34 minute read
SPORTS
Autumn anglers have a friend
When you need some good ole basic rod and reel fi shing advice you have a lot of sources, not the least of which is our helpful State Parks & Wildlife pros.
Add to that group your long-time personal fi shing buddy, maybe that agent you have come to like at the nearby sporting goods shop. You can even look beyond this circle, as I did, and discover someone in the neighborhood rumored to spend a lot of time wading lake shorelines or in casting from fi shing boats.
I discovered long time Westminster resident Don Goodman, a gentleman busy in his church with a “year around” fi shing calendar marked heavily with his numerous angling outings. Unlike many anglers, Don’s fi shing season does not end with the summer season. He is not one that stores his rods when the aspens turn gold, and the fall chill of winter settles in the foothills and along the Front Range.
“December is the slow, quiet month for me,” Don stated. He patiently waits for summer lake waters to cool and ice over. December is a good month for Don to tackle the angling gear repairs and check out fi shing catalogs and sporting goods shops for the latest new fi shing gear and technology. Don frequents both cold water mountain lakes and warm water eastern slope reservoirs year around. His choice of lake baits includes night crawlers, liver, or sucker meat, fi shed off the bottom of the lake in a slow and varied jigging action. Carefully selected lures are equally popular in Don’s tackle boxes. Both are activated in slower movements to match the slower movement of the fi sh in the colder winter water temperatures. Don uses similar gear and seeks out similar water depths and environments in both summer and winter.
“To offset slower movement of fi sh in colder water I slow my speeds jigging or drifting.” he confi rmed.
Don pursues fi sh at both eastern lakes like Jackson Lake, Boyd Lake, Pueblo Reservoir and Aurora Reservoir, and high-country mountain lakes alike in South Park and Grand County. He enjoys exceptional success at Sandpiper, Blue Heron, and Coot ponds at the St. Vain State Park ponds near the Longmont-I-25 exit. Closer into the mountains he enjoys success at Evergreen, Chatfi eld, and Bear Creek Reservoirs, both are younger waters with closer destinations.
“I have learned the challenge and value of matching, sometimes experimenting, the baits to lake depths and temperatures as the season moves into the early spring. Don encourages this process and has found the result productive to his catching success. Studying a lake for habitat, structure and plant growth is essential. Equally helpful is the fact this process leads an angler to where the fi sh are schooled.
South Park area reservoirs Antero and Eleven Mile, near the town of Fairplay, tends to attract Don early in the spring. An infl uencing factor are due primarily to the shallower depths and a faster warming of the water.
Don takes an active role in big fi sh challenges. His choice waters in the high mountain waters are Granby Reservoir and Willow Creek Reservoirs in Grand County and nearby Lake John near Walden.
“Lake trout, Larger mackinaw and mature rainbow and German Brown trout cruise deeper waters, normally at slower feeding times, requiring similar varied jigjig movements to attract the larger fi sh,” Don reminds us.
Bait and lure experimenting should be on our year around agenda whenever fi shing slows regardless of where we are fi shing. The popular and uncomplicated Mepps spinner or bright cast master with or without worms or sucker meat is a good example of one menu of choice for trout in the mountain lakes. Don is convinced there is a defi nite connection between a lakes natural bug species, aquatic growth, habitat and structure, and the angler’s lure types. Finding that connection is worth the study time.
Don’s confi dent presence takes on an excitement and big smile when you ask him about his recently awarded “Master Angler” award received last year from the Colorado Division of Parks & Wildlife. Don proudly landed a four-pound smallmouth bass, which comfortably exceeded the three plus pound smallmouth previously on record. The trophy was taken in late fall from an eastern plains warm water pond.
Don genuinely enjoys watching people pursue the sport of fi shing and to do so with success. And he suggests fi shing can really be a fun year-round experience.
OUTDOOR LIVING
Ron Hellbusch
Outdoorsman and Westminster resident Ron Hellbusch can be reached at Ron-Hellbusch Comcast.net
Maintaining the attitude of gratitude
The executive had put out a message out to his network that he was looking to hire top-performing salespeople for his team. While reconnecting with a former colleague, he also mentioned to her that he was looking for salespeople and asked that if she knew anyone, would she send them his way.
Within just a couple of hours she had sent him the name of someone she thought could possibly be a fi t. The two connected on LinkedIn and through email, eventually setting up an interview that would take place over a virtual Zoom call.
When the executive and the candidate met and made initial introductions, the executive noticed a picture of legendary Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi hanging on the wall behind the candidate. So before jumping into the interview he had asked him the story behind the picture. As the candidate shared his story about Vince Lombardi’s dedication, discipline and determination and how that inspired him, the executive could not help but smile. He shared that when he was in high school, he had written his term paper on Vince Lombardi, and he chose him for the very same reasons. They had already formed a bond. Unfortunately, as they began the interview, within about 15-20 minutes they both realized that the candidate wasn’t really a good fi t for the position. However, they stayed on the call for a little longer. The candidate shared that he was a single dad of two teenagers and was trying to fi nd the right position that would allow him to provide for his family.
They were saying goodbye when another topic came up and they had some small talk around that. The executive then asked the candidate to tell him a little more about what the perfect job would be that would get him excited to go to work every day. The candidate really loved coaching and training people and helping to develop both personally and professionally. The executive let him know that he would keep his ears and eyes open for any opportunities that sounded like a good fi t.
Again, just about to hang up, the executive asked one more question. He asked the candidate, “Is there something that I can pray about for you?” The candidate bowed his head for a good minute before lifting his watery eyes back to the screen. The candidate asked for prayers for his mom as she had cancer. The executive leaned in and said how sorry he was, pausing before asking one more question. He asked the candidate what kind of cancer his mom had. He bowed his head and once again took a moment to speak. As he shared that it was pancreatic cancer, his tears spilled down his cheeks.
The executive stopped and shared this, “This was never about a job interview, this was God’s interview. We were not connected to talk about any job, we were connected for a much greater purpose. My wife passed away in 2013 from pancreatic cancer. She fought for two and a half years, and I learned so much from that journey and experience and I am happy to share any of what I learned with you and your family. I am so very grateful that God planned this interview, and if you need or want anyone to talk to, I am here for you.” And then they prayed together.
Last week I talked about “More than just the attitude of gratitude,” and this week as we think about maintaining the attitude of gratitude beyond Thanksgiving, maybe we can be reminded to be grateful for those connections that are more than work-related, more than perfunctory types of calls. Maybe we can show our gratitude by leaning into those who are placed in our path and connecting with them at an entirely different level. I would love to hear your attitude of gratitude story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can show our gratitude at a deeply human level, it really will be a better than good life.
WINNING WORDS
Michael Norton
Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.
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A legal newspaper of general circulation in Ft. Lupton, Colorado, Fort Lupton Press is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 143 S. 2nd Pl., Brighton CO 80601. . PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT Ft. Lupton and additional mailing o ces. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Fort Lupton Press, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110
Cookies and cocoa and Santa
Cookies and cocoa with Santa comes to the Fort Lupton Public & School Library, 425 S. Denver Ave., at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Call 303857-7180.
Home tour
The Fort Lupton Historic Preservation Board presents its fi rst historic home tour at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at City Hall, 130 S. McKinley Ave.
The tour takes in homes in the fi rst and second Reynolds additions, most of which were built in the fi rst half of the 20th century.
R.S.V.P. by calling 720.466.6111.
First United Methodist Church Christmas Tea
Enjoy a nice cup of tea, great fellowship, delicious food, and entertainment with Neven Castaneda- if you love Elvis.
It’s at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at First United Methodist Church, 306 Park Ave. Contact Sharon Kay at 303-907-9592.
Splash for cash
The Fort Lupton rec center, 203 S. Harrison Ave., is hosting a splash for cash from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9. It’s designed for fi fth- to eighth-graders.
Parade of Lights
Downtown Fort Lupton and the Fort Lupton Chamber of Commerce will host the annual parade of lights at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9.
The holiday celebration continues in the parking lot of the Bank of Colorado Operations Center, 605 Fourth St., for a tree lighting and a chance to visit with and get a picture with Santa.
To enter the parade, visit https:// business.fortluptonchamber.org/ events/Details/parade-of-lights701388?sourceTypeId=Website&fbc lid=IwAR0NPMw90rNYdD2uj200T 1BUDLKwvzroUSnkc1mzCECYyK8PfGyqmkuNNUg
Copper Kettle clock giveaway
The Copper Kettle, 737 Denver Ave., is having its annual clock giveaway until Thursday, Dec. 22. Customers are entered into the drawing when ordering a meal. The clock is displayed on the wall in the restaurant.
Copper Kettle Family Christmas
Join the Copper Kettle in its efforts to help the less fortunate this Christmas.
The restaurant, 737 Denver Ave., will serve free meals to the homeless, less fortunate, the elderly and the lonely from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas Eve. The menu includes a beverage (coffee, tea, water), ham, turkey, stuffi ng, mashed potatoes with turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, a roll with butter and a slice of pumplin pie with whipped cream
Donations from businesses are welcome. Volunteers are needed.
Call 303-857-3981.
ONGOING
Splash pad
The city of Fort Lupton is searching for comments about and sponsorships for a new splash pad.
Sponsor funds will be used for the splash park and amenities. Call 303-857-6694
Donation time
The Fort Lupton Food & Clothing Bank is asking for donations of canned fruits and nuts, varieties of dry pasta and pasta dinners, peanut butter and canned meat such as tuna (including the pouches).
Other potential donations could include chicken, Vienna sausages, spam and salmon. The bank also needs personal items, such as toiletries and baby needs.
Drop off donations at the food and
Walk with a doc
Platte Valley Medical Center’s cardiac rehab team and Walk With A Doc will host monthly walks with Dr. Christopher Cannon, an interventional cardiologist at Brighton Heart and Vascular Institute.
This is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. After a few minutes to learn about a current health topic from the doctor, spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk and fun talk.
Blessings in a Bag
Fort Lupton’s Backpack Program helps school children in need with a backpack of healthy food. It’s an all-volunteer program and is in need of volunteers. If interested in volunteering or donating, call 303718-4440. Mail donations to Blessings in a Bag, 306 Park Ave., Fort Lupton 80621.
Drop-in child care
The Fort Lupton Recreation Center offers drop-in child care from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 303-857-4200.
Our Family Helping Your Family
24-Hour Phone Lines 303-654-0112 • 303-857-2290
Brighton: 75 S. 13th Avenue Obituaries, Arrangements and Resources Online at taborfuneralhome.com
allieventcenter.com
In Loving Memory of Evelyn Fisher
Wife, Mother, Grandmother & Great Grandmother It has been 24 years on Dec 1st that you entered eternal peace. You le us beautiful memories, your love is still our guide and though we cannot see you, you’re always by our In Loving Memory side. We miss you so very much. Love Forever Jerry & all the family
Place an Obituary for Your Loved One.
303-566-4100 obituaries@coloradocommunitymedia.com Self placement available online at FtLuptonPress.com
High School in 1983. “Of course, there were a few down years, but we always seemed to fi eld a pretty solid team. I still have high-school classmates and teammates that follow the current team. They constantly ask if we will win state this year, or how we played the previous week and how our upcoming opponent is. So yes, even after they leave school and settle in larger metropolitan areas or even move out of state, many alumni still follow the team on a consistent basis.”
“Stratton football has always been like this,” McConnell said. “It’s great to see.”
Hometown sta s
Thompson, the team’s statistician (his wife is the team photographer), played 11-man football in his day. The year after he graduated, the Eagles played eight-man ball. Six-man football started in 2012.
Thompson’s children are married and have started their own families. One of his sons, Trey, is an assistant football coach. Three of the football coaches are SHS alums, including McDonnell. He and Thompson, the Eagles’ offensive coordinator, were in the same high-school graduating class in 2011. Coach Chris Hornung graduated from Stratton two years before that. One of the assistant coaches at Otis High School, the Eagles’ opponent in the semifi nal round, is a graduate of Stratton High School.
Trey Thompson and his wife also coach the high-school and middleschool girls’ basketball teams. Rod Thompson’s other son lives in Cheyenne. His daughter is attending medical school in Kansas City “but they will usually watch the games on the NFHS (National Federation of High Schools) network.”
That’s not all.
“My wife and I also have an exchange student from Madrid, Spain, that is playing on this year’s team, and his family will also watch every game via NFHS,” Rod Thompson said. “The family from Spain say that the experience their son has here is second to none. They all feel he is so lucky to have gotten to be involved with such a supportive community.”
Corey Wedel has some history at Stratton, too. He is a former coach and defensive coordinator for 10 years, during which the Eagles won a state title and fi nished second. He’s also the school’s agriculture education teacher, the school’s Future Farmers of America Advisor (24 years running) and the team’s publicaddress announcer.
Wedel graduated from Burlington High School in 1993. His son, Braden, was the Eagles’ place-kicker from 2019 to 2021.
“The four guys who run the chains (the chain gang) for the games are all former SHS football players,” he said. “The community of Stratton has quite a few alumni living in the area. They have kids in school.”
“I think everyone that lives in Stratton currently or has lived here in the past has so much pride in the town.,” Rod Thompson said. “I have had many people that I went to high school with, or had graduated before or after me from Stratton that moved away, but would come back for homecoming say that they wish their kids had the same opportunities that these kids still living here have.”
“Like all places, graduates leave and fi nd careers in other cities and states,” Wedel added. “But they still come back to Stratton for things like homecoming, signifi cant sports games, holidays, visits to family, etc. Because Stratton is a farming community, there are always family members who return to the farm-andranch operation.”
Gottmann grew up in Littleton and went to Heritage High School.
“I never understood homecoming,” he said. “In a small town, a thousand people will show up for a free barbecue. At homecoming, the 10-year classes? Every single graduate will come back. At 20, it’s about 80 percent.”
Wedel offered one more note.
“The current math teacher and high-school head track coach were high-school sweethearts in the late 1990s,” he said. “Now, they have three kids – one each in high school, middle school and elementary school. Stratton’s community even has graduates from nearby rivals Flagler, Hi-Plains and Burlington schools in our community. And now, they proudly wear the Eagle green and white.
“Including me.”
A reminder of Stratton’s athletic success in full view of motorists as they enter the town.
Even though it looks like Stratton’s tight end Brody Webb is in the end zone fi rst, it’s actually Alex Cruz (23) who carried the ball in for a fi rst-quarter touchdown against Otis Nov. 19 in Stratton. The Eagles beat Otis 46-13 in the semifi nals of the state six-
man football playo s and will play next week for a state title in Pueblo. PHOTOS BY STEVE SMITH
Otis’ Jack Willeke snares this long pass against the defense of Stratton’s Avery Archuleta in the second half of the teams’ semifi nal game in the six-man playo s Nov. 19 in Stratton.
There’s plenty of room on the sidelines for fans who’d rather see the game “up close.” Fans also parked their cars behind a chainlink fence on the north side of the fi eld for a view of play
fewer than 50 students, is home to a consistently good football team. Gottmann thought fi ve Eagles’ teams did not qualify for postseason football in the last 40 years.
The rallying point this year is the Eagles’ trek through the six-man football playoffs. Stratton was the top seed.
When the game starts, some people sit in the stands; a good many don’t and sit on the fi eld. Still more park their cars behind a fence on the north side of the fi eld – locals said the cars started showing up two or three days before the Nov. 19 semifi -
STAFF REPORT
Dec. 1 Fort Lupton Holiday lighting
contest: City residents and those who live within fi ve miles of the Fort Lupton City limits can register with the Chamber of Commerce to have their home holiday displays reviewed and judged. Winners in several categories will be announced at 3 p.m. Dec. 19. Contact Allison Johnson at executivedirector@fortluptonchamber.org for more information or register at shorturl.at/fi jwF.
Dec. 2
Thornton Santa Calling: The registration deadline for Thornton’s annual check-in from Santa is Dec. 2. annual check-in from Santa is Dec. 2. Santa will call between 6 and 8 p.m. Santa will call between 6 and 8 p.m. Dec. 13 through 15. Dec. 13 through 15.
Adults can register interested kids, specifying a date and rough time for the call and providing some inforthe call and providing some information about their child — name, mation about their child — name, age, address, brothers and sisters, age, address, brothers and sisters, favorite things, the names of their favorite things, the names of their pets, what they want for Christmas pets, what they want for Christmas and how they’ve been behaving. and how they’ve been behaving.
One of Thornton’s volunteer elves will call, putting Santa — or one of his helpers — on the line when of his helpers — on the line when they’re ready. Visit https://www. they’re ready. Visit https://www. thorntonco.gov/festivals-events/ thorntonco.gov/festivals-events/ Documents/santas-calling-form.pdf Documents/santas-calling-form.pdf for the registration form. for the registration form.
Call 720-977-5916 if you have questions or need more information. Noel Northglenn: The City of Northglenn kicks off the holiday celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Parsons entrance of the Northglenn Recreation Center at 1 E. Memorial Parkway. Many of the most popular events from past festivals will be back!
Santa will be on hand and ready to take pictures with the families – whether they are free (taken with your own phone) or $5 per photo with a professional photographer. Mrs. Claus will be there too, sharing her favorite holiday songs. There will be free crafts for the kids, carriage rides and free children’s books while supplies last. There will also be new opportunities to learn about winter holidays in other cultures.
A pizza dinner can be purchased, with proceeds going to benefi t the Northglenn Community Foundation. And returning this year, the gym will be reserved for fun and chaotic indoor snowball fi ghts.
Historic Westminster Home
Town Christmas: The Westminster Historical Society hosts this annual event featuring carolers, roasted chestnuts and visits with Santa from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Fireman’s Park, 7290 Bradburn Blvd. Stick around for the lighting of the park’s Christmas tree, reportedly the tallest living Christmas tree in the state.
Thornton Christmas Memories
Concert: Thornton’s Community Chorus will offer two performances of their annual holiday concert “Christmas Memories”, featuring all varieties of holiday music, at 4 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. in the McAllister Park Building, 750 W. 96th Ave., Thornton. Email thorntonchorus@ gmail.com for more information.
Dec. 3 Adams County Holiday Bazaar:
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the at Riverdale Regional Park and Fairgrounds, 9755 Henderson Rd., Brighton. Featuring holiday crafts, homemade gifts and other treats. Admission is $3, cash, and children 12 and younger are free.
Cookies and cocoa with Santa:
Come visit with Santa, enjoy some cookies, play some games and have a professional photograph taken from 10 a.m. to noon at the Fort Lupton Public Library, 425 S. Denver Ave., Fort Lupton.
Olde Fashioned Christmas:
Northglenn’s Stonehocker Farmhouse, 10950 Fox Run Parkway, will host the annual celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Enjoy holiday music as soon as you enter the door from local performers including the Northland Chorale. You can browse affordable baked goods, gifts and stocking stuffers in the kitchen. Santa awaits upstairs to take photos with the kids. Afterward, they can pick out a free book to bring home, thanks to Northglenn Build A Generation.
Brighton Tree Lighting Ceremo-
ny: The city’s annual holiday season opener moves to Founders Plaza, 5 S. Main St., and runs from 2-7 p.m
The day kicks off as Santa comes to town at 2 p.m. with free face painting and the Teddy Bear & Friends Tree. New this year is a Winter Market on South Main St. (near the plaza) from 2-7 p.m. The market will feature unique artists, crafters and artisan food vendors.
The tree lighting is scheduled for 5 p.m., followed by a concert performance by Boulder’s Face Vocal Band. Contact Amy Porter at 303-655-2126 for more information.
Westminster Holiday Lights:
The city of Westminster kicks off the countdown to Christmas at 5:30 p.m. with the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony at City Hall, 4800 W. 92nd Ave. in Westminster.
Come see the magical wonderland of lights, complete with holiday music, hot chocolate, cookies and a visit from Santa Claus. There will be a full-sized sleigh and miniature train for photos, and carnival games. Free of charge, sponsored by SCL Health and O’Toole’s Garden Center.
Dec. 9 Fort Lupton Parade of Lights:
The city hosts its holiday parade of bright lights and cheer beginning at 6 p.m. at 605 4th St. – the Bank of Colorado Operations Center. A tree lighting ceremony is set for 6:45 p.m. Santa sticks around for photos from 7-8 p.m. Thornton Winterfest: Come celebrate the season with the city’s annual holiday celebration through Dec. 11 at the Carpenter Park Fields, 108th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. The festival opens at 6:30 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday and runs until 9 p.m. nightly.
The festival features Santa’s Village, with ice skating, ice carving, food vendors, a tree decorating contest, a beer garden and visits from Santa Claus himself. The city will also present a holiday movie Friday night and another on Sunday night.
Saturday events include a breakfast with Santa at 7:30 a.m., a 10 a.m. Winterfest Fun Run 5k, a holiday marketplace and an 8:30 p.m. fi reworks display.
GAME
nal game -- where, minus the chainnal game -- where, minus the chainlink nature of the fence, the view is link nature of the fence, the view is pretty good. pretty good. “It’s a social event,” Gottmann said. He is the timekeeper for nearby Bethune High School, about 10 miles Bethune High School, about 10 miles east of town. “Everyone is fi red up. east of town. “Everyone is fi red up. People are roaming the sidelines. In People are roaming the sidelines. In a small town, you are on the sideline. a small town, you are on the sideline. You aren’t more than 10 feet from the You aren’t more than 10 feet from the game.” game.” “Stratton parents, grandparents, fans, friends, family and teachers travel to road games very consistravel to road games very consistently, even if it means driving three tently, even if it means driving three or more hours,” said Wedel, who is or more hours,” said Wedel, who is an agriculture teacher at SHS, the an agriculture teacher at SHS, the school’s Future Farmers of America school’s Future Farmers of America advisor (24 years running) and the football team’s public address announcer. The fan support is consistent, even in lean years. “One of the best seasons I coached, we went 3-5 and didn’t make the playoffs,” Gottmann said. “The kids were great, they did everything. And we had the fan support. When they get football playoffs. Stratton was the top to the playoffs, you see all the people show up, and you haven’t seen them
When the game starts, some people for years.” Wedel said the support has been strong since the late 1980s or early 1990s. The Eagles’ fi rst state title was in 1992 “and a few of the players are still in the community with kids of their own.” Stratton won four state titles in eight-man football from 1992 to 1995. The Eagles also won 48 straight games. Gottmann was one of the team’s assistant coaches in 1992.
“Stratton is defi nitely a football town, and many of our high-school players have dreamed about playing for the Eagles and winning a state championship since they were in elementary school,” Wedel said. “Our community loves supporting football, but they support all the other sports, too.
“Volleyball has been really good recently with three consecutive trips to the state tournament. Baseball had a great stretch back in 2010-2012, winning three straight championships,” he added. “Girls and boys both have golf teams now.” He is the boys’ coach.
Go time
The rules for six-man football are a little different. The fi eld is smaller – 80 yards wide and 40 yards long. Teams have to gain 15 yards for a fi rst down, not 10. There are no “direct” runs. The quarterback can rush if there is a “clean exchange” from another player.
Everyone on the offense can catch a forward pass – yes, even those on the offensive line. Field goals are worth four points instead of three. A kicked point-after touchdown is worth two points; a successful run or pass play on a PAT is worth one point.
Stratton averaged almost 58 points a game through the fi rst 12 on the schedule. The Eagles’ opponent in the semifi nals, Otis High School, is no stranger. The two teams played earlier in the season, and Stratton won by more than 40 points.
Rushing the ball is key. In those fi rst 12 games, the Eagles averaged 11.5 yards per carry and scored 73 touchdowns. Alex Cruz, he of 1,514 rushing yards this season, averages almost 15 yards per carry.
He’s also scored 41 touchdowns, including four in a lopsided, 46-13 semifi nal round win over Otis High School on Nov. 19.
“The boys have been here quite a bit. They didn’t overlook anybody and were ready to play,” coach Jesse McConnell said. “That was good. We have a good pass rush. Still, they want to run the ball, too, so we were ready for that.”
In conclusion
The win pushed the Eagles into the state six-man fi nals.
“These boys set out on a mission,” McConnell said. “They have had this championship on their minds from almost exactly a year ago. They are free-playing, that’s for sure.”
“I kept thinking, ‘These are the good old days,” Gottmann said of his time as Eagles’ head football coach. “I was blessed with good kids. A lot of people complained about our sports programs. But I think it’s harder academically at Stratton. A teacher who transferred to Stratton told me he couldn’t believe how competitive the kids were in class.”
Three alums on the coaching staff – all within two years of each other – are special to McConnell.
“When we wore the green and white and played on this very fi eld, to come back and be able to coach for this town and for these kids means a lot,” McConnell said. “This is my seventh year overall and my second as the head coach. I went to Western State (in Gunnison) and played football for fi ve years. I didn’t want to grad school, so I came back, and got a good job.”
“Even when our teams, whether it be football, basketball, baseball, whatever sport it may be aren’t contending for a state title, the fans and community still show up for the games and are there to support the kids. Our entire community takes pride in our school and its sports teams, FFA program, and all other extracurricular activities we offer,” Rod Thompson said. “While the kids are in school -- and especially once they graduate -- they all want our town and the school to be known as the best small school in the state.”
“In a small town, it’s a social gathering,” Gottman said. “Everyone in the town is involved, whether they are involved with the school or not. They have something in common. A lot of them went to school there. So at the game, they are talking on the sidelines. They are talking in the stands.
“It’s something for people to feel good.”
“It is just different because kids can do every sport basically or be part of any activity they choose.” Rod Thompson added. “I feel very fortunate that I gave my kids the chance to grow up here, and I hope the tradition continues.”
“I wasn’t ready to give up football yet,” McConnell said. “I got into it. Now, I’m stuck, I guess. I’m really enjoying it. I enjoy being around the kids. I love it.”
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Parent/Tot - Frosty the Snowman (Bilingual)
@ 4pm Dec 1st - Dec 15th Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760
Gambling Trip- Grand Z Casino (12/1)
@ 4pm Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760
Featured
Disney Junior Live On Tour: Costume Palooza @ 6pm / $39.95-$59.95 Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glen‐arm, Denver
Featured
The Collingsworth Family: A TRUE FAMILY CHRISTMAS TOUR 2022 @ 7:30pm BRAVE Church, 11500 Sheridan Boulevard, Westminster Beauty And The Beast
@ 7:30pm Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Ar‐vada
Fri 12/02
Smitten Mitten
@ 4pm Dec 2nd - Dec 16th Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760
Denver’s Global Fair-Trade Holiday Bazaar
@ 4pm Dec 2nd - Dec 3rd 430 W 9th Ave, 430 West 9th Avenue, Den‐ver. stephaniephibbs@hotmail.com, 303892-1038 Featured
Noel Northglenn @ 5pm Northglenn Recreation Center, 1 East Memorial Parkway, North‐glenn. agarst@northglenn.org, 303-450-8935 Sat 12/03
Family Fun Friday- Holiday Cookie Decorating
@ 1am Dec 3rd - Dec 2nd Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760
Kidz Only- Ugly Sweater Party
@ 1am Dec 3rd - Dec 2nd Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760
Featured
2022 All-Out Fa La La 5K, 10K and Half Marathon @ 9am Church Ranch �f�ce Park, 10170 CHURCH RANCH WAY, WEST‐MINSTER. events@alloutmulti pro.com
Featured
Christmas Bird Count 4 Kids! @ 9:30am / Free Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Pica‐dilly Rd, Brighton. 303-659-4348 ext. 49 Scott Fowler Music: Scott Fowler @ Rails end Brewing
@ 4pm Rails End Beer Company, 11625 Reed Ct unit b, Broom�eld
Sun 12/04
Union Colony Civic Center/Greeley Orchestra Holiday Concert Featured
Featured
Colorado Children's Chorale Presents Merry & Bright @ 6pm Boettcher Concert Hall, 1400 Cur‐tis Street, Denver Mon 12/05
100 Things to Do Before You're 12
@ 5pm Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760
Featured
Ring in the holidays with Rocky Mountain Ringers @ 6:45pm Anythink Wright Farms, 5877 East 120th Avenue, Thornton. mhibben @anythinklibraries.org, 303-4053200 Happy Holidays
@ 8pm Dec 5th - Dec 19th Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760
Snow�akes
Tue 12/06
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Featured
Legal Self-Help Clinic @ 2pm Anythink Wright Farms, 5877 East 120th Avenue, Thornton. morgan@ hayday.org, 303-520-6088 Wed 12/07
Color Outside the Lines
@ 1am Dec 7th - Dec 6th Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760 Holiday Shopping Outing
@ 4:30pm Fort Lupton Recreation & Parks De‐partment, 203 S Harrison, Fort Lupton. 303-857-4200 Lafayette Collectibles & Flea Market (12/7)
@ 5pm Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760 Vic Dillahay, Guitarist: First Wednesday Jazz with Nico Steffens and Vic Dillahay
@ 7pm Dry Land Distillers, 519 Main St, Longmont Archery
@ 11:30pm Dec 7th - Dec 14th Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760
Thu 12/08
Featured
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever @ 6pm / $10-$15 The LoCol Theatre, 800 South Hover Road, Longmont Anavrin's Day at Hoffbrau
Solution
© 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.
TRIVIA
1. GEOGRAPHY: Which country is the most forested in the world? 2. HISTORY: When were tanks fi rst introduced in war? 3. TELEVISION: What is the name of the Netfl ix sequel to the “Karate Kid” movies? 4. MUSIC: Which music prodigy was signed to a record deal at age 11? 5. ASTRONOMY: In which year will Halley’s Comet reappear? 6. LAW: Which justice served on the Supreme Court for the longest? 7. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What kind of dogs did President Obama’s family have in the White House? 8. FOOD & DRINK: Where did the fi rst White Castle restaurant open? 9. ANATOMY: What is the rarest human blood type? 10. LITERATURE: What is Harry Potter’s middle name?
Answers
1. Russia.
2. 1916, Battle of the Somme.
3. “Cobra Kai.”
4. Stevie Wonder.
5. 2061.
6. William O. Douglas (36 years).
7. Portuguese water dogs.
8. Wichita, Kansas.
9. AB negative.
10. James.
(c) 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.
