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Tag: arvada west high school

  • Arvada West High School students host town hall on gun violence, mental health in wake of Evergreen shooting

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    ARVADA, Colo. — Students at Arvada West High School organized a town hall to address gun violence and mental health in schools following the Sept. 10 shooting at Evergreen High School.

    The student-led organization Team ENOUGH A West hosted the event in the school’s auditorium Tuesday afternoon to foster open dialogue about these issues and push for meaningful change.

    “The real wake-up call was Evergreen with how close in proximity that was,” said Spencer Robuck, one of the student organizers.

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    Izaiah Brees, another member of Team ENOUGH, said he knew other students shared his desire to take action.

    “I knew that I wasn’t the only one wanting to do something in response to this,” he told Denver7.

    The town hall featured Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, whose office operates Safe2Tell, a statewide anonymous reporting system for students, staff and the community. Weiser is also running to become Colorado’s next governor.

    Students shared personal experiences with Safe2Tell, including Robuck, who credited the platform with saving his life during a mental health crisis.

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    “One of the things that really helped me was one of my friends ended up calling Safe2Tell on me, and the officers came, and it helped me mightily,” Robuck told the crowd.

    However, some students expressed concerns about slow response times and insufficient awareness of the program within schools.

    “That is one of the biggest questions we’re working on,” said Weiser. “When you see something, please say something. And what haunts me about Evergreen is, did anybody see something and not say something?”

    The students proposed several changes, including the addition of mental health education to the school’s curriculum. They are also pitching new safety measures such as clear backpacks and metal detectors.

    “The more that you can have an open conversation about gun violence and gun safety, the more kids feel like they have a voice and that they can help participate in change,” Brees said.

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    Weiser praised the students’ initiative.

    “One of the parts of today’s conversation that I am incredibly inspired by is these kids here today at Arvada West, they’re taking action,” Weiser said. “They’re not waiting for adults. They’re developing plans to make their school safer.”

    Brees said he’d like to see his school hold more lockdown drills during unstructured periods, like lunch. Arvada West Principal Micah Porter said the school is planning to hold one next week, and more information will be released to students and parents soon.

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    Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Claire Lavezzorio

    Denver7’s Claire Lavezzorio covers topics that have an impact across Colorado, but specializes in reporting on stories in the military and veteran communities. If you’d like to get in touch with Claire, fill out the form below to send her an email.

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    Claire Lavezzorio

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  • 8 Colorado high school football games to watch in Week 9

    8 Colorado high school football games to watch in Week 9

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    CLASS 5A

    Arvada West (6-2) vs. Chatfield (6-2)

    When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at Jeffco Stadium

    Last meeting: Chatfield 42, at Arvada West 0, Sept. 29, 2023

    A league title may be a bit of a longshot for Arvada West and Chatfield, but both programs still have a real chance to earn a first-round bye in the 5A state playoffs. And a win here would go a long way toward securing that. A-West picked off Denver East three times en route to a gritty 29-21 win over the Angels last week. That sort of defensive effort will be required against Chatfield, which has a quarterback who can sling it in sophomore Cash Williams (1,125 yards, 12 TDs) and plenty of weapons for him to spread the ball around to.

    Fossil Ridge (5-3) vs. No. 10 Fairview (8-0)

    When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Christian Recht Field

    Last meeting: Fairview 55, at Fossil Ridge 28, Oct. 20, 2023

    Fairview has claimed five league titles in the past six seasons. If this year’s Knights are to meet that standard, they’ll have to beat Fossil Ridge to do it. Throw out a 68-49 shootout win over Fort Collins, and Fairview has been dominant on both sides of the ball. Yet the Knights have beaten only one 5A program (Arvada West) that currently sports a winning record. Consider a matchup against senior QB Nick Kubat (1,881 yards, 25 TDs passing), San Diego State commit Marcus Mozer (40 catches, 631 yards) and Co., a proper test.

    Eaglecrest (5-3) vs. Grandview (4-4)

    When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Legacy Stadium

    Last meeting: Grandview 39, vs. Eaglecrest 32, Sept. 29, 2023

    Could this be a must-win for Grandview’s playoff hopes? With the Wolves sitting at No. 22 on the CHSAA RPI, that just might be the case. A fourth-quarter touchdown staved off a potential upset bid from Cherokee Trail in a 14-13 win last week. Oddly enough, the Raptors lost to the Cougars by the same one-point score. That was the first of two straight losses for Eaglecrest, which could use a win with a matchup against Arapahoe looming in Week 10.

    No. 8 Regis Jesuit (5-3) vs. No. 7 Pine Creek (5-3)

    When/where: 1 p.m. Saturday at D20 Stadium South

    Last meeting: Pine Creek 21, at Regis Jesuit 17, Oct. 6, 2023

    Regis Jesuit took its lumps with a freshman quarterback taking snaps to start the season, dropping three straight to a murderer’s row of Valor Christian, Brophy Prep (Ariz.) and Cherry Creek. The Raiders and wunderkind signal-caller Luke Rubley is now reaping the benefits. Regis has ripped off five straight wins, scoring an average of 38.8 points per game as Rubley’s racked up 1,020 yards and nine TDs on 62.7% passing. A trip to the Springs to take on Pine Creek will reveal just how far they’ve come.

    CLASS 4A

    No. 7 Riverdale Ridge (8-0) vs. No. 4 Broomfield (7-1)

    When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Elizabeth Kennedy Stadium

    Last meeting: N/A

    Just how much of a threat is Riverdale Ridge in Class 4A? This is the week we find out. The Ravens have bulldozed everything in their path en route to a program-best 8-0 start, outscoring opponents 332-22. The problem? Not a single one of those eight teams currently have a winning record. Now comes a date with 4A blue blood Broomfield, which has outscored its last three opponents 162-0 and is unbeaten against 4A competition. The Ravens defense, led by senior Colton Lancaster (37 tackles, 10 for loss), hasn’t given up a point in 14 quarters. Something’s got to give.

    Monarch (6-2) vs. No. 9 Frederick (6-2)

    When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Frederick High

    Last meeting: Monarch 30, at Frederick 23, Aug. 31, 2023

    A league title and potentially a first-round bye will be up for grabs when the Coyotes head to Frederick on Friday night. The latter has won six straight since starting the season with losses to Broomfield and Mead, topping 40 points in all six victories. Dual-threat senior QB Gavin Ishmael (2,180 total yards, 32 TDs) has been electric for the Golden Eagles, who are eyeing their first unbeaten run through league play in 12 years. A Monarch defense that’s allowed just 19 points over its last three games awaits.

    CLASS 3A

    Holy Family (4-3) vs. No. 5 Lutheran (7-1)

    When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Lutheran High

    Last meeting: Holy Family 33, vs. Lutheran 8, Dec. 2, 2023

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    Matt Schubert

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  • No. 3 Columbine routs Arvada West with big plays for 21st straight win

    No. 3 Columbine routs Arvada West with big plays for 21st straight win

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    Late this summer, before Columbine began defending its Class 5A football title, senior offensive/defensive lineman DJ Ironshell summed up the Rebels’ football philosophy.

    “We just run the ball and let the pads do the talking,” he said.

    The Rebels’ pads talked plenty of smack Friday in their 35-14 win over Arvada West at Jeffco Stadium. But the other key in Columbine’s 21st straight victory was its penchant for big plays in big moments.

    The first two drives of the game illustrated the point.

    A-West, expertly guided by junior quarterback Logan Duhachek, put together an opening 16-play, 52-yard drive to eat nearly nine minutes off the clock. The Wildcats had first-and-10 at the Columbine 17-yard line, but senior linebacker Rory Marez sacked Duhachek for a 9-yard loss. On the next play, sophomore Keith Fischer sacked Duhachek for 11 yards. The Wildcats had to settle for a 52-yard field goal attempt that fell short and wide.

    “I think big plays was it for us tonight,” coach Andy Lowry said. “Our defense gave up a lot of yards in between but we got the big plays when we needed them. They had a lot of long drives but came up empty a lot.”

    The Rebels’ rushing attack, as it almost always does, produced from the get-go. On Columbine’s first play from scrimmage, junior Mark Snyder bounced off a tackle at the line of scrimmage, cut inside, and sailed 80 yards for a touchdown.

    “It wasn’t supposed to go that way, but I just cut back and was in the clear,” said Snyder, who rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries. “I’m not sure they even knew I had the ball.”

    That’s the way the night went. Talented A-West, which fell to 5-2, put up plenty of yards through the air and put together three impressive long drives, but the relentless Rebels (6-0) had a big-play answer every time.

    A-West tied the game, 7-7, late in the first quarter on a perfect 26-yard yard touchdown pass from Duhachek to junior wide receiver Keegean Balistreri. Duhachek finished the night completing 30 of 41 passes for 338 yards and two touchdowns. But he also threw three interceptions.

    The Rebels quickly retaliated, stinging the Wildcats with a six-play, 59-yard drive with Snyder powering in from the 3-yard line.

    Two killer moments haunted A-West just before halftime.

    With 16 seconds left, Columbine senior running back James Basinger pulled off a remarkable 20-yard TD jaunt — near the end zone he put a hand down to stay on his feet and pinballed off would-be tacklers — to put Columbine ahead, 21-7. Basinger rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.

    On the ensuing kickoff, A-West’s Caleb Gomez almost returned the ball for a touchdown, but he was dragged down at the 2 as time expired. The Wildcats were also called for holding during the return.

    Snyder’s second game-buster of the night came on the fourth play of the second half. He burst through the middle for a 56-yard TD run to give the Rebels a 28-7 lead. That clinched the game for the Rebels.

    “James (Basinger) and Mark (Synder) had some monster runs tonight,” Lowry said. “They’re pretty special.”

    Columbine’s Mark Snyder (11) protects the ball while charging to the end zone for a touchdown against Arvada West LB Caleb Gomez (27) in the first quarter at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood, Colorado Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)

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    Patrick Saunders

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  • In afterglow of CHSSA vote to add girls flag football, Broncos committed to helping “this season and beyond”

    In afterglow of CHSSA vote to add girls flag football, Broncos committed to helping “this season and beyond”

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    Saylor Swanson says it so casually you can almost miss it.

    “I’ve always pictured myself playing quarterback,” Swanson, an Arvada West High junior, said Wednesday morning at the Broncos’ training facility.

    She has been, really, for the past two years playing flag football in CHSAA’s pilot program.

    She will be this fall, too, but in a slightly different capacity. She’ll be the quarterback for her team’s varsity program after Colorado on Tuesday became the 11th state to make girls flag football a sanctioned high school sport.

    On Wednesday, Broncos owner Carrie Walton Penner, team executives and CHSSA commissioner Mike Krueger talked about the journey to get to this point, but also about what comes next.

    Broadly, it’s a similar set of feelings for Swanson and the players as it is for the people tasked with implementing the sport and growing it around the state. It’ll be similar to the past two years in some ways, bigger in some ways and exciting all the same. And there’s plenty of work and growth ahead.

    “I’m so glad it’s actually taken off,” Saylor said. “I played football when I was a little kid with my brothers and I’ve always wanted to play. I never expected it to be an option. I played co-ed when I was younger and I kind of quit because the boys were getting rough and I was the only girl.

    “I’ve always wanted to play for an all-girls team and high school, playing with my friends, it’s just so awesome.”

    The Broncos made it clear that the organization will be part of the next phase, too. They’ll continue providing funding and the team’s vice president of community impact and Denver Broncos Foundation executive director Allie Engelken also said they’ll provide education on grant opportunities through Nike, USA Football and other resources available to schools.

    “We’re excited to continue to support this sport this season and beyond,” Engelken said. “We do that through not only financial commitment for schools as well as high-impact for youth, but also through a lot of programmatic elements.”

    As it pertains to girls flag football, Engelken said those include, “officials and referee recruitment and training. Coaches clinics and sanctioning. Ensuring coaches feel prepared to coach an emerging sport. That includes a regional NFL Flag tournament. … that will continue in partnership with the NFL.

    “We see our opportunity for support to continue to grow.”

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    Parker Gabriel

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