FOOTBALL

Picking up where they left o Since fans last saw them playing in McKinney, the Orediggers have been making headlines in the postseason.

Moore, the Orediggers’ rst-year head coach, was named the Division II National Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association. He’s the rst Mines coach to receive the award, after leading Mines to a 13-3 season and the program’s rst title game appearance.

Senior quarterback John Matocha, who has another year of eligibility and intends to return for the 2022-23 season, was named the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame’s Male College Athlete of the Year. Matocha is the third Oredigger in any sport to earn this honor.

Additionally, Matocha received the 2022 Harlon Hill Award — the Division II equivalent of the Heisman trophy — at a January ceremony in Little Rock. He was announced as the win- ner shortly before the Dec. 17 title game. ey include Columbine defensive lineman Will Adams, Denver South quarterback Joseph Capra and Mullen o ensive lineman Hayden Woodru . Additionally, senior running back Noah Roper, an Erie, Colorado native, is transferring from Dartmouth to play his nal year at Mines.

Other Orediggers received postseason honors, including center Matt Armendariz, running back Michael Zeman and cornerback Mason Pierce.

With the 2022 season behind them, it’s full steam ahead for the Orediggers.

Mines has signed at least 32 incoming freshmen and one graduate transfer for the fall, including eight Coloradans.

Moore said he and his squad are excited for the fall, commenting, “We’ve got a great product here in Golden, Colorado. We’re just excited for the season and the prospects to come.”

Hope springs eternal e spring practices and game are likely a taste of what’s to come, as the

Orediggers kick o their 2023 season Aug. 31 against Grand Valley State. However, they’ll be doing it without several impact players from last year’s squad.

While Matocha and senior linebacker Nolan Reeve have another year of eligibility, Moore noted how the Orediggers lost Zeman — their record-setting running back — and big-time receivers Tristan Smith, Mason Karp and Josh Johnston.

Moore anticipated Max McLeod will anchor the 2023 receiver squad, along with Josh Krause, Flynn Schiele and others.

At running back, Moore said Zeman will be “a dicult kid to replace.” For now, Landon Walker, Braelon Tate, Chris Yoo and others will be practicing in the spot. Meanwhile, on defense, the Orediggers return several impact players in Reeve, senior defensive tackle Jack Peterson, and senior defensive end Zach Hester, Moore described.

“( ey’re) going to be lights-out this spring,” he said of his defensive players. “We hope they transition that into next fall as well.” the CHSAANow.com Class 4A rankings — cranked out nine hits and 10 runs over the rst two innings. e Demons (2-0 record) nished o the victory with a 5-run third inning that featured ve straight Golden batters being hit-by-pitch. Sophomore Jaydon Stroup’s hit over second base drove in the nal two runs of the game.

Senior Noah Wicks went 3-for-3 from the plate. Junior Braeden McCarroll had a pair of ground-rule doubles and junior Jacob Dehm had a 2-run single in the bottom of the second inning that pushed the Demons’ lead to 10-0.

“We’ve been working on going the other way,” Hord said. “As long as we keep that we are going to be dangerous.”

McBroom acknowledges that the Demons have plenty of power in their line-up, but he wants to make sure his squad can manufacture runs late in the season.

“Our goal is to lead the state in doubles and least amount of strikeouts,” McBroom said of some statistical goals this season.

Pitching was just as impressive against the Cardinals. McCarroll pitched

Overall, Mines is looking to get back to McKinney this December and leave with a W this time. Moore believed there were a few things he could’ve done di erently leading up to and during the 2022 title game. He clari ed it wasn’t so much general pressure or increased media attention, but helping the players balance nals and graduation with the game. He and his sta will be better prepared next time, he said.

“More than anything, (the players) are here to be student-athletes — stu- dents rst and foremost,” he continued. “ … I didn’t put my players in a good enough position to be successful. at will never be the case again.”

While the Orediggers are excited about last year’s successes, they also have “a bad taste in their mouth of how it ended,” as Moore described. So, they’re focused on nishing what they started by reloading and repeating.

For more information, including the full 2023 football schedule, visit MinesAthletics.com.