[New post] High school sports weekly wrap-up: Now that the season has begun, here are five potential storylines
Bobby Fernandez posted: "No more waiting, deliberating or speculating. The fall high school sports season is in full swing. And, if this fall season is anything like the school year's initial preps season was a year ago, locally, the next three-plus months could be the most" Greeley Tribune
The fall high school sports season is in full swing.
And, if this fall season is anything like the school year's initial preps season was a year ago, locally, the next three-plus months could be the most eventful months of the entire 2023-24 athletics calendar.
Let's take a look at five — of many — key storylines to keep an eye on locally this fall.
PUEBLO, CO - DECEMBER 03:Roosevelt's Bronco Hartson (8) runs into the end zone for a touchdown on a keeper during the Roosevelt Rough Riders 3A state final football game against the Lutheran Lions at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo Dec. 3, 2022. The Roosevelt Rough Riders defeated the Lutheran Lions 34-24 to claim their first-ever football state title. (Alex McIntyre/Greeley Tribune file photo)
Can Eaton and Roosevelt defend their football titles?
A year ago, Eaton capped a 12-1 season by winning its third consecutive Class 2A state title.
Roosevelt went 14-0 and won the 3A title, its first football state title in school history.
The Rough Riders enter the season the clear team to beat once again in 3A, returning plenty of top players, including senior quarterback Bronco Hartson and senior leading rusher Xavier Ramirez.
EATON, CO - SEPTEMBER 02:Eaton's DeAngelo Rosas (22) breaks away from Sterling's Caleb Kloberdanz (8) on his way to a touchdown during the Eaton Reds football game against the Sterling Tigers at Eaton High School in Eaton Sept. 2, 2021. The Reds defeated the Tigers 63-0. (Alex McIntyre/Greeley Tribune file photo)
Eaton, though a preseason favorite in 2A, is encountering a much different type of title defense. The Reds graduated one of the most decorated senior classes in the school's famed history this past spring.
If Eaton is going to make it four titles in a row, it's going to rely on some new leaders under first-year head coach Cameron Stewart.
How will Platte Valley and Windsor fare after their volleyball finals runs?
Within the local volleyball scene, one can argue we're seeing a similar dynamic to that of the local football scene, detailed above.
While Windsor returns a slew of talent after going 25-5 and finishing second to Thompson Valley in the 4A state tournament a year ago, Platte Valley comes into the season with some notable holes to fill.
Windsor's Julia Bohlinger (6) attacks during the Windsor Wizards semifinal match against the Palmer Ridge Bears in the 4A state volleyball tournament at the Denver Coliseum in Denver Nov. 12, 2022. (Alex McIntyre/Greeley Tribune file photo)
Senior Cailyn McCracken, junior Kadence Marsh and senior captain Julia Bohlinger anchor a deep Wizards squad that is easily a top contender in 4A.
Platte Valley, meanwhile, graduated a slew of key players from last year's 3A championship squad. Naturally, the Broncos could experience some early season growing pains but could still be a big-time factor come postseason time behind the all-state duo of junior setter Lauryn Uyemura and junior outside hitter Karsyn Fetzer.
Platte Valley's Lauryn Uyemura (4) sets during the Platte Valley Broncos volleyball match against the Eaton Reds at Platte Valley High School in Kersey Sept. 8, 2022. (Alex McIntyre/Greeley Tribune file photo)
Junior Hayden Hanes is one player that has stepped up early this season, as Platte Valley looks to get healthier and gain some experience.
Can Windsor tee off toward a state championship?
Speaking of Windsor and state championship contention, through the first half of the boys golf season, Windsor looks every bit like a 4A contender with a loaded, balanced lineup.
A season ago, the Wizards placed fifth at the state meet, and their top golfer, Kellen Ball fell just short of an individual title, losing a four-golfer playoff.
Ball is back, as a junior, and Windsor appears capable of at least matching that previous top-5 finish at state.
Boys golf will be the first state title decided, Oct. 2-3, with the 4A meet taking place at The Bridges Golf & Country Club in Montrose.
AURORA, CO - OCTOBER 23:Eaton's Sadie Ross (2) reacts after her home run as she nears home plate during the University Bulldogs 3A softball state semifinal game against the Eaton Reds at Aurora Sports Park in Aurora Oct. 23, 2021. (Alex McIntyre/Greeley Tribune file photo)
Could softball powerhouse Eaton possibly be even better this year?
It would be tough to find any flaw in Eaton's softball campaign a year ago.
The Reds went 22-7 and won their second 3A state title in three years.
One of the most remarkable things about this past season's run was the fact Eaton went the entire season without one of its top players, Sadie Ross.
This fall, Ross is back from injury and she rejoins a Reds team that may have one of the most impressive pools of talent of any team in the state, regardless of classification.
Eaton has blitzed its first half-dozen or so opponents this fall and appears to be only getting started.
Greeley Central's Allyson Izaguirre Almendarez kisses the Central logo on his jersey after scoring a goal against Northridge at District 6 Soccer Field in Greeley Tuesday.(Jim Rydbom/Staff Photographer)
Can a Greeley soccer squad break through?
While Frontier Academy has been a steady boys soccer contender in 3A over the past decade-plus, the big Greeley schools are also enjoying a bit of a resurgence in recent years.
A year ago, Northridge made it all the way to the eight-team quarterfinals as the 22nd seed of the 32-team 4A state tournament.
The Grizzlies just narrowly missed out on advancing to the semifinals, falling 3-2 to No. 14 Summit.
As impressive as that campaign was, Northridge is hungrier for even more success this fall.
The Grizzlies aren't the only big Greeley school looking to raise some eyebrows.
Through the first couple weeks of the season, Greeley Central appears vastly improved from a 6-8-1 campaign a year ago. The Wildcats outscored their first five opponents this fall by a combined 20-7, going 2-2-1. They even tied crosstown Northridge 2-2 in their second match of the season.
And, of course, in addition to Central and Northridge, aforementioned Frontier Academy seems to always be in the mix for deep playoff run in 3A.
Bobby Fernandez covers high school sports for the Greeley Tribune. Reach him at (970) 392-4478 or by email at bfernandez@greeleytribune.com.
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