FOOTBALL

Cherry Creek Bruins (Greenwood Village)

2022 record: 12-2, 5A state champions

Week 1: August 25 vs. Ralston Valley

What to watch for: Can the Bruins keep up the tear they’ve been on?

Cherry Creek has all the bragging rights. ey’re coming o their fourth straight 5A state championship, including a hard-fought victory last year over Valor Christian. A big question is how will the Bruins replace star running back Carlson Tann? He was dominant last season and helped rally the Bruins in the second half of their championship win. But they can be beat. Last year, Cherry Creek did lose two games. But when it comes to Cherry Creek, just sit back and enjoy the show.

Valor Christian Eagles (Highlands Ranch)

2022 record: 11-3, 5A state runner-ups

Week 1: August 26 @ Regis Jesuit

What to watch for: Can Valor Christian get over the hump this season? e Eagles lost just two games early last season before going on an undefeated run to the state championship, where they ran into Cherry Creek and fell short 24-17. Reloaded with experienced, returning players, Valor will aim for its rst championship since 2018.

Columbine Rebels (Littleton)

2022 record: 10-2

Week 1: August 25 @ Mullen

What to watch for: How does Coach Andy Lowry reload after losing his top running back? Columbine opened last season on re with a six-game winning streak in which the Rebels beat their opponents by at least 20 points. If the 5A League 1 allows them to start hot again, it could mean trouble for the rest of the league, including teams like Ralston Valley and Arvada West.

Frederick Golden Eagles (Frederick)

2022 record: 8-4

Week 1: August 18 vs. Northridge

What to watch for: Frederick hopes to push for a league title. e Golden Eagles joined the 3A League 6 just last year, but nearly snagged the league title with a 4-1 record. Second only to Denver’s George Washington last season, Frederick took some time to get rolling last year. But Frederick managed to win a playo game before a tough 21-6 loss to Lutheran to end the season. If they can continue their late-season success early this season, they could make a strong push for 10 wins plus a strong showing in the playo s. Head Coach Matt Loyd is o to a strong start going into year two.

Ralston Valley Mustangs (Arvada)

2022 record: 10-3

Week 1: August 18 @ Mountain

Vista

What to watch for: Senior Logan

Madden is expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the state this year. Last year as a junior, Madden was a selection for All-Colorado, First Team All-State, and First team All-Conference, while throwing for nearly 2400 yards and 24 touchdown passes with a 71% completion percentage. If he can keep up his stellar play, the Mustangs could push for double digit wins.

Green Mountain Rams (Lakewood)

2022 record: 12-1

Week 1: August 25 vs. Golden underRidge Grizzlies (Highlands Ranch)

What to watch for: A very strong senior class headlines Green Mountain this season. e Rams’ perfect season hopes last year were ruined when they fell to Roosevelt brutally in the semi nals. But now they have all the tools to compete for the 3A state title if they can continue their dominance and play as expected this fall.

2022 record: 11-2

Week 1: August 25 @ Arvada West

What to watch for: After going 11-2 and 4-1 in the 5A League 5, the Grizzlies emerge as perhaps the biggest mystery on this list. With a lot of graduated talent, and brand-new coach in Sam Camp eld, it will be interesting to watch if underRidge can keep up its dominance. e culture and reputation is strong, but now there are new faces. It should make for a must-watch season this fall.

Dakota Ridge Eagles (Littleton)

2022 record: 6-6

Week 1: August 25 vs. Pueblo West

What to watch for: Senior quarterback Blake Palladino is back for his nal season. e Division I QB committed to the University of Northern Colorado in the o season, and is determined to bring a state championship home for the Eagles. e Eagles graduated RB Noah Triplett, leaving some big shoes to ll. But Palladino tells me he’s excited about the season and is ready to get to work. If nothing else, the Eagles will be a highlight show.

Ponderosa Mustangs (Parker)

2022 record: 9-3

Week 1: August 25 vs. Fort Collins

What to watch for: If it wasn’t for a two-game skid in the middle of their season, Ponderosa could have very well been undefeated going into the playo s in 2022. Now they bring back nearly everyone, and know how to win cohesively. e Mustangs are strong and experienced at skill positions like receiver, and since the core group is returning, Ponderosa could be scary in 2023.

Heritage Eagles (Littleton)

2022 record: 8-4

Week 1: August 25 vs. Mountain Vista

What to watch for: e Heritage Eagles could be primed for a breakout year. With returning players like senior quarterback Kurt Rossner and All-State senior linebacker Nick Long, the Eagles could make a push for double digit wins. After dropping two games early, Heritage went on a hot streak winning seven in a row. If they can start hot this year, watch out.

…

CCM’s Alex K.W. Schultz’s breakout team of the year: Mountain Vista Golden Eagles (Highlands Ranch)

“A team that might really surprise people this year is Vista, which has been an afterthought on the gridiron in years past but looked to have a great foundation in place last season. e Golden Eagles nished 7-4 and ranked No. 16 in Class 5A in 2022, but all their key pieces are back, including junior quarterback Austyn Modrzewski (who passed for a state-second-best 3,327 yards last year) and their three leading receivers (Sean Conway, Jakhai Mack and Ja’pree Jennings), which is huge given that Vista’s o ense is built on slinging the ball around the yard. After the Golden Eagles played Valor Christian last year (a game in which Vista led with just a few minutes left), Vista coach Garrett Looney told me, “[Modrzewski] is only a sophomore, and he’s doing things that I haven’t seen seniors do.’”

Bonus:

Denver Broncos 2022 record: 5-12

Week 1: September 10 vs. Las Vegas

What to watch for: Can Coach Sean Payton get the best out of quarterback Russell Wilson and lead the Broncos to the playo s? Colorado Bu aloes 2022 record: 1-11

Week 1: September 2 @ TCU

What to watch for: e Deion Sanders show. Are the Bu s nally ready for prime time? Gearing up for a Big 12 return.

Colorado School of Mines 2022 record: 13-3

Week 1: August 31 vs. Grand Valley State

What to watch for: Quarterback John Matocha. Can he continue his record-breaking success from 2022?

FROM PAGE 21 e state has been investing more in programs that connect post-high school education and industries that need more trained workers. Sometimes these programs lead to a bachelor’s degree and sometimes they don’t. e state wants more high school students to leave with a certi cate or credential that can lead to a job and has free high school programs where students can attend collegelevel classes and earn credit. ese programs expanded on Colorado’s CareForward program, which provides free education for health care elds.

Gen Z’s openness toward other options expressed in the survey aligns with some of Colorado’s higher education priorities. Colorado’s higher education strategic plan calls for students to get a return on what they pay, help more lowincome students get into programs after high school, and for colleges to work more closely with employers.

Colorado now o ers free college and training in a range of elds where there’s a shortage of workers, such as teaching, re ghting, and law enforcement. ese programs can help students nd a track that ts their interests and o ers good job prospects after completion.

Other examples include schools such as Colorado Mountain College, which partners with local employers to create practical training for students to get jobs on the Western Slope. Community colleges such as the Community College of Aurora have also cut some arts and humanities programs to focus on courses that prepare students for jobs.

Sachs Foundation President Ben Ralston said Gen Z attitudes he’s observed are also reactions to is- sues that should be challenged. e national survey says students want their interests to lead to ful llment in their careers.

Ralston, whose nonpro t supports Black Colorado students, said he’s heard from many students who want to learn business or engineering because they care most about the money they’ll earn. Some students, however, have no interest in those careers and won’t nd ful llment, he said.

Adults shouldn’t forget a four-year education also can lead to jobs that may not pay as much, but help create a more robust society through art, literature, or teaching, he said. It’s on state leaders to help make jobs with high societal value worth the time students spend getting educated for them and to help students nd value in creativity.

For instance, Ralson said Colorado needs more Black educators. e foundation and Teach for America Colorado have teamed up to provide nancial and career development support to Black educators, through learning groups and a salary incentive.

Sachs Foundation Chief Operating O cer Pamela Roberts said Gen Z notions about higher ed also can be challenged simply by o ering them information. Not every student has to go to an Ivy League school and most students realize that college is more a ordable than they expect depending on where they go. Muniz said, however, students too often don’t get the information they need to make dreams a reality.

“ ey know what it takes and they know what they might want to do,” she said. “But some of them are just lacking that con dence or lacking that ability or the resources to really understand how to take advantage of these opportunities.”

Chalkbeat is a nonpro t news site covering educational change in public schools.

Help Wanted

Technical Product Manager

Trimble Inc. has an opening for Technical Product Manager in Westminster, CO. Job duties include: Design and deliver selfpaced, remote, and in-person

Trimble Business Center training programs to drive adoption and awareness, engage customers, and enable distribution partners to host their own training events; produce and contribute to technical assets such as whitepapers, user forums, webinars, and videos to communicate the product’s unique values, answer user questions, and identify bugs and enhancements. 25% domestic and international travel required. Must have five years of work experience in the job offered or in a Technical Product Managerrelated occupation. To apply, send resume to TNLJobs_US@trimble. com. Must reference job 6083.1707. Annual Salary: $110,000 per year.

Help Wanted TECHNOLOGY

HP Inc. is accepting resumes for the position of Technical Solutions

Cons IV in Westminster, CO (Ref. #7028711). Interface with Poly’s/ HP’s external customers and partners as well as internal sales, services, and engineering teams with a keen focus on satisfying their needs at the highest level.

Telecommuting permitted. Annual

Salary: $102,999.90/year to $132,999.90/year. Mail resume to HP Inc., c/o Yesenia Tejada, 3390 E Harmony Road, Fort Collins, CO 80528. Resume must include Ref. #, full name, email address & mailing address. No phone calls. Must be legally authorized to work in U.S. without sponsorship. EOE.

Legitimate Work At Home

Help Wanted TECHNOLOGY

HP Inc. is accepting resumes for the position of Technical Solutions

Cons IV in Westminster, CO (Ref. #7028720). Interface with Poly’s/ HP’s external customers and partners as well as internal sales, services, and engineering teams with a keen focus on satisfying their needs at the highest level. Telecommuting permitted. Annual Salary: $97,335.00/year to $127,335.00/year. Mail resume to HP Inc., c/o Yesenia Tejada, 3390 E Harmony Road, Fort Collins, CO 80528. Resume must include Ref. #, full name, email address & mailing address. No phone calls. Must be legally authorized to work in U.S. without sponsorship. EOE.