Web poll
Go online at www.milehighnews.com and click on sports to vote on our latest sports poll — Which area football coach has done the best coaching job this season?
Rally comes up short
Ralston Valley High School’s football team’s seven-game winning streak ended Friday, Nov. 7, in Fountain.
The Mustangs (7-4 record) mustered up a fourth-quarter rally against seventh-seeded Fountain-Fort Carson (10-1), but the 10th-seeded Ralston Valley fell 23-21 in the first round of the state tournament. Senior Matt Spirek and junior Danny Deeds had touchdown runs in the fourth quarter, but a 24-yard field goal in the final quarter by Fountain-Fort Carson’s Mathis Wright proved to be the difference. Spirek led the Mustangs with 19 carries for 107 yards.
All three of the 4A North Metro League teams (Littleton, Monarch and Ralston Valley) that qualified for the postseason lost in the opening round of the playoffs.
Faith marches on
The first round of the Class 2A state football tournament was a walk in the park for undefeated and second-seeded Faith Christian. The Eagles (11-0) soared to a 56-0 halftime lead against 15th-seeded Classical Academy (8-3) on Friday, Nov. 7, at Faith Christian Academy in Arvada. The Eagles went on to a 56-16 victory, advancing to the quarterfinals. Senior Craig Schultz scored four touchdowns in the blowout victory for Faith, who moves on to face seventh-seeded Brush (8-3) at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at Faith Christian Academy in Arvada.
Hines takes home $25,000
Arvada resident Derek Hines finished in the top four in the men’s open division at the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championships Oct. 25 in Mesquite, Nev. Hines reached the match play semifinal before not being able to find the fairway in his match against eventual runner-up Dewald Gouws of South Africa. The payday wasn’t bad for reaching the semifinals. Hines took home a check for $25,000.
Hines, 31, had qualified for the world finals the last five years. His run to the semifinals was his best finish ever. The event will air on ESPN at 1 p.m. Christmas Eve and again on ESPN 2 on Christmas Day at 2 p.m.
D’Evelyn’s Adney commits to Shockers
D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School senior Emily Adney has verbally committed to playing volleyball at Wichita State University next school year. The Shockers are the defending Missouri Valley Conference champions and are ranked 11th nationally.
The 6-foot-2 outside hitter led the Class 4A Jeffco League with 303 kills and led the state with 91 aces.
The Jaguars’ season ended Nov. 1 at Roosevelt High School in the 4A Region C tournament. D’Evelyn lost matches against Montrose, Roosevelt and Greeley West to end its season with a 16-10 record.
Hancock gets nod
Former Lakewood High School football coach Tom Hancock has been named to the Colorado High School Activities Association’s Hall of Fame Class of 2008. Hancock guided the Tigers to three state titles in the 1960s over his 15-year tenure. His teams won 10 Jeffco League titles and never finished lower than second, averaging over nine wins a season. He also coached wrestling at LHS.
The 20th anniversary class will be inducted during a banquet Jan. 21, 2009, at the Red Lion Hotel in Denver.
Seeking lacrosse coach
Golden High School is looking for a head boys lacrosse coach. Those interested can call Steve Anderson at 303-982-3237.
Baseball camp
Ralston Valley High School in Arvada will be the site of the third annual College Coaches Youth Baseball Camp on Dec. 7. The camp is designed for baseball players ages 8 to 12. Coaches featured at the camp will be from five major NCAA Division I universities (Purdue University, Creighton University, University of Kansas, University of Iowa and Sam Houston State University) are scheduled to attend. For more information, go online at www.DenverYouth
BaseballCamp.com.