League overview: For the most part, this league features the same Jeffco programs as a year ago, with a few key changes. Defending state champion Chatfield moves up to 5A, and Wheat Ridge dropped down to 3A. Grand Junction moves into the league as a replacement. Dakota Ridge won the league a year ago, and Golden and Bear Creek each won a playoff game in the 4A postseason.
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Bear Creek
Head coach: Matthew Steinfeldt
2021 Record: 8-4 (3-2 4A Metro 1)
Returning All-State Players: None
Bear Creek made a statement in league play last fall with a victory over Chatfield, and the Bears won their playoff opener before the season ended to eventual semifinalist Pine Creek. Replacing quarterback Jaedon Minter will be a priority, along with running back Ryan Segovia and wide receiver Blake McComber. Emilio Mendoza led the team in tackles as a sophomore and Jerry Torrez had a team-high three interceptions as well.
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Dakota Ridge
Head coach: Ron Woitalewicz
2021 Record: 11-1 (5-0 4A Metro 1)
Returning All-State Players: Jack Rons (Frist Team); Noah Triplett (Second Team) Landon Giebler (Honorable Mention)
Longtime coach Ron Woitalewicz returns for his 27th season, leading a program that was undefeated in the regular season. Three all-state players are back in first-team lineman Jack Rons, second-team running back/kick returner Noah Triplett (1,551 yards, 28 touchdowns) and kicker Landon Giebler. Among those also returning include Calvin Ward, Brayden Cusick, Connor Swanson, Geno Pena, Matthew Keagy, Anthony Lupo, Brandon Miller, Cooper Damico, Blake Palladino and Bobby Levin. Dakota Ridge is 28-5 over the previous three seasons with consecutive league titles, but Woitalewicz said the program cannot afford to become complacent. The key is staying focused on 2022 and understanding the Eagles will get everyone’s best game.
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Golden
Head Coach: Matt McDougal
2021 Record: 9-3 (3-2 4A Metro 1)
Returning All-State Players: Jazel Riley IV (Second Team)
With Jared Yannacito moving over to Ralston Valley, longtime Arvada West player/coach Matt McDougal takes over as head coach of the Demons. Golden won its first seven games last fall, and came close to upsetting both eventual champion Chatfield and Dakota Ridge. A key piece returns in quarterback Jazel Riley IV, who was second-team all-state as a junior after passing for 2,121 yards and 25 touchdowns and rushing for more than 1,000 yards and 17 scores. Riley lost his top two targets to graduation, but the Demons return running back wide receiver Luc Chevalier, wideout Trey Abrams, offensive linemen Ayden McCanless and Monterey Strickland, and linebacker Nick Campanelli, Joe Dixon, Chase Brion and Ridge Shaffer. Lineman Noah Limback could also make an impact on both sides of the ball. McDougal said a key will be the team learning new terminology offensively and staying healthy.
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Grand Junction
Head coach: Landon McKee
2021 Record: 1-9 (1-4 4A Metro 2)
Returning All-State Players: None
The Tigers move over from the 4A Metro 2, where the squad ended a nine-game losing streak by defeating Gateway in the season finale. Quarterback Isaiah Biocic was also the team’s leading rusher as a junior, and Landon Grossnickle tallied five sacks. Tanner Roahrig had two interceptions as a sophomore.
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Standley Lake
Head coach: Don Morse
2021 Record: 3-7 (1-4 4A Metro 1)
Returning All-State Players: None
The Gators won their first two games in 2021, but before a slate against eventual playoff foes in the heart of the schedule made for some challenges. The team closed out the season strong though by shutting out Wheat Ridge. Fulton Jackson started at quarterback as a sophomore, and the team’s top two rushers were juniors (Cannon Frost led the team with 751 yards and 10 touchdowns). Luke Root had a team-high three sacks as a junior.
