Scheduling and the jeffco 4a League

In addition to the 8 conference teams we will play this year, we have 7 non-conference foes. I choose the opponents we opt to play very carefully, playing against coaches and programs who are among the most respected in the state - from both a sporting and a competitive standpoint. These challenging games allow us to measure ourselves against the best in the state, keep us in sporting environments, and help us to prepare for the difficult games we will face in the playoffs.

This Tuesday we will play Ralston Valley for perhaps the 10th or 11th straight year. They are a very competitive and talented program - annually one of the top teams in Jeffco 5A, and a perennial state playoff entrant, with frequent deep runs in the 5A playoff. But, that describes us as well on the 4A level, so i believe the overall record for us in this game is around .500, and I believe neither team has beaten the other by more than a goal in the history of this rivalry. I expect a terrific game once again, and may the team that executes better win, or as often occurs, DRAW.

That game will serve as the perfect lead-in to conference play. While one eye is always on the playoffs, the most important regular season goal is to compete and hopefully win our Jeffco 4A conference, historically the top conference in the state over the past 15 years. In my tenure, we have been fortunate to win Jeffco 4A on five occasions - 2015, 2019, 2020*, 2021, and 2022. Last year we finished third, behind both Green Mountain - our opening conference opponent Thursday - and the champion, Dakota Ridge, who indeed went on to win the State Playoff last year.

On years that we are fortunate enough to win the 4A league, we make T-shirts for the girls. I know I am not exactly a fashion hound...but it goes without saying that these are among my most prized clothing possessions. Simple Cotton T's that say "Jeffco League Champion" with the year on them. Now, that's a T-shirt I would like to be wearing at the end of the year! 

​Let the games begin!