2016 Fall Sports Preview

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FALL

SPORTS

PREVIEW

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Fort Morgan Mustangs

This Special Section Brought to You by:

Index Fort Morgan Football ............................................ 3, 4 Northern League Football ......................................... 5 Brush Football .................................................. 6, 7, 8 Patriot League Football ............................................. 9 Wiggins Football ............................................... 10, 11 North Central League Football ................................. 11 Weldon Valley Football ...................................... 12, 13 A-6 North Conference Football ................................. 14 Prairie Football ................................................. 14, 15 Fort Morgan Volleyball ...................................... 16, 17 Colorado 7 League Volleyball .................................. 17 Brush Volleyball ............................................... 18, 19 Patriot League Volleyball ......................................... 20 Wiggins Volleyball ............................................. 20, 21 Lower Platte Conference Volleyball .......................... 22 Weldon Valley Volleyball .................................... 23, 24 Prairie Volleyball ............................................... 25, 26 1A District 4 Volleyball ............................................ 27 Fort Morgan Cross Country ..................................... 28 Brush Cross Country .............................................. 29 Wiggins Cross Country ........................................... 30 Fort Morgan Boys Golf ...................................... 32, 33 Brush Boys Golf ............................................... 34, 35 Fort Morgan Cheer ........................................... 37, 38 Brush Cheer .......................................................... 39 Fort Morgan Gymnastics ................................... 41, 42 Fort Morgan Boys Soccer .................................. 43, 44 Colorado 7 League Soccer ...................................... 45 Brush Softball .................................................. 47, 48 Patriot League Softball ........................................... 49 Fort Morgan Schedules .......................................... 51 Brush Schedules ................................................... 52

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Fort Morgan sophomore Taylor Wood sticks her landing while performing on the balance beam at state gymnastics.

Weldon Valley Schedules ........................................ 53 Wiggins Schedules ................................................. 54 Prairie Schedules ................................................... 55

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Fort Morgan

Football

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

The 2016 Fort Morgan football team.

A new league of their own

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

It was another strong season for the Fort Morgan Mustangs as they reached the state semifinals for the second consecutive season.

Fort Morgan ran the table in the 2015 season, winning all 10 games on the schedule. The average margin of victory was 45.4 points as no team in the nonconference and Colorado 7 League could match up with them.

This year, however, the Mustangs could be in for a much more competitive season.

After the Colorado 7 League dissolved for football with teams leaving during conference realignment or moving to a lower classification,

the Mustangs tried to find a new home in the Tri-Valley League, a conference they had played in before. After being unsuccessful in making the move, the Mustangs were placed in the Northern League, a new makeshift league with five of the six teams being new to the conference.

Centaurus moves from the Metro League and Northridge remains for this season. As for the other three teams, they move down from class 4A, highlighted

by Longmont, who played for a state title two years ago and went undefeated in the regular season last year. Thompson Valley and Silver Creek are the other teams that will make up the conference.

“It’s a definite change,” head coach Harrison Chisum said.

“They are higher caliber teams we will play this year. We’re excited to have a chance to compete and see how we do.”

In addition to the new conference, the Mustangs have also bolstered their nonconference schedule. After opening the season in Brush, the Mustangs will play Falcon, Holy Family, and Berthoud at Legion Field. Fort Morgan will wrap up nonconference play with a game at Meade. All but Berthoud and Falcon were playoff teams from last year.

Even though the team is in a new league and will play a stronger schedule, the preparation for the upcoming season has not changed, according to Chisum.

“We just try to do what we are

Mustangs schedule September 2: @ Brush 7 p.m.

September 9: vs. Falcon 7 p.m.

September 16: vs. Holy Family 7 p.m.

September 23: vs. Berthoud 7 p.m.

September 30: @ Meade 7 p.m.

October 7: vs. Centaurus 7 p.m.* October 14: @ Silver Creek 7 p.m.* October 21: vs. Thompson Valley 7 p.m.* October 27: @ Northridge 7 p.m.* November 4: @ Longmont 7 p.m.*

See MUSTANGS, pg. 4

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Fort Morgan

Football

MUSTANGS from page 3 capable of every year,” Chisum said. “We are not changing anything.”

The Mustangs held workouts during the summer and went to their team camp at the University of Wyoming. A number of the kids also participated in individual camps.

The Fort Morgan offense will look to run the ball as well as it did last year, averaging close to 300 yards per game on the ground.

Senior Tate Kembel, an all-state player, returns to lead an experienced Mustangs running back committee. The offensive line will have a few spots to fill, but Chisum said he feels good about the guys coming in and starting this year.

“We have some guys that will step in, but what is nice for the other guys is that they could get in during the games last year,” Chisum said. “That will help. It will not be brand new for them out there.”

The Mustangs will also spend some time working on their passing game, something that could be used more this season. Senior Dalyn Knapp returns at quarterback and will have his favorite target, junior tight end Trey McBride, to throw to.

On defense, a good number of players in the front seven have graduated, but the team again looks to have some experience with second stringers playing the second half of most games last

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Fort Morgan head football coach Harrison Chisum (center) addresses his team following a conditioning practice in the preseason.

At a glance Head coach: Harrison Chisum 2015 record: 12-1 Conference: 7-0 (1st) Postseason: Semifinals, 3A state playoffs

year. Fort Morgan made its havoc up front with strong defensive line play and a linebacker core playing aggressive.

Chisum said the team will need

Good Luck Fort Morgan Mustangs!

to take advantage of the first month of the season as the team will not be traveling out of Morgan County for games. Fort Morgan will travel to Brush in week one and will follow up with three straight games at home.

“That’s just how it fell for us, but it’ll be important to get off to a good start to gain some confidence and see what we need to work on,” Chisum said.

With the recent playoff runs the

team has had and the new conference this fall, many fans for Fort Morgan football fans are anxious to get the season started. This season, Chisum feels the stands will remain full for the full game more frequently due to the competition his team will face.

“People won’t be leaving Legion Field early this year,” Chisum said.

Brandon Boles: 970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.com or twitter.com/FMT_Sports

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Fort Morgan

Football

Northern League: Football ver Creek was 3-7.

This is by far the toughest league to predict Projected Both teams are hopthis season. ing a step down in The Northern League in class 3A football is conference classification will lead completely new with five of the six teams joinstandings to having a chance at ing the league this fall. Three of those new 1. Longmont early success in the teams are moving down from class 4A. 2. Fort Morgan conference.

Longmont and Fort Morgan are the two 3. Thompson Valley Centaurus and highlights to the league and could be playing 4. Centaurus Northridge are the 3A for all the marbles in Longmont on Nov. 4.

5. Silver Creek schools that join Fort Both teams went undefeated in the regular sea6. Northridge Morgan in coming to son last year and have been to at least the state the league. semifinals in each of the last two seasons.

Northridge is the lone Silver Creek and Thompson Valley are the team remaining in the Northern League from other two teams (with Longmont) moving down from class 4A. Thompson Valley was 6-5 last year, where they went 2-8. Centaurus had a and reached the postseason last year while Sil- strong regular season going 7-3 in the Metro

League but were not rewarded a spot in the 3A state playoffs.

Most schools in recent history that move down a classification tend to have similar success to what they had before. With each team not knowing about each other very well, there is no clear picture for the full conference standings until the season gets rolling.

However, many people expect a two-team battle for the crown between Fort Morgan and Longmont. The Mustangs were ranked higher in the preseason polls at No. 3, but No. 4 ranked Longmont received more first place votes.

If both teams stay healthy, this could be a toss-up between the schools. It’s that close.

The Fort Morgan Mustangs football team has reached the 3A state semifinals in each of the last two seasons.

Brandon Boles Fort Morgan Times

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Brush

Football

Katie Collins / Brush News-Tribune

The 2016 Brush football team.

Beetdiggers better prepared the school announced the signing of Reid Kahl to take over as head coach. The team showed plenty of promise with a 7-4 record and a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2A There was plenty of buzz and excitement surrounding the Brush state playoffs.

This year, the team feels they’ll football program last summer when

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

have a chance to do just as well, in large part because everyone will be more comfortable in the system that they play.

“The thing is we were not only trying to teach kids the system, but also the coaches,” Kahl said. “I

didn’t have a full staff right away and we were not fully set for the Fort Morgan game. We were behind and it showed.”

As the season went on, Kahl said everyone in the program was feel-

See BEETDIGGERS, pg. 7

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Brush

Football

BEETDIGGERS from page 6 ing much better on the system, and it began to pay off for the team.

“The amount of improvement we made during season was huge,” Kahl said. “We are a long way ahead of where we were last year.”

Now with a full year under their belt with the system, the coaches and players are ready to hit the ground running in full circle for the upcoming football season and to try and build off of where they left off.

The team has spent countless hours working out in the weight room and getting together for workouts, as well as a number of kids participating in the speed camp in Brush this summer with Tyrone Whipple.

In July, the team held a week-long camp with practices and an intrasquad scrimmage. The offense was a big story for the team as they showed more spread formations to

See BEETDIGGERS, pg. 8

Beetdiggers schedule September 2: vs. Fort Morgan 7 p.m.

September 9: @ Lamar 7 p.m.

September 16: vs. Eaton (Homecoming) 7 p.m.

September 23: @ Faith Christian 7 p.m.

September 30: vs. Sterling 7 p.m.* October 7: @ Valley 7 p.m.* October 14: vs. Weld Central 7 p.m.* October 21: @ Platte Valley 7 p.m.* October 28: @ Fort Lupton 7 p.m.* *Conference game

go with the traditional three-back sets Kahl has used in the past. Multiple formations will be big for the team this season.

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Brush junior Cade Uhrick throws a stiff arm against a defender on a run play in the Beetdiggers' intrasquad scrimmage on Friday, July 15, 2016 at Beetdigger Stadium. The scrimmage capped the team's week-long camp.

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Brush

Football

BEETDIGGERS from page 7 “Our quarterback can run and throw, so we’ll try to spread the field some and have him take advantage,” Kahl said.

Junior Cade Uhrick took most snaps at the position during the scrimmage. Senior Trent Mount also got some time at the spot with the multiple back formations and will also be used at wide receiver this season.

One question mark the team will look to address before the season is the running back committee. Clay Shaver had the bulk of the running work load last season, and depth is a slight concern due to injury and other factors. Kahl said that while depth was limited at the beginning of the preseason, he expects to have some answers in time for the season opener.

“I still like using multiple backs, but our depth is a little thin,” Kahl

At a glance Head coach: Reid Kahl 2015 record: 7-4 Conference: 3-2 (3rd) Postseason: Quarterfinal, 2A state playoffs

said. “Jeron Petterson had a great summer and stood out for us.”

Brush averaged 212 rushing yards per game last season.

On the other side of the ball, the Beetdiggers showed improvement during the season. Brush allowed 23 points per game but held conference opponents to 19.3 points per game.

Some areas the team will have to fill with new players this season include defensive end and linebackBrandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times er.

Brush head football coach Reid Kahl addresses his team following an “I feel like the front will be solid,” intrasquad scrimmage in July for the team’s summer camp. Kahl is back for See BEETDIGGERS, pg. 9 his second season with the program.

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ALL AREA ATHLETES! 970-542-3100 | www.MorganCC.edu MCC employees and students shall not be subjected to unlawful discrimination and/or harassment on the basis of sex/gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, religion, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation in its employment practices or educational programs and activities. Lack of English skills will not be a barrier to admission to, or participation in, the college. For more info, including where to direct inquiries, visit: http://www.MorganCC.edu/about-mcc/legal-notices.

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Brush

Football

BEETDIGGERS

Patriot East: Football

Kahl said. “Our depth at linebacker is a slight concern, but we have kids that are capable to play there. We just have to get them reps.”

The one part of the team Kahl is most excited about this season is the play up front on the line.

He feels the kids have been getting better and their size will be greater.

“We’re quite a bit bigger and stronger up front than we were last year,” Kahl said.

That size will be put to the test in the early part of the season, starting with the rivalry game against Fort Morgan on Sept. 2. The rivalry game will kick off a string of five straight games against playoff teams from last year that include Lamar, Eaton, Faith Christian, and Sterling.

Brush will also have to play three of its final four games on the road, including a road game in Platte Valley on Oct. 21.

“The schedule is not a whole lot different for us, but it will be competitive,” Kahl said. “The kids have put in plenty of time this offseason and I hope it shows on field. We’ll be more prepared.”

The Patriot League has split into two separate divisions for football this season, so a few teams that were normally conference foes will now face each other as nonconference opponents.

In the Patriot East, the conference welcomes its two new teams in Weld Central and Fort Lupton. Both teams were a part of the Colorado 7 League in class 3A last season.

Highlighting the east division will be Platte Valley. The Broncos made it all the way to the 2A state championship game last year but lost to Bayfield. While Platte Valley is always a tough opponent, they must also replace some key seniors and a coach that took another head coaching position.

Another team high on many radars are the Sterling Tigers, who bring back some of their top players on a team that was second in the conference with a 4-1 league record. Some people believe it will be between these two teams for the conference title.

Brush looks to have another strong season under Reid Kahl and will be a bigger team up front to match more of its opponents, making them a favorite dark horse team to watch for in

from page 8

the league.

Valley is the other Patriot League team that will remain in the division. The 1. Platte Valley Vikings must 2. Sterling replace its leading 3. Brush rusher, but they will 4. Valley still be a tough team 5. Weld Central to face.

6. Fort Lupton Weld Central and Fort Lupton have struggled in recent years, but a change of conference could push them both to play better and compete more this fall.

There is a possibility of three teams looking good at winning the league this season, making for an exciting second half of the year.

If Sterling can get a road win in Brush on Sept. 30 and follow up with a home win over Platte Valley, the Tigers will have the best chance at the conference this season. But the state runner-up from last year will also be in the mix.

Projected conference standings

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Wiggins

Football

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

The 2016 Wiggins football team.

Tigers to try new offensive scheme

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

For years, Mitch Risner has run the air raid offense out of the shotgun, which has led to many new

school records in statistical categories and a number of playoff runs.

This year, it will be a different story for the Tigers.

Wiggins graduated its starting quarterback, leading rusher and

Good luck on the field

in the classroom.

receiver, and both tight ends from last season, leaving a number of roster spots to fill this year. With the current makeup the Tigers have, Risner will go from the air raid to a more run-heavy offense that will still operate in the shot-

gun.

Because of the new changes to the offense, the Tigers changed their summer plans of going to 7-on-7 tournaments around the area to instead going to individual

Good Luck

to all fall sports teams

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See TIGERS, pg. 11

Football

Wiggins

TIGERS from page 10

game against Colorado Springs Christian, followed by a home game against Platte Canyon, ranked No. 7 in the CHSAA 1A summer camps and hosting a twopreseason polls and a team that At a glance week long camp in Wiggins in has defeated the Tigers in each of July to put the new system in.

Head coach: Mitch Risner the last two season.

2015 record: 8-3 That new system was on display “Wins set the tone and give Conference: 4-1 (2nd) in a scrimmage with Adams City, momentum.

With the new RPI Playoffs: Quarterfinals, 1A State a 4A program, to close the camp. system, you have to win your nonplayoffs “I was really happy with what I conference games, so it’s critical saw,” Risner said on the scrimto get off to a fast start,” Risner mage. “We walked away enthusisaid. astic and optimistic about what we Tigers schedule The Tigers will also see some are going to do. This is the right September 3: @ Colorado changes in their North Central offense for us.”

Springs Christian 7 p.m.

League that will beef up the comWhile the skill positions were September 9: vs. Platte Canyon petition in conference. Limon, a 7 p.m. hit hard by graduation, the offenplayoff team from last year and September 16: @ Lyons 7 p.m. sive line will stay mainly in tact September 23: vs.

Byers 7 p.m. ranked preseason team, replaces with four returning starters this September 30: @ Yuma 7 p.m.* Highland in a conference that also year. Risner pointed out that the October 7: vs. Wray features Burlington, Wray, Holyline played well in the scrimmage (Homecoming) 7 p.m.* oke, and Yuma. and will work to move the line of October 14: @ Limon 7 p.m.* Risner believes the league is scrimmage this season to make October 21: vs. Burlington 7 open for the taking with a number the offense run that much better. p.m.* of good teams.

Junior Cael Croissant has been October 28: @ Holyoke 7 p.m.* “It’s anybody’s league this year,” starting at quarterback with the Risner said. “There are a lot of first string offense and has three backs in the backfield. Seniors physical, and forced turnovers. It quality teams. Anyone can beat anyone. It makes for a good seaShane Finegan, Cody Huwa, Max was really good to see.” son. We’ll have to work hard and Smialek, and junior Teggan The changes on both sides of Freauff have seen most of the the ball are looked at to utilize the execute every rep in practice.” action this summer.

Tigers’ speed and work with a And though the team will have a The offense is not the only roster that is smaller in size. different style of play, the Tigers thing that will be changed this With the new schemes a full go, still have a goal of winning the year. On the defensive side of the the Tigers have been fine tuning conference and making some ball, the Tigers have tweaked a the offense and defense in pracnoise in the postseason. few details with their traditional tice this preseason. The team has “If we work hard, stay healthy, philosophy, but the overall goal of also been going through drills to and get a few bounces to go our being the more physical team and make sure they keep their physiway, we could have a good seawinning the turnover battle cal attitude. son,” Risner said. “If we don’t stay remains.

Wiggins will waste no time fac- healthy and have some bad “It stood out that this was the ing strong competition to start the bounces, it could also go against right defense for us,” Risner said. season with their new schemes, our favor. It’s going to be a fun “We rallied to the ball, we were starting with a Saturday road season to see.”

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North Central League: Football Burlington won the North Central league outright last season and shared the conference title with Wray two years ago. The Cougars have some hype around their team this year and are the preseason favorite to get a third-straight conference title this year.

The path to get Projected that crown conference last year was overstandings coming 1. Burlington one hur2. Limon dle on the 3. Wiggins schedule 4.: Holyoke in Wig5. Wray. gins, but 6. Yuma this year’s road looks to be a little tougher.

Limon – who comes over from the South Central league this season – begins the year ranked No. 5 in the CHSAA 1A preseason polls, two spots behind the Cougars. The Badgers reached the quarterfinals of the 1A state playoffs last year and look to have an immediate impact in their new conference.

Also reaching the quarterfinals of the state playoffs last year was Wiggins, who did get hit in graduation and will run a brand new offense this season.

Wray was slightly down last year with a younger roster, but that experience coming back has them hopeful to make some more noise. Holyoke was also a younger team but was 3-2 in conference last season, giving them confidence for 2016.

Yuma should be much stronger this year after going winless in the conference a year ago..

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Weldon Valley

Football

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

The 2016 Weldon Valley Warriors football team.

Warriors getting serious

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

Warriors 2016 schedule

The Weldon Valley Warriors football team is going in a new direction once again this season.

The school has hired John Morgan to take over the program, marking the second coaching change in two years. Morgan previously has served as a middle school coach and former high school assistant coach with the team.

“It’s exciting to take over the program,” Morgan said. “I think it’ll be a good group of kids.”

Weldon Valley is looking to bring some life to its football program.

The team has had its share of struggles over the past few years,

September 2: @ Longmont Christian 5 p.m.* September 9: vs. Otis 3:30 p.m.

September 16: @ Briggsdale 7 p.m.* September 23: @ Prairie 7 p.m.* September 30: vs. Fleming 3:30 p.m.

October 8: @ North Park 1 p.m.* October 14: vs. Pawnee 3:30 p.m.* October 21: vs. Peetz 3:30 p.m.* October 28: Cross-divisional game (TBD) *Conference game

including a 1-7 record in the regular season last year with no conference wins. It has been seven years

since the Warriors had a winning record, and the team has won three or fewer games in each season since 2010.

Despite the struggles the team has had over the last few years, many members of the Warriors program have been putting in plenty of work during the summer to prepare for the season, according to their coach.

“I’ve had the weight room open all summer and we have seen good numbers,” Morgan said.

Morgan mentioned that the seniors have set the tone for offseason workouts and practices this year. Five seniors return to the program this year, many of whom led the team in statistical categories last season. Adam Parachini was one of the better all-around players

last year, while Vincent Flores and Dameion Cowan made plays with their arm as well as their legs at the quarterback position. Brady Piepho was a strong player for the Warriors defense, and Kole Sandoval was a leader on the offensive and defensive lines.

That experience is something Morgan hopes will benefit the team as they will learn some new schemes for the upcoming season.

On offense, the Warriors will look to establish the run game with their sets.

“I’ve been running a double-wing and single-wing set,” Morgan said.

“We want to run the ball first.”

There will also be a guy in motion before the snap on almost every offensive play, according to See WARRIORS, pg. 13

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Weldon Valley

Football

WARRIORS from page 12 Morgan.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Warriors bring in head baseball coach Mike Schmeeckle to overhaul the defense and put guys in better positions to succeed. The Warriors will look to improve on that side of the ball in particular as they allowed over 48 points per game last season.

Morgan also said that the process to rebuild the program will not happen overnight and the team is focused on seeing improvement during the course of the season.

“I told them that our main goal is to be a better team at end of season than at the beginning of the season,” Morgan said. “We have a good senior core, so I’m hoping that will help us have success.”

When the Warriors take the field for the first time on September 2 at Longmont Christian, they will be

At a glance Head coach: John Morgan 2015 record: 1-7 Conference: 0-5 (6th) Postseason: None

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Weldon Valley head football coach John Morgan (center) address his team during a preseason practice. Morgan is in his first season as head coach for the Warriors.

looking to snap a nine-game losing skid in the A-6 North League. The Warriors will then make their

this year is regularly playing their home games on Friday afternoon instead of Saturdays, something Morgan believes is due to travel time for schools.

For Morgan and the Warriors, they hope that 2016 is a sign of the team heading in the right direction, building its way back up to contention.

“I’m looking forward to setting the tone for the season in that first game,” Morgan said. “We’ll be prepared for whatever we face.”

home debut against Otis in a nonBrandon Boles: 970-867-5651, conference matchup on September sports@fmtimes.com or 9. One change the Warriors will see twitter.com/FMT_Sports

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Weldon Valley

Football

A-6 North: Football Fleming went undefeated in the regular season last year, so it’s no surprise to see the Wildcats as the preseason favorite to win the league yet again. They are also the No. 1 ranked team in the CHSAA 6-man preseason polls.

If the Wildcats are to receive some competition for the crown this year, it will come from Pawnee and Briggsdale, who will also open the season ranked in the top-10 polls. Both teams had great regular seasons and lost in the state quarterfinals last year.

Two teams outside of the top-10 that could make some noise this year are Peetz and North Park. Peetz went 6-4 in the regular season last year and will bring back plenty of talent from last year’s squad. A young North Park team gave Pawnee a big scare in the regular season and also challenged Briggsdale. and has 16 of 17 players on their roster returning this fall.

Weldon Valley, Prairie, and Longmont Christian will be in that third tier of teams that will hope to compete more with their conference foes. The

Warriors have a good senior class for the season to lead the team. Prairie did not field a team last year due to low numbers and will be a young team this year. Longmont Christian is the wild card team as they are the newcomer to the league and also did not field a team in 2015.

Until people see someone knock Fleming out, the Wildcats will be the team to beat once again this season.

As for the state playoffs, three teams could once again be in postseason play.

Projected conference standings 1. Fleming 2. Pawnee 3. Briggsdale 4. Peetz 5. North Park 6. Weldon Valley 7. Prairie 8. Longmont Christian

Prairie

Football

Prairie Mustangs back on the field

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

Friday nights were a little quieter in New Raymer last fall.

Due to low numbers, the Prairie Mustangs were unable to field a football team. Three members of the football team that folded would travel to Pawnee and be a part of the Coyotes football program.

This season, the lights will be back on at the football field at Prairie Schools, as a decent sized freshman class and a number of other athletes will go out for the sport and field a team this fall.

New head coach Justin Kerns says having the program back this fall has the community excited.

“I know the boys are excited about bringing this fall sport back to Prairie,” Kerns said. “This was something the community really missed last year.”

The parents in the community have echoed the buzz surrounding football’s return from a oneyear hiatus.

“I had one parent meeting and you could tell they were ecstatic,”

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

The 2016 Prairie Mustangs football team.

Kerns said.

Now that the program is back, the team has been putting in work to get ready to return to the field.

The team held a mini-camp the week before official practices began, giving the team more time

14 • AUGUST 31, 2016 • FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

to learn the new system Kerns will implement this year.

Kerns has a background coaching 6-man football across Colorado. He worked as a defensive coordinator at Deer Trail and was a volunteer coach at Woodlin

when both schools had a football program. He also has served as an athletic director at North Park, a conference opponent, and is a teacher at Briggsdale High School.

See PRAIRIE, pg. 15

Prairie

Football

PRAIRIE from page 14 “Having worked with different teams and different coaches I think is an advantage,” Kerns said. “You can learn something from all of them.”

Kerns will inherit a younger team and a smaller lineup, making conditioning a top priority this summer to have everyone in shape to play extensively. Many players are learning different positions so they can step in and fill when needed during the season.

“Because of our numbers, guys are going to have to fit in just about everywhere,” Kerns said.

“We’ll be able to have four guys that can snap the ball and a lot of guys that will do multiple things for us.”

Over the summer, the team was also able to get on the field and get the receiver tree together.

Mustangs schedule September 2: Open (Opponent TBD) September 9: @ Briggsdale 7 p.m.* September 16: @ Pawnee 7 p.m.* September 23: vs. Weldon Valley 7 p.m.* September 30: vs. Longmont Christian 7 p.m.* October 7: @ Peetz 7 p.m.* October 15: vs. North Park 1 p.m.* October 21: vs. Fleming 7 p.m.* October 28: Cross-divisional game (TBD)

Many of the kids knew their routes and formations before official practices started on Aug. 15.

Juniors Isaac Ward and Trent Holzworth are two of the three

returning players for the Mustangs that played on the Pawnee football team last fall. Pawnee would finish the season in the state playoffs. That experience is something Kerns hopes will trickle down to the younger guys this fall.

“It really helps give us an inside track on other teams in our league,” Kerns said. “They have gotten to work with other coaches and can bring some of those things here. It’s great to get ideas from other coaches.”

Prairie’s football debut may be pushed back a little bit later with Flagler dropping its football team.

Should the Mustangs not play in week one, they will have more time to prepare for their league opener at Briggsdale. Regardless, the team and its community will be ready to have football back this fall.

“I’m very excited, but I’m even more excited for the kids,” Kerns said.

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

New Prairie football coach Justin Kerns (right) talks about press coverage with junior Dorian Wright at the Prairie football camp. Kerns is taking over the Prairie football program this fall.

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Fort Morgan

Volleyball

Mustangs’ confidence rising

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

The Fort Morgan volleyball team is on the rise.

In each of the last two seasons, the Mustangs finished with a winning record. Last year, the team qualified for regionals for the first time in eight years.

And this year, they could bring home the conference title as they are the preseason favorite to win the Colorado 7 League.

“We had a long discussion about that,” head coach Kylie Baldwin said. “Teams want to play Fort Morgan because they know they will be challenged. I’m amazed to be walking into a program with great athletes.”

Baldwin, who has spent a number of years having success with the X-statics club volleyball teams in Fort Morgan, takes over the program as head coach. Since taking over the team, she has spoken highly of her group of girls she will be coaching.

“I can confidently tell you that I have a great group of kids who are hungry to learn,” Baldwin said.

“I’m excited with what I’ve seen.

The kids in the gym want to work hard and be pushed. They have high goals that are obtainable.”

This summer, Baldwin decided to take a back seat and do more observing when her team practiced

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

The 2016 Fort Morgan volleyball team.

At a glance Head coach: Kylie Baldwin 2015 record: 17-8 Conference: 12-2 (2nd) Postseason: Regionals, 4A Region 11

and competed in summer leagues and camps throughout the state.

She said the goal was to see the team’s strengths and weaknesses by the time the preseason came so they knew what to work on.

Baldwin did not shy away about her confidence in the girls when asked how strong of a team they

could be this year.

“Skill wise, they are there with everyone else (in the state),” Baldwin said. “It’s exciting to see them play at the high level they know they can play at. I think if we build up our mental toughness, it will carry them to the next level.”

A good number of players return to the team this fall. Up front, juniors Haley Lewis and Riley Bauman are the top two players in kills back for the Mustangs, but the team will have to replace its top hitter from last year. The back line looks solid with senior libero Jordyn Rivera, Lewis, senior Alycia Romero and junior Breann Parks

returning. All four were the top players in digs last season.

In practices, the team has been hard at work to get lineups set for the season. From there, the team spent many hours strategizing and working towards what they wanted to accomplish on their side of the net. Baldwin has also had a focus in practice of girls working around the girls they play with on the court so they can know what to expect once games began.

During two-a-days, the team spent the mornings focusing on conditioning and strength training.

The afternoon was time on the

See MUSTANGS, pg. 17

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Fort Morgan

Volleyball

MUSTANGS from page 16 Mustangs schedule August 25: vs. Brush 6:30 p.m.

August 30: @ Erie 6:30 p.m.

September 1: vs. Sterling 6:30 p.m.

September 6: vs. Standley Lake 6:30 p.m.

Setpember 8: @ Frederick 6:30 p.m.

September 13: @ Vista PEAK 6:30 p.m.

September 15: @ Conifer 6:30 p.m.* September 16: vs. Holy Family 5:30 p.m.

September 20: vs. Skyview 6:30 p.m.* Setpember 22: @ Elizabeth 6:30 p.m.* September 29: @ Alameda 6:30 p.m.* October 4: @ Arvada 6:30 p.m.* October 6: vs. Conifer 6:30 p.m.* October 8: @ Greeley Central Tournament 9 a.m.

October 11: @ Englewood 6:30 p.m.* October 13: vs. Weld Central 6:30 p.m.* October 18: @ Fort Lupton 6:30 p.m.* October 20: @ Skyview 6:30 p.m.* October 25: vs. Alameda 6:30 p.m.* October 27: vs. Arvada 6:30 p.m.*

court hitting and working on their skill sets. Now in the season, the team has started working on what they can improve on during the season.

“Our culture and approach is the idea that we control what’s on our side of the net,” Baldwin said. “We hold each other accountable.”

Fort Morgan opened the season in a packed house against Brush and followed up with some strong nonconference games with Erie, Sterling, and Standley Lake. The first Colorado 7 League game of the season will be at Conifer, one of

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Head coach Kylie Baldwin (center), seen here during the team’s volleyball camp in July, will take over for the Mustangs this fall.

the two newcomers to the league, on Sept. 15.

If all goes as planned, Baldwin believes the Mustangs will be in the thick of the postseason this

November.

“They will do big things this year,” Baldwin said. “When you play against us, you will be challenged.”

Colorado 7 League: Volleyball For the first time since 2012, there will be a new champion in the Colorado 7 League for volleyball.

The Elizabeth Cardinals, who went undefeated in conference play since 2012, has departed the conference for the Colorado Springs Metro League. Also leaving the conference is Vista PEAK, who finished fourth last year.

Fort Morgan enters the season as the favorite to win the conference after finishing second last year, only losing twice to Elizabeth in conference play. The Mustangs will have to replace a key senior at the net, but plenty of talent returns to the team this year.

Weld Central and Fort Lupton were other teams in the league that have been in contention for a top-three finish in the league and a spot in regionals over the years. A young Fort Lupton team last year expects to have a bounce back year, while Weld Central must replace a good sized senior class this fall.

Arvada and Conifer are the two new teams to replace Elizabeth and Vista PEAK this fall, looking to compete

in a new league. Both teams played in the Jeffco league, facing many strong teams from the Denver region. Conifer looks to be the team that could compete right away in the 1. Fort Morgan 2. Weld Central league after going 14-9 last 3. Conifer year and finishing tied for third 4. Fort Lupton in the conference standings.

5. Englewood Arvada is rebuilding and hop6. Skyview ing a new league will speed up 7. Arvada the process.

8. Alameda Englewood and Skyview both showed some progress and improvement last year and will try to get it going.

Alameda was winless in conference last year and will have a number of seniors to replace this fall.

Expect Fort Morgan to have the best chance at winning the league title, but a number of teams, including a newcomer, will try to dethrone the Mustangs.

Projected conference standings

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Brush

Volleyball

Beetdiggers looking to move up

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

It was a summer Brush head volleyball coach Marta Tadolini was hoping to have with her team.

Because she was hired on late in the process last season, she had very little time to work with her athletes before the preseason. So when the season ended in November, she began to implement what she wanted to have her studentathletes do in the offseason to get ready for 2016.

That message was received and carried out by her team, and Tadolini could not be anymore excited to see what her team will do on the court this fall.

“I believe we are stronger this year than we were at the end of year last year,” Tadolini said.

“With how much work the girls have done, I feel we’ll be stronger this year than where we left off.”

It starts with having a veteran team this year, returning all but one major player in the varsity rotation. Brush will have seven seniors, many of whom played big roles as juniors for the team.

Mady Kerr and junior Tiffany Davis are the top players in kills coming back. Mireya Lesso, Brenna Simmons, and junior Peyton Kendall were three of the top leaders in digs on the back line for the team as well. Simmons was also

Katie Collins / Brush News-Tribune

Beetdiggers 2016 volleyball team.

At a glance Head coach: Marta Tadolini 2015 record: 6-19 Conference: 4-12 (7th) Postseason: Regionals, 3A Region 8

the team’s primary passer for the Beetdiggers’ attack. Other players returning with key varsity experience include Rachel Carwin and sophomores Hailey Brunner and Kadie Foiles.

The other reason Tadolini is

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Brush head coach Marta Tadolini addresses her team after Brush defeated See BEETDIGGERS, pg. 19 Akron 3-1 at Brush High School on Aug. 27, 2015.

r

Student Athletes!

18 • AUGUST 31, 2016 • FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

GOOD LUCK from Taco John’s

Brush

Volleyball

BEETDIGGERS from page 18 Beetdiggers schedule August 25: @ Fort Morgan 6:30 p.m.

August 26: @ Akron 6:30 p.m.

August 27: Brush Tournament 9 a.m.

August 30: vs. Weld Central 6:30 p.m.

September 6: @ Frontier Academy 6:30 p.m.* September 8: vs. Yuma 6:30 p.m.

September 13: vs. Estes Park 6:30 p.m.* September 15: vs. Sterling 6:30 p.m.* September 20: @ Resurrection Christian 6:30 p.m.

September 22: vs. Valley 6:30 p.m.* September 27: @ Eaton 6:30 p.m.* September 29: vs. Strasburg 6:30 p.m.* October 1: @ William Smith (Aurora) 12 p.m.

October 4: @ Sterling 6:30 p.m.* October 6: vs. Platte Valley 6:30 p.m.* October 15: @ Eaton Tournament 8 a.m.

October 18: @ Liberty Common 6:30 p.m.* October 25: vs. University 6:30 p.m.* October 29: @ Bennett Tournament 8 a.m. *Conference game

excited is how much the girls have played and worked on their game since the season ended. A number of girls participated in club volleyball in the area, and many girls also participated in summer camps across the state to get 1-on-1 coaching to get better.

That extra time on the court has seen the skill level rise for the team and has given everyone in the program more confidence going into the preseason.

“It’s really made a difference,” Tadolini said. “I see improvements in every player. The way that all these girls have played and improved is just incredible. They have taken that initiative on their own to be become athletes.”

In preseason practices, Tadolini has been working across the board to continue to help her team improve. Brush will be putting in different philosophies this season to give them a chance at success.

Passing and being able to read an opponent on where they will attack are some of the keys she is working on for this season.

The team has been putting in the work and bonding close for the season. Where the team hopes that work will pay off is in the Patriot League, one of the strongest 3A classifications in the state.

Brush was just 4-12 in conference matches last season, and all four wins came against the two teams below them in the standings in Estes Park and Strasburg.

Good Luck

Brush Beetdiggers!

Brush sophomore Jacey Gahagen sets the ball during a preseason practice at Brush High School.

Katie Collins Brush News-Tribune

There will also be three games against defending state champions on the schedule with Yuma coming to town on Sept. 8 and two conference games with Eaton.

It will be a fast start for Brush with games in Fort Morgan and Akron, following by the Brush Tournament, all on the first three days of the season. The Patriot League season will begin on Sept.

6 in Frontier Academy.

With the good offseason, Tadolini expects more noise to be made by her team in the conference.

“I really do feel we are a stronger team,” Tadolini said. “It’s always a challenge, but I would rather play with the best. That’s how you get better.”

Brandon Boles: 970-867-5651, bboles@fmtimes.com twitter.com/FMT_Sports

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FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • AUGUST 31, 2016 • 19

Brush

Volleyball

Patriot League: Volleyball The Patriot League is considered by many to be the top conference in class 3A in volleyball.

Having three teams in the Final Four of the 3A state tournament certainly helps that claim.

All three teams that made the Final Four will open the season ranked No. 1 through No. 3 in the CHSAA preseason polls.

Eaton ran the table to a state title last year and returns a plethora of players that played big roles for the team going all the way this fall. They will be the favorite to go back for a repeat and are the frontrunners to win the Patriot League as well.

The team they beat in the championship game, Valley, is the No. 2 ranked team in the preseason polls. The Vikings are in a similar position as Eaton, returning a good number of

Projected conference standings 1. Eaton 2. Valley 3. University 4. Platte Valley 5. Sterling 6. Liberty Common 7, Brush 8. Frontier Academy 9. Estes Park 10. Strasburg

players. University, the team Valley beat to reach the championship, was ranked No. 3 in the polls. Out of the top three teams, University will be the team needing to replace the most talent gone from graduation.

Platte Valley and Sterling will headline the second tier of the conference, both of whom reached the state tournament last season. And both teams will look to compete the three teams ahead of

them.

Below those five teams are a number of teams looking to move up and have a shot at getting to state this year, or to make a rise in the conference standings.

Frontier Academy beat up on the three teams behind them in the standings to get six conference wins, while Brush did the same to Estes Park and Strasburg below them. Brush brings back more varsity players and will try to leap over Frontier Academy and compete with the other top teams.

Expect the Patriot League to be a major player in the postseason once again. Eaton will be the team to beat, but there are a number of quality teams that will also be in the running.

Wiggins

Volleyball

Tigers aim to sustain success

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

When Michelle Baker and Erin Kerr took over the Wiggins volleyball program in 2014, they looked to have an uphill climb to get the team back to contention. Their first season was tough, winning just two games the whole season with a young team.

Things drastically changed in year two.

Wiggins changed their rotation and thrived last season, going 1312. The Tigers finished third in the conference standings, giving them a chance to host district pool play and qualify for regionals. Wins over Holyoke and Merino put them in the district finals and clinched an automatic berth to regionals for the first time in quite some time.

The biggest change the two coaches brought to the program was making volleyball a bigger priority in the offseason, whether it was playing club volleyball, work-

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Tigers 2016 volleyball team.

ing out more in the summer, and a sense of accountability with everyone.

“I think it was a learning experience for everyone,” Baker said.

“We knew it would eventually pay

20 • AUGUST 31, 2016 • FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

off. Erin (Kerr) and I are happy to see it pay off and move on without any questions on if what we are doing is working.”

This season, the goal for the Tigers is to maintain that level of

success they achieved last year. It will not be as easy as many teams now will take notice of Wiggins this fall.

Baker will have a younger team

See TIGERS, pg. 21

Wiggins

Volleyball

TIGERS from page 20 to put on the court this fall after losing four key seniors. The Tigers will welcome two new seniors to the team, but it will be the junior class that will be the most experienced group returning this fall.

“We will be a very young team with basically three starters returning,” Baker said. “Those girls coming back may feel the pressure of filling in those shoes of the players we lost.”

Tori Jordan and Makayla Harris return to play a big role at the front of the net for the Tigers this season. Jordan was second on the team last year with 154 kills and Harris led the team with 60 blocks.

Helping set those two players up will be sophomore Chloe Baker, a setter that was named all-conference as a freshman last year. For the back line, junior Courtney Jenson brings a good amount of experience back for the team.

One change the Tigers made last season was using the 6-1 offense, which allowed multiple girls to get freed up on the attack.

That system will remain in play this season, though Baker did say they would adjust during the season if they felt necessary to do so.

Wiggins was one of the veteran teams in the Lower Platte League last year, which paid off against some younger teams in the conference. With those teams welcoming back more experience, Baker expects another strong season for

Tigers schedule

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Wiggins junior Tori Jordan (center) readies to serve a volleyball over the net during a preseason practice at the Wiggins Event Center.

the league and a good battle during the season against everyone.

“The competition is going to be fierce,” Baker said. “It’s going to come down to us being scrappy and fighting in every set.”

The Tigers opened the season with a road game in Estes Park, followed by the Brush Tournament and a home game against Union Colony. Their next game

Good Luck

Wiggins Tigers!

will be their conference opener at Akron on Sept. 8.

“There is a buy in from our community and the girls have worked really hard for the upcoming season,” Baker said. “They really care about how well they will do.”

August 25: @ Estes Park 4 p.m.

August 27: @ Brush Tournament 9 a.m.

August 30: vs. Union Colony 4 p.m.

September 8: @ Akron 4 p.m.* September 9: vs. Platte Canyon 4 p.m.

September 13: vs. Sedgwick County 4 p.m.* September 15: vs. Weldon Valley 4 p.m.

September 20: @ Caliche 4 p.m.

September 23: vs. Byers 4 p.m.

September 24: @ Akron Tournament 9 a.m.

September 27: vs. Haxtun 4 p.m.* October 4: @ Yuma 4 p.m.* October 7: vs. Wray 4 p.m.

October 11: @ Holyoke 4 p.m.* October 13: vs. Merino 4 p.m.* October 25: @ Districts (TBD) October 27: @ District Pool Play (TBD) November 5: @ Regionals November 11-12: @ State (Denver Coliseum) *Conference game

At a glance Head coach: Michelle Baker 2015 record: 12-11 Conference: 5-3 (3rd) Postseason: Regionals, 2A Region F

Brandon Boles: 970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.com or twitter.com/FMT_Sports

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FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • AUGUST 31, 2016 • 21

Wiggins

Volleyball

Lower Platte League: Volleyball ing the regular seaYuma and Caliche went 1-2 in the conferProjected son, but by being ence last year as expected. Behind them, things appeared to go upside-down. conference ranked in the CHSAA 1A preMany of the teams people expected to be standings season polls, it towards the top of the standings fell, while 1. Yuma appears the team other teams that were thought to be towards 2. Merino will move down a the bottom end rose and competed.

3. Wiggins classification when 4. Akron It could be another interesting season in the postseason rolls 5. Haxtun the league, though the Yuma Indians appear along. So the door is 6.

Wray to remain as the team to beat for everyone. open for seven other 7. Holyoke Yuma went on to the win 2A state tournateams between sec8. Sedgwick County ment last year with a veteran roster. The ond and eighth team will lose some key contributors to that place. run but return a solid core eying for a repeat.

Wiggins was third in a breakout season but The Indians opened the season ranked No. 1 will have to replace four key seniors. Merino in the CHSAA preseason polls. also had a breakout year coming in right Caliche will compete in the conference dur- behind the Tigers and will have the bulk of

their varsity rotation back. Haxtun split its eight games in the conference and are in a similar position as Merino in terms of athletes returning.

Wray and Holyoke were 3-5 in conference but gave some of the top teams more trouble than expected, though both teams will have some key girls gone for this season. Akron was hurt by inexperience last year, leading to only one win in conference, but a team that made it to the state tournament two years ago hopes to rebound in a big way this fall.

Rounding out the standings last year was Sedgwick County, a rebuilding team that will try to take the next step forward this year.

There will be some good matches between the schools this year, but it could be another one-horse race at the top with Yuma this fall.

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Weldon Valley

Volleyball

New look Warriors a mystery

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

At the Weldon Valley sports banquet in May, volleyball head coach Jerry Spooner spoke highly of his eight seniors that were about to graduate, telling people it was the first time he had a senior group that big during his tenure with the Warriors.

This fall, it will feel like a whole new program he will be in charge of with the Warriors.

With eight seniors graduating, Weldon Valley will rely on the players that spent their 2015 season playing on the C team and JV team to step up into varsity action this fall.

“I want to say that we’re going to reload and pick up where we left off, but I’m just not sure,” Spooner

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

The 2016 Weldon Valley volleyball team.

said. “We’re going to be a different team this year.”

Those girls who play C-team and JV did have plenty of success last year as both teams went undefeated, but the question will be if that

success will translate at the varsity level right away or if there will be a learning curve early on.

Because the Warriors lost its entire varsity team to graduation, the preseason has been very com-

petitive as the girls are competing with each other for available rotation spots. The preseason has also been a scouting period for Spooner and his staff as he admitted there See WARRIORS, pg. 24

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Weldon Valley

Volleyball Warriors schedule August 26: @ Beth Eden 5 p.m.

August 27: @ Brush Tournament 9 a.m.

September 1: @ Fleming 5:30 p.m.* September 8: @ Pawnee 5:30 p.m.* September 9: vs. Otis 5:30 p.m.

September 15: @ Wiggins 2 p.m.

September 16 @ Briggsdale 4 p.m.* September 20: vs. Akron 4 p.m.

September 23: @ Prairie 4 p.m.* September 24: vs. Caliche 1 p.m.* September 29: @ Peetz 5:30 p.m.* September 30: vs. Fleming 5:30 p.m.* October 6: vs. Briggsdale 5:30 p.m.* October 14: vs. Pawnee 6:30 p.m.* October 18: vs. Prairie 4 p.m.* October 20: vs. Community Christian 5 p.m.* October 21: vs. Peetz 4 p.m.* *Conference game

WARRIORS from page 23 could be some tweaks coming this year with the team.

“We’re not sure what offense to run because we have so many spots open,” Spooner said. We have seen the girls competing hard this month.”

The girls going out for the team this fall has spent plenty of time in the gym working on their game for the upcoming season, including scrimmaging for up to an hour at the end of every night they hosted their elementary and middle school camp in July.

Behind the class of 2015 last year, Weldon Valley made it to the 1A state tournament for a second straight season, but left in heartbreaking fashion. After a sweep of Flagler on November 13, the Warriors were set to face Sangre De Cristo the next morning with the winner moving on to the Final Four

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At a glance Head coach: Jerry Spooner 2015 record: 23-6 Conference: 8-2 (2nd) Playoffs: 1A State Tournament

of the tournament. Weldon Valley led two sets to one, but it was Sangre De Cristo who won the final two sets to stun the Warriors and eliminate them.

The loss may be one that has stung with the coaches more than the returning players, but Spooner hopes the girls who were one the bench and watched that game unfold will take some lessons going forward as they write their own chapter this season.

“I’m hoping the kids on the bench that were close to varsity players last year saw that loss and it gives them a sour taste where we won’t let that happen again,” Spooner said. “We got beat by a team that was more determined and worked harder than us. The new kids have a different personality than last year’s team. I hope this lights a fire in them.”

If the Warriors are to make that return trip to the Denver Coliseum for state volleyball in November, it will come down to how well the team competes against their North Central League foes. The conference is projected to be strong once again this year, with Fleming opening the season as the preseason No. 1 team in the CHSAA 1A polls and

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Weldon Valley sophomore Kirsten Wood passes the ball over the net during a drill in a preseason practice.

Prairie coming in right behind at No. 2.

“I think we can be a sleeper team,” Spooner said. “This will be a learning experience for us and I hope the team becomes the team we usually are. It’s all about how well we do in the league.”

Weldon Valley will also have some tough nonconfernece games this season as they face the defending state champions Otis and 2A schools Akron, Caliche, and Wiggins. The Warriors will play six of their first seven scheduled events on the road, but will end the regular season with six straight games at home.

Brandon Boles: 970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.com or twitter.com/FMT_Sports

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Prairie

Volleyball

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

The 2016 Prairie Mustangs volleyball team.

High expectations for Prairie

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

Under Sherry Teague, the Prairie Mustangs made a big jump in its program history, returning to the state tournament for the first time in over 30 years. They

returned to the Denver Coliseum last fall as well.

This year, the team wants to take the next step: not only to get back to state, but win and have a chance to compete for a state title.

The team will look to take that next step with two new head coaches splitting the duties in

Jayce Tappy and Andrea Kinnison.

Tappy, a graduate from Merino and who played men’s volleyball in college, is excited to take his first head coaching position with the Mustangs.

“This program has had a strong showing the last couple of years,” Tappy said. “Being a first time

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coach is a little bit overwhelming, but I’m excited. We have a great group of girls and leadership with our senior class. This team has chance to be great.”

Tappy said having a co-head coach in Andrea Kinnison will be a big help for him in his first head See PRAIRIE, pg. 26

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0 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • AUGUST 31, 2016 • 25

Prairie

Volleyball

PRAIRIE from page 25 coaching position.

“That experience she has is something I’m going to be relying on,” Tappy said.

Both coaches come into the program with high expectations hovering. In the CHSAA preseason polls, the Mustangs were ranked No. 2 in class 1A. Only Fleming – a conference foe and Final Four team from state last year – was ranked higher.

Despite the high expectations, Tappy says the coaches and players are taking on the challenge of playing at that high level this season.

“I’m definitely looking forward to it,” Tappy said. “It’s really humbling to hear the coaches around the state are paying attention to the girls. We have a good amount Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times of talent in the program. This will Prairie senior Emily Kaiser (center) digs out a ball during a drill in a prebe a great experience for my first season practice. Kaiser led the team in digs and kills last season.

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year. I couldn’t ask for a better group than what I got.”

To match the high expectations, practices have been competitive and intense. Tappy is working to improve the mental toughness of his team, saying that will play a big role for the Mustangs to have a shot at competing for the title.

The girls have responded with plenty of work this summer before preseason practices, as well as a team camp they participated in.

Since taking over the program, their new coach sees a team hun-

Mustangs schedule August 27: @ Brush Tournament 9 a.m.

September 2: vs. Flagler 4 p.m.

September 6: @ Union Colony 4 p.m.

September 8: vs. Lone Star 5:30 p.m.

September 9: @ Briggsdale 4 p.m.* September 15: vs. Peetz 5:30 p.m.* September 16: @ Pawnee 5:30 p.m.* September 22: @ Fleming 5:30 p.m.* September 23: vs. Weldon Valley 4 p.m.* October 6: vs. Pawnee 5:30 p.m.* October 7: @ Peetz 4 p.m.* October 8: @ Holyoke (tri-angular with Idalia) 9 a.m.

October 13: vs. Briggsdale 5:30 p.m.* October 14: @ North Park 1 p.m.

October 18: @ Weldon Valley 4 p.m.* October 21: vs. Fleming 4 p.m.*

gry to take it to the next level this fall.

“We set the standards to be internally very competitive right away,” Tappy said. “We’re starting to get in that competitive mindset we want to have.”

Many strong players return for the Mustangs, highlighted by See PRAIRIE, pg. 27

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Prairie

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PRAIRIE from page 26 senior Emily Kaiser, who led the team in kills and digs. She will be aided up front on the attack by seniors Maddie Pollart and Nicole Doll. Senior McKinley Thompson split duties as the team’s setter and should play that role again.

To put those girls in a position to succeed, Tappy is looking to run a faster offense, putting an emphasis on passing to allow the Mustangs to get prime opportunities to score up front.

Prairie will have a strong schedule that will show where the team is in terms of reaching their high goals, starting with the other strong teams in the North Central League. Fleming and Briggsdale were also ranked in the preseason polls along with the Mustangs.

The team will also have big nonconference games with Flagler

At a glance Head coach: Jayce Tappy/Andrea Kinnison 2015 record: 18-11 Conference: 5-5 (4th) Postseason: Pool play, 1A State Tournament

and Idalia, two other strong 1A programs in the state.

“We welcome the challenges from the great schools,” Tappy said. “We all ready have developed strategies for the stronger teams we’ll face. I don’t see us finishing lower than second in our conference.”

The Mustangs opened the season last week at the Brush Tournament and will host Flagler for their first game at home this season.

With the talent coming back,

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Prairie co-head coach Jayce Tappy (right) watches junior Kayla Dollerschell serve in a drill during a preseason practice. Tappy and Andrea Kinnison take over the Mustangs program this fall.

Prairie believes they will make it three straight trips to the state tournament. And with a new coaching staff, they hope the team will take that extra step towards a

state title.

“The girls are ready to accept the challenge to make this year the most memorable year,” Tappy said.

North Central League: Volleyball Projected conference standings 1. Fleming 2. Prairie 3. Briggsdale 4. Weldon Valley 5. Heritage Christian 6. Longmont Christian 7. Peetz 8. Pawnee

If the CHSAA 1A preseason polls are an indication, the North Central League could be the strongest in the classification this year.

Three of the top-five teams in the poll are from the league, with Fleming opening the season at No. 1, Prairie at No. 2, and Briggsdale at No. 5.

All three teams return plenty of talent and will look to have another strong season.

Weldon Valley is a bit of a wild card

team this year after graduating its big senior class, but the program has seen steady success over the years.

Two new teams come to the league to bulk up the level of competition.

Heritage Christian went 14-11 last season and Longmont Christian was 9-16 in the Mile High conference.

Peetz and Pawnee are both rebuilding and will look to make strides this year against some of their conference opponents.

Fleming was a Final Four team in the state tournament last year, and also competing at state were Prairie and Weldon Valley. Briggsdale was upset in districts to end their season.

The conference will be one to watch this year, with three teams in the running to win the league.

Expect Fleming, Prairie, and Briggsdale to be in the running for the league crown, and all capable of making a trip to the Denver Coliseum in November.

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Fort Morgan

Cross Country

Mustangs fight for spot at state

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

Every year the Fort Morgan Mustangs cross country team heads to regionals, they are competing with a number of different teams for the final team qualification spot to compete at the state meet. Head coach Paula Hough explained that their region is one of the toughest in class 4A and in the state.

“There are four spots available to qualify for state and three for sure go to the large teams that are Silver Creek, Mountain View, and Thompson Valley,” Hough said.

“Two of those teams have been ranked nationally. Because of that, that only leaves one spot for the remaining 10 teams.”

At regionals last year, the team had to overcome wet, cool, and tough conditions. The Fort Morgan boys finished fifth at the race and the girls were eighth. As a result, only one senior boy qualified to run at state for the Mustangs last season.

This year, the team feels their chances are better at qualifying at regionals, and the preseason projections prove that.

“At our camp in Steamboat Springs, we talked about boys sitting fifth and the girls sitting fourth in the preseason,” Hough said. “We’re still underdogs, but higher up. That is the best place to be for us.”

In five of the last six years, Fort Morgan has been one of the smallest 4A schools to compete at the state meet. That, along with having a good chance at competing to qualify for state this year, has been a big motivation for the team since the start of the summer.

“The kids wanted to get started right away this summer and they have been running Monday through Saturday all summer,” Hough said. “One kid put in 500 miles of running. We averaged 22 to 24 kids a day. They know state

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

The 2016 Fort Morgan cross country team.

Mustangs schedule August 26: @ Holy Family (Broomfield) 4 p.m.

September 3: @ Battle Mountain (Beaver Creek Resort) 10 a.m.

September 10: @ St. Vrain Invitational (Lyons) 8:30 a.m.

September 16: Fort Morgan Invitational 4 p.m.

September 23: @ Dave Sanders Invitational (Columbine) 3 p.m.

September 30: @ Thornton (Margaret Carpenter Rec Center) 3:30 p.m.

October 6: @ Sidney, Neb. 3 p.m.

October 13: @ Colorado 7 League meet (Fort Lupton) 3 p.m.

October 20: @ Regionals (Lyons) October 29: @ State (Colorado Springs)

is there for them.”

The boys team will have to replace its leading runner and a couple other seniors from last season, but a solid core comes back to lead the team. Senior Michael Lauck is expected to be a team

28 • AUGUST 31, 2016 • FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

leader this season with his experience and times. The team will also get a lift from some runners who will double-up this fall and play soccer for the Mustangs as well.

One particular group Hough believes could have a good season is her sophomore group.

“We have a group of sophomore boys who are long, lean, and have tremendous potential,” Hough said. “They were learning the sport as freshmen last year, so I’m excited to see what they will do.”

In the preseason rankings, the boys team are projected to finish fifth, something Hough said is pushing them even more this offseason.

As for the girls team, they return a number of their top runners from last season. Junior Kinsey Brashears and senior Makinna Miller were two of the top runners most of last season and are back looking ready to take the next step. They are the team many expect to have a big season as the Mustangs are projected to finish fourth in the regional rankings.

To make that jump, the team is

focused on its pack times – the time differential between the first place runner for the team and the last runner to be scored for a varsity race – to decrease. If the team can improve on their pack times and finished closer to each other, they could have a good chance to qualify this year, according to their coach.

“We want them to run as close together during races. Last year, our pack time was under 90 seconds, and our goal this year is 60 seconds,” Hough said. “You don’t need to place first or second to qualify. If they all finish between 10th and 25th place, that’s what wins races. Our pack time could have this team pull it off.”

Fort Morgan switched its opening meet from pre-state in Colorado Springs to the Holy Family Invite and will follow up with a meet at Beaver Creek, a course Hough described as a tough, rocky course at high elevation.

When the team runs at the St. Vrain Invitational on Sept. 10, they will try to set a good mark before returning for regionals in October.

Brush

Cross Country

Beetdiggers ready to race

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

After taking a few weeks off following the state track meet in May, the members of the Brush cross country team went back to work.

Over the summer, the team has been putting in countless miles, running at least three days a week.

The workouts have been set to try and give the teams a good starting point once the preseason began.

“We want to build a nice aerobic base,” head coach Vicky Quinlin said. “We’ve worked on long runs, ran a few hills, and did some tempo runs. We want to keep the legs working.”

The workouts are not only crucial to get runners in shape, but also keep the athletes durable, according to Quinlin.

“We find typically that the kids that don’t run over summer are usually the first ones to get injured,” Quinlin explained. “You have to have that foundation.”

Brush is coming off a year where the girls team qualified to compete as a whole at state. The boys team also sent its top runner, senior Toby Uhrig, who returns to lead the team this fall.

The girls team is one Quinlin is excited to see race this fall with four returning athletes from last year, but will have to replace three key seniors. Sophomore Jordan Kendrick emerged as a freshman and was one of the top consistent runners for the team, including posting the fastest time for the Beetdiggers at regionals. Junior Ashley Hinojos regularly finished in the top-4 of each race for Brush.

“Jordan (Kendrick) and Ashley (Hinojos) have been our most consistent runners,” Quinlin said.

Senior Molly Link went out for cross country last year and will return to the team, coming off a solid track season in the spring.

Quinlin is also looking to add

Katie Collins / Brush News-Tribune

The 2016 Brush cross country team.

Beetdiggers schedule August 26: @ Cheyenne Mountain (Pre-State) 12 p.m.

September 3: @ Centaurus Invite (Lafayette) 9 a.m.

September 10: @ St. Vrain Invitational (Lyons) 8:30 a.m.

September 16: @ Wolverine Invitational (Monfort Park, Greeley) 4 p.m.

September 20: @ Sterling (Pioneer Park) 4 p.m.

September 24: @ Platte Valley 9 a.m.

October 1: @ Meade Stampede (Longmont) 9 a.m.

October 8: Patriot League meet (Brush) 9 a.m.

October 11: @ University (Break Your Pace) 4 p.m.

October 20: @ Regionals (Monfort Park, Greeley) 4 p.m.

October 29: @ State (Norris Penrose, Colorado Springs)

another strong track runner in sophomore Maddy Sawyer to the team, giving them another strong distance runner. Junior Morgan Barfuss will also be back with

cross country experience for the team.

“The majority of the girls have been running over the summer and have a good foundation,” Quinlin said. “A couple experienced runners will add to this team. The expectation is to qualify for state.”

On the boys side, Quinlin looks to see the team as a whole improve for a better shot at team qualification for state. Uhrig returns as the top runner from last season, and Quinlin expects him to have a bigger season this fall.

“Toby can make it back to state this year,” Quinlin said. “He has worked hard and it is his senior year. He has confidence in himself.”

Brush will also welcome back seniors Austin Perry, Korbin Massey, and Adam Dahle to the team.

There could also be a youth movement to watch out for as Brush will see a good freshman class come in. Quinlin, who is also the track coach for the middle

school, thinks the group can contribute right away.

“We’ve got five or six boys that did really well in middle school,” Quinlin said. “They could add something to this team.”

The Beetdiggers opened the season at pre-state in Colorado Springs, something Quinlin wanted to make sure her team would do to kick off the season. Brush will also run at Monfort Park in the early part of the season, the same place where regionals will take place in October. The team is also excited to host the Patriot League meet in Brush on October 8.

“We were pleased that they asked us to host league this year,” Quinlin said. “I like our course because it does not loop and will be challenging with the terrain changes. It is a good cross country course.”

If all goes to plan, Brush could see good representation in Colorado Springs for state yet again.

Brandon Boles: 970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.com or twitter.com/FMT_Sports

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • AUGUST 31, 2016 • 29

Wiggins

Cross Country

Tigers top runners return

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

Three of the top runners from last year’s cross country team return for the Wiggins Tigers this fall, giving them a chance to make a return trip to Colorado Springs in October for the state meet.

Head coach Mario Garcia has had his runners get out and put the miles in over the course of the summer to build a base in time for preseason practices. To help his runners, the team has been doing most workouts in the evening when temperatures cool down some in the area.

When looking at the current makeup of the roster, Garcia is happy to have his top three runners return to lead the team this season.

“We need to be strong up front,” Garcia said. “That will help us out.”

The girls team will have the most returning experience this season with seniors Maggie Allen, Marisol Mendez, and Valerie Sandoval.

Allen was the top runner for the team in every cross country race, highlighted by a second place effort at pre-state to kick off last season. Mendez saw her times improve over the course of the season and will look to be even stronger this fall. Sandoval also had improved times and will bring her experience back for the team this

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

The 2016 Wiggins Tigers cross country team.

season.

In addition to the returning runners, Garcia said that junior Courtney Jenson will double up in the fall and go out for cross country as well as volleyball. During the past two track seasons, Jenson has been a team leader in distance races and was a state champion in the 3,200 as a freshman.

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“With (Courtney) coming out this year, that will make our girls team a little bit stronger,” Garcia said.

On the boys side, the team did lose a pair of runners, but two to three athletes will return for the season. Senior Connor Kaufman highlights the team as he finished in the top-10 in nearly every race during the regular season, including a first-place finish and school record time at the Wiggins Invitational.

For both teams, there is returning talent, and Garcia looks to find that fourth or fifth runner to solidify the varsity lineup and give his team a chance to qualify as a whole for state.

“The goal is to try to get everyone to improve and qualify both teams to state,” Garcia said. “We’ll have a few freshmen that will come out as well.”

File Photo / Fort Morgan Times To help his team out, Garcia will Wiggins senior Maggie Allen was the push his runners by competing in leader for the Tigers girls team last See TIGERS, pg. 31 fall.

Cross Country

TIGERS from page 30

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Wiggins senior Connor Kaufman was a leader for the Tigers last fall and set a school record at the Wiggins Invitational last season.

some different meets this season and face other strong runners in the state. The biggest change is at the start of the season as the team will not run the pre-state meet in Colorado Springs, choosing instead to run at a meet at D’Evelyn on August 27.

“We wanted to change up the schedule a little bit,” Garcia said.

“Most of my kids have seen the course at state before, so it won’t be anything new to them.”

There are some meets from last season the Tigers will run at again this fall, including the St. Vrain Invitational in Lyons, the Fort Morgan Invitational, and meets in Greeley.

The school will also host their Wiggins Invitational on October 15, the last meet of the season before running at regionals in Yuma.

For the Tigers to have another strong season and qualify both teams for state, Garcia says it will start with the returning runners to lead the way.

“We need to be strong at the

Tigers schedule August 27: @ D’Evelyn Invite 8 a.m.

September 2: @ Horizon Invite (Brighton) 4 p.m.

September 10: @ St. Vrain Invitational (Lyons) 8:30 a.m.

September 16: @ Fort Morgan Invitational 4 p.m.

September 24: @ Platte Valley Invitational 9 a.m.

October 1: @ Andy Meyers Invite (Greeley) 8:30 a.m.

October 11: @ University (Greeley) 4 p.m.

October 15: Wiggins Invitational 9 a.m.

October 21: @ Regionals (Yuma) October 29: @ State (Colorado Springs)

top,” Garcia said. “If we get a few more runners, we’ll be in good shape.”

Brandon Boles: 970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.com or twitter.com/FMT_Sports

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Fort Morgan

Golf

Mustangs vying to repeat success

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

It was a strong season for the Fort Morgan boys golf team in 2015. Two varsity members qualified for state, and it seemed nearly every tournament the Mustangs were competing to win a team or individual championship at the event.

“Last year was a kick. I could not have asked for a better group of kids to work with,” head coach Mike Gross said. “Being competitive is always fun. When you stick around at the end and look at the leaderboard to see who’s going to get something, it’s always fun.”

That success has led to the boys coming out for golf this fall to spend more time on the course The 2016 Fort Morgan boys golf team.

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preparing for the season this summer, and a new buzz brought to the program.

“I had a lot of kids spend a lot of time out on the course this summer,” Gross said. “We’ve had kids playing every day or every other day on their own. They know what it takes now to be competitive, so they have been working hard.”

The Mustangs kicked off the fall season on Monday with a practice at Quail Dunes Golf Course, spending time on the driving range and putting green. The team

had three tournaments in the front range to start the season and were in the eastern plains and front range again last week. Fort Morgan also hosted its home invitational this month.

Fort Morgan returns two players that were on the varsity roster all year long in seniors Brady Henderson and Isaac Oberg, while senior Tyler Wunsch returns with varsity experience as well. Henderson was one of the two players that competed at the state tournament See MUSTANGS, pg. 33

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Fort Morgan

Golf

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Fort Morgan seniors Isaac Oberg (left) and Brady Henderson (right) practice their putting on the first day of practice on Monday, August 8, 2016. Both return to the varsity team this year, with Henderson returning as the lone state competitor for Fort Morgan this fall.

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Fort Morgan head golf coach Mike Gross talks to sophomore Sean Browne at the driving range at Quail Dunes Golf Course at a preseason practice.

Gross enters his third season as head coach of the Mustangs golf team.

MUSTANGS from page 32 for the Mustangs last year. The team will play its qualifying rounds on Tuesday to solidify the varsity spots to start the season.

Last year’s varsity lineup stayed consistent all season long, but Gross says he expects a number of boys will challenge throughout the season for varsity time.

“Our top four last year out-dis-

tanced the other kids and we did not have many in-season challenges, but I see us having challenges almost every week this season,” Gross said. “That will be important for the kids to play well. Competition drives better golf, so it will be fun to have.”

One area Gross hopes to see improvement is playing consistent

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on the course, giving his team more chances to win and score low for a shot at state.

“The younger kids that are back for us this year were sometimes all over the place with their scores,” Gross said. “We just really need to work on trying to get our games consistent. Once we become consistent, the scores will begin to

drop for us.”

There will also be a big change for the Mustangs this year in terms of their competition. Gone are the days of playing teams from the Colorado 7 League. This fall, the Mustangs will play in the strong Northern League. Silver Creek headlines the field with See MUSTANGS, pg. 36

FB • Accounting • Bookkeeping • Tax Preparation • Payroll FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • AUGUST 31, 2016 • 33

Brush

Golf

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

The 2016 Brush boys golf team.

Brush golf focus on league play some experience under their belt before their first tournament later this week.

“The experience has got to benefit them,” Mussell said.

For the second straight year, Many of the players going out Brush boys golf head coach George Mussell will have a young for golf this fall played in a numteam hit the course this fall. This ber of tournaments during the time, however, his team will have summer and had a seven-week

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

junior golf program they went through. There were around five guys that saw varsity time last year that also come back for 2016, who Mussell expects to step up for the Beetdiggers.

The team has little time to prepare for its home invitational, getting into tournament action just

three days after starting practice.

Brush followed up playing in a strong field of golfers at the Eaton Invitational and at the Fort Morgan Invitational to close out August.

“It’s nice not having to worry about getting in the suburban and See BEETDIGGERS, pg. 35

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Brush

Golf

BEETDIGGERS from page 34

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traveling for your first tournament,” Mussell said. “That’s everyone else’s problem they have to deal with.”

Junior Nick Weisser was one of the leaders for the team last year and opened the 2015 season with a fifth-place finish in the Brush Invitational. This year, Weisser was fourth in the field, overcoming a slow start and finishing strong. He returns as one of the veteran leaders of the team.

There are no seniors on the roster this fall, so Weisser and fellow juniors Alec Mickey and Taylor Gotto will look to be the leaders this fall.

One thing the Beetdiggers will look to accomplish this fall is to compete in more tournaments this season. The young team had a couple moments of finishing in or near the top-5, but did not have that steady streak through the season. The first priority will be to compete against the other teams in the Patriot League.

“It starts with being more competitive in our league,” Mussell said. “That’s our first goal. I think if Nick Weisser plays well this year, he will have a legitimate shot for state. I’m hoping he’ll drag a few boys with him there.”

The Eaton Invitational had Patriot League teams in action and showed the number of qualiBrandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times ty golfers in the conference for Brush to face. Weisser was again Brush junior Nick Weisser tees off on hole 1 during the Brush Invitational on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at The Course at Petteys Park. Weisser finished fourth in the field at +8. the leader for the Beetdiggers,

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Golf

MUSTANGS from page 33

returning state champion Jackson Solem.

Mountain View, Thompson Valley, and Northridge are a number of the other strong teams the Mustangs will face as well.

“The Northern league has always been a strong league as far as 4A (golf) goes,” Gross said. “We’re going to have some excellent competition throughout the year, which I think will help us get ready for regionals and hopefully get some kids out to the state tournament.”

Henderson and Oberg have led the team in each tournament this season, including both shooting below 90 at the Northridge Invite.

The team just hosted their Fort Morgan Invitational on Aug. 30 and has four tournaments remaining in the front range before regionals in Greeley.

Brandon Boles: 970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.com or twitter.com/FMT_Sports

Mustangs schedule August 11: @ Mountain View/Thompson Valley (Odle course) 12:30 p.m.

August 16: @ Greeley Central (Highland Hills) 8 a.m.

August 18: @ Northridge (Boomerang Links) 8:30 a.m.

August 22: @ Yuma 9 a.m.

August 23: @ Niwot (Twin Peaks) 11 a.m.

August 24: @ Windsor Chip Challenge 8:30 a.m.

August 30: Fort Morgan Invitational 9 a.m.

September 6: @ Centaurus (Indian Peaks) 8:30 a.m.

September 8: @ Longmont (Ute Creek) 12 p.m.

September 15: @ Sterling (NJC) 8 a.m.

September 17: @ Holyoke 9 a.m.

Regionals: @ Boomerang Links (TBD)

BEETDIGGERS from page 35 shooting an 81.

Brush will host the first tournament of the season at 10 a.m. on Thursday and will also host the Northeastern Colorado League Tournament on September 22 for the final tournament of the regular season. The Beetdiggers will also play a third tournament in Morgan County when they compete in the Fort Morgan Invitational on August 30.

Other tournaments scheduled for the season include Eaton, Estes Park, Strasburg, Holyoke, and Sterling. Most tournaments will include teams from the conference this season.

There will be one more tournament in Brush this season on Sept. 22, the Northeastern Colorado League Tournament.

Mussell hopes this will not be the last tournament of the season for some of his golfers, as they will hopefully have qualified for state at regionals three days before.

Brandon Boles: 970-867-5651, bboles@fmtimes.com twitter.com/FMT_Sports

Beetdiggers schedule August 11: Brush Invitational 10 a.m.

August 18: @ Eaton Invitational 8 a.m.

August 30: @ Fort Morgan Invitational 9 a.m.

September 1: @ Estes Park Invitational 8 a.m.

September 6: @ Strasburg Invitational (Buffalo Run Golf Course, Aurora) 11 a.m.

September 8: @ Holyoke 9 a.m.

September 15: @ Sterling (NJC) 10 a.m.

September 19: @ Regionals (TBD) September 22: @ Northeastern Colorado League Tournament (Brush) 10 a.m.

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Brush freshman Hunter Ludgate putts his ball off the fringe and towards the hole on the green on hole 2 at the Brush golf course during the Brush Invitational

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Fort Morgan

Cheerleading

Mustangs looking forward

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

Will the Fort Morgan cheer team be able to do stunts for their routine this year? That is the biggest question the team will look to get an answer for this fall.

Last year was a tough year for the team as multiple girls sustained injuries working on their routine for state. The culture seemed down as well as frustrations followed during the season.

For a fresh change, the school has hired Jesi Roskop to take over the program this year, and all ready the team is starting to see some positive changes going into this season.

“I’m really enjoying the girls,” Roskop said. “We have a good group of kids here and I’m excited for the new goals we have for the season.”

The Mustangs have been working hard on the correct ways to stunt and are starting over the process learning how to do it. One big part of that process was a team camp in Boulder the team attended during the summer. While the team did learn a couple other details as well, stunting was the top priority at camp.

Roskop said the camp kept the girls busy but was a good experience, and the team feels they are

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

The 2016 Fort Morgan cheer team.

heading in the right direction to be allowed to stunt.

“The camp went really well and we learned a lot,” Roskop said.

“They won the most improved cheer team in stunting, which is awesome. We will be able to move forward positively from this to better ourselves.”

No definitive decision has been made on what the Mustangs will do

to be allowed to stunt, but there were talks of a 30-day probation period for the team to start off with.

From there, the team would move forward to stunt when the team proved they were going in the right direction. Roskop mentioned that the team would also start with the basics of stunting and check that off before moving up to the tougher stunts they could use.

There is a non-stunting division the Mustangs could compete in at state if needed, but Roskop believes they will be given the green light to stunt and will not address that matter until closer to state.

The team also wanted to get new uniforms for the season. Over the course of the summer, the Mustangs have hosted a number of car See MUSTANGS, pg. 38

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Fort Morgan

Cheerleading

MUSTANGS from page 38 washes and other fundraisers to get the money for the uniforms. Those new uniforms will come in just before some of the first games this season.

“The girls made a decision that they wanted to have a clean slate, so we decided get new uniforms, pom poms, and everything else,” Roskop said.

The girls have been working hard on conditioning, weight lifting, and cardio during the first few weeks of practice. There are some new cheers the team will work on and use at sporting events this season, while continuing to work their way to stunt and compete with other schools later in the fall.

Roskop has also created a private group on Facebook to share videos of practice to show how the kids are improving during the season, as well as highlighting new things the team will work on in practice for parents to see.

With new uniforms, fundraising, and the summer camp, Roskop believes the team is starting to come together as a unit and have a good chance to bounce back in a big way.

“All of the girls have responded well and are growing as a team,” Roskop said. “We have not seen any issues so far and everyone is listening to each other. This is a good group that has worked hard.”

Brandon Boles: 970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.com or twitter.com/FMT_Sports

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Fort Morgan head cheer coach Jesi Roskop (back, grey shirt) is in her first year as head coach.

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Brush

Cheerleading

Lofty goals set for Brush cheer

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

Midway through the school year last year, Heidi Lowry stepped in as the interim head coach for the Brush cheer team. With her work with the team and the Beetdiggers’ performance at state in December, she was given the head coaching position for 2016.

After finishing cheering for the other teams in the winter season, Lowry put the team through tryouts in April to get her roster set.

A good number of athletes from that same group went to a cheer camp during the summer, something the team had not done in recent history.

“None of them had been to cheer camp before,” Lowry said.

“Most of the new kids went which helped them to see what it is all about. They got to watch the other squads doing things and how the instructors worked with them. It was great for them.”

The team was able to compete in their league meet and at state cheer last year, giving the team a new experience and something to work towards during the season.

With the adjustment in coaches during the season and the inexperience of competing in competitions before, Lowry felt her team performed well.

“Last season I had 10 girls that had never been in competition before and I was a new coach, so this was a big learning experience for us,” Lowry said. “The competition routine was executed very well. We were not able to do difficult stunts due to our numbers, but did well, showed great improvement, and gained more knowledge and experience that will help us.”

This year’s team will be able to incorporate new stunts as numbers went up. The team is expected to have 18 athletes this year.

There will also be some boys

Katie Collins / Brush News-Tribune

The 2016 Brush cheer team.

going out for cheer, giving Brush a chance to do co-ed stunts and compete in a co-ed division.

Lowry is excited to have many returning girls this year as they will work together on the new stunts and bring the new members of the team up to speed.

“It’s a good sized group,” Lowry said. “We have some new challenges being a co-ed team but allow us to do more and make our competition routine more solid.”

For most of the summer and preseason, the team has been working on their conditioning and the

simple techniques and fundamentals. Once those are set, the team will gradually work their way to the tougher stunts and skills, leading up to competition later this summer.

“I found some solid ways to build stunts to allow us to do more stunts in a difficult and safer manner,” Lowry said. “We’re looking to see what positions everyone will be in, learning some new cheers, doing some team building and getting the team unified. We want to make practice more efficient.”

With new stunts and athletes

this season, Brush is looking for progress more than anything by the time the team will take the mats at state in December.

“Our goals are higher, but also realistic,” Lowry said. “While it would be great to place at state, our main goal is to learn skills and grow together as a team and do their best. What I want to see is us following through with what we practice and put it together.”

Brandon Boles: 970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.com or twitter.com/FMT_Sports

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • AUGUST 31, 2016 • 39

Snapshots

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Fort Morgan junior Tate Kembel looks for some running room against Pueblo County.

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Weldon Valley junior Brady Piepho tries to break a tackle against Pawnee.

40 • AUGUST 31, 2016 • FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Prairie senior Maddie Pollart goes up for a kill against Briggsdale at districts.

Fort Morgan

Gymnastics

Team stacked with talent

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

For the last three seasons, the Fort Morgan gymnastics team has not been able to field a full team. That will not be an issue this fall.

Three varsity athletes return to the team, two of whom participated in the state gymnastics meet.

Senior Alix Young will lead the team as the lone senior and competed in two events at state.

Junior Taylor Wood placed sixth in the vault and has had two strong seasons with the team.

The other returning athlete for the Mustangs is sophomore Emily Heier, who gained valuable experience last season.

This year, the three will be joined by five freshmen, all of whom have years of experience participating and practicing at the High Plains Gymnastics Academy. Now, they look to make their mark at the high school level.

That experience from Young, Wood, and Heier will be something the girls will look to lead on.

New head coach Nicole Ruff, an assistant with the team the last few years, says having a full team has her and the girls excited for the upcoming season.

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

The 2016 Fort Morgan gymnastics team.

“I’m excited about this team,” Ruff said. “I’m looking forward to building this team up.”

Ruff is currently in her 10th year coaching at High Plains Gymnastics Academy and has experience working with all the girls at some point during their time going through the system.

The girls spent the summer competing for the academy in

summer competition and getting extra practice before the high school season. It also gave Ruff extra time to evaluate the team heading into the preseason.

Making their high school debut this fall for the Mustangs will be Elizabeth Liston, Kathryn Schoemaker, Destiny Pelton, Lauren Keller, and Joey Shurtleff.

Though they do not have experi-

ence competing at the high school level and frequency yet, Ruff expects all of them to contribute right away to the Mustangs.

“They are all pretty advanced,” Ruff said. “We’re going to have a good team.”

In the preseason, the team practiced at the high school in the See MUSTANGS, pg. 42

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Fort Morgan

Gymnastics

MUSTANGS from page 41 Mustangs schedule September 1: @ Standley Lake 5:30 p.m.

September 8: Home 6 p.m.

September 10: @ Columbine 10 a.m.

September 16: @ Overland 5:30 p.m.

September 20: @ Standley Lake 5:30 p.m.

September 24: @ Overland 10 a.m.

October 1: @ Mountain Range 9 a.m.

October 15: @ Cherry Creek 9 a.m.

October 29: @ Regionals (TBD) November 4-5: @ State (Thornton High School)

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Fort Morgan sophomore Emilee Heier practices on the balance beam. The team has spent the most work on that event in preseason practices.

evenings preparing for its first meet of the season on Sept. 1.

The team has worked on all four events. The balance beam has seen a good amount of focus as the team is looking to better their scores in that event in particular.

With many new faces and a full team for the first time in a while, the Mustangs will look forward to settling the nerves in time for their home meet at Fort Morgan High School on Sept. 8.

“We didn’t have a home meet last year, so we are looking forward to that,” Ruff said. “This will allow us to show the community what we are about and to get the word out about our team. We’re going to go in with an open mind

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Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Fort Morgan freshman Destiny Pelton (left) gets some work in on the floor routine mats during a practice. Pelton is one of five freshman on the Mustangs roster this year.

on what we want to do and go from there.”

Before the home meet, the Mustangs will compete at Standley Lake, a strong team in class 4A gymnastics. Fort Morgan will have two meets there and two at Overland to go with meets at Columbine and Mountain Range.

In previous years, the Mustangs had to qualify for state at regionals individually in events due to not fielding a complete

team. Eight athletes will give the Mustangs a chance to go for a state title in Thornton in early November. Until then, the team is taking it step by step to be ready to end the season the best way they can.

“I’m excited to go to regionals and see what we can do there,” Ruff said.

Brandon Boles: 970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.com or twitter.com/FMT_Sports

Have a Great Season Ft. Morgan Mustangs!

Fort Morgan

Soccer

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

The 2016 Fort Morgan soccer team.

Mustangs aim for postseason run

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

When Fort Morgan soccer coach Nick Ng received an administrative position with the school district, the head coaching position for the boys soccer team became available. It would not take long to fill the role for the school.

Kellen Frye, the JV coach for the past couple seasons, was promoted to head coach for the Mustangs boys team for 2016.

“I’m really excited,” Frye said.

“I’ve been with these boys for a couple years now, so it’s definitely nice to step in as the coach. Nick (Ng) was a great coach, and I’m eager to get started.”

Frye wasted no time applying for the head coach position when it

became available. He even heard from Ng about looking to take over the program.

“Within a week I applied for it,” Frye said. “Nick (Ng) emailed me asking if I had applied, and at that point I all ready did and had an interview with (Fort Morgan athletic director) Kyle Bules lined up.”

Frye hit the ground running once he was hired, getting his guys to Pioneer Elementary to practice on the soccer field at least once a week. Most of the practices have been having the guys split into teams and scrimmage against each other. Frye has also taken the field on occasion to work with the guys.

With his experience working Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times with some of the younger athletes New Fort Morgan boys soccer head coach Kellen Frye (center) talks to his the past couple seasons, Frye See MUSTANGS, pg. 44 team before warmups at a practice during the summer.

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970-542-3100 | www.MorganCC.edu MCC employees and students shall not be subjected to unlawful discrimination and/or harassment on the basis of sex/gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, religion, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation in its employment practices or educational programs and activities. Lack of English skills will not be a barrier to admission to, or participation in, the college. For more info, including where to direct inquiries, visit: http://www.MorganCC.edu/about-mcc/legal-notices.

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Fort Morgan

Soccer

MUSTANGS from page 43 hopes that will help ease the transition for both him and the players that will step into the varsity lineup this fall.

“There is a lot of varsity material with those guys,” Frye said. “I’m hoping that since they’ve played together for some years now that we’ll have quite a bit of talent.

These kids know how to play.”

Many will get a chance to step up to the varsity lineup this year as the Mustangs will need to replace eight seniors. Three of the top scorers are also gone.

With many key players gone, the team is looking for some new leaders and goal scorers for the upcoming season. Frye listed a handful of athletes he is looking at to carry the scoring load this season and added that the summer showed him some of the guys that can step up to take on the role of

Mustangs schedule August 29: @ Thornton 6:30 p.m.

September 1: vs. Denver West 4 p.m.

September 6: @ Sterling 4 p.m.

September 8: vs. Northridge 4 p.m.

September 12: @ Thompson Valley 4 p.m.

September 15: vs. Longmont 4 p.m.

September 20: vs. Silver Creek 4 p.m.

September 22: @ Estes Park 4 p.m.

September 27: vs. Arvada 4 p.m.* September 29: @ Conifer 4 p.m.* October 4: vs. Weld Central 4 p.m.* October 6: @ Skyview 6:30 p.m.* October 11: vs. Alameda 4 p.m.* October 13: @ Englewood 6:30 p.m.* October 18: vs. Fort Lupton 4 p.m.*

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Members of the Fort Morgan boys soccer team have been getting together for practices during the summer.

captain as well.

The last two seasons have been heartbreaking ones for the Mustangs, losing the last game of the regular season and costing the

team a chance to reach the postseason. Taking the next step and reaching the postseason is something Frye will look to accomplish.

“We just have to win,” Frye said.

“There were a couple games we were so close and made a couple mistakes that hurt us. I’m hoping we get a couple of those games in our favor to get in the playoffs.”

Fort Morgan will get a chance to redeem themselves yet again as they host Fort Lupton in the regular season finale. The Blue Devils have been the team that has knocked out the Mustangs from the playoffs in each of the last two years.

Frye’s team opened the season in Thornton and will have its home opener on Sept. 1 against Denver

West. The Mustangs will play a good nonconference schedule before opening league play versus Arvada on Sept. 27.

“I’m really excited to get going,” Frye said. “We’re ready to get going.”

Brandon Boles: 970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.com or twitter.com/FMT_Sports

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Soccer

Snapshots

Colorado 7 League: Soccer Despite losing two schools, the Colorado 7 League will still have its strong teams come back this fall.

Alameda and Skyview shared the league crown with 6-1 conference records last year, and both look primed to make another run this fall.

Skyview looks to be a slight favorite in the preseason due to losing fewer seniors than Alameda, but both return key players that will play a big factor.

Fort Lupton finished third in the conference to earn a spot in the state tournament, despite winning just four games in the regular season. A win in Fort Morgan on the final game of the season punched their ticket to the postseason. Fort Morgan has been close the last two seasons but will have to replace a number of key seniors to remain in contention again.

The other four teams in the league struggled last year and will try to gain some ground. Arvada and Conifer

Projected conference standings 1. Skyview 2. Alameda 3. Fort Morgan 4. Fort Lupton 5. Conifer 6. Arvada 7. Englewood 8. Weld Central

each won two games but will hope a change of conference will give them a chance to compete right away.

Englewood and Weld Central each won

just one game last year.

If all stays in tact, Alameda and Skyview should finish first and second once again this year. The question is who will sneak in and grab the third spot in the conference. Fort Morgan, who has been disappointed twice in the regular season finale, hopes this is their year, but Fort Lupton will have something to say if it has the chance.

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Weldon Valley freshman Tia Dillehay (right) bumps a set to a teammate in a drill at a preseason practice.

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Snapshots

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Brush junior Cade Uhrick (right) throws a pass to a teammate while warming up for the Beetdiggers' intrasquad scrimmage on Friday, July 15

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970-542-3100 | www.MorganCC.edu MCC employees and students shall not be subjected to unlawful discrimination and/or harassment on the basis of sex/gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, religion, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation in its employment practices or educational programs and activities. Lack of English skills will not be a barrier to admission to, or participation in, the college. For more info, including where to direct inquiries, visit: http://www.MorganCC.edu/about-mcc/legal-notices.

Brush

Softball

Building on best season yet

By Brandon Boles Times Sports Reporter

For the first time in its program history, the Brush softball team was playing on the final day of the season last year.

In years past, the team had plenty of success and reached the state tournament. Brush had even gotten some wins in Aurora over the years. But the team seemed to fall in either the first round or the quarterfinals.

Last year was different. After taking care of Dolores Huerta Prep, the Beetdiggers defeated Rocky Ford in a wild 11-10 comeback win to reach the semifinals for the first time ever. The team would fall to the eventual state champs Strasburg in the semifinals, but the journey was one the team enjoyed going on.

“It was a great year looking at the success of how we finished and the amount of fun we had,” head coach Tom Odle said. “We had a great group of girls and seven seniors on the team. They played for so long together and they had high expectations of what our success should be.”

The success the team had last season has provided extra motivation for the team this summer during their summer season and at

Katie Collins / Brush News-Tribune

The 2016 Brush softball team.

workouts as a result.

“The season encouraged these girls to realize their time and effort they put in can get rewarded,” Odle said. “It catapulted us into a great summer program. I’m excited of the possibilities of what

our season will look like.”

Odle will have some work to do in order for Brush to return to that same level this season as he will have to replace seven seniors that graduated.

The biggest question mark for

many will be at pitcher after Alex Odle pitched all but 4.1 innings played last season. Hailey Unrein and Kamryn Leoffler were the other two pitchers used limitedly during the season. This year, there See MUISTANGS, pg. 48

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BEETDIGGERS from page 47 could be a rotation with a few girls going to the mound rather than one workhorse like last year.

“We are very fortunate in our pitching situation to have three young pitchers coming up,” Odle said. “They have been working hard in offseason. Those three pitchers will step in and help team win a lot of games.”

Out in the field, the Beetdiggers will have to replace two regulars in the outfield, their DH and third outfielder, first base, and catcher.

In total offensively, the Beetdiggers will lose 57 percent of their hits from last year.

Some returning players in the field that will look to make some noise again this year include Leoffler, Abby Mussman, Mady Rule, and Ali Keller.

Despite the positions he will have to fill, Odle remains confident in the girls to step in and pick up Katie Collins / Brush News-Tribune where they left off.

Brush freshman Allie Christensen (left) fields a ground ball during a preseason practice at Joslin Fields in Brush.

“Right now, we are awfully blessed with some great athletes,” Odle said. “We have a good sumBeetdiggers mer program that keeps these girls moving forward and getting schedule better. The competition level in August 23: vs. Lyons 4 p.m.* practices and our members are August 25: @ Valley 4 p.m.* feeding this program.”

August 30: @ Platte Valley 4 p.m.* One place Brush improved in September 1: vs. Strasburg 4 2015 was competing with the other p.m.* top teams in the Patriot League.

September 7: @ Faith Christian 4 Outside of Sterling and Strasburg, p.m. the Beetdiggers could handle September 9-10: Brush most of the remaining conference Invitational opponents. Brush took a big step September 13: vs. Eaton 4 p.m.* last year in competing for a conferSeptember 15: @ Sterling 4 p.m.* ence title by splitting its two September 20: @ Lyons 4 p.m.* games with Sterling and giving September 22: vs. Valley 4 p.m.

Strasburg a good test at home durSeptember 24: vs. Platte Valley ing the regular season.

11 a.m.

The expectations remain high September 27: @ Strasburg 4 for the program with hopes of p.m.* another run towards a state chamSeptember 29: vs. University 4 pionship this year. p.m.* October 1: @ Eaton 11 a.m.* “I see us being every bit as good October 4: vs. Sterling 4 p.m.* as we were last year, and I see us October 6: @ University 4 p.m.* being as competitive as we were a October 14-15: @ Regionals year ago,” Odle said.

Brandon Boles: 970-867-5651, sports@fmtimes.com or twitter.com/FMT_Sports

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Brush sophomore Maddy Rule comes out to catch a pop-up in the outfield against Faith Christian on Sept. 16, 2015.

48 • AUGUST 31, 2016 • FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

(TBD) October 21-22: @ State (Aurora Sports Complex) *Conference game

Brush

Softball

Patriot League: Softball Strasburg is the defending 3A state champions, and they will open as the preseason favorite to win the conference.

A few teams in the league gave the Indians some closer games during the regular season, but no one was able to get over the hump and get a win over the strong team. It may be tougher to repeat that undefeated season with eight seniors leaving, but they look to still have success nonetheless.

One team many are high on this preseason is the Eaton Reds, who begin the year ranked No. 2 in the CHSAA preseason polls.

The Reds were in a four-team battle for second place in the conference standings with Sterling, Brush, and Valley, but with many of their top players back this fall, most are betting on the Reds for the slight advantage for second place.

Sterling, Brush, and Valley will be close in the running as well, with Sterling returning a good core and considered a slight favorite over the two. All three teams, along with Eaton and Strasburg, were ranked in the preseason polls this fall.

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times Lyons has not had too many Brush junior Ali Keller makes contact during an at-bat versus Lyons.

Projected conference standings 1. Strasburg 2. Eaton 3. Sterling 4. Valley 5. Brush 6. Lyons 7. Platte Valley 8. Greeley Central

signature wins but is a pesky team that has a history of giving tougher competition some trouble to get an upset on occasion.

Platte Valley is working to move up and be a team like Lyons that will give more teams some trouble, and Greeley Central will look to improve after a winless season last year.

The top tier of the conference looks to be a two-team battle with Strasburg and Eaton, and the second tier between Sterling, Brush, and Valley will be close as well.

At the end of the season, don’t be surprised if the Patriot League makes up the Final Four of the state tournament, just like it did last season.

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The Fort Morgan boys golf team tees off at the driving range during a preseason practice.

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Mustangs’ schedules Football

September 2 @ Brush 7 p.m.

September 9 vs. Falcon 7 p.m.

September 16 vs. Holy Family 7 p.m.

September 23 vs. Berthoud (Homecoming) 7 p.m.

September 30 @ Meade 7 p.m.

October 7 vs. Centaurus 7 p.m.* October 14 @ Silver Creek 7 October 8 @ Greeley Central p.m.* Tournament (4 games) 9 a.m.

October 21 vs. Thompson October 11 @ Englewood 6:30 Valley 7 p.m.* p.m.* October 27 @ Northridge 7 October 13 vs. Weld Central p.m.* 6:30 p.m.* November 4 @ Longmont 7 October 18 @ Fort Lupton 6:30 p.m.* p.m.* Volleyball October 20 @ Skyview 6:30 August 25 vs. Brush 6:30 p.m. p.m.* August 30 @ Erie 6:30 p.m.

October 25 vs. Alameda 6:30 September 1 vs. Sterling 7 p.m.* p.m.

October 27 vs. Arvada 6:30 September 6 vs. Standley Lake p.m.* 6:30 p.m.

September 8 @ Frederick 6:30 Cross Country August 26 @ Holy Family 4:30 p.m. p.m.

September 13 @ Vista PEAK September 3 @ Battle 6:30 p.m.

Mountain (Beaver Creek Resort) September 15 @ Conifer 6:30 10 a.m. p.m.* September 10 @ St. Vrain September 16 vs. Holy Family Invitational (Lyons) 8:40 a.m.

5:30 p.m.

September 16 Fort Morgan September 20 vs. Skyview Invitational (Riverside Park) 4 6:30 p.m.* p.m.

September 22 @ Elizabeth September 23 @ Dave Sanders 6:30 p.m.

Invitational (Columbine High September 29 @ Alameda 6:30 School) 3 p.m. p.m.* September 30 @ Thornton October 4 @ Arvada 6:30 (Margaret Carpenter Rec Center) p.m.* 3:30 p.m.

October 6 vs. Conifer 6:30 October 6 @ Sidney, Neb. p.m.*

Fort Morgan Valley 4 p.m.

(Hillside Golf Course) 3 p.m.

October 13 @ Colorado 7 September 15 vs. Longmont 4 League meet (Fort Lupton) 3 p.m. p.m.* October 20 @ Regionals (TBD) September 20 vs. Silver Creek October 29 @ State (Norris 4 p.m.

Penrose Park, Colorado Springs) September 22 @ Estes Park 4 p.m.

Golf September 27 vs. Arvada 4 August 11 @ Mountain p.m.* View/Thompson Valley (Odle September 29 @ Conifer 6:30 Course) 12:30 p.m.* August 11 JV @ Brush, 10 a.m. p.m.* October 4 vs. Weld Central 4 August 16 @ Greeley Central p.m.* (Highland Hills) 8 a.m.* October 6 @ Skyview 6:30 August 18 @ Northridge p.m.* (Boomerang Links) 8:30 a.m.* August 22 @ Yuma 9 a.m.

October 11 vs. Alameda 4 August 23 @ Niwot (Twin p.m.* Peaks) 11 a.m.* October 13 @ Englewood 6:30 August 24 Chip Challenge p.m.* (Windsor High Meadow) 8:30 October 18 vs. Fort Lupton 4 a.m. p.m.* August 30 Fort Morgan Gymnastics Invitational 9 a.m.* September 1 @ Standley Lake September 6 @ Centaurus 5:30 p.m.

(Indian Peaks) 8:30 a.m.* September 8 home 6 p.m.

September 8 @ Longmont (Ute September 10 @ Columbine Creek) 12 p.m.* September 15 @ Sterling (NJC) 9:30 a.m.

September 16 @ Overland 6 8 a.m. p.m.

September 17 @ Holyoke 9 September 20 @ Standley Lake a.m.

Regionals @ Boomerang Links 5:30 p.m.

September 24 @ Overland 10 (TBD) a.m.

Soccer October 1 @ Mountain Range 9 August 30 @ Thornton (Five a.m.

Star Stadium) 6:30 p.m.

October 15 @ Cherry Creek 9 September 1 vs. Denver West 4 a.m. p.m.

October 29 @ Regionals (TBD) September 6 @ Sterling 4 p.m.

November 4-5 @ State September 8 vs. Northridge 4 (Thornton High School) p.m.

September 12 @ Thompson *Conference game

Have a Great Season Brush Beetdiggers!

Good Luck Beetdiggers!

130 State St. Fort Morgan 970-867-5646 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • AUGUST 31, 2016 • 51

Brush

Beetdiggers’ schedules Football

September 2 vs. Fort Morgan 7 p.m.

September 10 vs. Lamar 1:30 p.m.

September 16 vs. Eaton (HOMECOMING) 7 p.m.

September 23 @ Faith Christian 7 p.m.

September 30 vs. Sterling 7 p.m.* October 7 @ Valley 7 p.m.* October 14 vs. Weld Central 7 p.m.* October 21 @ Platte Valley 7 p.m.* October 28 @ Fort Lupton 7 p.m.*

Volleyball

August 25 @ Fort Morgan 6:30 p.m.

August 26 @ Akron 6:30 p.m.

August 27 Brush Invitational (3 games) 9 a.m.

August 30 vs. Weld Central 6:30 p.m.

September 6 @ Frontier Academy 6:30 p.m.* September 8 vs. Yuma 6:30 p.m.

September 13 vs. Estes Park 6:30 p.m.* September 15 vs. Sterling (Homecoming week) 6:30 p.m.* September 20 @ Resurrection Christian 6:30 p.m.

September 22 vs. Valley 6:30

Invite (Lyons) 8 a.m.

September 16 @ Wolverine Invitational (Monfort Park) 4 p.m.

September 20 @ Sterling (Pioneer Park) 4 p.m.

September 24 @ Platte Valley 9 a.m.

October 1 @ Meade Stampede (Longmont) 9 a.m.

October 8 Patriot League Meet (Brush) 9 a.m.

October 11 @ University (Break Your Pace) 4 p.m.

October 20 @ Regionals (Monfort Park, Greeley) 4 p.m.

October 29 @ State (Norris Penrose, Colorado Springs)

(Brush) 10 a.m.* September 26-27 @ State (TBD)

Softball

August 23 vs. Lyons 4 p.m.* August 25 @ Valley 4 p.m.* August 30 @ Platte Valley 4 p.m.* September 1 vs. Strasburg 4 p.m.* September 7 @ Faith Christian 4 p.m. p.m.* September 9-10 Brush September 27 @ Eaton 6:30 Invitational p.m.* September 13 vs. Eaton 4 September 29 vs. Strasburg p.m.* 6:30 p.m.* September 15 @ Sterling 4 October 1 @ William Smith Boys Golf p.m.* (Aurora) 12 p.m.

August 11 Brush Invitational 10 September 20 @ Lyons 4 October 4 @ Sterling 6:30 a.m. p.m.* p.m.* August 18 @ Eaton Invitational September 22 vs. Valley 4 October 6 vs. Platte Valley 6:30 8 a.m. p.m.* p.m.* August 30 @ Fort Morgan September 24 vs. Platte Valley October 15 @ Eaton Invitational 9 a.m.

11 a.m.* Tournament (4 games) 8 a.m.

September 1 @ Estes Park September 27 @ Strasburg 4 October 18 @ Liberty Common Invitational 8 a.m.* p.m.* 6:30 p.m.* September 6 @ Strasburg September 29 vs. University 4 October 25 vs. University 6:30 Invite (Buffalo Run Golf Course, p.m.* p.m.* Aurora) 11 a.m.* October 1 @ Eaton 11 a.m.* October 29 @ Bennett September 8 @ Holyoke 9 Tournament (4 games) October 4 vs. Sterling 4 p.m.* a.m.* October 6 @ University 4 p.m.* September 15 @ Sterling (NJC Cross Country October 14-15 Regionals (TBD) 18 Golf Course) 10 a.m.* August 26 @ Cheyenne October 21-22 State (Aurora September 19 @ Regionals Mountain (Pre-State) 12 p.m.

Sports Complex, Aurora) (TBD) September 3 @ Centaurus September 22 Northeastern Invite (Lafeyette) 9 a.m.

Colorado League Tournament *Conference game September 10 @ St. Vrain

Proudly Supporting All 2016 Athletics

Good Luck Brush Beetdiggers!

Western Sugar Cooperative Grower Owned Be sure it’s sugar: The Natural Sweetener - 15 Calories per teaspoon!

B 18317 Hwy. 144, Fort Morgan, CO 80701

52 • AUGUST 31, 2016 • FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

970-842-2444

Weldon Valley

Warriors’ schedules

Football September 2 @ Longmont Christian 5 p.m.* September 9 vs. Otis 3:30 p.m.

September 16 @ Briggsdale 7 p.m.* September 23 @ Prairie 7 p.m.* September 30 vs. Fleming 3:30 p.m.* October 8 @ North Park 1 p.m.* October 14 vs. Pawnee 3:30 p.m.* October 21 vs. Peetz 3:30 p.m.* October 28 Cross-over week (TBD)

Volleyball

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

August 26 @ Beth Eden 5 p.m.

August 27 @ Brush Tournament 9 a.m.

September 1 @ Fleming 5:30 p.m.* September 8 @ Pawnee 5:30 p.m.* September 9 vs. Otis 5:30 p.m.

September 15 @ Wiggins 2

Weldon Valley senior Dameion Cowan (center, yellow shirt) pitches the ball to a tailback in a drill at practice.

p.m.

September 16 @ Briggsdale 4 p.m.* September 20 vs. Akron 4 p.m.

September 23 @ Prairie 4 p.m.* September 24 vs. Caliche 1

Have a Great Season Weldon Valley Warriors!

p.m.* September 29 @ Peetz 5:30 p.m.* September 30 vs. Fleming 5:30 p.m.* October 6 vs. Briggsdale 5:30 p.m.*

October 14 vs. Pawnee 6:30 p.m.* October 18 vs. Prairie 4 p.m.* October 20 vs. Community Christian 5 p.m.* October 21 vs. Peetz 4 p.m.* *Conference game

r

Student Athletes!

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • AUGUST 31, 2016 • 53

Wiggins

Tigers’ schedules

Football

September 3 @ Colorado Springs Christian 7 p.m.

September 9 vs. Platte Canyon 7 p.m.

September 16 @ Lyons 7 p.m.

September 23 vs. Byers 7 p.m.

September 30 @ Yuma 7 p.m.* October 7 vs. Wray (Homecoming) 7 p.m.* October 14 @ Limon 7 p.m.* October 21 vs. Burlington 7 p.m.* October 28 @ Holyoke 7 p.m.*

Volleyball

August 25 @ Estes Park 4 p.m.

August 27 @ Brush Tournament 9 a.m.

August 30 vs. Union Colony 4 p.m.

September 8 @ Akron 4 p.m.* September 9 vs. Platte Canyon 4 p.m.

September 13 vs. Sedgwick County 4 p.m.* September 15 vs. Weldon Valley 4 p.m.

September 20 @ Caliche 4 p.m.

September 23 vs. Byers 3 p.m.

September 24 @ Akron Tournament 9 a.m.

September 27 vs. Haxtun 4

Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times

Wiggins junior Cael Croissant (center) catches a snap from Gus Baugh as the Wiggins offense goes through a play at the team's camp in July.

p.m.* October 4 @ Yuma 4 p.m.* October 7 vs. Wray 4 p.m.* October 11 @ Holyoke 4 p.m.* October 13 vs. Merino 4 p.m.* October 25 @ Districts (TBD) October 28 @ District Pool Play (TBD) November 5 @ Regionals November 11-12 @ State (Denver Coliseum)

Cross Country

August 27 @ D’Evelyn Invite (Fehringer Ranch Open Space) 8 a.m.

September 2 @ Horizon Invitational (Brighton) 4 p.m.

September 10 @ St. Vrain Invitational (Lyons High School) 8 a.m.

September 16 @ Fort Morgan Invitational (Riverside Park) 4 p.m.

September 24 @ Platte Valley

Invitational (Kersey) 9 a.m.

October 1 @ Andy Meyers Invitational (Greeley) 8:30 a.m.

October 11 @ University High School (Greeley) 4 p.m.

October 15 Wiggins Invitational 9 a.m.

October 21 @ Regionals (Yuma golf course) October 29 @ State (Colorado Springs) *Conference game

Have a Great Season Wiggins Tigers!

Good Luck Tigers!

130 State St. Fort Morgan 970-867-5646 54 • AUGUST 31, 2016 • FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

Prairie

Mustangs’ schedules Football

(TBD)

September 2 vs. Flagler 7 p.m.

September 9 @ Briggsdale 7 p.m.* September 16 @ Pawnee 7 p.m.* Setpember 23 vs. Weldon Valley 7 p.m.* September 30 vs. Longmont Christian 7 p.m.* October 7 @ Peetz 7 p.m.* October 15 vs. North Park 1 p.m.* October 21 vs. Fleming 7 p.m.* October 28 Crossover week

Volleyball August 27 @ Brush Tournament (4 games) 9 a.m, September 2 vs. Flagler 4 p.m.

September 6 @ Union Colony 4 p.m.

September 8 vs. Lone Star 5:30 p.m.

September 9 @ Briggsdale 4 p.m.* September 15 vs. Peetz 5:30 p.m.* September 16 @ Pawnee 5:30

p.m.* September 22 @ Fleming 5:30 p.m.* September 23 vs. Weldon Valley 4 p.m.* October 6 vs. Pawnee 5:30 p.m.* October 7 @ Peetz 4 p.m.*

October 8 @ Holyoke (triangular with Idalia) 9 a.m.

October 13 vs. Briggsdale 5:30 p.m.* October 14 @ North Park 1 p.m.* October 18 @ Weldon Valley 4 p.m.* October 21 vs. Fleming 4 p.m.* October 24-29 @ Districts November 4-5 @ Regionals November 11-12 @ State (Denver Coliseum) *Conference game The Prairie Mustangs volleyball team opened the season ranked No. 2 in the CHSAA 1A preseason polls.

Brandon Boles Fort Morgan Times

Have a Great Season Prairie Mustangs!

Fort Morgan (970) 867-4966 PREMIERACA.com FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • AUGUST 31, 2016 • 55

Snapshots Fort Morgan junior Tate Kembel tries to break a tackle on a run play against Palisade.

Brandon Boles Fort Morgan Times

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Whether it’s rehabilitation or injury prevention, expertise matters!

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56 • AUGUST 31, 2016 • FALL SPORTS PREVIEW