Adams City High School Football, under the direction of Head Coach Robert Dobbins is putting some very twists in this years race for the state championship. 

New Oakland Raiders wide receiver Ashley Lelie is gearing up to play against his former Denver Broncos team next Monday night. In advance of the matchup Lelie’s agent, Peter Schaffer, checked in with Fox 31’s Josina Anderson for a quick Q&A.

Josina: With Javon Walker being slowed by injuries and off-the-field issues since arriving in Oakland as well, how much does that help Ashley’s new situation with the Raiders?

Peter: Well obviously nobody is happy that Javon Walker is hurt. It’s a shame, and he hopes as Javon’s teammate he gets healthy real quick. On the other side the show has got to go on, and Ashley just hopes that he can help the team by filling-in to the best of his capabilities on Monday night.

Josina: So did you target Oakland to seize upon the Walker situation from the standpoint of Ashley being on a team where he can contribute more frequently?

Peter: I looked at everything for today, tomorrow, next week, next year. We just thought that the overall situation in Oakland was in his best interest to be a Raider.

Josina: How do you think the deep threat skills Ashley came to be known for in Denver will be utilized in Oakland’s system?

Peter: Historically, it is a long ball deep vertical passing game. That’s the way it’s historically been and that’s what they are famous for. There’s no doubt that’s one of Ashley’s strengths. He proved in Denver that he is an all around receiver, and we believe he can be successful in any system.

Josina: With that said how do you think things went for him in Atlanta?

Peter: Well I think that things would have been great in Atlanta. He suffered an unfortunate muscle pull that affected it, but you can never look back. You always have to look forward. There are things you can control, and certain things you can’t control. The one thing that Ashley has been able to control is his work ethic and his positive outlook- and that has never changed. I think that has got him through all this as a player and as a person.

Josina: So is Ashley’s opportunity in Oakland a chance to re-establish himself?


Peter: He looks at the NFL as having to re-establish your tenure every year. It doesn’t matter if you had five catches for 50 yards, or ten catches for 1000 yards. The NFL requires you to re-establish your tenure all the time.


Josina: I know you’ve had a number of Broncos on your client list and you’re familiar with the team being a local agent. Do you think the Raiders have surpassed the Broncos with all their recent additions?

Peter: Both teams can be 16-0. Both teams could be 0-16. You really never know. They both have made perceived significant upgrades so only time will tell.

Zach Grossnickle- Denver East Soccer and Football.  “G-Nickle”, as he’s nicknamed, is a lifelong soccer player, who started kicking for the football team just last year.  He finished the fall as the second-leading scorer on both teams and is already a Division I recruit in football.

 

Summer Vacation…  He qualifed for a national kicking competition and, broke a Ray Guy Camp record with a 61-yard-field goal.  “My prize was a camp T-shirt.  Which is pretty good for kicking camp.  Usually it’s just a high 5.”

 

Energy…  “My mom packs me a good lunch.  Sandwich, chips, vitamin water, fruit.  But, never a banana.  I’m not a fan.”

 

Sports Idols… “Sebastian Janakowski in football, I wish I had a leg as strong as his.  Theodore Altadore in soccer.  I have no idea how to spell it!  He came out of nowhere and did really well.”  (Sound familiar?)

 

IPOD… “Nothing really for soccer.  But, for football, it’s Lil Wayne.  That’s all we play.  Locker room rules is Lil Wayne only.” 

 

 

Many of the Broncos have said they can’t wait to face former teammate Javon Walker. The problem is—they might not have the chance. 

He’s been battling a pulled hamstring this week and was limited in practice on Monday. If Walker can’t go, newly signed and former Broncos wide receiver Ashley Lelie could get considerable playing time.

The Broncos traded Lelie after the 2005 season when he demanded to be the number one wide receiver. The Raiders are Lelie’s third team since leaving the Broncos.

Joe Sakic seriously considered retiring at the end of last season, but he changed his mind after working out this summer.  "At the end of the year, I didn't think I was going to come back," said Sakic. "I really started to train in July, but before that I really didn't think I would want to." 

Sakic's workout intensified into August and by mid month he made his decision to come back for his 20th season. Sakic made his decision at least a week before the Avalanche announced he had signed a one year contract. 

Sakic didn't say anything publicaly just in case he would have changed his mind. Avalanche General Manager Francois Giguere didn't feel good about Sakic's return after last season ended. 

However, he grew more confident in the captain returning to the team as the summer wore on.  Sakic stressed that he didn't want to rush his decision, and that the move was highlighted by the Brett Favre situation over the summer. 

"You see what happened to him. I'm actually glad that I did take my time. If I was forced to make a decision back in May or June, I probably would have retired and I would probably be regretting it right now."  

The Avalanche has no regrets about waiting for Sakic. The Avalanche players report for their physicals on September 19th.

For the Greeley West Cross Country team, it was a clean sweep last year. The team won the 4A state title. Erica Hincliffe won the race. And, teammate Ashlee Smalley finished right behind her, in second place. Both runners are straight A students.

Favorite Olympians?

Smalley- Lopez Lomong “Because he’s a really cool guy and the flag-bearer. Plus, he’s a distance athlete”

Hinchcliffe – Kara Goucher, the former CU runner. “I really look up to her as a female athlete. She’s at the place I want to be when I’m her age, so, why not aim for that.”

Similiarites?

Smalley: “There’s the obvious, we both run.”

Hinchcliffe: “And, we’re both dedicated.”

Smallee: “Dedicated to running, and to our studies”

Differences?

Smalley: “I’m a hunter. I’ve gotten both an elk and a deer with my dad”

HInchcliffe: “I’m more of a fisher-girl. My dad and I catch northerns, bass, and muskee (*check spelling!) in Wisconsin. When they’re big enough we cook eatn and ‘em.”

Smallee: “We had some elk and deer steaks, and made some jerky. It tasted good.”

Both agree the best part of hunting and fishing is spending time with their fathers.

As far as nicknames neither one really has one individually, but, they did come up with one to describe their 1-2 punch at state.

Hinchcliffe: “Dynamic Duo?”

Smalley: “Definitely, Dynamic Duo”

So, who says practice is reserved for the playing field? 

Turns out, the sidelines can always use some extra work, too. 

 

 

When the Grandview and Douglas County football teams hooked up for their big preseason scrimmage, the GRANDVIEW cheerleaders used the game to their advantage, too.  Call it a dress rehearsal. 

In full uniform, and in full voice, they put in a full afternoon.  “We needed a 9th practice for the CHSAA rules”, explained coach MARCIA HOERL.  “Besides, there shouldn’t be too many people here, in case we make a mistake.” 

Hoerl’s Wolves won state in 2003, and just missed the finals last year. 

 

 

So, no matter how big the football player, when Daddy talks, he still listens.  Pomona’s Donavan Bownes is the proof.  If he wanted his supper, he’d better hop to it… or at least score a touchdown!

 

POMONA’s win over Ralston Valley in the first-ever meeting between the two Arvada schools in football was termed as a “365 day” win by coach JAY MADDEN.  “We see those kids every day at lunch and at the movie theatre.  We get to enjoy this one for a full year, and, the atmosphere was great.” 

 

Bowens, a Panthers running back agreed, but, had his own reasons for enjoying the win. 

Trailing by two touchdowns at halftime, Bowens’ motivation came from his father. 

“My Dad came down to the sidelines and told me to get in the end zone or there might be trouble at home.  I might not have gotten any dinner.  Just kidding!  But, I knew if I could get in the end zone it would pump the team up.”  Once Bowens scored, Pomona took off, and, dominated the second half.

 

The Denver Broncos made some additional roster moves on Tuesday, signing guard Dylan Gandy and defensive tackle Josh Shaw. The team also released defensive tackle Alvin McKinley.

Gandy, a fourth-year player, rejoins the club after just being released Saturday. He spent his first three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

Shaw, a sixth-year player, joins the Broncos after being released by the Oakland Raiders. McKinley, a nine-year veteran, recorded 14 tackles, 2.5 sacks and forced one fumble during the 2007 season.

Denver opens the season Monday night in Oakland.

The Denver Broncos made some additional roster moves on Tuesday, signing guard Dylan Gandy and defensive tackle Josh Shaw. The team also released defensive tackle Alvin McKinley.

Gandy, a fourth-year player, rejoins the club after just being released Saturday. He spent his first three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

Shaw, a sixth-year player, joins the Broncos after being released by the Oakland Raiders. McKinley, a nine-year veteran, recorded 14 tackles, 2.5 sacks and forced one fumble during the 2007 season.

Denver opens the season Monday night in Oakland.

Mike Shanahan shipped out the bad characters during the off-season, but now, he’s about to trade a guy of the highest character. 

Shanahan has to do what’s best for the franchise, but it’s hard to overlook what Foxworth has done off the football field. He graduated from Maryland in three and a half years.

He started a mentoring program and has taught a writing class. He wrote a book, and the proceeds went to a literacy foundation.  

He’s on the executive board of the players association, and he spearheaded the effort to build the Darrent Williams teen center, which is a new home for the Boys and Girls club of Denver. 

Foxworth will likely be traded this week, but he will leave behind a lasting legacy. He will never be remembered as one of the greatest Broncos off all time, but tonight, it’s important to recognize him as one of the greatest Broncos in our community.

The Broncos are expected to trade Domonique Foxworth later this week. Mike Shanahan says that a number of teams are interested in the third year cornerback. 

Foxworth, who was a part time starter and a nickel back over the last 3 years, became expendable with the emergence of Karl Paymah and rookie Jack Williams.

Foxworth had grown frustrated with his playing situation over the last year. He was shuffled back and forth between cornerback and safety last season. Privately, he was concerned about how this would affect him as a free agent at the end of the season. Many of the Broncos were shocked by today’s news.

Brandon Stokley and Patrick Ramsey have more than just the opener on Monday in Oakland on their minds. Both have family in Louisiana where Hurricane Gustav has already hit the state. Stokley’s family lives in Lafayette and most of them are still there. Patrick Ramsey has family in northern Louisiana.  Most of his family has left the state.

Boss Bailey practiced today and hopes to be ready to go for the opener in Oakland.  Bailey, who’s been nursing a high ankle sprain, said he could not go if the season started on Monday.

Lions running back Tatum Bell just confirmed to Fox 31's Josina Anderson that he was released by Detroit.

"They just released me and signed Rudi Johnson," revealed Bell.

Bell told Anderson that he immediately called his agent to determine what was going on after he learned the Lions just signed Johnson.  Johnson, the former Bengals running back, was released by Cincinnati during training camp.

Various reports recently indicated Johnson was scheduled to work out for Detroit.

"He [Bell's agent, Kennard McGuire] said 'let me make some calls.' He called me back and said they are going to let us walk," said Bell.

Now Bell says all he can do is hope that teams that have shown interest in him in the past want to rekindle the flame.

"Hopefully Houston, maybe Denver. Who are their backs right now," asked Bell.

Bell says he is not down about the situation, and he is confident that his skills are good enough to get him on another team.

"All I can do is pray."

 

So… how often does YOUR golf season start with a hole-in one??

Prep golfers are the first fall athletes to compete, and AURORA CENTRAL’s JACOB NARVAEZ got off to a great start. “I was standing on the 18th green waiting for him”, explains coach LARRY TAYLOR, “when I get a phone call from his dad, asking me if it’s true that Jacob had just scored a hole-in-one. That was the first I heard about it!”.

And, yes, it was true. When Narvaez hit a wedge from 124 yards on the par three 5th hole at the Creekside Course at Kennedy, he couldn’t see the green. Then, when he and his playing partners got to the green, they couldn’t see his ball. Finally, after an extensive search, they looked in the hole and there it was. “He was one happy camper.”

Narvaez is a junior who just missed state last year. He’s also the ace on Central’s pitching staff.

So… when does the shock wear off? How quickly can a small town community rebound from a tragic loss?

The little towns of Seibert and Vona are still reeling. Senior-to-be EVAN BANCROFT, the returning starter at quarterback for HI-PLAINS High School, and, the starting point guard on the Patriots state championship basketball team, was killed in a construction accident in late June.

His funeral packed the high school gym. “It’s amazing what small town athletics brings out”, observed athletic director KERRY SAYLES. “It’s our league and our county and it’s Eastern Colorado.”

Currently, Hi-Plains is ranked #1 in 6-man football, and everyone’s doing their part to do Bancroft’s memory proud. “Evan was also president of the student council, and he’d already come to uswith some big plans for this year. But, I know his friends and teammates have the strength to carry this community.”