Compiled by JJ Gerlach | jjgerlach@alamosacitizen.com
VALLEY teams went 6-4 in the first weekend of high school football. While Alamosa and Center found disappointment in week one, there were also big wins from Centauri and a huge 72-point win from the Sierra Grande Panthers. Here’s a recap all 10 teams in the Valley and their schedules this weekend:
Alamosa
The Mean Moose fell last week on the road, 40-29, to the Pueblo Central Wildcats. The Moose will travel to Gunnison on Friday to take on the Cowboys who are coming off a 45-0 win over Aspen.
Rankings: Week 1: 13 1A. Week 2 14 1A (MaxPreps)
Centauri
The Falcons blew out the Pagosa Springs Pirates, 33-0, in their home opener. On Friday the Falcons travel to take on Florence, who fell 20-3 to Limon.
Rankings: Week 1: 3 1A. Week 2: 1 1A (MaxPreps)
Center
The Vikings dropped a tough game last Friday, 26-21, to the Huskies of Platte Canyon on the road in Bailey. Center will host the Olathe Pirates this Friday. Del Norte beat Olathe last week, 46-6.
Rankings: Week 1: 26 1A. Week 2: 26 1A (MaxPreps)
Del Norte
The Tigers will look to go to 2-0 on the year when they travel to play Rocky Ford, which lost last week to Monte Vista.
Ranking: Week 1: 29 1A. Week 2: 24 1A (MaxPreps)
Monte Vista
The Pirates jumped all over Rocky Ford at home, 54-0. The next test for Monte Vista is Colorado Springs Christian on Friday in Monte Vista. Colorado Springs Christian toughed out a win against Flatirons Academy last Saturday 34-31.
Ranking: Week 1: 18 1A. Week 2: 18 1A
Mountain Valley
The Hawks dropped their first game of the season on the road against Hanover, 32-18. The Hawks travel again, this time to Walsh, who lost a shootout to La Veta, 64-62, last week.
Rankings: 6 Man football unranked.
Sangre De Cristo
The Thunderbirds had a hard time in their first football game in two years as they lost, 74-26, on the road against the Primero Bulldogs. Sangre will play Friday on the road against the Kiowa Indians, who lost against Peetz, 49-0.
Rankings: 6 Man football unranked.
Sanford
The Mustangs welcomed in a new year and a new name with a statement win over Dayspring Christian Academy, 34-20. The Mustangs will be on the road Friday as they take on the Swink Lions, who defeated Fowler 44-34 at home.
Rankings: 8 Man Football unranked.
Sargent
The Farmers dominated South Park last weekend, 48-6, at home. Sargent will travel to Springfield on Friday to take on the Longhorns who lost their opener on the road in Oklahoma against Turpin.
Rankings: 8 Man Football unranked.
Sierra Grande
The Panthers, who are the highest scoring team in the Valley after week one, took it to the Manzanola Bobcats, 78-6. The Panthers are on the road again this week against the Eads Eagles, who dropped their first game of the season, 70-50, against Genoa-Hugo.
Rankings: 6 Man Football unranked.
2022 season preview
AUGUST 26, 2022 /
A year ago it was the Centauri Falcons making history, winning a Colorado High School state football title for the first time in the team’s history. Which teams will stand out this year? Here’s a quick look at each of the Valley’s high school football teams ahead of Friday’s season openers. Center and Del Norte will be led by first-year head coaches, while Sangre de Cristo returns to the gridiron after a year off and will play in the six-man league.
Alamosa
The Mean Moose are coming off a 6-4 season last year that ended with a first-round loss to Delta in the playoffs. Fourth-year head coach Drew Sandlin will lead the Moose into their first game tonight, when Alamosa travels to Pueblo to take on Pueblo Central Wildcats who are ranked #28 (MaxPreps) in Colorado 3A rankings. The Moose will be looking for a big year from senior quarterback Kasey Jones, who finished last season with 1621 passing yards to go along with 20 touchdowns.
Key Players: Kade Jones, senior; Kasey Jones, senior; Cody Lopez, senior; Abram Bowden, senior; Brant Jackson, junior.
Ranking: MaxPreps: 13 2A
Schedule:
Week 1: @Pueblo Central Aug. 26
Week 2: @Gunnison Sept. 2
Week 3: VS. The Classical Academy (Colorado Springs) Sept. 9
Week 4: @Pagosa Springs Sept. 16
Week 5: VS. La Junta Sept. 30
Week 6: @Lamar Oct. 7
Week 7: VS Manitou Springs Oct. 14
Week 8: VS: Florence Oct. 21
Week 9: @Woodland Park Oct. 28
Centauri
The Falcons are coming off of a state championship title and have strong hopes for a repeat. Head coach Kyle Forster will lead the team for his 13th season. Centauri is led by junior running back Deven Brady, who finished second on the Falcons in total touchdowns with 15 in his sophomore season.
Key Players: Deven Brady, junior; Chaz Holman, junior; CB, Kaleb Anderson, junior; Zach Gallardo, junior; Leigton Curtis, senior.
Ranking: 3 1A
Schedule:
Week 1: VS. Pagosa Springs Aug. 26
Week 2: @ Florence Sept. 2
Week 3: @ Buena Vista Sept. 9
Week 4: VS. Bayfield Sept. 23
Week 5: @ Center Sept. 30
Week 6: VS. Del Norte Oct. 7
Week 7: @ Trinidad Oct. 14
Week 8: VS. Ignacio Oct. 21
Week 9: @ Monte Vista Oct. 28
Center
The Vikings are coming off a disappointing 3-6 season last year and are looking for a turnaround under first-year head coach Rodney Mondragon. The Vikings come into 2022 ranked #26 in Colorado 1A. Senior Ricardo Maldonado looks to have a big season this year as he adds to his rushing and receiving totals from last year when he finished second in each category.
Key Players: Ricardo Maldonaldo, senior; Miguel Casanova, senior; Cael Ruggles, senior.
Ranking:MaxPreps: 3 1A
Schedule:
Week 1: @ Platte Canyon Aug. 27
Week 2: VS Olathe Sept. 2
Week 3: VS. Peyton Sept. 9
Week 4: @ Rye Sept. 16
Week 5: VS. Centauri Sept. 30
Week 6: @ Ignacio Oct. 7
Week 7: VS. Del Norte Oct. 14
Week 8: @ Monte Vista Oct. 21
Week 9: VS. Trinidad Oct. 28
Del Norte
The Tigers are also looking for a bounce back this year as they finished at 1-7 in the 2021 season. Del Norte will be looking for their leading rusher Cody Worz to have a big year this season as he begins his junior year. Del Norte will be led by first-year head coach Henry Castillo.
Key Players: Nickolas Atencio, sophomore; Cody Worz, junior; Tyler Gallegos, senior; Micheal Laymon, senior; Colby Gandy, senior.
Ranking: MaxPreps: 24 1A
Schedule:
Week 1: @ Olathe Aug. 26
Week 2: @ Rocky Ford Sept.-2
Week 3: VS. Cedaredge Sept. 9
Week 4: VS. Salida Sept. 23
Week 5: VS. Monte Vista Sept. 29
Week 6: @ Centauri Oct. 7
Week 7: @ Center Oct. 14
Week 8: VS. Trinidad Oct 21
Week 9: @ Ignacio Oct. 28
Monte Vista
The Pirates are coming off of a season in which they finished 6-4 but dropped their first playoff game against Florence. Khegan Gunter, a senior running back will look to lead the charge this year as he finished last season with 14 total touchdowns, first on the team. Head coach Manny Wassinger will enter his 10th year as the Pirates coach.
Players to Watch: Alex Felix, senior; Deangelo Archuleta, senior; Khegan Gunter, senior; Addan Heredia, senior; Jack Noonan, sunior.
Ranking: MaxPreps: 18 1A
Schedule:
Week 1: VS. Rocky Ford Aug. 26
Week 2: VS. Colorado Springs Christian Sept. 2
Week 3: @ Gunnison Sept. 9
Week 4: @ Peyton Sept. 23
Week 5: @ Del Norte Sept. 29
Week 6: VS Trinidad Oct. 7
Week 7: @ Ignacio Oct. 14
Week 8: VS. Center Oct. 21
Week 9: VS. Centauri Oct. 28
Mountain Valley
Saguache will bring along a new name into this football season as they changed from the Indians to the Wolves. The Wolves finished 2021 with a 6-4 record and look to keep the consistency they’ve built under head coach Joel Johnson, now in his seventh year. Senior Riley Heater will be a big element for the Wolves this year as he led with 15 passing touchdowns last season.
Players to Watch: Riley Heater, junior; Logan Boylers, senior; Luke Bradford, senior; Rowan Sisson, senior; Robert Morely, junior.
Ranking: MaxPreps: 17 (6 Man)
Schedule:
Week 1: @ Hanover Aug. 26
Week 2: @ Walsh Sept. 2
Week 3: VS. La Veta Sept. 10
Week 4: VS. Cotopaxi Sept. 17
Week 5: @ Sierra Grande Sept. 23
Week 6: VS Miami-Yoder Oct. 1
Week 7: @ Sangre de Cristo Oct. 7
Week 8: VS Branson/Kim Oct. 15
Week 9: VS Primero Oct. 22
Week 10: @ North Park Oct. 29
Sanford
Another Valley team changing their name from the Indians, the Mustangs look to have another big year after finishing 2021 with a 7-5 record and winning a playoff game against Vail Christian at home. Joe Cary, who enters his 5th season as head coach of the Mustangs, will look to Gauge Lewis, a senior who finished with 3 interceptions last season to help build a strong defense this season.
Players to Watch: Gauge Lewis, senior; Cash Caldon, junior; Lincoln Reynolds, junior; Alex Sittler, junior; Craig Ford, senior.
Rankings: MaxPreps: 5 8-man
Schedule:
Week 1: VS Dayspring Christian Academy Aug. 26
Week 2: @ Swink Sept. 2
Week 3: VS Simla Sept. 9
Week 4: VS Fowler Sept. 16
Week 5: VS Wiley Sept. 23
Week 6: @ Dove Creek Sept. 30
Week 7: VS Sargent Oct. 14
Week 8: VS Mancos Oct. 21
Week 9: VS Dolores Oct 28
Sargent
The Farmers finished last season with a poor 3-5 record. Second-year head coach Cameron King will be looking for big improvements this season, especially in the passing game. The Farmers will be anchored offensively by sophomore Tyler Chapman, who led Sargent in rushing and receiving yards last season.
Key Players: Tyler Chapman; sophomore; Cooper Gosar, sophomore; Matt Voss, junior; Fernando Venzor, sophomore; Trenton Lovelace, junior.
Rankings: MaxPreps: 32, 8 Man
Schedule:
Week 1: VS South Park Aug. 26
Week 2: @ Springfield Sept. 2
Week 3: VS Custer County Sept. 16
Week 4: @ Mancos Sept. 30
Week 5: VS Dolores Oct. 7
Week 6: @ Sanford Oct. 14
Week 7: VS Hayden Oct. 21
Week 8: VS Dove Creek Oct. 28
Sangre de Cristo
The Thunderbirds are beginning their first year at six-man football this year, and are coming off a school year in which they didn’t play football. Sangre will welcome back Cory Anderson, who was their head coach prior to last season.
Rankings: 33, 6 Man
Schedule:
Week 1: @ Primero Aug. 27
Week 2: @ Kiowa Sept. 2
Week 3: VS Cotopaxi Sept. 9
Week 4: @ Branson/Kim Sept. 17
Week 5: @ Sierra Grande Sept. 30
Week 6: VS Mountain Valley Oct. 7
Week 7: VS La Vets Oct. 14
Week 8: @ Manzanola Oct. 21
Week 9: VS Miami Yoder Oct. 29
Sierra Grande
The Panthers are coming into this 2022 season looking to make even more noise after finishing last season at an impressive 9-1. The Panthers’ only loss came in a quarterfinal playoff game defeat to Granada. Head coach Luis Corona, in his fourth year, will rely heavily on senior Angelo Lucero, who led the team with 45 receiving yards per game last year to go along with 15 total touchdowns.
Players to watch: Angelo Lucero, senior. Tyler Kester, junior. Aron Ojeda, sophomore. Manuel Miranda, junior.
Rankings: MaxPreps: 7, 6 Man
Schedule:
Week 1: @ Manzanola Aug. 26
Week 2: @ Eads Sept. 2
Week 3: VS Branson/Kim Sept. 9
Week 4: @ Hanover Sept. 17
Week 5: VS Mountain Valley Sept. 23
Week 6: VS Sangre de Cristo Sept. 30
Week 7: @ La Veta Oct. 6
Week 8: VS Primero Oct. 14
Week 9: VS Cotopaxi Oct. 21
Week 10: VS Granada Oct. 28