League overview: Another league mixed with teams from multiple leagues, League 7 features a pair of teams moving up a classification in Resurrection Christian and Severance. Severance was a state semifinalist in 2A and Resurrection Christian made the quarterfinals – both teams played in a league with 2A state champion Eaton. Roosevelt (the 3A top seed a year ago), Mountain View and Northridge competed in the North Central 3 in 2021, while Thompson Valley comes from the North Central 2.
Mountain View
Head coach: Steve Frye
2021 Record: 2-8 (0-4 North Central 3)
Returning All-State Players: None
Mountain View picked up its two victories last fall in non-league play, though it did play some league opponents close. Key returners include linebacker Ethan Benker, offensive linemen Lukas Frecking and Brayden Hutchison, running back Danny Felton and wide receiver Alex Blanco. Others to watch include linebacker Aiden Lightfoot, wide receivers Caedon Meyer and Isaac Morales and quarterback Bergen Roth.
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Northridge
Head coach: Jeremy Hayden
2021 Record: 7-4 (2-2 North Central 3)
Returning All-State Players: Parker Steckel (Second Team); Cody Burkholder, Damon West (Honorable Mention)
Northridge had an interesting season, to say the least. After blowout losses to Mead and Roosevelt, the Grizzlies fell just short against eventual champion Fort Morgan and then took Mead to a 21-20 game in the playoffs. The team returns three all-state honorees in linemen Parker Steckel and Cody Burkholder, along with running back/defensive back Damon West. Other key returners include seniors Cooper Rose (quarterback), Reece Pratz (WR), Isaac Kness (RB/LB), Brendan Peterson (WR/LB), Jace Red (WR/FS) and Jackson Jenkins (TE/LB). Underclassmen to watch include juniors Braden Asmus (WR/CB) and RJ Gallegos (RB/LB). Coach Jeremy Hayden said this current senior class went undefeated as freshmen and were the 2015 Pop Warner National Champions, so hopes are high going into the season.
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Resurrection Christian
Head coach: Bob Mauck
2021 Record: 8-2 (3-1 2A Patriot West)
Returning All-State Players: Matthew Baudendistel (Second Team)
Resurrection Christian came up just short against Brush by four points in the 2A quarterfinals last fall, and now move up to 3A. The team’s two losses in 2021 came by a combined eight points, and the team’s defense posted three shutouts. The Cougars graduated two first-team all-state picks, but return senior offensive lineman Matthew Baudendistel, who made the second team. Losing quarterback Eddie Lemos, the team’s leading passer and rusher, won’t be easy, though Hunter Hansen had 368 yards rushing as a freshman. Will Reeves was the team’s second leading tackler as a sophomore, and he also had three sacks. Resurrection Christian will face three consecutive out-of-state teams in September.
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Roosevelt
Head coach: Lane Wasinger
2021 Record: 12-1 (4-0 North Central 3)
Returning All-State Players: Anthony Munoz (First Team) Tucker Peterson (Second Team)
Roosevelt ran the table before running into Mead in the state semifinals, where the Mavericks upset the top-seeded Roughriders. The team graduated three first-team all-state players, but return a fourth in lineman Anthony Munoz. Tucker Peterson was a second-team selection at wide receiver/linebacker. Also back for Roosevelt are seniors Ryan Doucette (RB/DB), Austin Schultz (OL), Elizar Valencia (DL), Evan Cline (LB), Izain Palacio (WR/DB), Derrick Ablin (OL/DL) and Bowie Schmitz (WR/DB), and juniors Bronco Hartson (QB) and Xavier Ramirez (RB). Coach Lane Wasinger also mentioned sophomores Trevor Karabensh (WR/DB) and Luc Vigil (RB) as players who could have strong seasons. The biggest key, per Wasinger, is staying poised in big moments and having a team of unselfish players who commit to the program.
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Severance
Head coach: Jeff Van Winkle
2021 Record: 9-3 (3-2 2A Patriot West)
Returning All-State Players: Dom Butts (First Team), Colby Runner (Honorable Mention)
Like Resurrection Christian, Severance saw its season end to Brush in the state playoffs. The Silver Knights also move up to 3A, but return first-team all-state lineman Dom Butts and honorable mention selection Colby Runner (fullback/linebacker). Among the team’s other top returners are Brady Varney (tight end/defensive end), Kash Anderson (OL/DL), Bobby Holt (TE), Grant Moll (RB/OLB) and Parker Gadzik (WR/CB). Junior quarterback Jaden Hoffman, running back Gabe Bachman and wide receiver/corner Ethan Hawkins will step in, as will sophomores Masen Campbell (LB/FB), Reed Green (S/WR) and Miah Hoffman (WR). Coach Jeff Van Winkle pointed out that seven of the team’s opponents this fall made the playoffs, so the team’s focus will be to “control the controllable.”
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Thompson Valley
Head coach: Chris Tedford
2021 Record: 4-6 (1-3 North Central 2)
Returning All-State Players: None
Thompson Valley may be new to its current league, but the Eagles played three of its new league foes a year ago. Coach Chris Tedford pointed to returners like seniors Ronan Bittna (OL/DB), Tucker McGinnis (OL/DL), Aeden Gray (OL/ILB) and Tommy Wood (WR) and junior quarterback/linebacker Riley Suarez as some key individuals. Sophomores Garet Hendrickson (WR/DB), Seth Kastl (OL/DL) and Dane Gray (OL/DL) are some younger players to watch. Tedford said it will be important to stay healthy, but also to start the season strong in non-league play to build some momentum.
