AURORA CENTRAL TROJANS
Coach: Taylor Calvert, 1st season
Last year: 1-9 (missed 5A playoffs)
League: Class 5A Aurora League
Players to watch: Jeffrey Tootle, 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, RB/LB, sr.; A’Deril Agnew, 5-7, 155, DB/WR, sr.; Manny Fernandez, 6-1, 180, QB, sr.; Ian Palmer, 5-11, 275, NT/OG, sr.; Jevin Jordan, 5-5, 175, LB, soph.
2012 Outlook: New coach Taylor Calvert is full of energy and determination, believing that he and his staff — which includes former Denver Broncos great Tom Nalen — can turn around a program that won just a single game last season. Strong summer work and the presence of 13 seniors could help translate into a season Calvert, brother of Aurora Central boys basketball coach Ian Calvert, sees with .500 potential. Running back Jeffrey Tootle, wide out A’Deril Agnew and quarterback Manny Fernandez have plenty of experience and could benefit from a move to a simplified game plan on offense. Nose tackle Ian Palmer, tenacious sophomore linebacker Jevin Jordan and Agnew, a potential shutdown defensive back, should give more teeth to a defense that allowed 44 points per game last season.
Quoting the coach: “It comes down to just some common sense football stuff. They had been coached in the past to do what that coach wanted. Now, we have coaches who have played in the NFL or college at some point and we’ve noticed a lot of the basic stuff was missing. We covered a lot of it in the summer. There’s still definitely a lot of room to grow, but we saw signs during some of our scrimmages. We need to work on being a team and having common goals, but I’m real excited about our prospects.”
Schedule (home games in call caps played at Aurora Public Schools Stadium): Friday, Aug. 31 — VISTA PEAK, 6 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 7 — vs. Ab. Lincoln at All-City Field, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 15 — vs. Smoky Hill at Stutler Bowl, 1 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 20 — THORNTON, 6 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 27 — RANGEVIEW, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 6 — GATEWAY, 6 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 13 — at Adams City, 1 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 20 — vs. Denver East at All-City Field, 10 a.m.; Friday, Oct. 26 — HINKLEY, 6 p.m.
CHEROKEE TRAIL COUGARS
Coach: Monte Thelen, 10th season
Last year: 6-4 (lost in 1st round of 5A playoffs)
League: Class 5A Creek Conference
Players to watch: Matt Barden, 6-foot-3, 270 pounds, OT, sr.; Garrett Zimmerman, 6-2, 245, OT, sr.; Brandon Barry, 5-10, 170, WR, sr.; Darion Belt, 5-10, 175, FB, sr.; Evan White, 6-3, 185, DB, jr.; Thomas Thortvedt, 6-1, 180, DB, jr.; Kaleb Branum, 5-11, 200, LB, jr.; Cameron Currington, 5-10, 175, LB, jr.; Trent Rogers, 5-10, 185, DE, sr.; Sherman Thomas, 5-9, 165, RB, sr.; D’Andre Thortvedt, 5-10, 185, LB, sr.; Jackson Burrell, 6-2, 175, DB, sr.; Colt Jones, 6-6, 310, OL, jr.; Aric Johnson, 5-11, 160, QB, jr.; Cameron Smith, 6-0, 165, RB/DB, soph.
2012 Outlook: Coach Monte Thelen’s program has set quite a bar in the past few years since moving up to Class 5A, so losing in the first round of the playoffs last season was a bit of a disappointment for Cherokee Trail. But the Cougars still have a streak of seven straight postseason appearances and have the talent to extend it to eight, even with the graduation of cornerstones such as quarterback Thomas Singleton and defensive lineman Dillon Zacharias. Team speed is a major asset for Cherokee Trail — which has four returning starters on both sides of the ball — as is play on the offensive line behind seniors Matt Barden and Garrett Zimmerman. The Cougars have been an explosive scoring team in the past, but inexperience at the skill positions might take the offense time to gel. Experience in the defensive backfield is another strength.
Quoting the coach: “Last year was the first year we lost in the first round of the playoffs since our first year in 4A, so the expectations of our program have grown. We want to be successful and we weren’t last year. We have a proven track record and have been accustomed to being in the playoffs, so we want to meek those expectations. …We’re a pretty young team, so consistency is one thing we’re looking for. The kids and the coaching staff are working hard, so hopefully we can put something together.”
Schedule (homes in all caps, played at Legacy Stadium): Thursday, Aug. 30 — CHATFIELD, 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 7 — at Fort Collins, 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 14 — GATEWAY, 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 21 — at Regis Jesuit, 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 28 — vs. Smoky Hill at Stutler Bowl, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 5 — vs. Cherry Creek at Stutler Bowl, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 11 — GRANDVIEW, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 18 — EAGLECREST, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 26 — OVERLAND, 7 p.m.
EAGLECREST RAPTORS
Coach: Mike Schmitt, 3rd season
Last year: 2-8 (missed 5A playoffs)
League: Class 5A Creek Conference
Players to watch: Xavier Lewis, 6-foot, 188 pounds, S, sr.; TreShawn Wilford, 6-1, 148, WR/DB, sr.; Sean Watkins, 6-3, 186, WR/DB, sr.; Adan Soto, 5-8, 179, QB, sr.; Ryan Willey, 5-7, 185, RB, sr.; Greyson Hoffman, RB, sr.; Donta’e Davis, 5-8, 179, RB, sr.; Cameron Grove, 5-11, 190, WR/DB, sr.; Mike Howshar, 5-11, 259, NG/OG, sr.; Josh Johnson, 6-3, 301, DT, sr.; Aaric Witt, 5-8, 150, WR, jr.; Deyon Sizer, 6-2, 251, DL, jr.; Darian Turner, 5-11, 162, DB, soph.
2012 Outlook: In his third season as head coach and with a roster that includes a whopping 27 seniors, Mike Schmitt feels like things are ready to click at Eaglecrest in 2012. The Raptors have won a total of five games in the past two seasons — missing the playoffs both times — but hope to win that many or more this season with an abundance of returning skill players and size along both lines. Senior safety Xavier Lewis has been offered a scholarship by Wyoming and is on the radar of a number of Division I programs, so his physical play and ballhawking ability will be keys. Combined with seniors TreShawn Wilford, Sean Watkins and Cameron Grove, the Raptors have an athletic and physical defensive backfield which will be helped by the push up front from Josh Johnson and Mike Howshar. Adan Soto is much more comfortable at quarterback, with the trio of Ryan Willey, Greyson Hoffman and Donta’e Davis running the football and Wilford, Watkins and junior Aaric Witt threats in the passing game.
Quoting the coach: “We’ve had a really good summer and seen a lot of quality competition in our scrimmages. This is my third year and we have 27 seniors, so the leadership has been great. They really are a good class and we really only lost three starters on defense and two on offense. We have a lot of lineman back and a lot of skills guys back, so we’re pretty excited about that.”
Schedule (home games in all caps, played at Legacy Stadium): Saturday, Sept. 1 — vs. Denver East at All-City Stadium, 1 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 7 — DOHERTY, 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 14 — vs. Fruita Monument at Stocker Stadium, 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 21 — vs. Fossil Ridge at French Field, 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 28 — GRANDVIEW, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 4 — SMOKY HILL, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 12 — OVERLAND, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 18 — at Cherokee Trail, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 26 — at Cherry Creek, 4 p.m.
GATEWAY OLYMPIANS
Coach: Justin Hoffman, 6th season
Last year: 5-5 (lost in first round of Class 5A playoffs)
League: Class 5A Aurora League
Players to watch: Zack Golditch, 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, OL/DL, sr.; Miguel Gonzalez, 5-9, 180, RB, sr.; Tate Johnson, 6-1, 190, QB, sr.; Nik Adams, 6-0, 180, WR/RB, sr.; Tory Adams, 5-10, 225, RB, sr.; Darius Harvey, 6-0, 190, TE/LB, sr.; Robert Kelly, 6-0, 180, WR/DB, sr.; Anthony Holmes, 6-6, 200, WR, jr.; Isaac Fuqua, 5-10, 195, LB, jr.; Jose Maruffo, 6-2, 195, DL, sr.; Josh Butler, 5-11, 155, DB, sr.; Jessie Kranzler, 5-10, 180, DB/WR, sr.; Lamont Lynch, 5-5, 145, RB, sr.; Jonah Mitchell, OL/DL, 6-2, 190, sr.
2012 Outlook: Building on momentum from a strong finish to the 2011 season — which included giving Class 5A runner-up Lakewood a huge test in the first round — Gateway had a strong summer and held its own in workouts against quality teams from strong leagues, then took second and third at Rangeview’s annual Hog Wars strength competition. The Olys have been galvanized further in the aftermath of the shooting at the nearby Century Aurora 16 theater, where several team members were in attendance when 12 people were killed and 58 others injured. Star senior lineman Zack Golditch suffered a neck wound from a stray bullet, but the 6-foot-5, 260-pound Colorado State pledge has recovered enough to be cleared for contact nearly two weeks before Gateway’s opening game. With Golditch and a slew of experience up front, quarterback Tate Johnson and the running back group of Miguel Gonzalez, Tory Adams and others should keep the chains moving. The Olys aren’t huge on defense, but have the speed to get to the ball quickly.
Quoting the coach: “I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited for a season to begin. With all the healing that’s going on around here, it’s just another piece of the puzzle for us. We’re really looking forward to competing for a reason. It’s very exciting to get back on the field and get back to some sense of normalcy.”
Schedule (home games in all caps, played at Aurora Public Schools Stadium): Friday, Aug. 31 — vs. Smoky Hill at Legacy Stadium, 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 7 — NORTHGLENN, 6 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 14 — at Cherokee Trail, 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 21 — at Westminster, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 27 — DENVER EAST, 4 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 6 — vs. Aurora Central at APS Stadium, 6 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 12 — vs. Rangeview at APS Stadium, 6 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 19 — HINKLEY, 6 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 25 — ADAMS CITY, 4 p.m.
GRANDVIEW WOLVES
Coach: John Schultz, 9th season
Last year: 11-2 (lost in semifinals of Class 5A playoffs)
League: Class 5A Creek Conference
Players to watch: Tanner Gentry, 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, WR/DB, sr.; Isaiah Jackson, 6-0, 166, RB, sr.; Cassius Davis, 5-7, 144, RB, sr.; Reece Weber, 5-11, 175, QB/DB, sr.; Christian Backes, 6-5, 225, TE, sr.; Robbie Holtam, 6-0, 200, LB, sr.; Jaylen Kennedy, 6-0, 207, LB/DL, sr.; Aaryn Watson, 5-11, 160, DB, sr.; Kolten Johnson, 6-2, 180, LB, jr.; Gabe Cirivello, 6-2, 261, OL, jr.; Sean Gelsey, 5-10, 144, DB, jr.
2012 Outlook: Grandview comes into the 2012 season ranked No. 4 in Class 5A in preseason polls, which is roughly the same spot coach John Schultz’s team finished last season as a semifinal qualifier. A large group of seniors will definitely be missed, but the Wolves have grown into one of the handful of teams in the state that just reloads when a large group departs. The 2012 squad remains tough and athletic, but will need to stay healthy during what is a very tough schedule. Senior Tanner Gentry is fast and sticky-fingered as a wide receiver, defensive back and return man and the Wyoming commitment is sure to see plenty of action in all of those roles. Seniors Isaiah Jackson and Cassius Davis are a strong 1-2 punch in the backfield in what figures to be a very rush-centric attack with running specialist Reece Weber at quarterback. Christian Backes is a big target in the passing game. The linebacking corps is a strength of the defense with seniors Robbie Holtam and Jaylen Kennedy in the heart of things along with junior Kolten Johnson, while Gentry, Weber, Aaryn Watson and Sean Gelsey should make it tough to throw on Grandview.
Schedule (home games in all caps, played at Legacy Stadium): Friday, Aug. 31 — Grandview at Vista, Calif., 8 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 6 — vs. Chaparral at Sports Authority Stadium, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 13 — THUNDERRIDGE, 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 21 — at Mullen, 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 28 — EAGLECREST, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 5 — OVERLAND (homecoming), 7 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 11 — at Cherokee Trail, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 19 — CHERRY CREEK, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 26 — vs. Smoky Hill at Stutler Bowl, 7 p.m.
HINKLEY THUNDERBIRDS
Coach: Joe McKain, 1st season
Last year: 2-8 overall (missed Class 5A playoffs)
League: Class 5A Aurora League
Players to watch: Chance Drake, 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, QB/TE, jr.; Tyrae McFall, 5-10, 185, RB/DE, sr.; Keanu Trujillo, 5-9, 175, WR, sr.; Dillon Baksh, 5-8, 245, OG, sr.; Kameron Miller, 6-0, 270, OL, jr.; Mario Owusbre, 5-10, 180, LB, soph.; Kamoni Wash, 5-11, 165, TE/DB, sr.; Jesus Chavarria, 5-9, 140, DB, jr.
2012 Outlook: Joe McKain moves up from a longtime assistant to Bob Bozied to head coach at Hinkley, looking to spark a program that’s hungry for a winning season. The Thunderbirds graduated a number of dynamic talents in Dondre Smallwood, Johnnie Newsom and Mike Davis, but McKain feels good about the skill players he has in the fold. It might take a few weeks for Hinkley to find out its true identity, as a large group of players didn’t have enough practice time to play in the team’s Zero Week contest and will have to work hard to get into the mix. A transfer may assume duties at quarterback after sitting out half the season, but junior Chance Drake will man the position until then. Tyrae McFall, Keanu Trujillo and Kamoni Wash give Drake some weapons on an offense will be more ball control as opposed to last season’s run-and-gun unit. McKain said linebacker play was clearly a deficiency last season, but feels like the Thunderbirds will flow better to the ball in 2012. Junior Jesus Chavarria keys the defensive backfield.
Quoting the coach: “I think just going into it, we just want to compete week in and week out. One of the things we talk about is putting ourselves in position to win and be as competitive as we can, so hopefully at the end of the game, we give ourselves a shot to pull one out. … Athletically, we feel pretty good with the kids we have, we just don’t have a lot of depth, especially up front.”
Schedule (home games in all caps, played at Aurora Public Schools Stadium): Friday, Aug. 24 — vs. Vista PEAK at APS Stadium, 6 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 1 — THORNTON, noon; Thursday, Sept. 13 — vs. Arvada West at NAAC, 6 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 21 — MONTROSE, 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 28 — ADAMS CITY, 6 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 4 — vs. Rangeview at APS Stadium, 6 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 11 — DENVER EAST, 6 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 19 — vs. Gateway at APS Stadium, 6 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 26 — vs. Aurora Central at APS Stadium, 6 p.m.
OVERLAND TRAILBLAZERS
Coach: Seth Replogle, 1st season
Last year: 1-9 (missed Class 5A playoffs)
League: Class 5A Creek Conference
Players to watch: Austin Conway, 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, QB, soph.; Eddric Turner, 6-1, 180, WR/DB, sr.; Amer Tipura, 6-4, 235, OL/DL, sr.; Aaron Charleston, 6-2, 285, OL/DL, sr.; Eddie Jung, 6-2, 235, OL/DL, sr.; Anthony Childs, 6-3, 250, OL/DL, sr.; Myles Simmons, 5-9, 175, RB, sr.; Milan Macon-Robinson, 5-11, 185, WR, sr.; Jalen Thomas, 6-0, 185, WR, sr.; Damon Roberts, 6-1, 205, DL, sr.; DeAngelo Manlove, 6-4, 220, DL, jr.; Santiago Medina, 6-0, 210, LB, sr.; Deante Manlove, 5-9, 165, DB, sr.; Ulysses Johnson, 5-10, 170, DB, sr.
2012 Outlook: Another new era begins for the Overland football program, which has its third head coach in the past four seasons in Seth Replogle, who came over from The Academy in Westminster. Positives have developed all over the place in the early going, as the Trailblazers were victorious at Hog Wars, the annual Aurora lineman strength competition at Rangeview and Replogle found a massive group of 130 players come out for football. Line play should be a strength for Overland as a tight knit unit of Amer Tipura, Aaron Charleston, Eddie Jung, Anthony Childs and others know how to play well together. Sophomore Austin Conway is an exciting talent under center and is healthy after missing extensive time last season due to injury. Eddric Turner, Myles Simmons and a number of other skill players should make an impact for an offense that was held scoreless or in single digits in half of its games last season. The defense should be strong up front, big and rangy in the linebacking corps and effective in pass coverage.
Quoting the coach: “I think there’s a little bit of excitement about the program that might not have been there for the last couple of years. We won Hog Wars and that was a big deal, so everybody was talking about it a little bit, but does it correlate to the football field. …We have a lot of competition going on right now. When I walked in, it was a clean slate for all the kids, so everybody has had a lot of opportunities to compete.”
Schedule (home games in all caps, played at Stutler Bowl): Friday, Aug. 31 — ARVADA WEST, 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 7 — vs. Fairview at Recht Field, 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 14 — PRAIRIE VIEW, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 20 — vs. Poudre at French Field, 6 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 27 — CHERRY CREEK, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 5 — vs. Grandview at Legacy Stadium, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 12 — vs. Eaglecrest at Legacy Stadium, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 19 — SMOKY HILL, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 26 — at Cherokee Trail, 7 p.m.
RANGEVIEW RAIDERS
Coach: Dave Gonzales, 10th season
Last year: 7-3 (lost in first round of Class 5A playoffs)
League: Class 5A Aurora League
Players to watch: Armon Brown, 6-foot, 180 pounds, RB/DB, sr.; Zach Zuhse, 6-0, 180, QB/DB, sr.; Darien Odegard, 6-0, 170, QB/DB, jr.; P.J. Hall, 5-5, 135, RB/DB, sr.; Trevon Nubine, 6-2, 180, WR/DB, sr.; Josh Gibbs, 5-10, 150, WR/DB, jr.; Arealous Hughes, 6-0, 170, WR/DB, 170; Victor Steele, 6-1, 310, OL/DL, sr.; Filipe Fifita, 5-11, 240, OL/DL, sr.; Darnell Moye, 6-3, 225, OL/DL, sr.; Lavies Powell, 6-0, 210, OL/DL, sr.; Jordan Medina, 6-3, 180, TE/DB, sr.
2012 Outlook: It will be a new league for Rangeview, but coach Dave Gonzales’ Raiders will have targets on their backs in the new Aurora League given their back-to-back EMAC championships. The Raiders have a strong running game to hang their hats on, which will be important given a grueling schedule. Senior Armon Brown is back after rushing for more than 1,000 yards and scoring nine touchdowns last season and is bigger and stronger. Senior Zach Zuhse and junior Darien Odegard will rotate at quarterback depending on the situation and each offer different skills to the Rangeview attack. Odegard took over for an injured Zuhse in the playoffs last season and nearly led the Raiders to victory against Cherry Creek. Skill players Trevon Nubine, Josh Gibbs, Arealous Hughes and Jordan Medina will have an impact on both sides of the ball, as will Victor Steele, Darnell Moye, Filipe Fifita and Lavies Powell on the lines.
Quoting the coach: “We’re kindof young with our depth, so the key for us is to stay healthy. We’ll try to run the ball and play physical, that’s no secret, and defensively I like our team speed and aggressiveness. …Obviously we have three goals: keep that Anvil at home (by beating Gateway), make a run at a league title, get to those playoffs and make some noise.”
Schedule (home games in all caps, played at Aurora Public Schools Stadium): Thursday, Aug. 30 — REGIS JESUIT, 6 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 6 — ARAPAHOE, 6 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 14 — FAIRVIEW, 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 21 — vs. Northglenn at 5 Star Stadium, 6 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 27 — vs. Aurora Central at APS Stadium, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 4 — HINKLEY, 6 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 12 — GATEWAY, 6 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 19 — at Adams City, 6 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 26 — vs. Denver East at All-City Stadium, 7 p.m.
REGIS JESUIT RAIDERS
Coach: Mark Nolan, 4th season
Last year: 5-5 (lost in first round of Class 5A playoffs)
League: Class 5A Continental Conference
Players to watch: Matt Houghtaling, 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, QB, soph.; Zach Heath, 6-3, 180, QB, jr.; Chase Bertinelli, 5-8, 190, RB, sr.; Grant Neal, 5-11, 220, RB/DL, jr.; Jalen Williams, 5-10, 187, RB, jr.; Chukwuma Obinnah, RB, 6-0, 210, soph.; Robert Orban, 6-6, 215, TE, sr.; Austin Skinner, 6-3, 285, OL, jr.; Mitch Howard, 6-3, 275, OL, jr.; Tim Lynott, 6-2, 265, OL; Michael Guenther, 6-1, 240, DL, sr.; Antonio Broadus, 6-3, 235, DL, sr.; Eddie Gonzales, 6-1, 238, DL, soph.; Cole Plummer, 6-0, 220, DL, sr.; Alessio Lopez, 5-11, 225, DL, sr.; Joe Bozeman,5-11, 195, LB, jr.; Kameron Butler, 6-0, 210, LB; Quinn VandeKoppel, 6-1, 210, LB, jr.; Gunner Patterson, 5-11, 185, LB, soph.; Will Deines, 6-1, 185, DB, jr.; Shane Moody, 5-8, 175, DB, sr.; Daniel Talley, 6-1, 180, DB, jr.; JJ Kilgore, 5-11, 185, DB, jr.
2012 Outlook: After a run to the Class 5A state championship game in 2010, last season was much more of a roller coaster in many ways for coach Mark Nolan’s Regis Jesuit program. The Raiders lost a tight first round playoff game to Fairview and enter the 2012 season unranked in preseason polls, but Nolan doesn’t mind that spot a bit given all the young talent he’ll have on the field in his fourth season at the helm. A big offseason commitment in the weight room, massive numbers out for the team and palpable team chemistry, Regis Jesuit is optimistic for the upcoming campaign. Size and depth along the lines on both sides of the ball is one of the biggest strengths for Nolan’s team, which will work in almost an entirely new set of skill players on offense. Junior fullback Grant Neal and senior tight end Robert Orban lend experience. Defensively, the Raiders should be able to get to the quarterback behind senior lineman Antonio Broadus and a swarming group of linebackers. Track speed in a variety of places makes Regis Jesuit dangerous.
Quoting the coach: “We had a great offseason in the weight room and we have phenomenal freshman and JV teams last year, so those kids move up to be varsity kids. We’re very excited about this group and they have tremendous chemistry. They have believe in one another, so we are bonded and ready for battle. …It’s perfect that we’re off the radar with a younger group of guys. We just go out and do our deal.”
Schedule (home games in all caps, played at Lou Kellogg Stadium): Thursday, Aug. 30 — vs. Rangeview at Aurora Public Schools Stadium, 6 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 7 — HORIZON, 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 14 — at Mullen, 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 21 — CHEROKEE TRAIL, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 27 — vs. ThunderRidge at Shea Stadium, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 5 — DOUGLAS COUNTY, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 12 — vs. Chaparral at Sports Authority Stadium, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 19 — MOUNTAIN VISTA, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 26 — HIGHLANDS RANCH, 7 p.m.
SMOKY HILL BUFFALOES
Coach: John Thompson, 7th season
Last year: 4-6 (missed Class 5A playoffs)
League: Class 5A Creek Conference
Players to watch: Joey Tuggle, 5-foot-8, 175 pounds, RB/KR, sr.; Trent Clay, 6-4, 175, QB, jr.; Frank Thomas, 6-4, 170, WR, jr.; Skylar Sublett, 6-3, 215, TE, sr.; Dexter Bess, 5-11, 230, OL, jr. Colton Lyons, 6-2, 180, OL/LB, sr.; Chris Rogers, 6-3, 230, OL, jr.; Austin Rutledge, 6-0, 190, RB/LB, sr; Tommy King, 5-5, 140, LB, sr.; Jaylen Petty, 6-0, 165, LB, sr.
2012 Outlook: Playing in the Creek Conference is always a war of attrition and coach John Thompson finally feels better about Smoky Hill’s ability to compete for an entire season. In past seasons, the Buffaloes have often suffered a big drop off when a first-liner is out of the game or injured, but that will probably be less of a problem this season with a larger group of committed athletes. Having a three-year starter at quarterback is always a plus and Thompson has one in junior Trent Clay, who impressed in 7 on 7 work in the summer. When Clay goes to the air, senior tight end Skylar Sublett and junior receiver Frank Thomas will be frequent targets, while the ground game is geared around tough-running Joey Tuggle and hard-nosed Austin Rutledge. The Buffaloes aren’t big on defense, but Rutledge is a strong force at linebacker and seniors Tommy King and Jaylen Petty should assert themselves on every down. Tuggle was Smoky Hill’s lone first team all-conference selection last season as a kick returner and will again be a heavy factor on special teams.
Quoting the coach: “We’ve got a good group of kids, but we still have some of the same issues when you look at it from the outside: we’re not real big and not a lot of depth, but we had a great summer and the kids worked really hard. …We wanted to expand our group of committed kids and now we have about 40-45 as opposed to 25-30. We’re making progress and we do have some experience in key spots.”
Schedule (home games in all caps, played at Stutler Bowl): Friday, Aug. 31 — GATEWAY at Legacy Stadium, 7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 7 — vs. Legend at Sports Authority Stadium, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 15 — AURORA CENTRAL, 1 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 21 — vs. Standley Lake at NAAC, 4 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 28 — CHEROKEE TRAIL, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 4 — vs. Eaglecrest at Legacy Stadium, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 12 — at Cherry Creek, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 19 — vs. Overland at Stutler Bowl, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 26 — GRANDVIEW, 7:30 p.m.
VISTA PEAK BISON
Coach: Pat Rock, 1st season
Last year: Played at JV level
League: Class 3A Colorado 7
Players to watch: Adam Puehler, 5-foot-11, 160 pounds, QB/DB/RB, jr.; Isaiah Young, 6-2, 172, RB/LB/QB, soph.; Kyree Herron, 5-9, 145, RB/DB, soph.; D.J. Ortiz 6-3, 175, WR/DL, jr.; Ayo Sanusi, 5-9, 155, DB, jr.; Devon Reglin, 6-1, 211, OL/DL, jr.; Tim Klem, 5-11, 156, OL/LB, jr.
2012 Outlook: Varsity play has finally arrived at Vista PEAK, which has had to wait patiently and build for two years under coach Pat Rock. The Bison make their debut in Class 3A with no senior class and a varsity roster around 30 players, but should be competitive with a core of outstanding athletes. Junior Adam Puehler and sophomores Isaiah Young and Kyree Herron will play a variety of key roles on both sides of the ball for Vista PEAK, as will several other players given the lack of depth. Young and Herron were both qualifiers for the state track meet last year as freshmen, so they have a taste of varsity competition to enhance their athleticism, while Rock considers Puehler the “perfect” quarterback for his run-heavy offensive system. Juniors D.J. Ortiz, Ayo Sanusi (another track standout), Devon Reglin and Tim Klem are also part of the Bison’s small two-way core. Vista PEAK will play 10 regular season games in accordance to 3A’s setup in contrast to Aurora’s other 10 schools, all 5A, whicih play nine games and then move into the playoffs or a week 10 non-playoff contest.
Quoting the coach: “We do have some good athletes, but our numbers aren’t up there with the rest of the teams around. Athlete for athlete, we feel we can play with other people, it’s just our athletes are younger. …Talking to other coaches who have built programs, they said it takes awhile, it’s a process. I knew that going in, you just don’t know how long of a process it is going to be. We’ll know soon what we’ll be facing.”
Schedule (home games in all caps, played at Aurora Public Schools Stadium) Friday, Aug. 24 — HINKLEY, 6 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 31 — vs. Aurora Central at APS Stadium, 6 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 8 — at Faith Christian, noon; Saturday, Sept. 15 — at Conifer, noon; Friday, Sept. 21 — at The Classical Academy, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 5 — ELIZABETH, 6 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 12 — at Weld Central, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 18 — SKYVIEW, 6 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 26 — at Englewood, 7 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 2 — at Fort Morgan, 7 p.m.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at [email protected] or 303-750-7555
