5A Football: CCSD teams sport a 5-1 record for the week
Week 2 of the 2023 football season went very well for district teams, as they went 5-1 against non-conference opponents.
Cherokee Trail got on the winning track after last week’s heartbreaking home loss to Chatfield. On Aug. 31, the Cougars completely shut down Rocky Mountain, winning 24-0 at French Field in Fort Collins. The game was scoreless for three quarters, then CTHS scored 24 unanswered points in the 4th quarter. Senior Ian Lee rushed for 58 yards and returned a Lobos fumble for a touchdown. Next, the Cougars (1-1) host Columbine at 7 p.m. on Sept. 8 at Legacy Stadium.
Cherry Creek went to 2-0, beating Legacy 42-14 at the Stutler Bowl. Senior running back Jordan Herron ran for two scores, and sophomore quarterback Brady Vodicka passed for a touchdown and ran for another in the win. Next, Creek is on the road to take on Chatfield at 7 p.m. on Sept. 8 at Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood.
Finally, last Thursday, Smoky Hill fell to 0-2, losing 42-7 to Rock Canyon at EchoPark Stadium in Parker. The Buffs' lone touchdown came on a 2nd quarter 3-yard run by senior Kai Washington. The Buffaloes will try to get their first win when they face Overland at 6 p.m. on Sept. 9 at Legacy Stadium. That game has significance for two reasons. First, it is the annual Wagon Wheel game where the two teams try to win the coveted Wagon Wheel Trophy, which Smoky Hill has held for the past five seasons.
The Buffs and Blazers are also helping to celebrate the district’s annual Veterans and Military Appreciation event. The football game is the culmination of a celebration that includes a noon lunch for veterans, current military members and their families at Cherokee Trail High School, and a free Community Celebration featuring military vehicles, displays, and demonstrations in the east parking lot from 2-5 p.m.
On Sept. 1, Eaglecrest improved to 2-0 with a big 40-3 road win over Horizon at Five Star Stadium in Thornton. The Raptors were led by junior quarterback Joe Steiner, who threw for four touchdowns. Junior Zavion Gamble caught two touchdowns and senior Cam Chapa ran for a score. EHS is on the road for a third straight week and will face the Highlands Ranch Falcons at 7 p.m. on Sept. 8 at Halftime Help Stadium in Highlands Ranch.
Grandview also sports a 2-0 record after a big 38-13 win over Fossil Ridge on Sept. 1. Senior Liam Szarka had a huge night, passing for 327 yards and four touchdowns. Junior Xay Neto caught two touchdowns, and senior Nate Denton caught another TD in the victory. Next, the Wolves will take on Ralston Valley at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 8, at the North Area Athletic Complex (NAAC) in Arvada.
Overland got its first win of the 2023 season last Friday with a 32-14 victory over Prairie View at the Stutler Bowl. The Blazers were led by junior Jarrius Ward, who had three rushing touchdowns, and senior quarterback Talil Seals-Fisher, who threw one touchdown and rushed for another. Next, OHS will take on cross-town rival Smoky Hill at 6 p.m. on Sept. 9 at Legacy Stadium.
5A Boys Soccer: Non-conference play continues for district clubs
CCSD boys soccer teams stayed busy last week.
The Cherokee Trail Cougars soccer club remained unbeaten with a 2-0 road win over Columbine on Aug. 31. The Cougars have outscored their first three opponents by a combined score of 11-0 to open their season. CTHS will take on Valor Christian at 7 p.m. on Sept. 6 at Valor Stadium in Highlands Ranch.
Eaglecrest went 1-0-1 this past week with a 4-0 win over Palmer Ridge at the Stutler Bowl last Monday, and a scoreless tie with Fruita Monument on Saturday at Legacy Stadium. The Raptors (2-2-1) will host Lakewood at 6 p.m. on Sept. 5 at Legacy.
Cherry Creek (2-2-1) got off to a great start early, going 2-0-1, but the Bruins suffered two close 1-0 losses at home last week, the first to Legend on Aug. 29 and the second to Rock Canyon on Aug. 31. Next, Creek takes on Castle View at 6 p.m. on Sept. 7 at Douglas County Stadium in Castle Rock.
The Overland Trailblazers saw their record fall to 1-1-1 last week with their first loss at home to visiting Vista Peak Prep. The final score was Bison 2, Blazers 1. Next, OHS faces ThunderRidge at 6 p.m. on Sept. 5 at Halftime Help Stadium.
Grandview (2-2-2) went 1-1 last week, falling to Mountain Vista 2-0 at home last Tuesday, but rebounding for a 3-1 win at Fort Collins on Thursday. The Wolves will be back in action on Sept. 5 as they host D’Evelyn at 8 p.m. at Legacy Stadium.
Smoky Hill began the season with a big 7-2 win over Sand Creek on Aug. 19, but went 0-2 last week getting shut out 4-0 at Air Academy last Tuesday, and again coming up scoreless in a 1-0 loss against Fruita Monument on Sept. 1. The Buffs will try to get back on the winning track as they host Aurora Central at 4 p.m. on Sept. 5.
Girls Volleyball: Grandview leads the way in the district
The Grandview Wolves girls volleyball team was busy last week, going 3-2. The highlight of the week was winning three games at the Chaparral Showcase Tournament at the Gold Crown Foundation in Lakewood on Friday and Saturday. GHS (4-2) won matches over Highlands Ranch, Legacy, and Castle View. The Wolves fell to Chaparral twice, on Aug. 31, and then at the Showcase last Saturday. Grandview continues non-conference play against Legend on Sept. 5.
The Cherokee Trail Cougars split their matches at the Showcase Tourney last weekend. CTHS beat Highlands Ranch and Chatfield, while falling to Legacy and Fossil Ridge. The Cougars take on Rock Canyon on Sept. 5.
The Cherry Creek Bruins went 2-3 this past week, posting wins over Ralston Valley and Legacy in the Chaparral Showcase. The Bruins fell to Rock Canyon on August 30, and lost to Castle View and Legend in tournament play over the weekend. Creek resumes play next week against Legend.
Overland went 0-1 last week with a loss to Rangeview, to fall to 3-5 on the season. The Trailblazers head to Thornton on Tuesday to play Skyview.
Smoky Hill posted a 1-3 record at the Showcase event. The lone victory was over Westminster. The Buffs (2-4) are on the road Sept. 6 at Mountain Range.
The Eaglecrest Raptors went 1-1 last week, and got their first win – a 3-0 shutout of Vista Peak Prep – on Aug. 31 at home. The Raptors (1-3) host Lakewood on Sept. 5.
5A Boys Golf: Underclassmen continue to shine at Centennial League #4
District golfers were at Saddle Rock Golf Course in Aurora last Wednesday competing in the Centennial League #4 event. Cherry Creek took home first place team honors for the second week in a row. Bruins juniors Andre Dumonteil, Wyatt Isgrig, and Henry Starr, along with senior Pratham Parmer, shot a total of 295. Cherokee Trail tied with Arapahoe for second place with a 304. Eaglecrest, Grandview, and Smoky Hill finished fifth, sixth, and seventh respectively in the team standings.
In individual play, young players continued their winning ways at the tourney. Eaglecrest sophomore Gregory White was the day’s champion, coming into the clubhouse with a 5-under 67, besting Grandview junior Michael Rosman, who shot a 2-under 70. Cherokee Trail junior Brayden Forte continued to play well, coming in with a 1-under 71, good for third place. Next, CCSD golfers will compete at the Centennial League #5 event on Sept. 5 at Aurora Hills Golf Course in Aurora.
Girls Flag Football: Jamborees continue
Flag football teams from the district had a beautiful Saturday - albeit with hot temperatures - for competition last weekend.
Cherry Creek, Grandview, and Eaglecrest were all in action. The Wolves and Raptors clubs were part of the Ralston Valley Jamboree in Arvada. The Raptors varsity got three wins, while Grandview went 0-3. The Bruins were part of the invitational at Lakewood Memorial Field on Sept. 2. Cherry Creek Blue went 3-0, including a 14-8 win over a tough Mountain Vista Club.
Girls flag football is in its last pilot season before official sanctioning by the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSSA) in 2024-25.
Boys golf photo courtesy Courtney Oakes, Sentinel Colorado.
Posted 9/5/2023.
