SOUTHERN COLORADO (KOAA) — This web story will be updated throughout the next two weeks with previews of more teams in southern Colorado.
The high school football season is rapidly approaching with the first Friday Football Fever happening on August 21. Leading up to the first game, News5 has an inside look at how some southern Colorado schools are preparing for their year.
Vista Ridge:
The Wolves are led by third year head coach Matt Wibbels, who has taken this program to the second round of the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
- Watch a preview of Vista Ridge's football team below:
With 12 returning starters, an explosive offense, and a “get to the ball” defensive mindset the Wolves feel this is the year they can make a deeper post season push.
The Classical Academy:
Justin Rich enters his tenth season at the helm of the Titans program, but he faces a challenge he has not seen too often.
- Watch a preview of TCA's football team below:
The Classical Academy (TCA) has a huge senior class, but only four of players are returning starters and have played meaningful snaps. Most of the remaining players on the roster have filled in, but now they are being tasked with much larger roles.
The Titans see it as a positive, having a roster full of guys who are hungry to compete on the field.
Sand Creek:
A huge test stands in front of the Scorpions. Eric Mitchell has led Sand Creek to a 16-4 record in his first two seasons, including a 9-1 mark in 2025, but they have yet to earn a postseason berth.
- Watch a preview of Sand Creek's football team below:
For the 2026 season, the Scorpions are in a league that is arguably one of the best in Class 4A. With majority of its starters being back for this year, Sand Creek is eager to prove they can play with anyone in the state.
Colorado Springs Christian School:
The Lions may be small in numbers but they bring a lot of physicality. Second year head coach Nick Salas says they focus on being one of the strongest teams in their division.
- Watch a preview of Colorado Springs Christian School's football team below:
After a first round playoff exit in 2025, Colorado Springs Christian School returns 17 starters who feel this team is further along and more mentally locked in compared to where they were at this point last season.
Pueblo West:
Similar to the start of last season, head coach Clint Buderus mentions how his team is not as experienced on one side of the ball or as big as they usually are on the offensive and defensive line.
- Watch a preview of Pueblo West's football team below:
They still turned out to be a playoff team and that’s what he is hoping to accomplish yet again. The Cyclones are young but they are coachable, willing to learn, and coming up through a program that has success with those very traits.
Pueblo South:
The Colts are bringing back just six starters from last the 2025 playoff squad. They’ll lean heavily on those guys for leadership while the underclassmen fall in line.
- Watch a preview of Pueblo South's football team below:
Experience will be the best teacher for South as numerous freshmen and sophomores will step into some major roles this season.
Cheyenne Mountain:
This Red-Tailed Hawks team is led by a core senior group that feels they can prove they are one of the best teams in the state.
- Watch a preview of Cheyenne Mountain's football team below:
As sophomores, they finished with a 7-3 record, then improved to 8-2 as juniors. Neither of those records earned them a playoff spot, and now Cheyenne Mountain has its eyes set on a perfect season.
Palmer:
First-year head coach and Palmer alum Ryan Chesla is tackling one of the hardest challenges in sports, changing a losing culture.
- Watch a preview of Palmer's football team below:
The Terror’s last had a winning season in 2010. Chesla says building the foundation for what they want to accomplish off the field will translate to wins on it. The players say, regardless of recent history, they are aiming to win their league this year.
Mesa Ridge:
The Grizzlies have a large senior class that brings a lot of experience and high football I.Q, but more than anything this Mesa Ridge team has a brotherhood.
- Watch a preview of Mesa Ridge's football team below:
There are two mantras that Mesa Ridge lives by this season, “team” meaning together everybody achieves more and “family” meaning forget about me, I love you.
Palmer Ridge:
Following a state championship appearance in 2025, the Bears are hungry to not only get back to the big game, but to win it this time. Palmer Ridge says they can achieve that by following their “Gold Standard” of toughness, hard work, and competitiveness.
- Watch a preview of Palmer Ridge's football team below:
The Classical Academy Flag Football:
Carly Callahan becomes the third head coach for The Classical Academy (TCA) in just three seasons as the Titans are ready to defend their 2025 state title.
- Watch a preview of The Classical Academy's flag football team below:
TCA brings back the 4A player of the year, Kelsey Peterson, along with an experienced group who says they now know what it takes to win and fully believes they can make another championship push.
Sierra Flag Football:
Sierra is a first year program but they’ve got high expectations for year one. With numerous athletes that have come over from different sports the Stallions have been quick and efficient in their learning as they keep their hopes set on a playoff berth.
- Watch a preview of Sierra's flag football team below:
Coronado:
The Cougars are coming off their first playoff appearance in over a decade and looking to build on that success. Many players on this year’s roster watched from the sideline during that run but it helped to boost their confidence as they step into some major roles.
- Watch a preview of Coronado's football team below:
Coronado will have a more challenging schedule this season after being moved up to 4A.
Pine Creek:
From second year head coach Trevor Hudson down to the last man on the roster, there is no shortage of confidence within this program.
- Watch a preview of Pine Creek's football team below:
The Eagles have been bounced out of the playoffs in the second round for two consecutive seasons and are looking for a way to breakthrough that barrier. With explosive athletes on both sides of the ball, they are hoping this could be that year.
Pueblo County:
After a playoff run in 2025, the Hornets are bringing back nearly their entire offensive unit. This year’s focus for Pueblo County is to clean up the little things.
- Watch a preview of Pueblo County's football team below:
Three of their four losses last season were one possession games. If they can minimize the small areas they hurt themselves, they can be in the conversation to win their league.
Pueblo East:
The Eagles have a massive senior class, fielding 27 seniors on this year’s roster. They are hoping all of that experience comes in handy as they try to close out games this year, an area they’ve struggled in during recent seasons.
- Watch a preview of Pueblo East's football team below:
Liberty Flag Football:
The Lancers are one of many first-year programs joining the sport in its third season. Liberty has their eyes sets on a playoff run in year one and has already proved they are capable of doing it. In its first two games, Liberty has outscored opponents 50-0.
- Watch a preview of Liberty's Flag Football team below:
Air Academy Flag Football:
Continuous growth is what the Kadets are aiming for. Air Academy made the playoffs in the first two seasons, making it one round further each year. As they return a young core and bring in numerous new athletes, the Kadets are eyeing a final four run.
- Watch a preview of Air Academy's Flag Football team below:
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