New coach, same goal for Doherty

Change has been plentiful at Doherty this offseason. But new Spartans head coach Matt Wibbels sees no reason that should stop them from winning the 5A South Metro title.

That said, defending state champion Columbine visits on Sept. 14 in a game scheduled to be televised on Altitude.

Winning the conference title in the toughest league in the state will not be easy.

Columbine coach Andy Lowry has seven starters returning on offense and three on defense. His team finished 13-1 last season.

“Realistically, top three in this league means you had a pretty good year and beat a lot of pretty good teams,” Wibbels said. “But our goal is to win the conference championship.”

Wibbels replaced his mentor of 13 years, Mike Sirko, who announced his retirement and was later hired to coach 3A Aspen. That spurred changes throughout the staff, including the rise of Andy Colgate from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator, Wibbels’ old post.

The Spartans will be breaking in a new quarterback in senior Casey Miller. Miller, a three-year starter at defensive back, has not played quarterback since his freshman year.

“Casey is one of the few kids that don’t play any other sports,” Wibbels said. “He’s been practicing for eight months, working his butt off, and he’s ready to roll.”

The Spartans have 13 returning starters, including eight on offense to help ease Miller’s transition.

“We’ve got a lot guys back on offense,” Wibbels said. “We’ve got a lot of weapons.”

Another area team known for its offense is Palmer, which returns talented running back Jon Burnley, who could rumble for 2,000 yards after posting 1,800-plus last fall. The Terrors and Spartans battle for the de facto city 5A title on Sept. 28.

Bear Creek and Pomona could challenge Columbine for the league title.

They likely won’t meet in the playoffs since the Colorado High School Athletic Association avoids first-round matches between teams from the same league.

Last year, teams from the same league were matched six times in the 16 first-round games.

Statewide, Cherry Creek, Douglas County, Legacy and Thomas Jefferson are favored in their conferences.

SOUTH METRO CONFERENCE TEAM CAPSULES

ARVADA WEST

Coach: Casey Coons, sixth year

Defensive coordinator: Matt McDougal, sixth year

2006 record: 5-5

Key losses: LB Chris Biren, TE Brian Hill

Key players: QB Luke Campbell; LB Nick Greco; OL Tim Ross; LB Rocco DeLorenzo

Key newcomers: none listed

BEAR CREEK

Coach: Tom Thenell, 17th year

Defensive coordinator: Ken Ortega, fifth year

2006 record: 8-4

Key losses: QB Jake Spitzelberger

Key players: HB Tommy Flanagan

Key newcomers: QB Zach Phenell

CHATFIELD

Coach: Bret McGatlin, first year

Co-defensive coordinators: Craig Aukland, Bill Panek

2006 record: 3-7

Key players: RB James Skelton, Sr., (first team All-Conference, 4.4 40-yard time, averaged 10 tackles a game); WR/FS Scott Kellogg, Jr.; QB Sam Stratton, Soph.

Key newcomers: Mark Shannon (plays basketball and baseball for Chatfield)

COLUMBINE

Coach: Andy Lowry, 14th year

Defensive coordinator: Tom Tonelli, 14th year

2006 record: 13-1, defending 5A state champions

Key losses: OL Ryan Miller (Colorado) and ; QB C.J. Gilman

Key players: DL Curtus Cunningham; DE/TE Ben Tedford; RB/DB Jeff Cicchinelli; TE/DE Matt Birkness

Key newcomers: Mostly juniors

DOHERTY

Coach: Matt Wibbels, first year

Defensive coordinator: Andy Colgate, first year

2006 record: 6-5

Key losses: LB Trevor Bobb (Western State College)

Key players: RB Darius Turner, Sr., (1,800 yards, 28 TDs); DE/TE V.J. Holmes, Sr., (All-Conference DE/TE); QB Casey Miller, Sr. (DB last three years)

Key newcomers: CB Ryan White (Rampart transfer)

LAKEWOOD

Coach: Mark Robinson, 15th year

Defensive coordinator: none listed.

2006 record: 7-5

Key losses: RB/LB Jarrad McKory (Colorado State); WR Donnie Reed (Chadron State, Neb.)

Key players: QB Lawrence Montoya, Sr., (More than 2,000 all-purpose yards); LB Ben Falls, Sr.; WR Tanner Stansbury, Sr.

Key newcomers: none listed

LEWIS-PALMER

Coach: Tony Ramunno, 16th year

Defensive coordinator: Ramunno

2006 record: 3-7

Key losses: none listed

Key players: DB Troy Kruger, Sr., (honorable mention All-Conference); OL/DL Tyler Fischels, Sr.; QB Cree Clark, Sr.

Key newcomers: RB Seth Cavera, Soph.; DB Jason Ciambor, Sr.; DL Ted Thompson, Sr.

PALMER

Coach: Rod Baker, 20th year

Defensive coordinator: Carl Fetters

2006 record: 5-5

Key losses: none listed

Key players: RB Jon Burnley, Sr., (1,895 yards rushing, 25 TDs, state 5A leading rusher); QB Reggie Jackson, Sr., S Terrence Rhodes, Sr.

Key newcomers: none listed

POMONA

Coach: Jay Madden, fifth year

Defensive coordinator: none listed

2006 record: 7-4

Key losses: RB/LB Blake Krenko (All-State)

Key players: OT/DE Cole Carveth, Sr., (All-Conference); TE/LB Buster Thede, Sr., (All-Conference); QB Matt Castillo, Sr., (All-Conference); WR/DB Cameron Miles, Sr., (second team All-Conference)

Key newcomers: TB Donavon Bowers, Jr.; WR/DB Dustin Ebner

SAND CREEK

Coach: Terry Staggs, first year

Defensive coordinator: Troy Sides, first year

2006 record: 0-10

Key losses: QB Andrew Ward (Adams State); OL Steve Sickert (Adams State)

Key players: DE Braydon Bearnson, Sr.; DB Shaq Cooks, Jr., (54 tackles, 2 INT); FB Ray Hatchett, Sr.

Key newcomers: TB Lyric Bordon, Sr., (German exchange student)