All-South Metro Football Team: Game-changers lead the way

Regis, Creek players stood above the pack

Jim Benton
jbenton@ColoradoC ommunityMedia.com
Posted 12/23/19

Regis Jesuit quarterback Nicco Marchiol and Cherry Creek defensive back/kick returner Myles Purchase headline the 2019 Colorado Community Media All-South Metro Football Team. The 26-player team was …

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All-South Metro Football Team: Game-changers lead the way

Regis, Creek players stood above the pack

Posted

Regis Jesuit quarterback Nicco Marchiol and Cherry Creek defensive back/kick returner Myles Purchase headline the 2019 Colorado Community Media All-South Metro Football Team.

The 26-player team was chosen by the Colorado Community Media sports staff, with the help of area coaches. Players were eligible from teams in the Douglas County, Littleton and Cherry Creek school districts, plus from south metro area private schools.

Marchiol, a sophomore, was named the Offensive Player of the Year, while Purchase, a junior, was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Year.

Both players had the ability to impact the outcome of games.

Marchiol helped Regis compile a 11-1 record. He completed 63.4 percent of his passes, throwing for 2,552 yards and 27 touchdowns. He also ran for 333 yards and 11 TDs.

“He is a complete game-changer, not just by his play but also by his outstanding leadership ability,” said Regis coach Danny Filleman. “He is the guy in our locker room that everyone rallies around.

“Bottom line, when the game is on the line, he's the guy you want to have the ball in his hands.”

Likewise for Purchase, and his play in several different roles in the state playoffs helped Cherry Creek win the state championship and complete a 14-0 season.

He could have made the All-South Metro Team at several positions: defensive back, kick returner or utility player.

Purchase, a cornerback, had four interceptions and all were returned for TDs. He was in on 36 tackles and knocked away 10 passes. He rushed for three touchdowns and had 125 yards rushing on 15 carries.

As a punt returner, he returned 23 for 505 yards, three TDs, and his 22.0 average was tops among 5A players. He had one kickoff return for a TD and finished with 372 yards on nine returns. His 877 total return yards led 5A.

“He was electric and dangerous when he gets the ball,” said Cherry Creek defensive coordinator Tom Doherty. “His play rose up to the challenges. He stepped up when the team needed him.”

Offense

Quarterback: Nicco Marchiol, sophomore, Regis Jesuit, 6-2, 211

He completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 2,552 yards and 27 TDs.

Running back: Noah Schmidt, junior, Grandview 5-11, 186

He led all 5A rushers with 1,815 yards and had 16 touchdowns.

Running back: Blake Rarog, senior, Legend, 5-10, 185

He rushed for 1,701 yards and 21 touchdowns and caught 21 passes for 248 yards.

Wide receiver: Chris Franquemont, senior ThunderRidge 6-4, 190

He averaged 16.3 yards per catch on 51 receptions for 829 yards and 10 TDs.

Wide receiver: Chase Pendry, junior, Cherry Creek, 6-2, 185

He finished with 54 catches for 646 yards and 10 TDs, including 19 receptions for 258 yards in four state playoff games.

Tight end: Ryan Hollingsworth, senior, Smoky Hill, 6-4, 210

He was the Buffs' go-to receiver with 44 receptions for 1,008 yards and 10 touchdowns.

OL: Carson Lee, senior, Cherry Creek, 6-3, 300

The University of Colorado commit helped Creek post a 14-0 record with his blocking.

OL: Roger Rosengarden, senior, Valor Christian, 6-7, 275

He is the top-rated offensive line recruit in the state and has committed to play at the University of Washington.

OL: Reese Atteberry, senior, Eaglecrest, 6-5, 280

He was a four-year starter and a Michigan commit who played all positions on the line.

OL: Ryan Rule, senior, Highlands Ranch, 6-1, 240

He was a first-team all-conference selection who anchored the Falcons' offensive line.

OL: Hunter Hammerschmidt, senior, ThunderRidge, 6-4, 220, Sr.

He was a three-year starter and played every position on the offensive line.

Utility: Jayle Stacks, senior, Cherry Creek, 6-0, 225

His long runs often broke open close games, and the running back was the MVP of the state championship game.

Defense

DL: Grant Stewartson, senior, Highlands Ranch, 6-2, 235

He was in on 129 total tackles, 93 solo, which included 3.5 sacks.

DL: Khari Upshaw, senior, Smoky Hill, 6-2, 225

He led all 5A players with 20 sacks and was credited with 46 total tackles.

DL: Matthew Baer, junior, Regis Jesuit, 6-1, 225

He had 91 total tackles and pressured the quarterback with 12.5 sacks.

Linebacker: Tyson Lambert, junior, ThunderRidge, 6-0, 210

He was the team's defensive leader with 129 tackles, 93 solo, and 17 tackles for losses.

Linebacker: Ben Beecher, senior, Ponderosa, 6-1, 225

He was second in Class 4A with 143 tackles and had seven sacks.

Linebacker: Julian Williams, senior, Cherokee Trail, 6-2, 210

Williams was the leading tackler in Class 5A with 137 tackles, including 10 tackles for losses.

Linebacker: Connor Dooley, senior, Chaparral, 5-10, 220

He led the team with 103 tackles, with two interceptions, a fumble recovery and caused a fumble.

DB: Myles Purchase, junior, Cherry Creek, 5-11, 170

Purchase had four pick-six interceptions, 36 tackles, 10 passes deflected and 11 total TDs.

DB: Jack Howell, junior, Valor Christian, 6-0, 180

He also played quarterback, but had 65 tackles and three interceptions on defense.

DB: Jaxon Muma, senior, Legend, 6-1, 175

Muma was in on a team-leading 93 tackles, with 64 of them solo. He also had four interceptions.

DB: Sean Hicks, junior, Rock Canyon, 6-3, 200

He had three interceptions, deflected 19 passes and was credited with 53 total tackles.

Special teams

Punter: Griffin Vander Waerdt, senior, Chaparral, 6-0, 175

He averaged 39.5 yards on 38 punts and had five kicks downed inside the 20 yard line. His long punt was 57 yards.

Kicker: Alexi Sanchez Ventura, senior, Cherry Creek, 5-10, 180

He led 5A in kick scoring with 91 points on 61 of 61 extra points and 10 of 16 field goals with a long FG of 43 yards.

Returner: Jarrell Trahan, junior, Highlands Ranch

He had 536 yards on 27 kickoff returns for a 19.9 average and gained 44 yards on five punt returns.

Jim Benton, Nicco Marchiol, Myles Purchase

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