2012 Football Preview

The Tribune’s 2012 Football Preview Take a sneak peak at the players, teams and conferences to watch this season

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Less than a year after winning the Class 3A state title, the Joe Sangerled Windsor Wizards leap into the 4A Northern Conference. Page 3

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What’s Inside » Greeley West reaps benefits of town’s talent pool.

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» Competition becomes tougher for UNC with Big Sky expansion.

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» Ekeler leads Reds.

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» Eagles embrace challenge.

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August 24, 2012

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Four A’s, one goal for Wizards

By Bobby Fernandez bfernandez@greeleytribune.com

T

here may be four A’s in Windsor’s new football classification, but there is only one A in “football”.

Wizards coach Chris Jones has preached these words to his players — even though Windsor’s classification and conference is completely different, the game remains the same.

“We’re going to stay the same offensively and defensively,” Jones said.

“We’ve worked a little more on some things on the offensive side, cleaned up some things, some blocking assignments. But, to be honest, we keep hearing, ‘Are you ready for 4A football.’ Now we say, ‘Football has one A in it.’”

A year after winning the Class 3A state title, the Wizards are determined to make a new slate of foes adjust to them, not the other way around.

Windsor (13-1 last season) used a smash-mouth triple option offense and a punishing defense to win its third state title in program history.

The Wizards shut down a high octane Silver Creek passing attack 14-7 in the state title game in frigid weather on Dec. 3 at Legacy Stadium in Aurora.

Windsor senior quarterback Joe Sanger said the energy and excitement of winning a 3A title a year ago has fueled him and his teammates during their preseason preparations this fall.

“I think we’re actually

JIM RYDBOM/jrydbom@greeleytribune.com

WINDSOR QUARTERBACK JOE SANGER looks to pass during pre-

season football camp earlier this month in Windsor. Sanger will be one of the leaders this season for the Wizards, who won the Class 3A state title a year ago and are moving into the 4A Northern this season. more intense than last year.

We do weight-lifting before practice, and it’s never looked as intense as it did today,” Sanger said after the second day of practice on Aug. 14. “So, I think the

guys are going to be ready to go and ready for the move up.”

The Wizards open their season with a home game against longtime 4A contender Wheat Ridge at 7

p.m. Aug. 31.

To Windsor’s new 4A opponents: Don’t expect the Wizards to defer from the same formula that brought them a championship a year ago.

Windsor senior linebacker Lucas Watts, who battled a wrist injury in preseason but hoped to be ready within the first couple weeks, said he and his teammates are excited for the opportunity to prove their winning formula can yield success at the 4A level.

“Football is football,” Watts said. “(The move to 4A) doesn’t change anything for us as a team. Who we’re playing doesn’t matter to us really. We’re going to do what we do as a team and work hard.”

As a member of the 4A Northern, Windsor joins a conference that will present significant challenges almost every week.

“We want to prove we are capable of playing in this conference,” Jones said. “It’s a tough conference; one of the toughest in the state.”

Perennial contender Broomfield has moved out of the conference but former 3A powerhouse Mountain View has moved into the 4A Northern.

The newcomer Wizards and Mountain Lions will join Northern Conference mainstays Greeley Central, Greeley West, Niwot, Thompson Valley and Loveland.

Despite the challenges that loom in 4A, now may be as ideal of a time as ever for the Wizards to move up a classification, just nine months after proving themselves as the top team in 3A. “Everybody is asking us, ‘How is 4A going to be?

How are you guys going to do in 4A?’” Windsor senior cornerback Lance Cox said. “Honestly, it just motivates us more and makes us want to play that first game even more. It’s a big excitement.”

Outlook

»»4A»» Northern Windsor»Wizards »»COACH:»Chris Jones, sixth season »»2011»RECAP:»»The Wizards won the Class 3A state title with a 14-7 win against SIlver Creek in the state finals. Windsor had a 13-1 overall record, 5-0 in the 3A Tri-Valley Conference. »»KEY»PLAYERS:»QB Joe Sanger, sr.; WB/FB/KR Jordan Porterfield, sr.; WR Alex Baldwin, sr.; DE Sean Glenn, sr.; CB Lance Cox, sr.; ILB Lucas Watt, sr. »»SEASON»OUTLOOK:» A season after winning the 3A title, Windsor moves into a loaded 4A Northern Conference. With a closeknit unit, a stifling defense and a strong triple-option running game, the Wizards will try to duplicate their 3A success at the 4A level.

Jones said the team must develop qualify depth on both lines.

Greeley»Central»» Wildcats »»COACH:»Mike Heatherly, seventh season »»2011»RECAP:»The Wildcats were a dismal 1-9 last season but identified some younger players who received quality experience. »»KEY»PLAYERS:» QB, Sean Dixon, sr.; RB, Andres Ortega, jr.; WR/ RB, Travis Lechman, soph; WR, James Desmond, jr.; OL, Danny Garcia, sr.; OL, Luis Diaz, jr.; DL, Juan Mejia, sr.; DL, Andrew Cotto, jr.; LB, Juan Chapparo, sr.; LB, Joey Miller, sr.; DB, Devonte Davis, sr.; DB, Jacob Gray, sr. »»SEASON»OUTLOOK:» Heatherly expects his team to be much improved from last season, led by Dixon in his second season as the team’s starting quarterback.

The Wildcats are still young at some key positions, but those players received a lot of playing time last year, which should work in their favor.

Turn to Northern on Page 4

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Outlook

Northern from Page 3

Greeley West Spartans » COACH: Mark Roggy, 20th season » 2011 RECAP: The Spartans went 8-4 but finished the season with a 35-0 loss to Pine Creek in the state playoffs. » KEY PLAYERS: RB/ DB,QB, David Eddy, sr.; TB/LB, Austin Waterman, sr.; QB, Eric Seeley, jr; WR/ DB, Joel Marion, jr.; WR/ DB, Shane Ricks, jr.; OL/ DL, Leo Salcido, jr.; OL/ DL, Christian Melendez, jr.; OL, Walker Brown, jr.; WR/DB, Wesley King, sr. » SEASON OUTLOOK: The Spartans are expected to contend for the always-tough Class 4A Northern Conference title but it may come with some key players performing at different positions, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Roggy — along with the entire West football family — will be coaching with a heavy heart after the unexpected death of his oldest son and assistant coach, Tyler, who died in a drowning accident this summer.

» 3A Metro East Weld Central Rebels » COACH: Mike Brown, ninth season » 2011 RECAP: The young Rebels went 3-7. » KEY PLAYERS: QB Brandon Blackston, jr.; RB Carson DeGroot, jr.; WR Tyler Nebelsick, jr.; OL Jon Meketuk, sr.; LB Josh Buchholz, sr. » SEASON OUTLOOK: After taking their licks in the Patriot League last year, the Rebels move into the 3A Metro East. “It is exciting times at Weld Central,” Rebels athletic director Dan Lliteras said. “We will be playing mostly all new opponents and look forward to developing new rivalries.”

The Rebels remain a young bunch, with only three senior starters.

August 24, 2012

West swims in deep end of local talent pool

By Tyler Silvy tsilvy@greeleytribune.com

T

here’s a great many old westerns that contain the phrase, “This town’s not big enough for the both of us.”

It’s a classic line, etched into our collective memories. Well, here in Greeley, just one stop on settlers’ routes to win the west, one school is writing its own rugged tale.

Greeley West is the dominant force in Greeley when it comes to high school football. A perennial playoff team and sometime contender for the Class 4A state title, West draws the lion’s share of attention.

Greeley Central (Class 4A) and Northridge (Class 3A), get lost in the shadows.

West coach Mark Roggy credits the consistent talent he’s had in his 20 years with the program for the team’s success.

“We’ve been fortunate to have very good players,” Roggy said.

Because of Colorado’s open enrollment and the decisions students are allowed to make because of that, West has gotten quite a bit more talent than it’s Class 3A/4A city counterparts in recent years.

For Northridge coach Jeff Fulton and Greeley Central coach Mike Heatherly, it is what it is. Both have said they coach whoever shows up and they love their teams.

“You’re talking today’s society,” Heatherly said.

“Kids tend to flock to a winning program. Until you dethrone the winning

JIM RYDBOM/jrydbom@greeleytribune.com

GREELEY WEST’S AUSTIN WATERMAN takes the handoff during preseason football camp. At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, Waterman is expected to have a productive year at tailback.

“

“You’re talking today’s society. Kids tend to flock to a winning program.

Until you dethrone the winning team, you’re probably not getting those kids.”

Mike Heatherly

Greeley Central football coach

team, you’re probably not getting those kids.”

With open enrollment, in a nutshell, kids pick high schools sort of like they would colleges, and there are many options here in Greeley. For soonto-be prep football players, though, the choice has been pretty clear recently.

David Eddy, a talented

running back looking to shift into a Tebow-esque quarterback role for Greeley West this season, should have gone to Central. Well, should have if a map had anything to do with it.

“I live just down the street from Central,” Eddy said.

Eddy’s older brothers

went to Central, includ- a pretty talented kid over at ing John, who eventually Central.’ If he was willing landed at the University of to cross into enemy terriNorthern Colorado. tory to do that for a local Eddy wasn’t shy about kid like my brother, that his reasons for choos- just told me the kind of guy ing West. The team wins he was.” more. There are bigger Eddy said his decision crowds. It’s a bigger stage. wasn’t so much based on Is he labeled the family negatives at Central as it traitor? was the positive energy he “My brothers encour- felt at West. He praised the aged me to go to West,” teachers, education and an Eddy said. identifiable buzz of school West coach Mark Roggy spirit humming about the was instrumental in get- hallways. ting Eddy’s brother, John, From a strictly academic a look from UNC scouts, standpoint, Northridge, Eddy said.

Central and West are com“(John) wasn’t getting parable, Greeley Central very many looks (from athletic director Mark scouts),” Eddy said. “Coach Koopman said.

Roggy, I guess, talked to one and told them, ‘There’s Turn to Greeley on Page 6

August 24, 2012

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August 24, 2012

Koopman: No one program outweighs another Greeley from Page 4

Fulton praised Northridge’s excellence in the classroom, as well.

“I’ll put our academics up against anybody in the city,” Fulton said. “Our academics are as good as anybody.

We lead the state in Boetcher winners over the last 10 years.”

Whether it’s the Science, Math and Technology Magnet Program at Northridge or the International Baccalaureate Program at West or Central’s consistent improvement, Koopman said the number of kids who are “out of place” because of the open enrollment is essentially a wash. West gets some from the Central area.

Northridge gets some from the West area and so on.

“Yeah, it evens out,” Koopman said. “There is no one program athletically or academically that outweighs another. It may even come down to a teacher.

There’s all kinds of reasons.

In the end, kids are probably where they need to be.”

Koopman wasn’t critical of the open enrollment process, either.

“It has gotten cleaned up a lot from what it used to

JIM RYDBOM/jrydbom@greeleytribune.com

GREELEY CENTRAL QUARTERBACK SEAN Dixon works on passing drills during football camp earlier this month.

be (statewide),” Koopman said. “In our district, freshmen can go wherever they want. We believe if we’ve treated kids the right way,

their families will stick with us.”

That doesn’t take the sting away from coaches that consistently see the

best athletes go to West.

“I think talent makes coaches awfully good,” Heatherly said. “We like to put so much credit on the

coaches. I just know from having been in places with a lot of talent that it makes you a better coach.”

Heatherly would know.

He coached former UNC standout and current National Football League wideout Vincent Jackson in high school at Widefield.

“We’d love to have bigger numbers and more talented players,” Heatherly said. “I love my players and they give their all.”

Koopman said that’s what he loves about Heatherly; He respects the coach’s ability to teach all levels of kids and to teach them about more than just football.

Outside the lines, a committee selected Heatherly for the Central job seven years ago. Eddy’s mother was on the committee.

“She was asked because they had been a part of the school,” Eddy said. “She was happy to help them out.”

It may have helped a bit more if Eddy chose to follow in his brothers’ footsteps and attend Central, but as Fulton and Heatherly have said, it is what it is.

“My hands are tied,” Heatherly said. “I don’t want to come across as crying on somebody’s shoulder.

I would like nothing more than this Greeley WestGreeley Central game to be a true rivalry.”

Until then, this town might not be big enough for the both of them.

Season outlooks »3A»Tri-Valley » Northridge»Grizzlies »»COACH:»Jeff Fulton, 13th season »»2011»RECAP:»The Grizzlies made strides last season despite losing their first 12 games before finding the win column in a 21-18 come-from-behind win against Fort Lupton in the season finale. »»KEY»PLAYERS:»RB, Cody Cook, sr.; DB, Bryant Frank, sr.; WR, Blake Karlin, sr.; QB, Robert Fulton, sr.; OL, Adrian Villa, sr.; TE, Michael Graff, sr.; WR, Brad Marx, sr.; DB, Jacob Lobato, jr.; DB, Brenden Fulton, soph.; LB, Jaedon Mills, jr.; DL, Barak Unruh, sr.; WR, Jay Frye, soph.; WR, Kayson Werner, soph. »»SEASON»OUTLOOK:»The Grizzlies feature

a horde of experienced returning players whom Fulton said have been “battle tested.”

He added that getting off to a great start could play big in the team’s success this season as it looks to put a 3-17 mark over the past two seasons in the rearview mirror.

Roosevelt»Rough»Riders »»COACH:»Noland E. Eastin, second season »»2011»RECAP:»»Roosevelt advanced to the first round of the playoffs. The Rough Riders finished with an 8-2 record in conference play, 8-3 overall. »»KEY»PLAYERS:»QB Spencer Urban, sr.; RB Randy Molinar, jr.; WR Mark Rios, sr.; DL Daniel Kammerzell, sr.; Josh Semmler, LB , sr.; Jakob

Bernhardt, OL, sr.; Austin Mekelburg, OL, sr »»SEASON»OUTLOOK:»The Rough Riders have to replace a lot of key players from last year’s team, so depth and experience are a concern, Eastin said. Eastin added that if the young players step up and grow quickly, the team should be in the hunt for a league title.

The team has 14 seniors returning, and Eastin said the team is excited to be tested early by quality opponents Eaton and Loveland.

»»2A»Patriot Fort»Lupton»Bluedevils » COACH: Jeff Priestly, second season » 2011 RECAP: With a 1-9 record, Priestly said

he still found bright spots, including a road win against Fort Morgan. » KEY PLAYERS: QB Zach Boyd, sr.; QB Jeff Merritt, jr.; RB Jalen Vasquez, jr.; OL Angelo Zito, sr.; OL Ruger Fisher, sr.; TE Brodie Nelson, sr.; RB Logan Fern, sr.; LB DJ Vurciega, jr.; CB Marcus Lenox, sr. » SEASON OUTLOOK: Boyd and Merritt will split time at quarterback for the Bluedevils, Priestly said. The Bluedevils return plenty of skill and experience, not least of which is cornerback Lenox (6 INT last year). The senior had six interceptions last season, including a 105-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first game of the season.

Turn to Patriot on Page 7

August 24, 2012

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Outlook

Patriot

Ekeler, Reds looking for fast start

from Page 6

Eaton Reds » COACH: Bill Mondt, 19th season » 2011 RECAP: The Reds finished with a 9-3 record, advancing to the state quarterfinals, falling to Bayfield 15-14. » KEY PLAYERS: RB Austin Ekeler, sr.; TE/LB Trent Sieg, sr. » SEASON OUTLOOK: With five starters returning on offense and six returning on defense, Eaton should once again be a contender in league and on a state level. Ekeler, coming off a 1,544-yard season a year ago, should continue to establish himself as one of the top rushers in 2A. Platte Valley Broncos » COACH: Troy Hoffman, third season » 2011 RECAP: The Broncos (4-2 league, 6-5 overall) placed third in the Patriot League, advancing to the opening round of the state playoffs, losing to perennial powerhouse Faith Christian 41-7. » KEY PLAYERS: DE Raul Rios,sr; DL/OL Dillon Joens, sr; OL Brandon Gehring, sr; RB/LB Adam Bethel, sr; RB/LB Caleb Creech, jr.; WR/DB Cameron Maxey, jr. » SEASON OUTLOOK: Hoffman said he believes the Broncos will again compete with the top teams in a loaded Patriot League and be in the mix for one of three playoff spots. With nine full-time or part-time starters returning on defense, Platte Valley plans to continue to be aggressive on defense while controlling the ball on offense.

University Bulldogs » COACH: Tom Grasmick, fourth season » 2011 RECAP: The Bulldogs were 5-5 overall but just 2-5 in the Patriot League after Turn to Patriot on Page 12

By Bobby Fernandez bfernandez@greeleytribune.com

A

ustin Ekeler is used to attacking opposing defenses early and

often.

As a junior last season, the shifty Eaton running back often caught defenders on their heels, breaking off big touchdowns in the opening minutes of games.

This season, Ekeler will receive the chance to light up an opponent even earlier than usual.

Ekeler begins a season in which he hopes to garner all-state recognition while helping the Reds contend for a Class 2A title when Eaton opens the season with a “zero week” game against The Academy at 6 p.m. Saturday in Westminster.

“My goal is to go for all-state — that would be pretty cool,” Ekeler said. “I’ve told my team my goals, too, and they’re really supportive and they’re trying to help. We’re doing all we can for each other; just playing for each other out there.”

Despite splitting carries with then-senior backfield companion Lincoln Korell last season, Ekeler rushed for 1,544 yards and 23 touchdowns on 155 carries. He had a 9.96 yard-per-carry average to go with his 128.7 yards per game.

He also caught nine passes for 186 yards — a 20.67 yards per catch average — including four touchdowns.

Eaton is one of just two Weld teams, along with Weld Central, that is playing during “zero week.”

In order to provide every team with a chance for a full regular season schedule, the Colorado High School Activities Association permits teams to schedule a regular season game — in place of a second scrimmage — a week before the official start date this Thursday.

While Reds coaches likely wouldn’t have minded an extra week to get their team ready for its opener, count senior quarterback Britten Abbott among the Eaton players giddy to start the season a

TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO

PLATTE VALLEY’S TRENT FAHRENBRUCH, top, loses his helmet as he and teammate

Jake Naibauer combine for a tackle on Austin Ekeler of Eaton last year. week earlier than normal.

“From a coaching standpoint, they want the extra week,” Abbott said. “But, as a player, we just want to play. We just want to get out there and go.”

Belonging to an offense anchored by Ekeler, one of the top runners in 2A, only adds to the enthusiasm shared by Abbott and his teammates.

“The biggest thing Austin brings is just the excitement,” Abbott said.

“Everyone just wants to see him go and just take off and just make other teams look below par with his great ability.”

Aside from the opportunity to showcase its potentially potent offense, Eaton has another reason for embracing its early start.

The Reds entered the playoffs last year as one of the favorites to contend for a 2A crown.

On Nov. 19, Eaton was upset, 1514, on the road in the quarterfinals against Bayfield, which was the eventual state runner-up.

The Reds led for 3 1/2 quarters before Bayfield’s TJ Pazell kicked the winning field goal with 37 seconds left to end Eaton’s 9-3 season.

Reds standout senior linebacker/tight end Trent Sieg said the heartache of that loss has served as motivation coming into this season.

“Losing the last game of the year last year has created an extra drive for me and I’m sure a bunch of other kids on the team, too,” Sieg said.

“We’re definitely approaching (the

game against The Academy) like we would any other game. But, we definitely like getting to play a little earlier — get the rust out of your system and go out and hit somebody.”

Ekeler acknowledged that with the early start to the season, the team’s senior leadership will be even more important than usual.

“It’s exciting, but at the same time it is kind of nerve-racking, because we have one less week to prepare and get ready for everything,” Ekeler said.

“So, the leaders and upperclassmen that have been around really have to step up and help out these younger guys. ... The focus has to be at an all-time high. We can’t be messing around.”

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Outlook Northern Colorado Bears » COACH: Earnest Collins Jr. second season » 2011 RECAP: The Bears suffered their first winless season since 1949 and finished last in the Big Sky with a 0-8 conference record, 0-11 overall. » KEY PLAYERS: QB Seth Lobato, 6-5, 221, jr.; WR Jace Davis, 6-2, 215, jr.; WR Dominic Gunn, 5-11, 175, sr.; LB Clarence Bumpas, 6-2, 244, jr.; DE Devontae Chapple, 6-5, 259, so.. » SEASON OUTLOOK: While the Bears were winless last season, they showed potential toward the end of the season, losing two of their last three games by six points or less, including a controversial loss the last game of the season to Portland State on a blown call.

The Bears passing game was a highlight. Lobato finished fourth in the conference in passing with 244.8 yards per game and 17 touchdowns. Though he loses school recordholder Patrick Walker at wide receiver, he gains back Davis from academic ineligibility. Davis had a sensational sophomore season, finishing fifth in the conference with 192 yards and seven receiving touchdowns, tied for second in the conference.

The defense may have one of the best linebackers in the nation in Bumpas, who led the conference in tackles last season with 13.2 per game and finished eighth in tackles for loss and has earned preseason AllAmerican honors.

Chapple, who finished eighth in the conference in sacks as a freshman (5.5) leads what should be an improved defensive line.

The team has an inexperienced secondary, but the defensive backfield will have back Marcel Gibbons, who finished tied for eighth in the conference in tackles (8.2 per game) and was fifth in tackles for loss (12.0). Gunn gives the Bears a dual threat as a receiver and all-conference returner.

August 24, 2012

Big sky becomes ‘super conference’

By Matt Schuman mschuman@greeleytribune.com

T

his is not your grandfather’s Big Sky Conference. In fact, it’s not your grandson’s Big Sky, either.

The ever-changing landscape of college football is reaching down to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level where the Big Sky is now a superconference of its own with the addition of four new teams this season.

North Dakota and Southern Utah enter the conference as full-time members in every sport while Cal Poly and UC Davis joined as affiliate members in football only.

The changes will not only have ramifications for the Big Sky, but for the University of Northern Colorado football team both now and in the future.

Most of those ramifications appear to be positive, though it will definitely provide a new look to the conference that will make it even more challenging.

All four new schools in the conference have a rich history in football. North Dakota, a former rival of UNC’s in the Division II North Central Conference was a Division II national champion in 2001 and has 25 conference championships over its history, including last season in the Great West Conference.

Cal Poly joins the league entering its 19th season at the FCS level with a career 109-91 record and two playoff appearances, the most recent in 2008. The Mustangs have also won or shared four Great West

JIM RYDBOM/jrydbom@greeleytribune.com

UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO junior quarterback Seth

Lobato runs a play while practicing this preseason. titles since 2004.

UC Davis made 18 Division II postseason appearances from 1977-2002 and after moving to Division I FCS in 2003, won or shared Great West titles in 2005 and 2009.

Southern Utah has been a Division I FCS program since 1993 and was an independent before joining the Great West in 2004 and won the conference title in 2010.

The Bears know it will make it even tougher to climb out of the cellar of the conference with the new additions, but the Bears are excited to have some new blood in the Big Sky. “I feel like those schools are really good schools from the things I do know about them,” said UNC wide receiver Marcell Peoples, who grew up in Corona, Calif., and has friends who played for Cal Poly and UC Davis. “I feel like it is going to make the Big Sky Conference even more tough,

but that is what we look for and that is why we play this game to be competitive and play against the best of the best and I feel like the Big Sky Conference is the best of the best.”

Even though the challenge could be even greater now for UNC, the four new teams should help UNC down the road when it is competing for a playoff spots in the FCS. Currently, the conference champion gets an automatic bid into the FCS playoffs and usually one at-large bid.

However, with the strength of the conference growing and the FCS playoff field expanding from 16 teams to 20 this season, it should help the Big Sky compete for more at-large bids in the future.

“Now the nation will get to see you play against more top-quality opponents,” Collins said. “With the Big Sky being a bigger conference, we usually always get

two teams in and now we have a chance to get three teams in. So it is a positive in the sense that we may get a chance to get a third team into the playoffs.”

And the conference could grow even larger in the future. It is clear the Big Sky would like to add another team and has been trying to woo the University of Idaho to drop down from the Football Bowl Subdivision level to the FCS and into the Big Sky. However, school officials at Idaho are seeking permission from the Idaho State Board of Education to leave the ever-dwindling Western Athletic Conference and become an FBS independent in football only and join the Big Sky in other sports, according to the Idaho Statesman.

Still, UNC athletic director Jay Hinrichs can foresee a future where another team is added to the conference that would allow the league to go to two divisions in foot-

ball of seven teams each and then the division winners could play in a championship game to see who gets the automatic qualification into the FCS playoffs.

“Right now for the next several years were going to be playing this unbalanced schedule where our fans are really going to have to pay attention to who we are playing,” Hinrichs said.

That schedule could cause confusion because UNC will no longer play every opponent in the conference during a season and some conference opponents will actually count as nonconference games like UNC’s game at Sacramento State this season.

And while the new Big Sky has many benefits, UNC won’t necessarily profit financially from the expansion since there is no revenue distribution for football in the conference.

In some ways, it may actually cost the Bears more in travel expenses when they have more road games than home games.

“This year it is an additional expense because we are going to Cal Poly, which is not an easy destination,” Hinrichs said. “It’s not Portland. It’s not Sacramento.

It’s not Salt Lake City. And when we added Cedar City, Utah and Grand Forks, N.D., you can see that those aren’t major hubs of airlines. So there’s going to be some additional expense getting to these places.”

Still, the exposure that the program will receive playing in four new markets, two in California where UNC recruits heavily, can only help UNC down the road.

“There’s four new areas where we can get exposure and that is going to help recruiting-wise,” UNC quarterback Seth Lobato said. “It is just going to help overall our program.”

August 24, 2012

11

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Big Sky Conference outlooks Cal Poly Mustangs » COACH: Tim Walsh, fourth season » 2011 RECAP: The Mustangs finished their last season in the Great West Conference as co-champions with North Dakota after posting a 3-1 conference record, 6-5 overall. » KEY PLAYERS: QB Andre Broadous, 6-0, 210, sr.; LB Kennith Jackson, 6-0, 232, sr.; DL Sullivan Grosz, 6-4, 280, jr. » SEASON OUTLOOK: Cal Poly enters its first season in the Big Sky with enough talent on defense to be a force in the conference led by Jackson, a preseason All-American selection who was the team’s second-leading tackler with 80 and Grosz, a preseason All-American lineman who led the team in tackles for loss (11) with 6.5 sacks. Their defense was 28th in the nation in rushing defense (128.36 yards allowed per game).

Eastern Washington Eagles » COACH: Beau Baldwin, fifth season » 2011 RECAP: The 2010 national champions fell off a bit in 2011 finishing in a three-way tie for third in the conference standings with Portland State and Weber State at

5-3 and finished 6-5 overall. » KEY PLAYERS: WR Nicholas Edwards, 6-3, 200, sr.; QB Kyle Padron, 6-4, 220, jr.; WR Brandon Kaufman, 6-5, 215, jr.; LB Zach Johnson, 6-1, 225, sr. » SEASON OUTLOOK: The Eagles were decimated by injuries last season, losing 14 starters for at least part of the season and seven for the entire year. Even so, EWU still managed to lead the FCS in passing offense.

The Eagles will be explosive again offensively with the return of two All-American receivers in Edwards (school-record 95 receptions for 1,250 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2011) and Kaufman, a Denver native who caught 76 passes for 1,214 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2010 before missing all of last season with hand and knee injuries.

Idaho State Bengals » COACH: Mike Kramer, second season » 2011 RECAP: The Bengals started well but lost their final eight games to finish eighth in the conference with a 1-7 record, 2-9 overall. » KEY PLAYERS: WR Roderick Rumble, 6-2, 210, sr.; QB Kevin Yost,

6-2, 195, sr.; TE Josh Hill, 6-5, 229, sr.; CB Donovan Henley, 5-10, 178, sr.; » SEASON OUTLOOK: Kramer brought an explosive new look to the Bengals passing attack last season as ISU finished ranked second in the conference (300.6 yards per game). The centerpiece of that offense returns in Rumble, an All-American last season who set the school record for receptions in a season with 112 for 1,348 yards and nine touchdowns. With Hill (48 catches, 407 yards) returning and providing another big target for Yost (2,973 yards passing, 15 touchdowns), the Bengals should have one of the best pass offenses in the conference again.

Montana Grizzlies » COACH: Mick Delaney, first season » 2011 RECAP: The Grizzlies were once again one of the nation’s best, finishing as champions of the conference at 7-1, 11-3 overall and making it to the national FCS semifinal game before losing to No. 1-ranked Sam Houston State. » KEY PLAYERS: OT Danny Kistler, jr., 6-8, 315, jr.; TE Greg Hardy, 6-5, 245, sr.; RB Peter Nguyen, 5-8, 182, sr.; LB Jordan Tripp, 6-4, 244, jr.

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» SEASON OUTLOOK: It was a turbulent off-season for the champion Grizzlies as Montana fired coach Robin Pflugrad and athletic director Jim O’Day after allegations of sexual discrimination against the program and a reported NCAA investigation of the program. Also, suspended quarterback Jordan Johnson was charged with rape this summer in Missoula County.

Montana will look to move forward with only 11 seniors under new head coach Delaney but are still ranked 11th in the country in the FCS preseason poll bolstered by the return of Kistler, a pre-season All-American offensive lineman and Hardy, a first-team all-conference selection last season.

Montana State Bobcats » COACH: Rob Ash, fifth season » 2011 RECAP: The Bobcats came oh so close to winning the conference title, but lost in the final game of the season to Montana, finishing tied with the Grizzlies for the top spot at 7-1 (10-3 overall), but losing the title on a tiebreaker. MSU still made the FCS playoffs, losing in the quarterfinals to Sam Houston State. » KEY PLAYERS: QB DeNarius

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McGee, 6-0, 210, jr.; RB Cody Kirk, 5-10, 213, jr.; DT Zach Minter, 6-1, 295, sr.; DE Brad Daly, 6-1, 240, jr.; LB Joey Owens, 6-0, 223, sr. » SEASON OUTLOOK: It is easy to see why Montana State is the preseason pick to win the conference this season with a bevy of talent returning on both sides of the ball. McGhee was a secondteam all-conference selection after throwing for 2,799 yards and 23 touchdowns last season while completing 61 percent of his passes. On defense, the line is ferocious up front with the return of Minter, a returning All-American who registered 52 tackles and 7.5 sacks last season and Daly, who led the conference in sacks last season with 12.5, earning him second-team all-conference honors.

North Dakota Sioux » COACH: Chris Mussman, fifth season » 2011 RECAP: The Sioux finished the season ranked for the first time since moving to Division I after taking a share of the Great West Conference title with a 3-1 record, 8-3 overall.

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August 24, 2012

Big Sky Outlook: Bobcats top preseason poll Big Sky from Page 11

» KEY PLAYERS: RB Jake Miller, 5-11, 167, jr.; QB Braden Hanson, 6-5, 212, sr.; WR Greg Hardin, 5-11, 174, jr.; DE Ross Brenneman, 6-4, 256, sr.; CB Daryl Brown, 5-10, 163, sr. » SEASON OUTLOOK: The Sioux could be a dangerous addition to the conference with the return of talent on both sides of the ball. Miller, a first-team all-GWC selection last season (942 yards, 13 touchdowns) leads a strong offense that also returns Hardin, who has led UND in receiving the last two years and has 12 career touchdown receptions. On defense, Brenneman is a preseason All-American who needs 9.5 sacks to break the school record of 23.5 (Wes Atkinson) while Brown is coming off a season in which he made the Sports Journal All-FCS Freshman Team at cornerback.

Northern Arizona Lumberjacks » COACH: Jerome Souers, 15th season » 2011 RECAP: The Lumberjacks finished tied for sixth in the conference with a 3-5 record, 4-7 overall. » KEY PLAYERS: RB Zach Bauman, 5-10, 200, jr.; OL Kyle Walker, 6-4, 290, jr.; DL Tim Wilkinson, 5-11, 290, jr.; DB Anders Battle, 6-0, 185, jr.

TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO

MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY BOBCATS running back Cody Kirk runs against the

University of Northern Colorado last season. » SEASON OUTLOOK: NAU’s Bauman is one of the nation’s best running backs and prove that last season as he rushed for 1,435 yards, 15 touchdowns and was named first-team all-conference as well as earning second-team All-American honors. He will run behind one of the best lineman in the conference in Walker, who started all 11 games last season as a sophomore at guard.

The defense is anchored by honorable-mention all-Big Sky defensive lineman Wilkinson, who led the team in tackles for loss (6.0) last season.

Patriot from Page 7

a fast start. For the third straight season, they improved their record. » KEY PLAYERS: QB/TB, Tanner Sparks, sr.; RB/LB, Tad Strohauer, jr. WR/DB, James Medina, sr.; OL/ DL, Isaac Chavez, soph.; LB, Tyler Alonzo, sr.. » SEASON OUTLOOK: Grasmick expects his squad to continue its climb toward earning one of the Patriot League’s three playoff spots, led by their experienced, returning players.

Portland State Vikings » COACH: Nigel Burton, third season » 2011 RECAP: The Vikings were by far the most improved team in the conference last season. After picking up just two wins in 2010, PSU finished 5-3 in conference, 7-4 overall to put the Vikings in a tie for third and in serious consideration of an FCS playoff spot. » KEY PLAYERS: WR Justin Monahan, 6-2, 200, sr.; RB DJ Adams, 5-11, 220, jr.; LB Ian Sluss, 6-0, 225, sr.; K Zach Brown, 6-1, 200, sr.; DE Marquis Jackson, 6-5, 260, sr.

» SEASON OUTLOOK: The Vikings may find it difficult to keep the momentum going from last year as their offense loses record-setting quarterback Conner Kavanaugh and running back Cory McCaffrey from an offense that has led the Big Sky in rushing the last two seasons. On defense, the Vikings linebacking corps was one of the best and the return of Sluss, a secondteam all-conference selection last season, should only help solidify that position again.

Sacramento State Hornets » COACH: Marshall Sperbeck, sixth season » 2011 RECAP: The Hornets finished tied for sixth in the conference standings at 3-5, 4-7 overall. » KEY PLAYERS: QB Garrett Safron, 6-1, 195, so.; Sam McCowan, 5-7, 175, sr.; OG Clay DePauw, 6-3, 290, sr.; LB Todd Davis, 6-1, 230, jr.; Jeff Badger, 5-11, 225, sr. » SEASON OUTLOOK: The Hornets are picked to finish ninth in the conference preseason polls by the coaches and with good reason with a young team that may struggle, especially on offense. Leading rusher Bryan Hilliard is gone, but McCowan has played in 33 consecutive games and carried the ball 53 times for 307 yards last season.

The defense could be solid with Davis, a preseason AllAmerican at linebacker returning after earning honor-

able mention all-conference honors last season.

Southern Utah Thunderbirds » COACH: Ed Lamb, fifth season » 2011 RECAP: After winning the Great West Conference in 2010, the Thunderbirds slipped to the bottom of the pack last season with a 1-3 conference record, 6-5 overall. » KEY PLAYERS: QB Brad Sorensen, 6-5, 235, sr.; DT Cody Larsen, 6-4, 300, sr.; OL Zach Brackus, 6-5, 325, sr.; OL Gavin Farr, 6-3, 300, jr.; LB Chad Hansen, 6-3, 245, jr. » SEASON OUTLOOK: When it comes to the Thunderbirds, the conversation has to start with Sorensen, who is a consensus preseason All-American and consider one of the best quarterbacks in the country. The defense may be the Thunderbirds Achilles’ heel, but they do have Hansen back to lead the way. He earned first-team all-GWC honors last season after reading Southern Utah in tackles (104).

UC Davis Aggies » COACH: Bob Biggs, 20th season » 2011 RECAP: The Aggies tied with Southern Utah for the bottom spot in the great West conference last season with a 1-3 record, 4-7 overall. » KEY PLAYERS: QB Randy Wright, 6-3, 202, jr.; C Ray Wilburn, 6-2, 280, sr.; DE Bobby

Erskine, 6-3, 245, sr.; FS Kevin Lewis, 5-11, 200, sr.; P Colton Schmidt, 5-11, 225, sr. » SEASON OUTLOOK: No doubt the strength of UC Davis this season will be its defense with a pair of preseason All-Americans in Erskine and Lewis. Erksine was a firstteam all-conference selection as a junior after leading the team in tackles for loss (9.5) and fumble recoveries (2).

Weber State Wildcats » COACH: Jody Sears, first season » 2011 RECAP: Weber State finished tied for third in the conference standings with Portland State and Eastern Washington at 5-3, 5-6 overall. » KEY PLAYERS: FB Tevia Tolutau, 6-2, 255, so.; RB Josh Booker, 6-0, 210, jr.; QB Mike Hoke, 6-2, 235, sr.; DE Trevor Pletcher, 6-2, 240, sr. » SEASON OUTLOOK: The offense looks to be loaded again with the return of Hoke (2,080 yards, 19 touchdowns last season) and Booker, who rushed for 701 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 5.9 yards per carry last season. Junior wide receiver Shaydon Kehano also returns after earning honorable mention all-conference honors with 993 yards and nine receiving touchdowns.

The defense is anchored by Pletcher, who earned all-conference honors last season on defense and special teams (honorable mention).

Season Outlooks and depth, Wehrman said.

Valley Vikings » COACH: Ryan Wehrman, sixth season » 2011 RECAP: Valley just missed out on the playoffs, finishing with a record of 3-4 in league, 6-4 overall. » KEY PLAYERS: WB/DB Roman Marfil, sr; OL/DL Roy Mendez, sr; OL/DL Andre Kern, sr; RB/LB Drew Hubbard, jr » SEASON OUTLOOK: Wehrman said the Vikings will continue to compete for one of the three playoff bids allocated to the always tough Patriot League. Valley has a large number of returning juniors and seniors, which should give the Vikings experience

» 1A North Central Highland Huskies » COACH: Alan Overton, first year » 2011 RECAP: The Huskies had a rough year last year. They played closest with University, the big bright spot in a tough season as Highland finished 0-9. » SEASON OUTLOOK: With a new coach and no wins last year, one win would mark a successful season.

Athletic director Jeremy Burmeister said he’s confident that coach Alan Overton can hit the ground running.

And if this season ends up winless, Burmeister said he knows Overton will have still passed on important values to his players.

» 1A 6-man North Briggsdale Falcons » COACH: Rick Mondt, 8th season » 2011 RECAP: The Falcons did beat Prairie last year but it was a deceiving win. Prairie was resting starters in preparation for state in the last regular season game. Briggsdale’s record, 6-2, is also a bit deceiving.

The Falcons play in one of the toughest divisions in the state and didn’t start a single senior last year. » KEY PLAYERS: OLB/WR Tyler

Axelson, sr.; OLB/OE Austin Launer, sr.; RB Nathan Krise, sr. » SEASON OUTLOOK: The North Conference isn’t getting any easier this year. The Falcons will be looking at a successful year with a third-place finish behind Fleming and Pawnee. With every starter returning, the Falcons have continuity. Briggsdale returns two senior outside linebackers/wide receivers in Tyler Axelson and Austin Launer.

Perhaps the most intriguing returner is running back Nathan Krise. He nursed a knee injury all last season and has been looking stellar in camp.

Turn to North on Page 13

August 24, 2012

13

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Not exactly the same ‘ol, same ‘ol for Eagles

Outlook

By Samuel G. Mustari

from Page 12

L

smustari@greeleytribune.com

ine ‘em up, knock ‘em down.

See an opening? Take it.

Execution to the nth degree.

Certainly, it sounds like a series of cliches, but in all reality, it’s a motto for the Dayspring Christian Academy football team.

You see, veteran Dayspring coach Mick Holmes isn’t one for any fancyschmancy tomfoolery and the like.

However, with the decision to switch leagues from the talent-laden Class 1A 8-man Plains League to the slightly-less-competitive Central League, Holmes took the road a little less paved.

Holmes, along with his defending 8-man statechampion Eagles, made it known to athletic director Harley Lowe they preferred the Plains League — even with the addition of Akron, a longtime dominant force at the 1A 11-man level.

Bring on Akron. In fact, just add them to the mix of Caliche and Merino as opponents the Eagles will face in league competition in defense of their title.

“Akron is the addition and Longmont Christian is going to the Central League,” Holmes said. “That actually makes our (league) that much more tougher, but that’s fine.”

In the past five years, when the Eagles were expected to go deep in the postseason, they did, winning or playing in three straight state title games, including four in a five-year span.

When they weren’t expected to get very far against the likes of Merino and Hoehne, it was the same ol’

TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO

DAYSPRING ACADEMY’S BEN SANDERFORD runs into the redzone in a game in 2009.

Season outlook TB/DB, Ben Sanderford, sr.; OC/DL, CJ » 8-man Plains Welch, sr.; DE, Jon Wiseman, jr.; LB, Josh Urwiller, sr.

Division Dayspring Christian Eagles » COACH: Mick Holmes, 13th season » 2011 RECAP: The Eagles won the Class 1A 8-man state championship, beating Hoehne in the title game at Brazelton Field to cap a 13-0 season. It was the Eagles’ fourth state championship game appearance in the last five years. » KEY PLAYERS: QB, Kylar Mai, soph.;

story — the Eagles entertained a standing-room only crowd at Brazelton Field to win their second 8-man state title in a five-year period.

“Alright, Akron is plenty tough,” Holmes conceded.

“In fact, they’re really good.

They’ve had a great program for years, and we will have our work cut out for us.”

Again.

“When I originally talked to the kids, I told them that we have a really tough schedule. We’re playing three teams that are coming

» SEASON OUTLOOK: The Eagles aren’t quite as deep in talent, but Holmes is making the necessary adjustments, utilizing more of a Wildcat approach on offense, and switching from a four-man front to a threean front while using a lot of stunting.

The Eagles remain in the highly-competitive Plains Conference, which welcomes longtime Class 1A 11-man power Akron into the 8-man ranks.

from 11-man competition to 8-man. Nobody ever said this was supposed to be easy.”

In what Holmes calls “the preseason,” the Eagles will play Hayden and Sargent, teams that are moving into the 8-man field.

“Our motto is no matter what, we play hard,” Holmes said. “The fact is we’re small and experienced.”

What the newcomers to the 8-man field will learn early is that the Eagles make up what they lack in size with speed.

The Eagles haven’t wavered one bit from their preseason preparation — practice once daily for two hours, almost exactly to the minute.

“I’ve never done two-adays, never, even when I coached at bigger schools,” Holmes said. “I don’t believe in ‘em.”

What has changed — other than a tougher schedule — for the Eagles is the way they’re going to look on both sides of the ball.

“We’re revamping the offense and changing the

defense — is that enough change?” Holmes joked.

“We want to get our skilled kids into space, 1-on-1 with the defender.”

Senior tailback/defensive back Ben Sanderford is a perfect example of how to execute Holmes’ philosophy.

Last season, Sanderford led the Eagles in rushing with more than 1,300 yards as the team was good for 106 yards on the ground each week.

“We’re going to throw more this season,” Holmes added.

“We’ll try to find a seam.”

That approach is fine with Sanderford, who is best in the open field and was the first to say “I can’t wait to try this again next year,” after last season’s 29-22 state-title victory over Hoehne to complete a 13-0 season.

Defensively, the newcomers will see the Eagles in a three-man front as opposed to their usual four-man front.

“We’ll stunt more, slide around and sort of sell the farm,” Holmes said. “We’ll be movin’ and groovin’ and trying to create chaos.”

Sanderford won’t be without the support of whom Holmes regularly refers to as the team’s “junkyard dog,” CJ Welch, a 5-foot-8, 175-pound ball of fire. Welch will play center on offense and will be one of moveable parts on the defensive line.

Sophomore Kylar Mai will attempt to pick up at quarterback where Levi Miller left off while junior defensive end Jon Wiseman and senior linebacker Josh Urwiller will be expected to show off their experience early on.

“We have some good skill kids and of course, we’re not backing down from any of our competitors, but we’re inexperienced,” Holmes said. “Our learning curve will be quick, and nobody in our league, even the newcomer, can afford to be caught napping.”

North

Pawnee Coyotes » COACH: Doug Miller, 16th season » 2011 RECAP: Pawnee finished 6-3 last season and the Coyotes were knocked out of the first round of the playoffs by Otis. » KEY PLAYERS: DB.RB. WR Brye Brunelle, sr.; LB/ RB Zeb Durst, sr.; RB/LB Scott Klinginsmith, sr. » SEASON OUTLOOK: Returning three strong position players, the Coyotes look to improve on last season by competing for a 1A North Conference title with Fleming. Coach Doug Miller said it will be tough but if the Coyotes stay healthy, they could be a solid team. “We’re not really deep,” Miller said. “That’s why we need to stay healthy. We’ve got speed and quickness but we’re not really big.”

Prairie Mustangs » COACH: Glenn Carlson, seventh season » 2011 RECAP: The Mustangs took a strong 5-3 record into the 6-man state football tournament but got the raw end of the seeding process, coming in at No. 8 and facing No. 1 Fleming. Carlson thought his Mustangs should have been 6th, one spot above the Bethune team Prairie beat on the road. It wasn’t to be and Fleming steamrolled Prairie by more than 50 points in the first round. » KEY PLAYERS: RB/ LB Dustin Warboys, sr.; OE/DE Brady Stump, sr.; MLB/RB Tyler Karmin, jr.; QB Ross Stump, jr. » SEASON OUTLOOK: Carlson acknowledges that Fleming is the team to beat. It helps that Fleming got to scavenge players from nearby Lone Star, which shut down its program. For the Mustangs, though, things look bright. They return one of the best players in the league in linebacker/running back Tyler Karmin.

14

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August 24, 2012

2012 high school football schedule Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010

THURSDAY, OCT.2009 11 CLA

SATURDAY

Evergreen at Weld Central, 7 p.m.; Eaton at The Academy, 6 p.m.

Greeley West at Longmont, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY

2A PATRIOT

Tea

Team Conf.

FRIDAY, OCT. 12Overall

Yum

Highland Wray, 6:30 7-0 p.m.; Brush at Valley, 7 PlatteatValley 10-2 p.m.; Fort Lupton at Sterling, 7 p.m.; Vista Peak Weld Central 6-1 at Strasburg, 7-4 at Weld Central, 7 p.m.; University 7 p.m.; Platte Valley at Eaton, 7 p.m.; Berthoud Brush 6-1 8-5 at Roosevelt, 7 p.m.; Northridge at Mead, 7 Eaton 4-3 4-6 p.m.; Dayspring Christian at Haxtun, 7 p.m.; Niwot vs Greeley Central, at District 6 Stadium, Strasburg 3-4 4-3 7 p.m.; Loveland at Windsor, 7 p.m.; Arickaree University 2-5 at Prairie, 2-8 at Briggsdale, 7 p.m.; Fleming 7:30 p.m.

Weld Central at Arvada, 6 p.m.; Middle Park at Fort Lupton, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, AUG. 31 Platte Valley at Kent Denver, 4 p.m.; Greeley West at Monarch, 7 p.m.; Mead at Valley, 7 p.m.; University at Highland, 7 p.m.; Roosevelt at Eaton, 7 p.m.; Greeley West at Monarch, 7 p.m.; Northridge vs. Pueblo Central, at CSU-Pueblo, 7 p.m.; Green Mountain vs. Greeley Central, at District 6 Stadium, 7 p.m.; Wheat Ridge at Windsor, 7 p.m.; Briggsdale at Pawnee, 7 p.m.; Prairie at Woodlin, TBA

Estes Park

0-7

1-9

Tea

SATURDAY, OCT. 20

Me

Day

PHOTO

[

]

REPRINTS

Prairie at Weldon Valley, 3 p.m.; Valley at Bennett, 7 p.m.; Platte Valley at Weld Central, 7 p.m.; Resurrection Christian at Fort Lupton, 7 p.m.; Highland at Estes Park, 7 p.m.; Loveland at Roosevelt, 7 p.m.; Montbello vs. Greeley West, at District 6 Stadium, 7 p.m.; Greeley Central at Adams City, 6 p.m.; Fossil Ridge at Windsor, 7 p.m.; Dayspring Christian at Hayden, 7 p.m.

ONLINE Roosevelt at Silver Creek, 1 p.m.; Caliche at NOW Dayspring Christian, 1 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 25

Greeley West at Mountain View, 7 p.m.; Thompson at Greeley Central, District 6 SPORTSValley • LIFESTYLE • MEMORIES Stadium, 7 p.m.; Windsor at Niwot, 7 p.m.

greeleytribune.mycapture.com FRIDAY, OCT. 26

SATURDAY, SEPT. 8

The Academy at University, 1 p.m.; Briggsdale at Flagler, 1 p.m.; Lewis-Palmer vs. Northridge, at District 6 Stadium, 7 p.m.

vs. Sargent, in Kiowa 2 p.m.; Evergreen vs.

Northridge, at District 6 Stadium, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 13

THURSDAY, SEPT. 20

Valley at University, 1 p.m.; Dayspring Christian

Hol

1A 8

FRIDAY, SEPT. 7

SATURDAY, SEPT. 15

Hig

4-6

Hugo at Dayspring Christian, 1 p.m.

Eaton at Brush, 7 p.m.; Sterling at Platte Valley, 7 p.m.; Strasburg at Fort Lupton, 7 p.m.; Pawnee at Peetz, 7:30 p.m.; Mountain View at Weld Central, 7 p.m.; Holyoke at Highland, 7 p.m.; Roosevelt at Centaurus, 7 p.m.; Standley Lake vs. Greeley Central, at District 6 Stadium, 7 p.m.; Windsor at Palmer Ridge, 7 p.m.; Weldon Valley at Briggsdale, 7:30 p.m.

Wig

1-6

FRIDAY, OCT. 19

SATURDAY, SEPT. 1

FRIDAY, SEPT. 14

Wra

Valley

Valley at Platte Valley, 7 p.m.; University at Fort Lupton, 7 p.m.; Englewood at Weld Central, 7 1A NORTH CENTRAL p.m.; Byers at Highland, 7 p.m.; Northridge at Berthoud, 7 p.m.; Eaton at Strasburg, 7 p.m.; Greeley Central vs. Greeley West, at District 6 Stadium, 7 p.m.; Mountain View at Windsor, 7 p.m.; Prairie at Briggsdale, 7:30 p.m.

Mountain Range vs. Greeley West, at District 6 Stadium, 7 p.m.

Akr

Christian, 1 p.m.; Erie vs. Northridge, at District 6 Stadium, 7 p.m.

KICKING OFF THE 2010 FOOTBALL SEASON! THURSDAY, SEPT. 27

Greeley West at Niwot, 7 p.m.; Windsor at Thompson Valley, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 21

Fort Lupton at Valley, 7 p.m.; University at Eaton, 7 p.m.; Brush at Platte Valley, 7 p.m.; Stratton at Pawnee, 7 p.m.; Peetz at Prairie, 7 p.m.; Wiggins at Highland, 7:30 p.m.; Frederick at Roosevelt, 7 p.m.; Dayspring Christian at Akron, 7:30 p.m.; Loveland vs Greeley Central, District 6 Stadium, 7 p.m.; Briggsdale at Fleming, 7:30 p.m.

Weld Central at Alameda, 6 p.m.; Mountain View at Greeley Central, at District 6 Stadium, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 4

FRIDAY, SEPT. 28

FRIDAY, OCT. 5

Valley at Sterling, 7 p.m.; Platte Valley at Strasburg, 7 p.m.; Eaton at Fort Lupton, 7 p.m.; Peetz at Briggsdale, 7:30 p.m.; Highland at Yuma, 7 p.m.; Roosevelt at Elizabeth, 7 p.m.; North Park at Prairie, 7 p.m.; Thompson Valley vs Greeley West, at District 6 Stadium, 7 p.m.; Windsor at Longmont, 7 p.m.;

W HISTORICALLY TLO S INTEREST RA E

SATURDAY, SEPT. SED FOCU22

SATURDAY, ONSEPT. 29

YOUR GOALSBrush at University, 1 p.m.; Merino at Dayspring

Centaurus vs. Northridge, at District 6 Stadium, 1 p.m.

Greeley West at Loveland, 7 p.m.

Valley at Eaton, 7 p.m.; Fort Lupton at Platte Valley, 7 p.m.; Cornerstone Christian Academy at Highland, 7 p.m.; Roosevelt at Skyline, 7 p.m.; Silver Creek vs. Northridge, at District 6 Stadium, 7 p.m.; Greeley Central at Windsor, 7 p.m.; Prairie at Pawnee, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCT. 6

Sterling at University, 1 p.m.; Weld Central at Skyview, noon; Sedgwick County at Dayspring Christian, 1 p.m.; Briggsdale at North Park, 1 p.m.

Strasburg at Valley, 7 p.m.; Weld Central at Fort Morgan, 7 p.m.; Highland at Resurrection Christian, 7 p.m.; Northridge at Roosevelt, 7 p.m.; Sterling at Eaton, 7 p.m.; Fort Lupton at Brush, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCT. 27

Platte Valley at University, 1 p.m.; Dayspring Christian in Divisional Playoffs, TBA

THURSDAY, NOV. 1

Skyline vs. Northridge, at District 6 Stadium, 7 p.m.ß

FRIDAY, NOV. 2

Weld Central at Elizabeth, 7 p.m.; Mead at Roosevelt, 7 p.m.; Windsor vs. Greeley West, at District 6 Stadium, 7 p.m.; Greeley Central at Longmont, 7 p.m.

Everything volley

August 24, 2012

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15

16

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August 24, 2012

NEW 2012 CAMRY 35 MPG RATING

4

“CLASS LEADING MPG RATING” 5

0APR %

189

$ 2

OR

Financing for 60 mos with $16.67 per $1000 borrowed

500

$

TRADE BONUS CASH †

On any trade-in when you purchase or lease a new 2012 Camry

NEW 2012 VENZA

NEW 2012 COROLLA 34 MPG RATING

26 MPG RATING

6

1,030

$

1

0APR %

AVAILABLE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE

750 169

$ 2

OR

Financing for 60 mos with $16.67 per $1000 borrowed

$

OR

CASH BACK

PER MO. LEASE ON COROLLA LE 14

2,624

$

1

3,301

1

$

0APR %

1500 329

$ 2

OR

Financing for 60 mos with $16.67 per $1000 borrowed

$

OR

CASH BACK

PER MO. LEASE ON VENZA LE15

36 mos** with $2809 due at signing plus taxes and fees 15

3

NEW 2012 TUNDRA

10

“MOST DEPENDABLE LARGE PICKUP, SEVEN YEARS IN A ROW” 12

“2011 BEST BET”

BY CARS.COM ” 11 Average APR Finance Savings

Average APR Finance Savings

36 mos** with $2259 due at signing plus taxes and fees 14

3

NEW 2012 RAV4 28 MPG RATING

8

“2011 BEST BET”BY CARS.COM 9

“BEST-SELLING COMPACT CAR IN AMERICA” 7 Average APR Finance Savings

24 mos** with $2714 due at signing plus taxes and fees 13 (Excludes Hybrid)

(Excludes Hybrid)

PLUS

PER MO. LEASE ON 13 CAMRY LE

% 0APR

1500 199

$ 2

OR

Financing for 60 mos with $16.67 per $1000 borrowed

$

OR

CASH BACK

3

PER MO. LEASE ON RAV4 4X416

36 mos** with $2819 due at signing plus taxes and fees 16

Average APR Finance Savings

3,785

$

1

0%APR

2

PLUS GET

Financing for 60 mos with $16.67 per $1000 borrowed

1000 3000

$

$

OR

BONUS CASH ††

CASH BACK

3

(CrewMax model only)

Get ToyotaCare complimentary with any purchase or lease of any new Toyota.

*Complimentary plan that includes oil changes, roadside assistance and more.

VISIT YOUR TOYOTA DEALER TODAY.

IN GREELEY: 47TH AVE & HWY 34. GREELEY. 970-339-3900 IN FORT MORGAN: 1209 MAIN ST. FORT MORGAN. 970-867-1400

Options shown. Offers end 9/4/12. 1 Average Finance Savings reflects the interest savings based on an average 3.70% finance rate offered by Toyota Financial Services to qualified customers in the Denver Region. Offers cannot be combined and may vary by region. See participating dealer for details. 2 APR financing with approved credit from Toyota Financial Services on new 2012 Camry (excludes Camry Hybrid), Corolla, Venza, RAV4 and Tundra.

3 Cash Back offer provided by Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. on new 2012 Corolla, Vena, RAV4 and Tundra (CrewMax model). †$500 Trade Bonus Cash applied to any trade-in toward the purchase or lease of a new 2012 Camry. ††$1000 Retail Bonus Cash offer provided by Toyota Financial Services to eligible customers who finance a new, unused or unlicensed 2012 Tundra. No cash payment will made to consumer and cannot be combined with other offers. 4 2012 EPA-estimated 25 city/35 highway/28 combined mileage for Camry 4-cyl. Actual mileage will vary. 5 Based on 2012 EPA class Midsize Car V6 non-luxury vehicle combined ratings. Camry V6 rated 21 city/30 highway/ 25 combined. Actual mileage will vary. 6 2012 EPA-estimated 27 city/34 highway mileage for Corolla with manual transmission. Actual mileage will vary. 7 MotorIntelligence.com, CY 2011 sales. 8 2011 EPA-estimated highway mileage for Venza V6 AWD. Actual mileage will vary. 9 Based on independent testing by Cars.com. 10 2012 EPA-estimated 22 city/28 highway/24 combined mileage for RAV4 4-cylinder 2WD. Actual mileage will vary. 11 Based on independent testing by Cars.com. 12 The Toyota Tundra received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among large pickups in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2006-2012 Vehicle Dependability Studies.SM 2012 study based on 31,325 consumer responses measuring problems consumers experience in the past 12 months with three-year-old vehicles (2009 model-year cars and trucks). Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed October-December 2011. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com. *Covers normal factory scheduled service for 2 years or 25K miles, whichever comes first. The vehicle cannot be part of a rental or commercial fleet. See participating Toyota dealer for complete plan details. Valid only in the continental United States and Alaska. 13 Lease a new 2012 Camry LE (excludes Camry Hybrid) for $189 a month for 24 months with $2,714 due at signing. Due at signing costs include first month’s payment of $189 and $2,525 down payment. Security deposit waived. Does not include taxes, license, title fees, insurance and dealer charges. Closed-end lease.

Example based on model #2532. Total MSRP including freight $24,025. Monthly payments of $189 total $4,536. Capitalized cost of $23,201 based on down payment and dealer participation, which may vary by dealer. Payment may vary depending on final transaction price. Lease-end purchase option is $16,146. 14 Lease a new 2012 Corolla LE 4-cyl. for $169 a month for 36 months with $2,259 due at signing. Due at signing costs include first month’s payment of $169 and $2,090 down payment. Security deposit waived. Does not include taxes, license, title fees, insurance and dealer charges. Closed-end lease. Example based on model #1838. Total MSRP including freight $18,895. Monthly payments of $169 total $6,084. Capitalized cost of $18,735 based on down payment and dealer participation, which may vary by dealer. Payment may vary depending on final transaction price. Lease-end purchase option is $10,567.

15 Lease a new 2012 Venza LE AWD V6 for $329 a month for 36 months with $2,809 due at signing. Due at signing costs include first month’s payment of $329 and $2,480 down payment. Security deposit waived. Does not include taxes, license, title fees, insurance and dealer charges. Closed-end lease. Example based on model #2822. Total MSRP including freight $32,770. Monthly payments of $329 total $11,844. Capitalized cost of $31,324 based on down payment and dealer participation, which may vary by dealer. Payment may vary depending on final transaction price. Lease-end purchase option is $17,010. 16 Lease a new 2012 RAV4 4x4 Base 4-cyl. for $199 a month for 36 months with $2,819 due at signing. Due at signing costs include first month’s payment of $199 and $2,620 down payment. Security deposit waived. Does not include taxes, license, title fees, insurance and dealer charges. Closed-end lease. Example based on model #4432. Total MSRP including freight $25,235. Monthly payments of $199 total $7,164. Capitalized cost of $24,879 based on down payment and dealer participation, which may vary by dealer. Payment may vary depending on final transaction price. Lease-end purchase option is $15,111 **Customer responsible for maintenance, excess wear and tear and $0.15 per mile over 12,000 miles per year. To qualified Tier I customers through Toyota Financial Services. $350 disposition fee due at lease end unless customer purchases vehicle or decides to re-finance through Toyota Financial Services. Offers good in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming.

TOYOTA.COM