Lutheran football determined to win 3A title after semifinals exit in 2021
By Ben Parris/CHSAANow.com
Photo: Gabe Christus/Denver Broncos
Immediately after Lutheran fell in a heartbreaking 23-21 game against Fort Morgan in last year’s Class 3A semifinals, the Lions began preparing for this season. They only have one goal this season: to win a state championship.
“We took that loss hard,” senior receiver Joseph Ciccio said. “As soon as it happened, we got back in the weight room and started working. We’ve put out sights on this year and have been working hard.”
“Tempo matters and you can see how that gives us an advantage,” head coach Stephen Robbins said. “We’re pushing eight to twelve seconds (between snaps) this year, as fast as we can.”
The goal of Coach Robbins’ extremely quick offensive philosophy is to keep defenses on their toes and not give them a lot of time to think and prepare for the snap. “It’s a challenge,” offensive/defensive lineman Josh Ayers, who is both a part of and must go against the offense in practice, said. “It gives us a very big advantage.”
The Lions’ schedule begins with four tough out-of-conference matchups in Lutheran (Missouri’s Class 2 state champions), Mead, Discovery Canyon, and Pueblo East. Robbins says the schedule was designed that was so, “We know who we are and what it takes to win tough games.” Lutheran’s closest in-state game, aside from their loss in the semifinals, had them winning by 34-points. This season, they’re hoping how to win in big situations.
Hoping for a more competitive schedule, Lutheran will be led by a new quarterback under center this season, after the graduation of Clayton Jacobs, who threw 30 touchdowns last season. Key returners for the Lions’ offense include running back Ryan Kenny along with brothers and wide receiver duo Joseph and Trey Cicco. On the defensive side, Josh Ayers, who led the team in sacks and was second in tackles for a loss last season, will be hoping to have another impactful season.
In June, the team attended camp at CSU-Pueblo to prepare for the upcoming season. “When we went to Pueblo, we saw a bond within our team that’s been different throughout all our years here,” Trey Cicco said. “We’re closer as a team, we’ve all bonded and developed really well.”
Even a small senior class than a year ago, the team feels more motivated than ever. “It just feels different this year,” said Joseph Cicco, as his team has its sights on their first state championship title. “The culture has changed.”
