Cracking the playoff bracket in Class 4A is the most difficult chore in any classification this year. With 37, the division has the most teams competing in the Fall schedule so only 22 percent of the clubs will qualify. And added to the mix this year is Palmer Ridge as the Bears bump to 4A after winning the last three state crowns in Class 3A.
Defending state champion Pine Creek also adds to the odd and shortened regular season this year. The Eagles will play a full 5A schedule and not face a 4A opponent during regular season action but will rejoin the division for the playoffs; if they qualify as expected. Fountain Fort Carson is another newcomer that could push for a playoff spot after dropping in from Class 5A.
With Pine Creek’s move to 5A, the remaining 36 clubs have been spread out over six conferences this year. It will make for an unusual campaign as league champions are not guaranteed a spot in the bracket. Qualifiers will be selected based on a formula that takes RPI and mixes it with polls from CHSAA, Packard and MaxPreps.
Below are team capsules for a majority of the teams in 4A and they are listed in alphabetical order. We’ll have a companion story soon on the website that will announce our preseason choices for playoff teams.
AIR ACADEMY KADETS: Coming off a solid 6-4 season, the Kadets may be a playoff contender in a normal 16-team bracket but will find it difficult to break through when just eight teams advance. Sam Beers is just a sophomore but ran for a whopping 1,805 yards and 30 TDs as a freshman. On defense, Are’an Burr led the club with 117 tackles as a junior; including 13 behind the line of scrimmage.
BRIGHTON BULLDOGS: The Bulldogs (6-5) were a playoff team last year and came up short to Montrose in their post-season opener. They lost starting QB Alex Griffeth (755 yards) to graduation but leading rusher Vershon Brooks (653 yards – 6 TDs) is back in the lineup. Another weapon back in the fold is leading receiver Eli Bowman (19 catches). The top two tacklers last year were seniors but good depth brings back Zaine Hood (68), James Thomas (67) and Noah Canale (52). Canale also tied for the team lead with three interceptions and Cody Nelson returns after topping the team with five sacks.
BROOMFIELD EAGLES: The Eagles were unbeaten until a loss to Pine Creek in the state finals ended their championship hopes. Defense was a strength through the season. Before Pine Creek, the Eagles had not allowed more than 17 points in any game and limited seven opponents to single digits. Five of the top six tacklers from that group graduated but Hall Edmonds returns after picking up 95 tackles. Jaden Sloan had two picks and a fumble recovery and returns as well. On offense, there are several holes. Not only did they lose leading rusher Caden Peters (2,600 yards) to graduation, but QB Zac Kapushion (1,409 yards – 17 TDs passing) transferred out of state when the football season was originally delayed. Trent Finegan is the top returning rusher (107 yards) and receiver (7 catches).
CHATFIELD CHARGERS: Coming off a state quarterfinal appearance in 2019, the Chargers look to return behind the play of QB Ethan Delfino. He was very effective when called upon last year; totaling 538 yards and six scores while coming off the bench. Elsewhere, the offense will look to newcomers as the top rusher and four of the top five receivers graduated. Mason Lowe caught 25 passes with six TDs as a freshman and Jacob Marshall (219 yards rushing) should get more touches. On defense, Aiden Kempen was fourth in stops (91) but is the only returnee among the top eight tacklers last year.
DAKOTA RIDGE EAGLES: The Eagles should be one of the best teams in Class 4A as they return a long list of key players from a team that suffered a narrow 17-15 semifinal loss to Broomfield last season. QB Ben Gultig threw for 1,961 yards and 11 TDs last year and also provided 504 yards and eight more scores in the run game. RB Charlie Offerdahl had a very strong second half with 869 yards and 15 scores as a junior. And let’s not forget about Sean McNamara. He was the starter and totaled 326 yards rushing in just four games before an injury ended his season. That opened the door for Offerdahl. Mason Galbreath returns after catching a team-best 48 passes for 725 yards and five scores. Defensively, Steve Reyes (144) had 53 more tackles than any other Eagle. He’s joined on that side by Offerdahl (91), Colin Stuhr (87), Spencer Hardy (67) and Max Hart (54). That group also forced 31 turnovers last year including four interceptions apiece by Offerdahl and Stuhr.
ERIE TIGERS: Up from Class 3A where they made four straight playoff appearances, the Tigers hope to challenge for the Northern 1 championship. They will lean on RB Mason Veve in the early going. He led the Tigers with 1,273 yards rushing and 15 TD’s last season. Caleb Thiesen (221) and Andrew Piper (174) are two other returning quality backs. The offense though lost starting QB Gavin Mendoza (1,377 yards) and their top five pass catchers to graduation.
FOUNTAIN FORT CARSON TROJANS: It’s always difficult to project which players will return for the Trojans as families get transferred on and off the military base each year. Talent is always there so we think the Trojans will do quite well in 4A after winning three games against a rugged 5A schedule a year ago. Tavian Hill (713 yards) and Wyatt Price (337 yards) both saw time at QB and combined for 12 TD passes last season. Dezmen Oliver, with 1,227 yards as a sophomore, could also be a strong weapon. The top three tacklers in 2019 were all juniors; Tashon Smith (114), Sefa Leatimua (100) and Nick Neely (82). Trey Porter provided five sacks; Neely had four and also tied for the team league with three fumble recoveries.
FRUITA MONUMENT WILDCATS: A playoff team last year (6-5), the Wildcats dropped a tough 35-21 battle with Dakota Ridge in the first round. Defense could be the strength this year as the group returns eight of their top 10 tacklers. Armony Trujillo (91) led the club in tackles and collected five sacks and four interceptions. Espin Hernandez, with 86 tackles and 4.5 sacks is also back along with Pelasio Petelo (70 tackles). The running game a year ago churned out 245 yards a game but Devin Luster (1,122 yards) and Ethan Cox (568) both graduated. That should leave more carries for Trujillo who picked up 345 yards and seven scores as a sophomore. QB Kade Bessert, with 352 yards, is also a threat on the ground and provides balance with 569 yards and five TD passes last season.
GOLDEN DEMONS: The Demons quietly won eight games a year ago and made the playoffs. Their closing win over Dakota Ridge was likely the highlight as they fell to Pueblo West (27-7) in the first round of the playoffs. QB Joey Mancuso and WR Adam Feasel are the only two major offensive threats from last year returning. Mancuso was involved in 22 touchdowns and combined for nearly 18-hundred yards of offense. Feasel caught 17 passes which was second best on the team. Overall, three of the top four receivers graduated and no other player returns with more than 49 yards rushing. Cambell Thompson (97) led the team in tackles last year. He added four sacks and three fumble recoveries.
GRAND JUNCTION CENTRAL WARRIORS: The Warriors went 5-5 last year but face a much more difficult schedule this year. Three players saw time at QB and one returns; Michael Gohn threw for 295 yards and three scores in just three games. Elsewhere, the top four rushers, the top six receivers and six of the top seven tacklers all graduated. Jaysten Sanchez returns after picking up 33 tackles as a freshman.
GRAND JUNCTION TIGERS: In a trip to the playoffs last year, the Tigers (5-6) averaged 273 yards rushing but lost two 1200-yard producers to graduation. No one with more than 56 yards is slated to return. The club must also replace a starting QB and virtually their entire receiving group.
GREELEY WEST SPARTANS: 2019 was tough on the Spartans as they failed to win a league contest and ended up with a 3-7 season. More wins are very possible this year as West returns Demetri Jaramillo, Giovanni Munoz and Jeremiah Martinez. Jaramillo led the team on the ground while Munoz and Martinez were 1-2 in receptions.
HERITAGE EAGLES: The Eagles made the final eight last year as they upset higher seeded Vista Peak in round one before coming up short to Dakota Ridge by just four points in the quarters (38-34). They suffered a huge graduation loss in QB Connor Cummiskey who combined for 30 TDs and nearly 27-hundred yards of offense. Skydon Carrasco could be the new signal caller and he will have a solid group of receivers returning; headlined by Terrance Ferguson with 54 catches and 11 TDs. Erik Olsen (28-8) and Caden Downs (26-3) also return. Chris Worthing had a big year defensively with 72 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Thomas Shefte is also back after totaling 57 stops.
LONGMONT TROJANS: The Trojans should be a solid threat in the rugged Northern 2 with QB Keegan Patterson leading the charge. As a sophomore, he led the team in rushing (687 yards – 6 TDs) and passing (1,476-10). Caleb Johnson also returns after grabbing a team-high 47 catches and three scores. Jack Moll scored four times and latched on to 22 passes. On defense, the top two tacklers, Sam Ruffing (81) and Jaden Gorham (65) return for their senior campaigns. They hope to help generate more than the 14 turnovers created a year ago.
LOVELAND INDIANS: 7-4 a year ago, the Indians were a playoff team and could easily be invited back again. Dual-threat QB Zac Ratowsky is back after pacing the Indians in passing yards (873) and rushing yards (1,128). He scored 20 times on the ground and added seven more through the air. Joe Killian is another player to watch. He tops the returnees in rushing (306 yards) and receptions (19). The defense is led by a tremendous junior class which includes Ian Loomis, Jadyn Tafoya, Bradon Coladonato and Tyson Williams. Loomis led the Indians with 113 tackles including 17.5 behind the line of scrimmage. He also produced 5.5 sacks. Tafoya recorded 84 tackles including 13 for a loss while Coladonato had four sacks and Williams four interceptions.
MESA RIDGE GRIZZLIES: The Grizzlies split 10 games last year (5-5) and missed out on the post-season. They return their top three rushers from last year; a group led by Elijah Ross (450 yards) who scored eight times. The top three tacklers were all underclassmen. Elijah Davis led the way with 83 tackles, Cash Cheeks had 78 and D’John Hudson ended up with 57.
MONARCH COYOTES: The Coyotes missed the 2019 playoffs but did win their final three games to build momentum for this fall. They have a good crew coming back led by Kieran Singh who led the Coyotes with 1,303 yards and 14 TDs on the ground. Ryan Shaughnessy (300 yards) also returns as does QB Kyle Gordon. He completed just 27 passes in the run dominated attack but still managed 512 yards and six scores on the season. More holes can be found on the defensive side where MOHI lost nine of their top 10 tacklers. Jackson Petite was third with 73 and is the lone returnee from that bunch.
MONTROSE INDIANS: The Indians opened 2019 with eight straight wins before a defensive minded 7-0 loss to Ponderosa ended their quest for a perfect season. They bounced back to down Brighton in their playoff opener and then fell to Pueblo West 31-19 in the quarterfinals. They averaged a whopping 378 per game on the ground but lost two rushers who combined for 21-hundred yards to graduation. Several options in the running game though return. Trent Blundell ran for 850 yards and seven TDs last year and Eli Evans picked up 467 and two scores on just 50 carries. QB Keagan Goodwin ran for 191 yards; threw for 561 and tossed six scoring passes. On defense, four of the top 10 tacklers return for the 2020 campaign: Bode Greiner (65) leads that group followed by Raul Martinez (52), Austin Griffin (38) and Evans (37). Evans also intercepted four passes.
PALMER RIDGE BEARS: The three-time defending 3A state champs have more than enough talent to make a push for another title while making their initial trip through this division. The schedule is not easy as they face five returning playoff teams in Golden, Montrose, Ponderosa, Grand Junction and Fruita Monument. With the schedule moved back up to the fall, QB Luke McAlister gets a chance at his senior season. He’s slated for a move to Colorado State at semester and a season delayed until Spring would have caused him to miss a senior campaign. As a junior, he finished with 2,647 yards and 28 TDs. Anthony Roberson has graduated but the receiving group still includes the likes of Kaden Dudley (35-794-9), Anthony Costanzo (16-433-8) and Marcellus Reed (11-275-3). The Bears did lose three-year starter Raef Ruel from the backfield and no player with more than 86 yards on the ground a year ago returns. The defense will also be solid again as six of the top 10 tacklers are back. Saxon Wright had 158 tackles, 52 more than any other Bear and added seven sacks. Kelenn O’Connor was second last year with 106 tackles and Dudley third with 90. Cameron Jones was fifth with 71 and added two fumble recoveries. The Bears also intercepted 27 passes including a combined 11 from returnees Reed (6) and Dudley (5).
PINE CREEK EAGLES: The defending state champions put together one of the more dominating seasons in recent history. They did drop a game to 5A Valor Christian in the regular season, but won their four playoff games by a combined 138 points and each by at least 31 points. Gone to graduation from the offense are the likes of RB David Moore (2,602 yards – 36 TDs), QB Gavin Herberg (1,722 yards – 25 TDs) and the top eight receivers. And with this many losses, normally a team would suffer a drop off but Pine Creek has a knack of finding a new cast of quality players each season. This should be no different as they will again push for a state championship. The Eagles have won four crowns since 2012 and played in six finals since 2011. One difference this year is league placement as they will complete a full 5A schedule before returning to Class 4A for the playoffs. On defense, Beau Freyler returns after leading the Eagles with 73 tackles a year ago. Gavin Whetzal (53) is also back.
PONDEROSA MUSTANGS: The Mustangs return a good roster from a team that reached the state quarterfinals before falling to eventual state champion Pine Creek. The Mustangs finished strong otherwise with quality wins over Montrose (7-0) and Heritage (26-19) to close the regular season and Skyline (16-13) in the round of 16. Jack Haneburg is a returning starter at QB and put up good numbers last year; 1,431 yards and 15 TDs passing and 572 with 10 scores on the ground. Cael Porter led the Mustangs with 719 yards rushing and is back for 2020. Kolton Miller, the leading receiver with 35 catches is also back and is joined Carter Motichka (18) in the passing game. On defense, the Mustangs lost their top three tacklers including Ben Beecher (143) but returns Porter (91), Brant Jarvis (77) and Brady Ingalls (62). Porter added three interceptions and Ingalls two fumble recoveries.
PUEBLO WEST CYCLONES: Normally a top program from the Southern part of the state, the Cyclones put together a strong 2019 run; finishing 11-2 with a league championship. They downed Golden and Montrose in the playoffs but were eliminated in the semifinals by eventual champion Pine Creek. Graduation brought about a key loss in QB Chandler Mason as he combined for over 23-hundred yards of offense and 32 TDs last season. The top three receivers were also seniors leaving Makai Funaki (13) as the top returnee there. Jeremiah Sanchez gained 671 yards as a sophomore and should be the first option in the ground attack. David Lambert (60) was third in tackles last season and Tyler Cullen (41) fifth despite missing four games.
RAMPART RAMS: The Rams ended up an even five hundred last year (5-5) but could improve this year as several key players return. QB Cale Cormaney is one of them. He threw for 672 yads and 8 TDs as a junior but was more impactful on the ground totaling 1,118 yards and 11 scores. Chris Yoo also gained over 1,000 yards last season but he was lost to graduation. On defense, Gabe Knappe (80) was second in tackles; CJ Brown (62) fourth and Cormaney (53) fifth.
SILVER CREEK RAPTORS: The Raptors reached five hundred last year by beating Fort Collins in the season finale and now hope to build on that win. The top offensive players returning are receivers Mason Goss and Dylan Johnson who combined for 44 catches and nine TDs. On defense, Bryan Silver (69) was third in tackles last year while Eli Hubert (5) and Bridger Sutherland (3) combined for eight interceptions.
SKYLINE FALCONS: Good talent returns across the board for the Falcons who won eight games and a league championship in 2019. The run came to an end with a frustrating 16-13 loss to Ponderosa in opening game of the playoffs. QB Chase Silva returns for one more run after throwing 31 TD passes a year ago. He finished with 2,283 yards and enters his third year as the Falcons starter. He has tremendous talent around him including Grayden Birdwell, Nick Peterson and Hayden Robison. Birdwell caught 51 passes for 738 yards and nine scores last year; Peterson ended up with 32 for 515 and six scores while Robison finished with 15 receptions including six touchdowns. The run game may be turned over to Finn Torello who earned 340 yards as a freshman. On defense, the top two tacklers were seniors but almost everyone is back. Bridwell had 69 tackles and three interceptions; Wynn Drewes had 58 tackles, Hayden Robison 55 and Tony Muniz 49.
STANDLEY LAKE GATORS: The Gators normally push for a playoff spot but getting there this year could be tough. They won four games a year ago but graduated their top two quarterbacks, top four rushers, top five receivers and top four tacklers.
VISTA RIDGE WOLVES: The Wolves are another team hoping to build on a strong finish as they won three of their last four games in 2019. They also have a year of experience for sophomore QB Brayden Dorman who threw for 1,908 yards and 13 TDs in his first high school season. The top two rushers are gone but the best two receivers from last year are expected back. Keyon Burris (20) and Brandon Hills (18) combined for 38 catches and six scores a year ago. Joshua Romain, with five interceptions, heads up the defensive group.
WHEAT RIDGE FARMERS: After starting last year 4-1, the Farmers stumbled down the stretch and finished at 5-5. Sean McDonough returns after catching a team-best 19 passes for 460 yards and three scores.
WINDSOR WIZARDS: After a rugged 1-5 start, the Wizards used a four-game winning streak to finish at 5-5. The late push was not enough to get the Wizards into a normal playoff spot so that’s the goal this year. OB Jake Coakley returns after directing an offense that generated 306 yards a game rushing. Wyatt Ekeler (1,435) graduated but Dax Polka (333) and Kenny Sleeth (313) both return. Coakley also added 301 yards rushing. Jaden Kennis (10) is the best returning receiver and he caught almost as many passes on defense; finishing with seven interceptions. He also recorded 80 tackles. Connor Waite (97) and Hunter Peck (60) are other key defensive contributors back in the lineup.
