Broomfield looks poised to fly high once again. The Eagles followed up their 2022 Class 4A state title run with another trip to the semifinals, which came even with some significant senior losses from that title team.
After falling short last year, there is enough returning talent in 2024 to remember that sting and take preventative treatment from it happening again.
Quarterback CT Worley is back under center after leading providing steady balance to the Eagles offense. Under first-year head coach Robert O’Brien, Worley threw for 896 yards and five touchdowns while running for 659 yards and 15 scores. The ground game should once again be Broomfield’s strength as Joe Larsen is also back after rushing for a team-high 721 yards.
There will be an added boost with Colin Torres returning to the field after playing in just two games last season. In those two games, he averaged 131 yards per game and scored four touchdowns.
The roster from top to bottom is littered with players that contributed in big ways a year ago and were also around two years ago to soak in that state championship feeling.
That’s not to say it’s a given that they’ll win a state title or even reach the championship game again. Broomfield is good and there is little doubt about that. But there are a lot of good teams in the 4A ranks this year.
When looking at the full scope of the classification, it’s hard to ignore the sustained success that Montrose has had over the last six years. Despite significant senior losses each year, the Red Hawks continue to find a way to keep churning out wins.
Last year, their three losses came to just two teams, Palmer Ridge and Erie. For anyone keeping track, those are the two teams that played in the 4A title game at Canvas Stadium. Chris Mock will assume the quarterback duties from graduated senior Gage Wareham, but the Red Hawks have significant ball carriers in Aidan Grijalva and Elijah Womack back from last season.
More importantly, the offensive line is stout. For years the Red Hawks have relied on a system to generate results and wins and that theory will remain intact this fall. These Hawks will see limited flight in 2024.
Palmer Ridge is another 4A team that is consistently in the mix of championship talk. The Bears lost a lot from last year’s runner-up team, including quarterback Derek Hester and wide receiver Jimmer Weir.
This isn’t the first time that the Bears have lost high-level talent only to reload and insert themselves right into a deep playoff run.
Heritage, Pueblo West and Mesa Ridge are all teams that should also take significant steps forward this fall. In terms of parity, 4A football might be the most fun to watch all across Colorado.
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2024 Class 4A football outlook
Regular season begins: Aug. 22
Regular season ends: Nov. 2
State championship game: Dec. 7 at Canvas Stadium (Fort Collins)
2023 state champion: Erie (moving up to 5A in 2024)
New teams in classification for 2024-26 cycle: Denver North (3A), Doherty (5A), Durango (4A), Frederick (3A), Highlands Ranch (5A) Northfield (3A), Poudre (5A), Riverdale Ridge (3A), Sand Creek (3A)
Returning 1st/2nd team all-state players:
- Rhett Armstrong (Palmer Ridge)
- Mikhail Benner (Broomfield)
- Camden Bruns (Rampart)
- Andreas Distel (Montrose)
- Gavin Ishmael (Frederick)
- Ty LaCrue (Broomfield)
- Max Mervin (Ponderosa)
Top returning passers:
| RANK | PLAYER | SCHOOL | YARDS | TOUCHDOWNS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gavin Ishmael | Frederick | 2,812 | 25 |
| 2 | Leland Frescaz | Doherty | 2,398 | 21 |
| 3 | Crew Gerig | Highlands Ranch | 2,200 | 12 |
| 4 | Kolby Holmes | Longmont | 1,961 | 17 |
| 5 | Isaiah Medina | Riverdale Ridge | 1,851 | 13 |
Top returning rushers:
| RANK | PLAYER | SCHOOL | YARDS | TOUCHDOWNS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gavin Lockett | Pueblo West | 1,211 | 24 |
| 2 | Sean Davis | Ponderosa | 1,080 | 13 |
| 3 | Carlos Cardoza | Greeley Central | 1,054 | 9 |
| 4 | Camden Bruns | Rampart | 1,018 | 9 |
| 5 | Landon Kalsbeck | Dakota Ridge | 986 | 13 |
Top returning receivers:
| RANK | PLAYER | SCHOOL | YARDS | TOUCHDOWNS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elijah Brotherns | Sand Creek | 1,181 | 8 |
| 2 | Joey Foot | Longmont | 1,156 | 12 |
| 3 | Jeezrel Palma | Frederick | 970 | 8 |
| 4 | Tanner Terch | Heritage | 876 | 8 |
| 5 | Brock Keck | Vista Ridge | 610 | 7 |
Top returning tacklers:
| RANK | PLAYER | SCHOOL | TOTAL TACKLES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Demetrius Thornton | Thornton | 107 |
| 2 | Levi Tesen | Mesa Ridge | 106 |
| 2 | Jake Tapia | Thomas Jefferson | 106 |
| 4 | William Heiser | Liberty | 101 |
| 5 | Cim Long | Loveland | 96 |
