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2 Football 2010 Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010

Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010 Football 2010 3

By Samuel G. [email protected]

Jordan Tellez isn’t your typi-cal quarterback. And that’s agood thing for the Greeley

Central football team.In fact, Tellez, a Greeley

Central senior, looks more like apoint guard at 5-foot-8, 200pounds than a quarterback.

Thus, Tellez is a point guardfor the Wildcats basketball teamand one of a handful of reasonsthat coach Mike Heatherlychooses to run a spread offense,allowing Tellez to get out in theopen.

“I’m pretty comfortable in thisoffense,” said Tellez, who spentlast season mainly as a runningback and linebacker. “I ran thisoffense as a freshman and sopho-more, so I know it pretty well.”

Heatherly has confidence inTellez’s offensive skills and isespecially pleased with his lead-ership qualities, under center andin the shotgun formation.

“Jordan makes good decisions,”Heatherly said. “He’s not the kindof quarterback who’s going totake off and go 80 yards with it.He analyzes the entire field first.He’s definitely paid his dues to bein this position.

“We also run a leadership classin the offseason, and he attendedevery session. In our huddle, hereceives a lot of respect, and that’shuge. You want a kid in the hud-dle who the kids will follow, andwe have one.”

Tellez will give up his duties asa linebacker to focus on movingthe Wildcats offense against whatare traditionally some of thestingiest Class 4A defenses in thestate in the Northern Conference.

“I’m ready to just play offense,and even more excited to get tobe the quarterback for my seniorseason,” Tellez said.

Tellez will have an array of tar-gets to throw to, more specifically6-3, 221-pound Jesse Freeman,

who will also see time at defen-sive end.

Freeman is the son of formerUniversity of Northern Coloradodefensive standout ReeceFreeman.

“It’s a big help having some-body that big to throw to,” Tellez

said. “I’m able to see him most ofthe time, and he’s open almost allof the time.”

Heatherly called Freeman “anasset, not only to our team but toTellez, too,” adding, “they’re bestfriends and I think that kind ofconnection can help too in deter-

mining how well players worktogether.”

Freeman’s presence on theWildcats defense, which will takeon a different look this season.

The Wildcats’ primary forma-tion will be a 3-5, which fits theirpersonnel better than the tradi-

tional 4-3.“We don’t have a lot of big

down linemen, but we have guyswho can run to the ball, and we’reanxious to see how that works forus,” Heatherly said. “One of ourchallenges is to find out justwhere everybody fits.”

Two good fits in the defensivebackfield are the Trevino broth-ers — Brandon and Andrew, whohad key interceptions last season.

“When we finished preseasonworkouts I sort of put that gaunt-let down,” Heatherly said. “We’vegot Berthoud in just a few days ina live game. Some of our kidsaren’t battle tested yet, so they’vegot some things to prove rightaway. We’ll work to earn what weget.”

TELLEZ READY TO SHOW SKILLS

JIM RYDBOM/[email protected]

GREELEY CENTRAL QUARTERBACK Jordan Tellez flips the ball while practicing theoption play during preseason practice.

GREELEY CENTRAL WILDCATS

COACH: Mike Heatherly,fifthseason

2009 RECAP: Greeley Centralshowed considerable signs ofimprovement,finishing 4-4 inNorthern with a 6-4 overall record.Senior Kole Kadavy was one of thestate’s top players,leading 4A intackles.Kadavy,now at the ColoradoSchool of Mines on a footballscholarship,is one of 24 seniors theWildcats had last season.

KEY PLAYERS: Jordan Tellez,sr.,QB; Jesse Freeman,sr.,TE/DL; ZachKrieger, jr,WR/ LB; Forest Desmond,jr.,WR/DB; Chris Mendoza,sr.,RB/LB; Andrew Trevino,sr.,RB/DB;Brandon Trevino,sr.,RB/DB; CyrusMora,sr.,DE.

OUTLOOK: Heatherly said he

expects his team to again becompetitive in the NorthernConference with the hope ofqualifying for the state playoffs.Todo that,Heatherly said,theWildcats must consistentlyimprove as individuals and as ateam.Heatherly said making a runto the playoffs will not be an easytask as his team expects to facetough opponents week after weekin a loaded conference.

GREELEY WEST SPARTANS

COACH: Mark Roggy,17th season

2009 RECAP: The Spartans wonthe Class 4A Northern Conferenceand appeared on their way to a longrun in the state playoffs beforelosing to Wheat Ridge in thequarterfinal round 20-16,endingthe Spartans’season at 11-1.

KEY PLAYERS: Levi Dopler, jr.,RB/LB; J.J.Davis, jr.,RB/LB; DavidEddy,soph.,RB/WR/DB; BenitoLoera, jr.,OL/DL; Tyler Culbertson,sr.,OC; Mike Murdock,sr.,OL/DL;Zach Downing, jr.,LB; JoshHornback, jr.,LB; James Dowgin, jr.,DB/WR; Tyler Ficek, jr.,QB; BrandonGallatin, jr.,QB: Bryce Bullington,sr.,DB; Dalton Amen, jr.,DB.

OUTLOOK: The Spartans have thenormal amount of question marksafter losing a horde of players at keypositions,but they are loaded withathleticism and are expected to bea much better team in the secondhalf of the season,especially if thedefense remains healthy, led by agroup of linebackers who could bethe Spartans’biggest strength.

Samuel G. Mustari

CLASS 4A NORTHERN CONFERENCE OUTLOOK

Quarterback bringspoint guard poise,mentality to field

TEAM CONF. OVERALL

Greeley West 8-0 11-1

Loveland 7-1 9-3

Longmont 6-2 11-3

Broomfield 5-3 7-3

Greeley Central 4-4 6-4

Fossil Ridge 3-5 3-7

Niwot 2-6 2-8

Skyline 1-7 1-9

Thompson Valley 0-8 0-10

2009 4A NORTHERNSTANDINGS

“Jordan makes gooddecisions. He’s not thekind of quarterbackwho’s going to take offand go 80 yards with it.He analyzes the entirefield first.”

Mike Heatherly,Greeley Central football coach

Greeley West reloads,page 4

Northridge aims for playoffs,page 5

Patriot League readies foranother tight season,page 10

Weld Central shoots for thestarts,page 12

Cover illustration by Tribunephotographer Jim Rydbom

««FOOTBALL 2010



ark Roggy didn’t sound opti-mistic.

He sounded confident. In fact, Roggy, the veteran football

coach, sounded downright anxious to seewhat life will be like for his Greeley Westfootball team after Max Morgan, SteffenBunting, Conner Roggy, A.J. Frieler and acast of others that made postseason playthe norm for the Spartans — they wereClass 4A runners-up two years ago and aplayoff quarterfinalist last season.

The definition for Roggy’s anxiety —other than he’s always antsy this time ofthe season — is Tyler Ficek, BrandonGallatin, Levi Dopler, J.J. Davis, DavidEddy, Tyler Culbertson, Zach Downing,Josh Hornback, James Dowgin, BryceBullington, Dalton Amen, Logan Hoodand Mike Murdock, to name more than afew key players.

Roggy couldn’t avoid the cliche whenhe said “the cupboard isn’t bare,” but did-n’t allow anybody to wonder about theSpartans when he added, “we have a lot ofexperienced players back and we won’t bea team that looks like a deer caught in theheadlights.”

The lack of returning starters may bethe biggest hurdle the defending three-time Class 4A Northern Conferencechampions will have to overcome, andRoggy half-heartedly laughed whenreminded there are more than enoughholes to fill from a squad that’s beenloaded with talent at key positions for thelast five seasons.

“That’s exactly right,” Roggy said.“There are a lot of holes to fill, but we def-initely have some talent. We have kidswho can play the game, and all they’relacking right now is quality experience.”

Roggy didn’t downplay the chance thatthe Spartans could struggle early on —they have nonconference games againstMontbello, Monarch and Pueblo West —but hinted, “If I was an opposing coach,I’d probably rather play Greeley Westearly in the season than late in the sea-son.

“We have a chance to have a really goodteam, but it’s not so much on the kids asit is me. It’s on my shoulders to put

together a good team, and we’re workingextremely hard on that.”

One of the fiercest battles in preseasonwill be at quarterback where Ficek andGallatin, both juniors, will go throughwhat Roggy describes as “growing pains,”but expects their dedication to overcomeany shortcomings.

One position that allows Roggy to

exude with confidence is center, whereCulbertson will be back at center and incharge of blocking schemes.

“Like any other season, our success willbe determined by our play up front, andCulbertson has the most important posi-tion on the line,” Roggy said. “He knowshis position, and he’s one of our leaders.”

Culbertson, a 5-foot-10, 210-pounder,

started all 12 games last season for theSpartans, and is not only confident in hisability, but in that of his colleagues.

Benito Loera (5-10, 190) is expected touse his speed as an asset from the guardposition, and won’t have to look far forsupport from Murdock (6-3, 250) andHood.

“A lot of these guys received a lot ofplaying time last year,” Roggy said.“Varsity game experience shouldn’t be aproblem, especially after the first fewgames.”

Roggy expects some of the beneficiar-ies of the line to be running back/line-backer Levi Dopler (5-10, 190) and Davis(6-3, 195), who may also be the team’s toppass rusher on defense.

“We also have (David) Eddy,” saidRoggy. “He’s in the same mold as(Steffen) Bunting was, and he could playsome at receiver, too.”

Roggy-coached teams exhibit a lot ofathleticism, and he explained this year’sdefensive squad “is the quickest I’ve evercoached at Greeley West.”

“We have three linebackers who will flyto the ball.”

The Spartans’ high flyers are Dopler,Downing (6-0, 195) and Hornback (5-9,185), who is arguably the strongest playeron the squad.

“In this preseason camp, we’ve had alot of guys showing what they can do,”Dopler said. “You know, last year we sortof dominated on defense, and we’ve lostsome good players, but we’re making upfor a lack of size with our speed and ourtalent. Don’t count our defense out.”

Roggy refers to his linebackers as“sideline-to-sideline players,” adding,“we’ll have (James) Dowgin back in thedefensive backfield, and he could playsome receiver too. (David) Eddy and(Tyler) Ficek can also play safety, alongwith (Bryce) Bullington, so we’ve got agreat battle going on at safety. DaltonAmen (6-1, 165) is probably the surpriseplayer of our camp. He gained 45 poundsand looks like he’ll play cornerback.

“We’ve definitely have a lot to learn,and I’m hoping this team gets out of theblocks early and has our hearts and ourheads together like we have in the past.”

ATHLETIC WEST STARTS AGAIN


GREELEY WEST JUNIOR Brandon Gallatin looks to pass during a presea-son practice. Gallatin is competing with Tyler Ficek to be the team’s quarterbackthis season.

Expectations stay highas new class of Spartanstries to prolong success

M

“We’ve definitely have a lot tolearn, and I’m hoping this teamgets out of the blocks early andhas our hearts and our headstogether like we have in thepast.”

Mark Roggy,Greeley West football coach



Chance Simonton expects toput himself in the best pos-sible spot to succeed.

If that’s as the starting quarter-back for the Northridge footballteam, so be it.

If it’s as a defensive back, pick-ing off a pass or making a bruisingtackle, that’ll also work.

Simonton, a senior, just wantsthe end result to be a spot in post-season play as a member of theClass 3A Tri-Valley Conference.

“I’ve never been to the playoffs,and I want to go,” said Simonton,who is competing with senior BenUnruh for the Grizzlies’ startingquarterback spot. “I’d be sur-prised, definitely disappointed, ifwe didn’t make the playoffs.”

The Grizzlies were 5-5 last sea-son and flirted with qualifying forpostseason play behind seniorquarterback Colton Taylor and apotent passing game.

“You know, we lost to FortMorgan by two at home, andRoosevelt scored just one offensivetouchdown against us, so we wereclose to being a playoff-caliberteam a year ago,” Northridgecoach Jeff Fulton said. “Props toboth of those teams, but we prob-ably should have been a playoffteam.”

The Grizzlies’ trademark thisseason may be their defense.

“Our defense may be the bestwe’ve had in a few years,” Fultonsaid. “It’s a little bit of a perfectstorm coming together with ourseniors that we’ve had in theweight room. You can see the dif-ference of when they played wellas juniors.”

The Grizzlies’ defense will bebuilt around senior middle line-backer Val Espino, who will alsosee time at tight end.

“Zach Baxter is also at line-backer, and he’s the same type ofplayer Espino is,” Fulton said.“They’re about 6-foot-2, 205pounds and physical.”

Simonton couldn’t agree morewith Fulton, getting a first-handlook at the Northridge linebackersfrom his defensive back position.

“We have big-hit players with alot of athleticism,” Simonton said.“We’re good up front on defense,

and we have veteran players atlinebacker and in the defensivebackfield.”

Fulton also mentioned corner-back Grant Spencer as “an athlet-ic, knockdown sort of player,” whohas added to the improveddefense.

“Spencer is a 6-2 guy who canreally run,” Fulton said. “All of ourkids have been really committedin the weight room.”

The Grizzlies will primarily runout of the 4-3 defensive set, rely-ing on their linebackers to patrolthe field from sideline-to-sideline.

“Sure, we have some holes ondefense, but I think that’s whereit’s going to start with this team,”Fulton said. “I see us as physical,fast and long.”

Offensively, the Grizzlies willstay with their multiple-set pro-style offense, but will need earlyproduction from the quarterbackand wide receiver positions.

“Unruh and Simonton arecompeting pretty hard for thequarterback spot,” Fulton said.“They’re both about 6-2, andUnruh is a little bit heavier at 190.We’re running the same schemeswe always have, and the system issophisticated enough that weshould find the right schemes tobeat the different coverages we’llsee.

“We’re also anxious to see whatthe offense can do, and honestly,right now, nobody knows whateverybody else has. We’d love toget back to the playoffs. Wehaven’t been in the playoffs for

four years, and at that time, it wassort of the standard around here.We had an 0-10 season when we

were grossly mismatched at the4A level, and then we had a (2-8)recovery season from that. I think

we were about two plays frombeing 7-3 a year ago, so we’re get-ting back to where we should be.”

GRIZ SEEK PLAYOFF RETURN


NORTHRIDGE QUARTERBACK BEN UNRUH drops back to pass during a preseasonpractice. Unruh and Chance Simonton are competing to be the Grizzlies starting quarterback.

FORT LUPTON BLUEDEVILS

COACH: Justin Carpenter,secondseason

2009 RECAP: Fort Luptonstruggled with a 1-8 record inleague,1-9 overall.Seniors JakeBernhard and Reece James helpedcarry an otherwise young andinexperienced team.

KEY PLAYERS: Luke Browne, jr.,OL/DL; Timmy Ornelas, jr.,OL/DL;Zach Reynolds,sr.,WR/S; ClintCook,sr.,RB/LB

OUTLOOK: Carpenter said thatlast season,the Bluedevils wereable to set a foundation and rebuildtheir identity.With manysophomores and even a fewfreshmen receiving significantplaying time last season,Carpentersaid his team is determined to takemore strides this season towardbecoming a winning program.

NORTHRIDGE GRIZZLIES

COACH: Jeff Fulton,11th season

2009 RECAP: Northridge was 5-5last year,making strong stridesfrom the previous seasons.TheGrizzlies fell just short of making theplayoffs.

KEY PLAYERS: Val Espino,sr.,TE/MLB; Chance Simonton,sr.,QB/DB; Zach Baxter,sr.,OL/DL;Derek Drake,sr.,RB; JT Francies, jr.,WR; Caleb Caddy,sr.,RB/DB; BenUnruh,sr.,QB

OUTLOOK: Fulton said he hopes tocompete for a playoff spot behind ateam that has strong all-aroundleadership.Fulton said his team isfocusing on competing at thehighest level.

WINDSOR WIZARDS

COACH: Chris Jones,fourth season

2009 RECAP: The Wizards

finished 7-2 in league, 9-3 overalland earned their first homeplayoff win in eight years beforefalling to Steamboat Springs inthe second round.

KEY PLAYERS: Aaron Schmidt, jr.,RB/DB; Kail Voigt, sr., FS; GarrettHelzer, sr., DT; Chris Farmer, sr.,OL/DL; Banning Lobmeyer, sr., FB;Tyler Winder, sr., QB; Connor Ervin,sr., WR; Dante Dennis, sr., RB/DB;Terran Hause, sr., K

OUTLOOK: Windsor has a youngsquad with two returning starterson defense and four on offense.Nonetheless, the squad hasdepth and has knowledge of thesystem, Jones said. Jones expectsthat familiarity with the systemto help the Wizards becompetitive.

Bobby Fernandez and Samuel G. Mustari

CLASS 3A TRI-VALLEY OUTLOOK

TEAM CONF. OVERALL

Mountain View* 9-0 12-1

Windsor 7-2 9-3

Berthoud* 7-2 7-4

Roosevelt* 5-4 5-5

Northridge 5-4 5-5

Silver Creek* 4-5 5-5

Fort Morgan 4-5 5-5

Frederick 3-6 4-6

Fort Lupton 1-8 1-9

Sterling 0-9 0-10

* - Teams have moved to the 3ANorthern.For more on Roosevelt,see page 14

3A TRI-VALLEYSTANDINGS


Not every year can a be a greatone on the scoreboard for WeldCounty football teams. Talentcomes and goes, cycling throughschools for various reasons.

Five Weld County coaches —Ed Eastin, Jeff Fulton, MikeHeatherly, Mick Holmes andMark Roggy — sat down withTribune reporters BobbyFernandez and Samuel G.Mustari to discuss how theymaintain a program amid theups and downs of prep football.

THE TRIBUNE: WHEN THEREARE EIGHT PLAYERS ON THEFIELD INSTEAD OF 11, AND YOULOOK DOWN THE SIDELINE,AND YOU’RE LIMITED IN TERMSOF WHAT YOU’RE WORKINGWITH, HOW MUCH, AND WHATDEGREE DOES THAT COMEINTO PLAY FROM ONE YEAR TOTHE NEXT?

MICK HOLMES — I thinkit’s harder to hide

somebody who is a weakerplayer in 8-man than it is in 11-man. As far as numbers go, andwe average about 30 kids outfor football, last year we hadfive seniors and this year wehave two. In 2008, when wewon the state championship, Ihad 14 seniors. This year I have14 freshmen, five or sixsophomores, about 12 juniorsand two seniors.

DOES THAT CHANGE THEEXPECTATIONS?

HOLMES — It has a lot to dowith personnel. We’ve had

kids who could play on any ofthese guys teams and do reallywell. It effects what you can dophilosophically on offense anddefense.

SOME YEARS YOU HAVE ANESPECIALLY TALENTED PLAYEROR GROUP OF PLAYERS, OTHERYEARS YOU MAY NOT. HOWIMPORTANT IS IT TO BE ABLETO ADAPT, AS COACHES, TOTHE PLAYERS YOU HAVE?

ED EASTIN — It’s like a bigpuzzle. You’ve got to find out

what kids you have, and you maymove a kid from offense todefense. ... I guarantee you, whatyou’re going to see out of us in thefirst week may not totally be what

you see out of us in the fourthweek or third week.

MIKE HEATHERLY — You’vegot to be smart. You’ve got

to know when to change somethings. We’re all veteran coaches,but I don’t want to be known as adinosaur. I want to make thechanges when you need to makethe changes.

DO YOU EVER FIND YOURSELFPLAYING FOR NEXT SEASON?

HEATHERLY — I want asenior-based team. I don’t

want kids to feel like they’vebeen, maybe, sold out, becausewe’re trying to build for two orthree years down the road. Thatmay be the case for some of us,but I certainly don’t operate thatway, and I don’t want kids tosense that in any way.

JEFF FULTON — Theunderclassmen know that if

they bide their time, their daywill come by being good citizens,good students and being a goodathlete. Our underclassmen noware so excited. Our seniors back,who were juniors last year anddidn’t have a big piece of the pie,they know that this is their time

and they act accordingly. ... Just to be honest with you, a

couple years ago, we were in thethroes of an 0-10 (season) andwe took our senior quarterbackand sat him down. His fatherdidn’t like that, but I don’t reallycare. We had to get ColtonTaylor, who was a sophomore atthe time, some reps in what wasobviously going to be a miserableseason. ... For that year, when wewere in the 4A losing, it waspretty obvious we were playingfor next year. I have no qualmsdoing that.

HOW HIGH DO YOU SET EXPEC-TATIONS FOR PLAYERS WHOHAVE NEVER PLAYED VARSITYBEFORE?

MARK ROGGY — I’m not oneto lower expectations very

much. Yeah, the bar is high. Idon’t know whether we’re goingto reach as high as we have (inthe past) or not, but one thingwe’re going to try to do is keepour expectations where they havebeen. Our kids deserve, andreally demand, a pretty high-levelsituation. They work hard forthis, and my coaching staff works

hard for this. I will never say toanybody, especially to my people,that we’re going to be a badfootball team. ...

I’m going to do the best I canto have as high of expectationsas I can. I think, with youngteams, you have to. If you wantthose kids to rise, if you wantthem to become the best theycan be as a football, as an ath-lete, as a human being, you’vegot to have high expectations forthose kids.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCEBETWEEN REBUILDING ANDRELOADING?

HEATHERLY — To me,rebuilding is if the

program is notreaching theexpectations that youthink it needs to be at.When I came to Central, I thinkthat was a rebuilding job. ...You’ve got to come in at theground level and change theculture of that particular schoolor football climate. That’s awhole different thing thanreloading.

FOR THOSE SEASONS INWHICH THINGS JUST DON’T GOYOUR WAY, WHAT ARE SOMEOF THE THINGS YOU WOULDTELL A PLAYER, PARTICULARLYA SENIOR, TO KEEP THEMORALE UP?

FULTON — There are a lot ofdifferent ways to keep the

wheels on the wagon and besuccessful. Ws and Ls are notalways what we judge ourselvesby. Thankfully we’re not in westTexas or Texas in general,because they do judge it be Wsand Ls. It’s just a matter offinding other ways to havesuccess.

HEATHERLY — For us, we tryto think that we build some

bridges in the offseason, so

The keys to prolonged successThis is only part of our engagingconversation with the coaches.To see more of the discussion,go to greeleytribune.com/football2010.

«« WANT TO SEE MORE?

PHOTOS BY JIM RYDBOM/[email protected]

NORTHRIDGE FOOTBALL COACH Jeff Fulton talks with his team at the end of a presea-son practice. Despite going 0-10 in 2007, the Grizzlies are shooting for a playoff bid in Class 3A.

««CONTINUED7: Roundtable

GreeleyCentral’s MIKEHEATHERLY


when things do go southat a point in time, we’vegot some guys we cancount on.

HOW DO YOU FEELYOU’RE GAUGED, AND ISIT FAIR?

EASTIN — The biggestvictories are the

unpublished victories thatwe have with kids — Withrelationships with kidsand the way we get along.... We’re judged by winsand loses. We’re judgedsometimes by the way wetreat kids. ... Is it fair? No,but there are a lot ofthings in life that aren’tfair.

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITHOUTSIDE CRITICISM?

ROGGY — I’m probablyone of the most self-

reflective people onEarth. So, nobody needsto tell me when I have notdone a very good job.Here’s my wholephilosophy: Yes, I want areally good program thatpeople can be proud of.That’s the importantthing. I want to do rightby the kids that I coach.

That’s where my emphasisis. ... If I, being the way Iam, had to worry aboutwhat everybody in thecommunity might thinkabout what call MarkRoggy made on third-and-8, I would be a basketcase in a padded cellsomewhere.

IF YOU HAVE A FRESH-MAN AND SENIOR PLAY-ING THE SAME POSI-TION, WITH THE SAMESKILL LEVEL, HOW DOYOU DECIDE WHOPLAYS, WEIGHING THELOYALTY YOU MAY HAVEWITH THE SENIOR WITHTHE POTENTIAL UPSIDEOF THE FRESHMAN?

EASTIN — It’s very easyfor me. I’m going to

take one look at them,decide which one’s thebest (at) the position, andI’m going to move theother kid to a differentposition where he canhelp the team. It’s goingto be very simple. If thatfreshman is that good,we’re going to find a spotfor him.

HEATHERLY — I’vehad one sophomore

quarterback in my entirecareer. And part of thatwas not the fact that

sometimes they weren’tphysically ready, but youknow, they got eaten aliveby the seniors in thathuddle out in the middleof the field in a crunchsituation, which Isometimes I don’t find outabout until a game or twolater. They justemasculate that youngman. Sometimes theseyoung guys, really, truly,are just not ready forprimetime. ...

That freshman wouldhave to be heads-and-tails above that seniorbefore I put him in thatposition. I’ve found overthe years that those guyswho play early sometimesdon’t finish strong. Theyget all their needs met asfreshmen and sopho-mores, all the glory, andthey’re not as hungrywhen they’re seniors.

HOLMES — I’m a littlebit different than

these guys just because ofthe numbers game. As anexample, Michael Mooreas a freshman started forus at wideout, and he wasphenomenal. He ended

««ROUNDTABLEFrom 6


GREELEY WEST COACH Mark Roggy leads his team through a preseasonpractice. Roggy and the Spartans are three-time Class 4A Northern Conferencechampions.

««CONTINUED8: Roundtable

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up having a great fouryears at Dayspring for us.Then last year we had afreshman tailback, who isthe brother of JaredSanderford, who wasplayer of the year in 2008for 8-man football, and herushed for over 1,000yards. I had to play him.He was that good, but I’mdifferent than these guys.

MORE SO IN 8-MAN THANANY OTHER DIVISION,OTHER SCHOOLS AREFACING SMALL ROSTERS.IS THE PLAYING FIELDMORE LEVEL AT YOURLEVEL?

HOLMES — I’ve noticedin the four years at

Dayspring since I’ve beenthe coach, there wereteams that were up in thetop echelon, then down atthe bottom because ofgraduation.

WHAT DO YOU DO AT ASCHOOL AS SMALL ASDAYSPRING TO MAINTAINHAVING ABOUT 30 KIDSOUT FOR FOOTBALL?

HOLMES — I don’t doone thing. I don’t talk

to any other kids except

Dayspring kids. We have ajunior high program wherea lot of home-schooled kidscome and play. I encouragethem to come out. We onlyhave one kid from anotherschool who comes to ourplace to play.

««ROUNDTABLEFrom 7

FILE PHOTO BY ERIC BELLAMY/[email protected]

DAYSPRING CHRISTIAN coach Mick Holmescelebrates his team's victory against Merino in the2008 Class 1A 8-man Football Championship. TheEagles have made three consecutive trips to the 8-man title game.


By Bobby [email protected]

Platte Valley, Eaton andValley certainly hope tohave a brush with success

this football season.The coming months will deter-

mine if they can have Brush-likesuccess.

The Brush Beetdiggers enterthe season the consensus earlyfavorite to win the league, tyingWeld Central for second behindthe Broncos a season ago with a6-1 league record, 8-5 overall.The run-heavy Beetdiggers thendefeated Platte Valley 28-0 in thesecond round of the playoffsbefore falling 28-7 to FaithChristian in the semifinals.

Brush has enough key playersreturning this season to be thePatriot League’s top team,including a trio of rushers thataccounted for 2,314 yards lastseason: junior Connor Weiser(1,251, 14 touchdowns), seniorTanner Marrow (575 yards,seven touchdowns) and juniorEric Garcia (488 yards, fivetouchdowns).

Still, Valley coach RyanWehrman said he expects numer-ous teams to have a spirited fightfor playoff spots within the bal-anced league.

“I think Brush, in a lot of ways,is kind of the clear-cut favorite,”Wehrman said. “They did so welllast year with so many youngkids. But, then after that, whoknows what is going to happen?”

Still, first-year Platte Valleycoach Troy Hoffman said theleague is far too balanced and toocompetitive for any team to beconsidered a run-away favoritethis early in the fall.

“I really think that the PatriotLeague is going to pull three play-off spots. That’s how good it couldbe,” said Hoffman, a longtimeassistant for the Broncos. “I thinkbecause of who is returning for(Brush coach) Randy Dreitz —he’s got a mixture of skill kids andlineman — they could be the top

dog. But the fact is, on any givennight, if you play your best game,anybody could beat anybody.”

Platte Valley graduatednumerous key players last season,including quarterback JordanSmith, running back Clay Flotand linebackers Aaron Olson andSeth Baladez.

Still, regardless of the playersoccupying Broncos uniforms,Platte Valley has consistentlybeen a top-tier defensive team.Hoffman spent several years asthe team’s defensive coordinatorbefore taking the head job thisseason, replacing MichaelDeWall, who became the headcoach at Thompson Valley.

The top two teams of the eight-team Patriot League receive auto-matic bids to the playoffs. Fourmore wild card playoff selectionsare awarded statewide based on awild card point system.

Traditionally, the No. 3 team inthe Patriot League has been a vir-tual shoe-in to receive a wild cardbid.

In addition to Brush and PlatteValley, Weld Central, Eaton,Valley and potentially Universityare all likely to be battling forplayoff spots in the loaded league.

Weld Central (5-2, 7-4 last sea-son), a playoff qualifier a yearago, has some of the state’s topskill players, notably senior quar-

terback/defensive back J.J. Siriosand senior wide receiver/defen-sive back Brandon Hoff.

Eaton (4-3, 4-6) had a slew offirst time varsity players last sea-son but won its last six games lastseason behind a sharply develop-ing offense led by quarterbacksTony Ball and Jaden Olearnickand receivers Tyler Smith andDarin Foss.

Valley (1-6, 4-6), like the Reds,fought inexperience last year, butseniors JJ Schoenhofer andHunter Gonzales and juniors JoeDellenbach and DrewMatsushima lead the Vikings,who are a year wiser.

If his team is going to take thatnext step and qualify for the play-offs, Wehrman said his playersmust have the confidence andpoise to beat a top team likeBrush, Platte Valley, Weld Centralor Eaton, against which theVikings went 0-4 last year.

“A lot of it is the mental stategoing in, knowing we can wingoing into the game,” he said.“Mentality is a big thing. Second,we’ve got to take care of businessand not lose games by makingstupid mistakes or hurting our-selves with a key play here orthere. We’ve got to play almost aperfect and execute at a levelwe’ve probably never executed atbefore.”


PLATTE VALLEY senior Billy Wilson is expected to be aleader this season at outside linebacker for the Broncos.

EATON REDS

COACH: Bill Mondt,16th season

2009 RECAP: Eaton finished 4-3 in league,4-6 overall.The Reds got off to aslow start playing a tough schedule,before winning their final six games.

KEY PLAYERS: Tucker Stults,sr.,OT/DT; Caleb Selby,sr.,S; Seth Selby,sr.,SS;Tyler Smith,WR,sr.; Garrett Carroll,DT,sr.; Darin Foss,jr.,TE

OUTLOOK: Eaton will try to build off its strong finish to last season as itcompetes for a playoff spot in a tough Patriot League.Many Reds playersreceived their first taste of varsity action last season.With a season ofexperience under their belts,they could make significant strides this season.

PLATTE VALLEY BRONCOS

COACH: Troy Hoffman,first season

2009 RECAP: Platte Valley won the Patriot League with a 7-0 mark in league,10-2 overall but fell 28-0 to league rival Brush in the playoff quarterfinals.

KEY PLAYERS: Billy Wilson,sr.,OLB; Jake Naibauer,sr.,LB; Trent Fahrenbruch,jr., ILB/RB; Junior Gonzalez,jr.,OT; Jordan Perez,jr.,OL; Jordan Dunn,jr.,WR

2010 OUTLOOK: Wilson is the Broncos only returning starter.Still,the teammaintains its normal high expectations,according to Hoffman — a longtimePlatte Valley defensive coordinator before taking the head coach reins fromMichael DeWall this season.Hoffman said the Broncos have their sights set ona top three finish in the always loaded Patriot League.The team approachesthis season with a strong commitment and work ethic with 55 kidsparticipating in mandatory and non-mandatory drills the past couple weeks.

UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS

COACH: Tom Grasmick,second season

2009 RECAP: The Bulldogs struggled to a 2-8 record in Grasmick’s firstseason as the coach.One of their victories was against Valley 19-15,and itcame down to a last-play defensive pass breakup by Nick Haight to preservethe victory.Their other victory was a 28-7 conquest of Estes Park.

KEY PLAYERS: Christian Dick,sr.,QB/DB; Darren Perez,sr.,RB/LB; DrewCoggswell,soph.,WR/LB; Josh White,jr.,OL/DL; Frankie Cisneros,sr.,LB.

2010 OUTLOOK: This could be a much-improved team with players returningin key spots and in their second season of learning Grasmick’s system.Expectations for the team are high,hoping to finish better than .500.

VALLEY VIKINGS

COACH: Ryan Wehrman,fourth season

2009 RECAP: Valley won its first three games but struggled in the PatriotLeague,finishing 1-6 in league,4-6 overall.

KEY PLAYERS: JJ Schoenhofer,sr.,OL/DL; Hunter Gonzales,sr.,TE/LB; JoeDellenbach,jr.; QB; Drew Matsushima,jr.,WR/DB; Walker Gonzales,jr.,OL/DL

2010 OUTLOOK: Wehrman said the team must improve from last season,and to do that,it needs to find a way to win a game against one of the topteams in a league that is traditionally dominated by Brush,Platte Valley andEaton.The Vikings have experience in their favor after having a young team ayear ago.They are returning eight starters on offense and seven on defense.

WELD CENTRAL REBELS

COACH: Mike Brown,8th season

2009 RECAP: The Rebels were 5-2 in league,7-4 overall and made the playoffsfor the first time in five years.They fell in the first round 40-14 to Platte Canyon.

KEY PLAYERS: JJ Sirios,sr.,QB/DB; Brandon Hoff,sr.,WR/DB; Garrett Page,sr.,RB/LB; Trevor Hammock,sr.,OL/DL

2010 OUTLOOK: The Rebels had an explosive offense last season andshould again be highly effective behind Sirios and Hoff,two of the top athletesin 2A.Brown said his team must focus on rebuilding its offensive line afterlosing Alan Gudka and Dillan Whistance to graduation from a season ago.Theprogress in that area has been encouraging so far,and Brown said,if they cancontinue to make strides and stay healthy,the Rebels should again be aplayoff contender.


CLASS 2A PATRIOT LEAGUE OUTLOOK

PLAYOFF SPOTS AT A PREMIUMPlenty should be inPatriot League mix


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By Bobby [email protected]

Weld Central has nointention of being aone-season wonder.

Nor does it have any intention ofenduring another five-year play-off drought.

A year ago, the Rebels engi-neered an explosive offense tofinish 5-2 in a loaded Class 2APatriot League to qualify for thestate playoffs for the first time infive seasons.

Weld Central ended its seasonat 7-4 with a 40-14 first roundloss to perennial 2A contenderPlatte Canyon last November.Nine months later though, theRebels are returning a group ofkey players determined to againmake a run to the postseason.

“I’m super excited for thisyear,” Weld Central seniorBrandon Hoff said. “I’m reallylooking forward to it. I can’t waitfor Week 1 to roll around. ...Everyone is excited. We can’twait.”

Last season, Hoff was a keycomponent of the Rebels’ offense,playing a variety of positions,receiving for 381 yards on 23catches, passing for 570 yardsand rushing for 154 yards for a

total of 11 touchdowns. Heformed a dominant one-twopunch with quarterback/defen-sive back J.J. Sirios (690 yardspassing, 373 rushing yards, 16total touchdowns in eight

games).Weld Central will not have to

wait long to prove last season’ssuccess was more than just ananomaly. After opening Sept. 3 atManual (2-8 last season), the

Rebels travel to face aforemen-tioned Platte Canyon (12-1) onSept. 10.

Sirios said the rematch againstthe Huskies, nine months in themaking, is a game he and his

teammates have been lookingforward to since the schedule wasreleased during the summer.

“We wanted to challenge our-selves against playoff-caliberteams,” Sirios said. “We want toget a little revenge on PlatteCanyon, too. That’s the gamewe’re really looking forward to.We’re calling it the ‘redemptiongame.’”

In the weeks leading up to theSept. 3 season opener, Rebelscoach Mike Brown said his teamis focused on rebuilding its offen-sive line.

Weld Central has some talenton its line, and the progress hasbeen encouraging so far, Brownsaid. The Rebels must replace apair of big bodies in Alan Gudka(6-feet, 290 pounds) and DillanWhistance (6-foot-1, 275pounds), who were seniors lastseason.

“We definitely have the skillpositions to get (to the playoffs),”Brown said. “We’re working realhard to get the offensive lineready to go. If we are able to dothat, I can’t see why we can’t getin there and get a playoff spot. It’snot a terribly young (line), justinexperienced, because the groupwe had last year had played fortwo or three years.”

REBELS TARGET BIG SEASONJIM RYDBOM

/jrydbom@gree-

leytribune.com

WELDCENTRALSENIORBrandonHoff reachesto make acatch duringa recentpractice inKeenesburg.

1A North Central

HIGHLAND HUSKIES

COACH: David Stanford,second season

2009 RECAP: The Huskies went 1-4 inconference,4-5 overall, falling shy of makingthe playoffs.

KEY PLAYERS: Colten Gardner,sr.,RB/DB;Jordan Rigg,sr.,OL/DL; Latham Clayton, jr.,QB/DB; Frankie Barrientes,sr.,OL/DL; JamesHartley,sr.,RB/DB; Devon Venn,sr.,WR/OLB

2010 OUTLOOK: Highland looks to overcomeinexperience after graduating seven startersfrom a year ago.Stanford said the teamshould be more familiar with the offense in thesecond year running Stanford’s system.Theteam has impressive speed and size.

Class 1A 8-man Plains

DAYSPRING CHRISTIAN EAGLES

COACH: Mick Holmes,fifth season

2009 RECAP: The Eagles were 11-2 lastseason,losing twice to Merino, including thestate championship game after breezing

through the regular season and the earlyrounds of the playoffs with Merino being theonly team to have their number.

KEY PLAYERS: Zane Jandreau,sr.,OL/DL;Jason Reynolds, jr.,LB; 6-1,185; BenSanderford,soph.,RB/DB; Justin Short, jr.,OL/DE; Eli Miller, jr.,QB/CB; Greg Ashley,soph.,RB/CB; Luke Figgs, jr.,TE/DE;

2010 OUTLOOK: The Eagles are juniordominated and bring back a lot of experience.They are expected to be competitive in thePlains Division without any true standouts.“Our success will depend on how well we pickthings up,”Holmes said.“Until they getcomfortable in their positions and reactinstead of thinking,we’ll be a bit inexperienced.This is a great group of fun kids.”

1A 6-man North

BRIGGSDALE FALCONS

COACH: Rick Mondt,fourth season

2009 RECAP: The Falcons struggled in theirleague,finishing 0-4 as well as 3-6 overall.

KEY PLAYERS: Cameron Jeffryes,sr.,RB/DB;

Tucker Allmer,sr.,QB/DB; Jacob Krise,sr.,RB/LB; Johnathon Dilka,sr.,C/DE; SethChandler,sr.,WR/LB

2010 OUTLOOK: The Falcons have a strongsenior class and could be a contender tomake the playoffs after not graduating aplayer from last season’s squad.Among thereturnees is Jeffryes,who ran for more than1,200 yards and had 27 touchdowns in 2009.

PAWNEE COYOTES

COACH: Doug Miller, 14th season

2009 RECAP: The Coyotes were 1-3 inleague,3-4 overall,surviving a season inwhich they had only seven total players andjust six players in four games.Pawnee had animpressive 52-44 win against rival Briggsdale.

KEY PLAYERS: Brad Durst,sr.,QB/DB; JamesKlinginsmith,sr.,FB/LB; Brye Brunelle,soph.,OE/S; Scott Klinginsmith,soph.,RB/LB; ZebDurst,soph.,TB/DB,

2010 OUTLOOK: The Coyotes have a solidspike in numbers with nine kids, including apair of foreign exchange students and fivefreshmen and sophomores.Miller said the

team will need those new additions to stepup and play meaningful roles and Pawneesets its sights on returning to the playoffs.

PRAIRIE MUSTANGS

COACH: Glenn Carlson,fifth season

2009 RECAP: After not fielding a team aseason earlier,Prairie finished 5-2 but wasineligible for the playoffs because theMustangs didn’t play the previous season.

KEY PLAYERS: Clay Carlson,sr.,RB/LB;Mitch O’Patik,sr.,OL/DL; Claudio Briseno,sr.,QB; Collin Dones,sr.,OE/DE; Troy Warboys, jr.,OE/DB/KR; Jacob Laramore, jr.,C/LB

2010 OUTLOOK: Prairie has a fairly largeteam by six-man standards with 10 to 12players who will see varsity time.The teamfeatures a strong class that have been withthe program for all four years.With aknowledgeable and experienced team,Carlson said the team is way ahead of whereit typically is this time of year,which shouldbode well for the Mustangs’playoff hopes.


CLASS 1A OUTLOOK


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2A PATRIOT

Team Conf. Overall

Platte Valley 7-0 10-2

Weld Central 6-1 7-4

Brush 6-1 8-5

Eaton 4-3 4-6

Strasburg 3-4 4-3

University 2-5 2-8

Valley 1-6 4-6

Estes Park 0-7 1-9

1A NORTH CENTRAL

Team Conf. Overall

Yuma 5-0 13-0

Akron 4-1 11-2

Wray 3-2 6-4

Wiggins 2-3 5-5

Highland 1-4 4-5

Holyoke 0-5 1-8

1A 8-MAN PLAINS

Team Conf. Overall

Merino 5-0 13-0

Dayspring Chr. 4-1 11-2

Caliche 3-2 8-3

Longmont Chr. 2-3 4-6

Sedgwick C. 1-4 1-7

Haxtun 0-5 0-8

1A 6-MAN NORTH

Team Conf. Overall

Peetz 3-0 6-3

Prairie 2-2 5-2

Weldon Valley 3-1 4-4

Pawnee 1-3 3-4

Briggsdale 0-4 2-6

2009 CLASS 2A, 1A STANDINGS

[ ]PHOTOREPRINTS

greeleytribune.mycapture.com

ONLINENOW

SPORTS • LIFESTYLE • MEMORIES


Eli Miller watched a succes-sion of players take theirturns in successfully direct-

ing the Dayspring ChristianAcademy football team.

Now, it’s Miller time.Miller, a junior will call the

shots for the Eagles, a Class 1A 8-man team that has made postsea-son a habit and advanced to thestate championship game threestraight seasons, winning in 2008— has been given the reins bycoach Mick Holmes.

“He’s our leader,” Holmes said.“We have just two seniors on theteam, and you expect them to lead,but with that being the case, youexpect others to step up to theplate.”

Miller will have plenty of sup-port in his first season as the first-string quarterback, hoping forsimilar success to those who pre-ceded him in Dan Baer, JaredSanderford and Mike Moore.

Sophomore Ben Sanderford,who gained more than 1,000yards last season, is expected toproduce more of the same.

“Like most 11-man teams,coaches are hesitant to start afreshman, but in our situation if akid is good enough, he’ll start,”Holmes said. “Sanderford will def-initely be a big part of the offense.”

The Eagles feature just two sen-iors — interior lineman ZaneJandreau and tight end BrysonKelly — but have a horde of soph-omores and juniors with plenty ofvarsity experience to make a dif-ference in a program where suc-cess consistently breeds success.

“Our first priority is that we playfor God,” said Jandreau, a behe-moth at 6-foot, 285 pounds. “Wehave that in our minds, and thenplay as hard as we possibly canand let whatever happens, hap-pen.”

What has happened is well doc-umented as Dayspring Christianand Merino have dominated the8-man ranks recently, tradingstate titles the last three yearswhile establishing a healthy rival-ry.

“I’m excited to play them again,”said Jandreau, who is 1-2 againstthe Rams in state title games.“Merino is our first conferencegame this season, so both teamscan tell where they stand early inthe season.”

Miller is anxious to take his shotin the Eagles’ explosive optionoffense, especially with one of hisclosest friends — Sanderford — inthe backfield with him, along withsophomore Greg Ashley, whomHolmes said “can run like a deer.”

“This is a big role for me, andI’ve thought about the three quar-terbacks before me taking thisprogram to state title games, butI’m starting to settle down a littlebit,” the 5-11, 165-pound Millersaid. “My nerves are starting tocalm down a bit.”

Miller knew his day at quarter-back would come, waiting in thewings behind Moore last season.

“Coach Holmes told me that ifMike went down I’d be the quar-terback, and then told me thatwhen Mike was finished, the jobwas going to be mine,” Miller said.“Expectations are pretty high forthis program, and I’m expecting alot from myself.”

— Samuel G. Mustari

ON THE MOVE AGAIN,ROOSEVELT EMBRACES CHALLENGE OF 3A NORTHERN

After a couple years in a val-ley, Roosevelt is looking topeak.

For the second time in threeyears, the Rough Riders will playin a different football conferencethan the one they played in theprevious season.

Two years ago, Roosevelt madethe move from the Class 2A

Patriot League to the 3A Tri-Valley. Now, the Rough Ridersplay alongside a few former Tri-Valley foes and a couple fresh facesin the new 3A NorthernConference.

In addition to Roosevelt, theconference features three otherformer Tri-Valley teams: Last sea-son’s Tri-Valley champion andstate playoff semifinalistMountain View, Berthoud andSilver Creek. Joining them areErie, which moves up from the 2AFlatirons, and Skyline, which isplaying down after competing inthe 4A Northern last season.

“It’s a tough conference,”Roosevelt coach Ed Eastin said.“This will be the third year we’vebeen in the 3A mix. You can’t takea break, because every week some-body will come up and beat you.You have to be ready. ... It’s one ofthe toughest leagues around.”

As it has done recently,Roosevelt opens with a noncon-ference game against perennial2A contender Platte Valley at 7p.m. Sept. 3 in Johnstown. Afterplaying numerous teams fromtheir former home, the Tri-Valley,the Rough Riders play their firstconference game on Oct. 8, host-ing Mountain View.

Last season, Roosevelt lost theopener 7-6 at the Broncos. TheRough Riders dropped four oftheir first six games and didn’tfully find their stride until winningthree of their last four, narrowly

missing the playoffs.Eastin said it’s important the

team gets off to a faster start thisseason.

“I think we just need to comeout of the gates strong,” he said.“Every year is a new year. Everyteam has their own personality.Every team has their own attitude.The sooner a team identifies whattheir personality is and what theirattitude is, the better off they’ll be.”

— Bobby Fernandez

COMMITTED BULLDOGS SEEIMPROVEMENT

Tom Grasmick is sleepingbetter at night. That’s adirect result of the progress

his University football team hasmade in just one season under hisdirection.

“I’m not even pulling out thefew hairs I have left on my head,”Grasmick joked.

The Bulldogs, 2-8 inGrasmick’s first season, havebought into his system — think-ing, sleeping and eating footballall year, evidenced by extra timein the weight room and participa-tion in offseason training activi-ties.

“We’re leaps and bounds aheadof where we were,” Grasmick said.“Most of that goes with the extratime we’ve had to input our sys-tem and with the returning play-ers we have from a year ago.

“We’ve got some leaders on thisteam, and that helps a ton.”

The most notable is seniorquarterback Christian Dick, whohas played a key role in sellingGrasmick’s system and takingcharge on the field.

“Even now with 10 voluntarypractices and a full week of prac-tice in, we’re making fewer mis-takes and looking more and morelike a decent football team,”Grasmick said. “What a differ-ence.”

With Dick in charge of theoffense, Grasmick feels a sense ofcomfort, and has a newfoundconfidence in his defense underfirst-year coordinator JohnSparks.

“We’re going to look to ourdefense to set the tone and keepus in games,” Grasmick said. “Ourdefense is going to give us achance to win.”

In fact, Grasmick explained

last year’s 2-8 record wasn’tindicative of how well theBulldogs played at times.

“I think outside of our gamesagainst Yuma and Brush — andthose are the two best teams I’veseen in awhile — we competedwell,” Grasmick said. “We had ourtwo worst showings against PlatteValley and Eaton because we justforgot to show up, but that iswhat’s part of changing the cul-ture. We focus on showing up toplay every single week.”

Grasmick expects eight playersto start on both sides of the ball,including Dick, senior DarrenPerez (RB/LB) and DrewCoggswell, a sophomore who wasan all-Patriot League honorablemention at wide receiver and line-backer.

“Josh White will also go onboth sides of the ball in the lines,”Grasmick said. “He’s one of guyswho leads by example, but onewho is a vocal leader who reallyflies around on defense is FrankieCisneros. It takes a good mix ofkids like that to make a goodsquad, and that’s what we’re look-ing at right now.

“I know that everybody is opti-mistic and undefeted at this time,but our kids have a goal in mind,and I know it’s not below .500.”

— Samuel G. Mustari

ROOSEVELT ROUGH RIDERS

COACH: Ed Eastin,15th season

2009 RECAP: Roosevelt fell justshort of qualifying for the playoffs,finishing 5-4 in the Tri-Valley league,5-5 overall.

KEY PLAYERS: Jason Lopez,sr.,RB; Bryan Bott,sr.,WR; BrandynHernandez,sr.,LB; Tyler Trobee,sr.,LB/RB; Marcus Holguin, jr.,DB/WR;Christian Kratz, jr.,RB; JuanSanchez, jr.,DL

2010 OUTLOOK: Eastin said hishigh expectations never changefrom season to season.He said heand his team are setting their sightsnot just on qualifying for theplayoffs but making a postseasonrun.To do that,Eastin said,theRough Riders must develop astrong team attitude,remainrelatively injury free and put forth aconsistent work ethic each practiceand each game.

Bobby Fernandez

CLASS 3A NORTHERNOUTLOOK

MILLER TAKES OVER FOR EAGLES

FILE PHOTO BY ERIC BELLAMY/[email protected]

DAYSPRING CHRISTIAN’S Eli Miller will step into thequarterback position this season.

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Weld County Football Preview

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