Pueblo Colorado Sports Blog 2013: January 2007

Uttimate Super Bowl Ranking

1998 DENVER BRONCOS 14-2
(3-0)
Super Bowl: Beat Atlanta
34-19 Coach: Mike Shanahan
Key
players: QB John Elway (2,806 yards, 22 TD), RB Terrell Davis (2,008 yards,
23 TD), WR Rod Smith (1,222 yards), WR Ed McCaffrey, TE Shannon Sharpe, C Tom
Nalen, S Steve Atwater

John
Elway compiled the best passer rating of his career, and Terrell Davis became
the only NFL player to rush for 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in the same
season. Add two 1,000-yard receivers and a Pro Bowl tight end, and you've got a
recipe for an offense that averaged more than 30 points in the regular season
and postseason. Both of Denver's losses came after it had already clinched
home-field advantage through the AFC playoffs with a 13-0 start. The Broncos
became the first AFC team to win consecutive Super Bowls in 19 years.

Here's what Bears, Colts must do to win

Here's a look at the keys to victory for the two Super Bowl XLI teams:
The Bears will win if … 1. Chicago can run the ball early against a suddenly resurgent Indianapolis front seven. The last thing the Bears want to do is put quarterback Rex Grossman in untenable third-down situations in which the Colts will come hard at him off the edge. The Colts have held three playoff opponents to an average of 73.3 yards rushing and 3.6 yards per carry. The Bears seem to have found a nice combination, with Cedric Benson now starting and carrying most of the load, then Thomas Jones coming off the bench to give them a little different, and quicker, dimension in the running game.
X Games
X's and O's: There figures to be an intriguing chess match between Chicago coach Lovie Smith and Indianapolis counterpart Tony Dungy, two longtime friends and the first two African-American men to lead their teams to a Super Bowl berth. The two have worked together in the past, and each knows how the other prepares. There will be plenty of words devoted to the coaches' race. The more compelling element of the contest, though, is how familiarity affects the coaches.X factor: Some observers have suggested that the Peyton Manning-Rex Grossman pairing might be the most lopsided quarterback matchup in Super Bowl history. And there could be something to that. Manning will be appearing in his 13th playoff game, and Grossman in only his third. In 144 regular-season starts, Manning has recorded a passer rating of 40.0 or less only twice. Grossman registered a passer rating of 40.0 or below five times this season alone. What Grossman has to understand is that he is playing the Colts, not Manning. Oh, yeah, during his brilliant college career, Manning never beat the University of Florida. Now he gets the chance to beat a former Gators quarterback for the biggest prize of all. Rx factor: For the Bears, WR Mark Bradley is nursing a sprained ankle. For the Colts, starting CB Nick Harper aggravated an ankle injury early in Sunday's game and did not return. WR Ricky Proehl has a strained hamstring and TE Ben Utecht a sprained knee. -- Len Pasquarelli2. They win the defensive battle in the middle of the field. Chicago is not a big blitz-quota team, but when coordinator Ron Rivera brings extra bodies on the pass rush, it is often from the inside. Getting early pressure in Peyton Manning's face from the inside and forcing him to retreat is the best way to get him out of rhythm. The Bears also need to control the area between the hashes, and the deep seams, where Indianapolis tight end Dallas Clark has been so effective. The ability of middle linebacker Brian Urlacher to get into the deep coverage zones should be an advantage.
3. Return specialist Devin Hester can exploit the Indianapolis special-teams units, especially the kickoff coverage group, which has been just as shaky in the playoffs as it was at times in the regular season. In three playoff games, Indianapolis allowed an average kickoff return of 24.3 yards. As he demonstrated in the regular season, Hester is an explosive player who can dramatically affect field position and score from anywhere, even eight yards deep in the end zone. It will take some of the pressure off Grossman if Hester is able to provide him a short field on occasion.
The Colts will win if … 1. They get wide receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne the football early and often. Against New England in the AFC Championship Game, neither wide receiver won his individual battles in the first half of the game and Harrison, as he occasionally does, disappeared for long stretches, his body language suggesting he was sulking. Chicago cornerbacks Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman are aggressive on balls thrown in front of them and will cheat moving forward, but also are susceptible to the kind of double-move routes at which the Colts' wide receivers excel.
2. Defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis win the battle on the perimeter. The pair's speed and relentlessness should provide an edge against Chicago offensive tackles John Tait (left) and Fred Miller (right), especially if Indianapolis can force third-and-long situations. Freeney tends to play big in big games and loves the spotlight, but he had just two tackles and no sacks Sunday. The Colts need him to show up more. Miller is a solid veteran tackle, but he doesn't play against pure, upfield speed-rushers very often, and he could have his hands full against Mathis.
3. Complementary players on offense continue to make big plays. The Indianapolis offense still revolves around Manning, Harrison and Wayne, but there are a lot of role players who have stepped up, particularly in the passing game, to help overcome injuries. Clark has been huge in the playoffs, with a team-best 17 receptions and a gaudy 16.5-yard average. And Manning continues to be effective checking down to tailbacks Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes. Even a guy like No. 3 tight end Bryan Fletcher, who had a 32-yard catch on the winning drive Sunday, has contributed.

Dynamic duo

A.I. had 23 points against Memphis. Melo's answer: a game-high 28.
Marc Stein was in Denver for Act I of the Anthony-Iverson Show, and the initial reviews are positive. Or, as A.I. put it after an easy win over the Grizzlies, "Good news is no news." Daily Dime The Magazine • Dynamic duo keys rout Thorpe: It was just the Grizzlies, but ... • See 'em for yourself The "new" Nuggets Walton's World

Cyclones clip Tigers, Bulldogs

West's Kortney Sorensen shoots against Centennial.

View photos/Mike Griffin
Pueblo West senior Lindsey Savastano protects the ball from a crowd of Centennial defenders.

Pueblo West 61, Centennial 44

Centennial 10 4 16 14 - 44Pueblo West 9 18 19 15 - 61
West scoring: Allen 13, Langoni 13, Cook 12, Aragon-Autobee 7, Savastano 6, Sorensen 4, Encinias 2, Cowden 2, Ottino 2.
Pueblo West 54, Canon City 13
Canon 0 3 4 6 - 13 West 18 14 14 8 - 54
West: Allen 14, Savastano 10, Encinias 6, Langoni 6, Sorensen 5, Gallardo 3, Cook 3, Ottino 3, Cowden 2, Aragon-Autobee 1, Smith 1.

Selection Sunday

Going head-to-head: Brees and Grossman (top), Brady and Manning.
NFL conference championship day is here. Four teams. Two games. One goal. Who has what it takes to make it to the Super Bowl in Miami? We'll know soon. But, until we do, there are always ... Experts' Picks

Garden Snowball Tournament

Sports Garden Snowball
The Snowball Softball Tournament will be held at the Sports Garden Saturday and Jan. 28. Entry fee is $100 with divisions for men's and coed teams. For information, call the Sports Garden at 562-9692, Billie at 240-6259, Mello at 542-1736 or Liz at 406-6369.

South swimmer Elysa Gresham qualifies for state with swim in Hornet Invite.

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/BRYAN KELSEN
Elysa Gresham of South High School takes a breath during the breaststroke leg of the 200-meter individual medley Saturday in the Hornet Invitational at Pueblo County High School. Gresham won the race in 2 minutes, 20.25 seconds and also qualified for state.

Hornet Invitational

Results of the championship finals at the 21st annual Hornet Invitational held Saturday at Pueblo County High School:
Team scores
Division One: Cheyenne Mountain 230, La Junta 221, Centennial 181, Doherty 125.50, Pine Creek 140, South 123. Division Two: Pueblo County 111.5, Salida and Coronado 58, Pueblo West 50, St. Mary's 40, Gunnison 28, East 9.
Individual results 200 medley relay-1, La Junta (Jackson, Gleason, K.Peacock, Roberson) 1:57.42 SQ; 2, Centennial 1:58.55 SQ; 3, Cheyenne Mountain 1:59.64 SQ; 4, South 2:00.95 SQ; 5, Doherty 2:04.92 SQ; 6, Pueblo West 2:06.80.
200 freestyle-1, Krall, CB, 1:59.88; 2, Roberson, LJ, 2:03.25 SQ; 3, Ruminski, Do, 2:07.41 SQ; 4, Fowler, LJ, 2:08.59 SQ; 5, Davidson, CM, 2:09.76; 6, Leonard, PiC, 2:10.83.
200 individual medley -1, Gresham, S, 2:20.25 SQ; 2, Barr, SM, 2:21.36 SQ; 3, C.Norton, PC, 2:22.58 SQ; 4, Murphy, CM, 2:25.26 SQ; 5, Gleason, LJ, 2:28.12; 6, Heffington, PiC, disqualified.
50 freestyle-1, Schemahorn, LJ, 24.89 SQ; 2, Page, PiC, 25.18 SQ; 3, Miller, CB, 26.14 SQ; 4, Canfield, PW, 26.46 SQ; 5, Grebenc, PC, 26.46 SQ; 6, Policky, Sal, 26.68.
Diving-1, Moldenhauer, Do, 414.95; 2, Kayson, CM, 389.25; 3, Hanks, Do, 343.75; 4, Harvey, CB, 285.15; 5, Legan, CB, 272.40; 6, Andenucio, PC, 272.25.
100 butterfly-1, Krall, CB, 1:00.98 SQ; 2, Remillard, CM, 1:03.98 SQ; 3, Winemiller, CM, 1:04.77 SQ; 4, DeRose, CB, 1:05.15; 5, Murphy, CM, 1:05.80 SQ; 6, Jensen, CM, 1:05.85 SQ.
100 freestyle-1, Page, PiC, 55.33 SQ; 2, Schemahorn, LJ, 54.45 SQ1; 3, Rhue, CM, 56.28 SQ; 4, Ruminski, Do, 57.01 SQ; 5, Miller, CB, 57.40 SQ; 6, Leonard, PiC, 58.05 SQ.
500 freestyle-1, Wedel, S, 5:32.33 SQ; 2, Barr, SM, 5:33.04 SQ; 3, Roberson, LJ, 5:34.12 SQ; 4, Davidson, CM, 5:51.39; 5, Sindler, CB, 5:56.25; 6, Bjugstad, Do, 5:58.81.
200 freestyle relay-1, La Junta (Lobato, Fowler, Gleason, Schemahorn) 1:44.45 SQ; 2, Pine Creek 1:46.0 SQ; 3, Pueblo County 1:47.47 SQ; 4, Doherty 1:49.99 SQ; 5, Salida 1:50.92 SQ; 6, Gunnison 1:55.93.
100 backstroke-1, Rhue, CM, 1:03.19 SQ; 2, Gresham, S, 1:04.54 SQ; 3, Heffingtn, PiC, 1:05.38 SQ; 4, Robertson, CB, 1:05.99; 5, Jackson, LJ, 1:06.40 SQ; 6, Dotson, Do, 1:07.74.
100 breaststroke-1, Wedel, S, 1:09.19 SQ; 2, Gleason, LJ, 1:10.27 SQ; 3, Remillard, CM, 1:11.17 SQ; 4, Bradley, Co, 1:11.86 SQ; 5, Cramer, CM, 1:15.06 SQ; 6, Pineda, S, 1:16.34.
400 freestyle relay-1, La Junta (Lobato, Fowler, Gleason, Schemahorn) 3:48.48 SQ; 2, Centennial 3:52.44 SQ; 3, Cheyenne Mountain 3:55.22 SQ; 4, Pine Creek 3:55.47 SQ; 5, South 3:57.41 SQ; 6, Pueblo County 4:00.23 SQ.

Efficient Cats earn key win

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/MIKE SWEENEY
Central High School forward Stefan Hrubesch (left) looks to pass the ball as Pueblo West's Chaz Vaughan defends during their South-Central League game Friday night at the Cyclones' gym.

Central 63, Pueblo West 57
Central 22 10 14 17 - 63
P. West 11 18 9 19 - 57

Central-De Lao 1 1-2 3, Aguilar 3 0-0 6, Hoover 5 7-8 21, Hrubesch 3 0-0 6, Romero 4 0-0 8, Manning 3 7-10 13, Benabides 3 0-0 6. Totals: 22 15-20 63. 3-point goals: Hoover 4. Fouls: 15.
Pueblo West-Carson 1 0-0 3, Cassares 1 0-0 2, Denogean 7 1-2 18, Moser 4 3-5 11, Thiele 2 0-0 6, Vaughan 1 0-0 2, Mabry 6 3-4 15. Totals: 22 7-11 57. 3-point goals: Carson, Denogean 3, Thiele 2. Fouls: 23. Fouled out: Thiele.
JV: Central 67, Pueblo West 65.

The Eagles have run the gauntlet unscathed

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/BRYAN KELSEN
East High School's Katerina DeHerrera (right) shoots over South's Kari Trujillo in the first half of their South-Central League game Tuesday night at the Events Center. The Eagles beat the Colts 48-41.

East 48, South 41
South 11 7 10 13 - 41
East 9 11 10 18 -48

South-K.Thiebaut 9 0-0 20, Shockey 1 0-0 2, A.Housman 1 2-2 4, Kemling 2 0-0 4, White 1 0-0 3, Trujillo 2 2-3 6, M.Thiebaut 1 0-0 2. Totals: 17 4-5 41. 3-point goals: K.Thiebaut 2, White. Fouls: 25. Fouled out: A.Housman, Kemling.
East-Eickelman 3 6-10 12, Archuleta 1 0-0 2, Thompson 1 0-0 2, Gradisar 0 1-4 1, Baca 1 4-4 6, Gregory 5 4-6 14, DeHerrera 4 3-4 11. Totals: 15 18-48 48. Fouls: 10.

East 60 , Alamosa 42

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/BRYAN KELSEN
East High School forward Maleah Gregory (42) looks to make a move as Alamosa defender Kate Morin (right) defends during second-quarter action Friday at Mel Spence Gymnasium.

Alamosa 12 8 15 7 - 42
East 18 19 6 17 - 60

Alamosa-Bussey 8 0-0 20, Barela 1 0-0 2, Loch 2 2-4 8, McGinn 1 0-0 2, Kruger 3 0-0 6, Micklich 1 1-2 4. Totals: 16 3-6 42. 3-point goals: Bussey 4, Loch 2, Micklich. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: Loch, Kruger.
East-Eickelman 8 7-8 25, Thompson 2 0-0 4, Gradisar 3 4-4 10, Baca 1 0-0 2, Gregory 5 3-5 13, Deherrera 3 0-0 6. Totals: 22 14-17 60. 3-point goals: Eickelman 2. Fouls: 13.

Pueblo Paint Ball

Pueblo Paint
Ball

The Pueblo Chieftain Online - Pueblo, Colorado U.S.A: "CSU-Pueblo women 70, Nebraska-Kearney 68

NEB.KEARNEY (10-3, 5-1)
Mathis 3-9 3-4 10, Fischer 6-13 1-2 18, Hinkley 5-8 0-2 10, Meads 4-12 1-2 9, Mildenberger 2-7 0-1 4, Edwards 3-7 0-0 7, Torland 0-0 0-0 0, Schuppe 0-0 0-0 0, Becker 5-6 0-0 10. Totals 28-62 5-11 68.

CSU-PUEBLO (7-5, 5-1)
Black 5-12 2-2 13, Draper 5-8 0-0 11, Miller 3-6 4-4 11, Rehfeld 7-11 0-1 16, Lewis 2-10 3-5 8, Ambuul 0-1 0-0 0, Dahlberg 0-0 0-0 0, Pritchett 0-1 0-0 0, Hansen 1-2 5-6 7, Bahe 2-3 0-0 4. Totals 25-54 14-18 70.

Halftime-Nebraska-Kearney 37, CSU-Pueblo 33. 3-Point goals-UNK 7-18 (Mathis 1-3, Fischer 5-9, Meads 0-2, Mildenberger 0-1), CSUP 6-14 (Black 1-2, Draper 1-3, Miller 1-1, Rehfeld 2-3, Lewis 1-3, Ambuul 0-1, Hansen 0-1). Fouled out-None. Rebounds-UNK 36 (Mathis 9), CSUP 33 (Draper, Lewis 4). Assists-UNK 12 (Fischer 5), CSUP 17 (Miller 6). Total fouls-UNK 18, CSUP 10. A-291."

West End Girls Vs East End Girls

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/BRYAN KELSEN
Pueblo West High School guard Amber Aragon-Autobee (left) works against the defense of East's Katie Eickelman in South-Central League opener for both teams Friday at Mel Spence Gymnasium.

East 44, Pueblo West 30
P. West 8 7 9 6 - 30
East 16 13 9 6 - 44

Pueblo West-Savastano 2 0-0 6, Langoni 1 3-6 5, Gallardo 1 1-2 3, Cook 3 4-5 10, Ottino 1 1-2 3, Allen 1 1-2 3. Totals: 9 10-17 30. 3-point goals: Savastano 2. Fouls: 9.
East-Eickelman 4 1-2 9, Waldero 1 0-0 2, Gradisar 4 0-0 10, Baca 2 0-0 4, Gregory 4 2-6 10, Deherrera 4 1-2 9. Totals: 19 4-10 44. 3-point goals: Gradisar 2. Fouls: 9.
JV: Pueblo West 42, East 29.

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Prep wrestling notes

Jerry Sisneros, Pueblo South High School's wrestling coach, said Thursday night that Rocky Ford will be competing in the 10th annual Colt Classic Saturday at the SHS gym.
Sisneros said that Rocky Ford was supposed to compete in the La Junta Invitational Saturday in La Junta, but that tournament was canceled because of the heavy snowfall that buried La Junta last week.
Rocky Ford is ranked No. 2 in the state in Class 2A by "On the Mat." The Colt Classic now has a field of 15 teams.
In other action, Dolores Huerta, which ranked No. 10 in Class 2A, meets Pueblo Central in a dual match at 6 p.m. today at Dolores Huerta High School.

Chieftain Sports>>

CSU-Pueblo women 76, Chadron (Neb.) State 51

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/BRYAN KELSEN
CSU-Pueblo forward Kerry Lewis (right) drives around Chadron State forward Alyssa Lyman during the first half Thursday at the Colorado State Fair Events Center. The Pack beat Chadron 76-51.

CSU-Pueblo women 76, Chadron (Neb.) State 51
CHADRON (NEB.) STATE (0-12)
Schmid 0-3 4-4 4, Cumings 2-8 3-3 7, Daniels 0-8 1-2 1, DeHaven 0-0 0-0 0, Sibrel 4-4 5-5 13, Segelke 1-3 3-4 6, Lyons 0-2 2-2 2, Arkulari 2-5 0-0 4, Lyman 2-11 2-2 7, Duncan 0-1 0-0 0, Kesterson 3-5 1-2 7. Totals: 14-50 21-24 51. 3-point goals-2-19 (Segelke 1-1, Lyman 1-7, Lyons 0-1, Schmid 0-2, Cumings 0-4, Daniels 0-4). Fouled out-none. Rebounds-34 (Kesterson 8). Assists-6 (Kesterson 2). Total fouls-19.
CSU-PUEBLO (6-5)
Black 4-7 3-6 11, Draper 1-6 0-0 2, Miller 0-3 2-2 2, Rehfeld 4-8 0-0 9, Lewis 8-11 5-6 21, Orozco 0-2 0-2 0, Ambuul 2-3 0-1 5, Ackerman 0-2 1-2 1, Dahlberg 2-3 1-2 5, Pritchett 1-2 2-2 4, Hansen 1-1 2-2 4, Simpson 1-1 0-0 3, Fineran 0-0 0-0 0, Staggs 0-3 2-2 2, Bahe 3-6 1-1 7. Totals: 27-58 19-28 76.
3-point goals-3-14 (Simpson 1-1, Ambuul 1-2, Rehfeld 1-3, Black 0-1, Staggs 0-1, Ackerman 0-2, Draper 0-3). Fouled out-none. Rebounds-41 (Lewis 6). Assists-21 (Miller, Dahlberg 6).
Halftime score-CSU-Pueblo 35, Chadron State 18.

CSU-Pueblo 72, Chadron State 63

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/BRYAN KELSEN
CSU-Pueblo forward Brian Sewald (20) shoots over the defense of Chadron State College forward Jason Lucas during the first half Thursday night at the Colorado State Fair Events Center.

CSU-Pueblo 72, Chadron State 63
CHADRON ST. (1-10, 0-5)Cecilio 1-6 1-1 3, Cotton 2-6 1-2 5, Christensen 5-12 0-0 12, Ligons 11-19 7-10 35, Bonfim 3-5 1-2 7, T.Cotton 0-2 1-2 1, Johnson 0-1 0-0 0, Lucas 0-3 0-0 0, Hogue 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 22-55 11-17 63.
CSU-PUEBLO (6-6, 3-2)McTyer 4-6 2-4 10, Cloepfil 6-10 4-4 19, Sewald 1-7 0-0 2, Franklin 2-6 6-6 11, Trahern 5-14 4-7 15, Willette 3-8 2-4 8, Pickens 2-3 0-0 6, Moses 0-1 0-0 0, Tollefson 0-1 0-0 0, Orchard 0-0 0-0 0, Childress 0-0 1-2 1. Totals 23-56 19-27 73.
Halftime-Chadron State 35, CSU-Pueblo 33.
3-Point goals-Chadron St. 8-24 (Cecilio 0-2, K.Cotton 0-2, Christensen 2-6, Ligons 6-10, T.Coffman 0-1, Johnson 0-1, Lucas 0-2), CSU-Pueblo 7-13 (Cloepfil 3-5, Franklin 1-3, Trahern 1-1, Pickens 2-3, Tollefson 0-1). Fouled out-Trahern. Rebounds-Chadron St. 38 (Bonfim 11, Ligons 10), CSU-Pueblo 36 (Cloepfil 10). Assists-Chadron St. 11 (Cecilio 4), CSU-Pueblo 13 (McTyer 5). Total fouls-Chadron St. 19, CSU-Pueblo 17. A-469.