DENVER — The Denver Broncos joined the Colorado High School Activities Association in hosting the 2024 Fall Sports Media Day Tuesday.
The common theme for the upcoming season seemed to be rebuilding, as several teams graduated their star talent from last season. At Holy Family, star quarterback Rylan Cooney graduated, passing the torch to Monte Samaras.
“A lot of us seniors now are going to step up," Samaras said matter-of-factly. "We've been in the same rooms and leading the same people. We didn't have the big names.”
The Erie Tigers, 4A tackle football state champions, will be without the state leader in touchdowns, Blake Barnett.
“We proved everything last year that we needed to prove," returning running back Gavin Lusk said. "We're going into 5A and it's going to be some harder teams, so we're just finding people to fill a spot, like Ronin Ward. Great candidate. He's going to do great for our team.”
The Broomfield Eagles are two years removed from a title, and in their second year under Coach Robert O'Brien, he believes the pieces are coming back together.
“I think we've really built trust through our culture of our team," O'Brien said. "That trust in each other, of, it doesn't have to be me every single time. I believe in the guy next to me as well, and that's really, really important.”
Flag football officially enters its inaugural season this year.
“Just from our first few meetings, I'm not afraid to say we are about to compete,” Vista Ridge head flag football coach Trevas McFail said.
One thing every team has in common is the hunger to get back to the top.
“You have no idea. They don't lose well, so they'll be fighting from day one," said Chatfield girls flag football coach Alexis Rosholt. That team is one year removed from the championship.
With flag football entering its inaugural season, Colorado preps is leading the charge in women’s sports.
“Now we know that people really do care about what we can do and the change that we're making in the world," Chatfield player Bella Concilio said. "It's really exciting to see.”
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