There is nothing better than an upset bid in sports. Last night, the Erie boy’s basketball team gave everything it had to take down ninth-ranked Horizon. But Erie’s dream died at the buzzer as Callen Gebhardt’s jumper in the lane rimmed out as time expired. The Hawks had led most of the night until Erie surged ahead 50-48, with under a minute left. But Horizon’s Noah Sokolowski hit a put back and converted the and 1 to put Horizon up 1, 51-50 with just a few seconds remaining.
It was time in Colorado football for the #2 seeds to finally get their due. Erie defeated #1 seed Palmer Ridge 20-6 to take the 4A title while Columbine ran all over Cherry Creek 28-14 to claim the 5A title. Columbine ended Creek’s bid to claim its fifth consecutive state title. Perhaps the most enduring scene of the day was Erie quarterback Blake Barnett holding the championship trophy aloft after barely being able to walk the last part of the game due to a badly sprained ankle.
A Palmer Ridge cheerleader tries to fire up the crowd in the 4A football final.
An Erie running back hurdles a Palmer Ridge defender in the 4A final.
Erie quarterback Blake Barnett throws a touchdown pass against Palmer Ridge to help Erie win 20-6 in the 4A final.
An Erie wide receiver celebrates his touchdown catch against Palmer Ridge in the 4A final.
Erie fans celebrate their state football championship over #1 seed Palmer Ridge.
Young Erie fans cheer on their team against Palmer Ridge in the 4A title football game.
The Palmer Ridge running back tries to stretch for a first down in the 4A final against Erie. Unfortunately for him, he was turned backwards and did not make the line to gain.
An Erie defender can’t quite catch Palmer Ridge quarterback in the 4A title game.
Erie QB Blake Barnett avoids a tackler in the 4A title game.
Erie running back Braylon Toliver breaks a long run for a touchdown in the 4th quarter to seal the victory over Palmer Ridge, 20-6.
Erie helmets dot the field at Canvas Stadium after the Tigers captured the 4A crown, defeating Palmer Ridge 20-6.
An Erie offensive lineman celebrates his team’s victory in the 4A final.
Erie quarterback Blake Barnett celebrates the Tigers’ 4A title as he holds up the championship trophy.
The Erie Tigers football team celebrate their upset win over Palmer Ridge.
Erie football team celebrates its win over Palmer Ridge with its fans.
Erie football team celebrates its win over Palmer Ridge in the 4A title game.
The referee does the opening coin toss in the 5A title game between Cherry Creek and Palmer Ridge.
Columbine cheerleaders have fun before the 5A final against Cherry Creek.
Cherry Creek fans have fun during the 5A title football game.
Cherry Creek fans have fun dancing during the 5A title game against Columbine.
Columbine running back Josh Snyder hurdles a Cherry Creek defender en route to the end zone in the 5A title game.
Snyder heads to the end zone in the 5A title game against Cherry Creek.
The Columbine quarterback and running back Josh Snyder celebrate a touchdown against Cherry Creek in the 5A final.
A Cherry Creek running back stiff arms a Columbine defender in the 5A title game. .
Cherry Creek QB rolls out in the 5A title game against Columbine.
The Cherry Creek QB looks to make a play against Columbine in the 5A title game.
Columbine fans cheer on their team against Cherry Creek in the 5A title football game.
A Cherry Creek defender knocks away a pass from the Columbine wide receiver in the 3rd quarter of the 5A final.
A Columbine defensive back almost snags an interception in the fourth quarter of the 5A final against Cherry Creek.
A Columbine defensive end battle a Cherry Creek lineman in the 5A final.
The Columbine head coach, Andy Lowry, celebrates his team’s victory over Cherry Creek in the 5A football final.
Columbine celebrates its victory over Cherry Creek in the 5A football final.
Columbine celebrates its victory over Cherry Creek in the 5A football final.
Columbine celebrates its victory over Cherry Creek in the 5A football final.
I photographed the Colorado high school softball tournament for the 10th consecutive year. Congrats to Columbine who beat Douglas County in 5A and Lutheran who beat Holy Family in 4A. There were some great moments in the tournament. Horizon squandered a 8-0 lead in the top half of the 7th inning in its first round match-up with Arvada West only to win in in the 10th on a walk off homer. Lutheran’s Hailey Maestretti struck out 17 of the 26 batters she faced en route to a 3-0 shutout of Holy Family in the 4A final. Erie made it close in an upset bid over #1 seed Columbine only to go down to defeat 3-2. A close play at the plate was the difference as a runner was called out.
Erie defeated Montrose 29-28 to advance to the Colorado 4A state football final Saturday. Montrose edged out to a 28-14 lead in the fourth quarter only to see Erie rally with 5:30 remaining. After scoring a touchdown, Erie recovered an on-side kick. It marched down the field and got the tying score. It then ran in a two-point conversion to take a one point lead. Montrose wasn’t done yet, however. After converting a long pass and marching down to the Erie 30, Montrose would fumble, sealing the victory for Erie.
The Erie High School softball team got hot at the right time. Ranked as only a #14 seed entering the Colorado State High School softball tournament, Erie faced long odds to capture its 12th title. But after defeating defending champion Holy Family (#2 seed) and Golden (#1 seed), Erie earned every bit of its record 12th title. Using the long ball 4 times, Erie prevailed 13-9 in eight innings.
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Erie-Golden 4A CHSAA Softball Final 2019
Longmont took on Erie in one of the 3A high school football semifinals Saturday. The Erie Tigers rolled behind a strong ground game and stingy defense, 31-14.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
November 25, 2017: Erie defeated Longmont in the CHSAA 3A football seminfinals in Erie, CO.
I went to the Erie Balloon Festival Saturday at the Colorado National Golf Club. Â Fog blocked some of the great views of the Front Range but it was a cool sight to see a couple of dozen balloons in flight. Â I then watched them drift across Highway 7 into the surrounding farm fields.
I photographed the Erie Softball Festival of Champions this past weekend. Â The tournament features many of the top softball teams from around the Denver metro area and even a few from Oklahoma. Â I some good games and some great hitting from a couple of teams. Â I can’t wait until the state softball finals in October!
