underclassmen will be ready to go.
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Niwot
Head coach: Nik Blume
2021 Record: 4-6 (1-3 North Central 3)
Returning All-State Players: Ben Classen (Honorable Mention)
Niwot moves from one challenging league to another. Last fall the Cougars were up against eventual state champion Fort Morgan and top overall seed Roosevelt, along with a Northridge team nearly upset Mead in the first round. Despite that, Niwot won four games for the first time since 2008. It’s a young squad in 2022, with only a few seniors. Among the key returners, according to Blue, are senior quarterback/linebacker Ben Classen, junior linemen Garrett Eker and Nico Kemp and junior Gavin Burrage, junior running back/defensive back Chad Volt and junior wide receiver Mats Lehan. Sophomore running back Jesus Rosas and sophomore wideout Weston Domich should also figure into the mix. Blue added that the depth has improved in multiple areas, but the team needs to stay healthy down the stretch. Niwot will also have new turf for the team to play on going into the 2022 season.
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Riverdale Ridge
Head coach: Wayne Voorhees
2021 Record: 4-5 (3-2 Denver Prep)
Returning All-State Players: Trevor Miller (Honorable Mention)
The Ravens finished third in the Denver Prep last fall, and while two of those league members also moved to the new league, the Ravens are ready to see what 2022 brings. A strong contingent of key returners paces the group, including senior defensive end Trevor Miller, who was honorable mention all-state in 2021. Also back include quarterback Adian Burns, running back/defensive back Cajden Harding, wide receiver/defensive back Elijah Lofton, offensive lineman/linebacker Levi Jayne, running back/linebacker Issac Bonner, wideout/DB Dan Deiner, defensive back Caden Trujillo, defensive end Ian Hardin, defensive back Nate Bishop and lineman Connor Murphy. Linebacker Logan Mestas, tight end/linebacker Jay Ortanez and defensive back Rocco Benello are among the up-and-coming underclassmen. The team’s non-league schedule includes a trip out of state to Windemere Prep in Florida.
