Dakota Ridge wins South Jeffco grudge match against rival Chatfield

LAKEWOOD — Dakota Ridge ended its 3-game losing streak to rival Chatfield on the football field Friday night at Jeffco Stadium. 

The Eagles scored 23 unanswered points in the season opener for both South Jeffco-area programs. Dakota Ridge took a 23-12 win over the Chargers.

“Anytime you beat one of the schools within throwing distance you are excited,” Dakota Ridge coach Jeremiah Behrendsen said of defeating the Eagles’ neighboring school which are separated by 2.5 miles. “It’s important to the kids. It’s absolutely a big win.”

It’s the first time the seniors at Dakota Ridge have defeated Chatfield in a varsity football game.

“It feels great. We were confident coming in,” Dakota Ridge senior Landon Kalsbeck said. “We said we were going to beat them (Chatfield) and we did beat them. I’m so proud to win even with losing our best player in Jace Winchester. It was tough losing him. I’m just fired up.”

Winchester — one of the top lineman in the state who has committed to Colorado State University — suffered a foot injury, but hopes to be able to get back on the field around mid-season. 

Chatfield held a 12-0 early lead after a pair of touchdown passes by junior quarterback Cash Williams. The Chargers’ returning quarterback hit junior Gage Lauer for a 16-yard touchdown early in the second quarter to push the lead to 12-0. The Chargers failed on both a PAT and 2-point conversion on their opening touchdowns.

“Cash is such a stud. I have so much respect for him and Coach Rosholt,” said Kalsbeck, who had already verbally committed to play football at Washington State next season. “Those are high caliber guys.”

Dakota Ridge’s high caliber guy in senior Jack Offerdahl quickly erased Chatfield’s led in the second quarter. Offerdahl had a 10-yard touchdown run and 45-yard punt return for a touchdown less than 2 minutes apart to give the Eagles a 14-12 lead midway through the second quarter.

“It is all my teammates,” Offerdahl said of his back-to-back touchdowns. “My best friend Blake Bishop set the perfect block on that punt return and saved me.” 

Dakota Ridge extended the lead to 21-12 late in the third quarter. Senior Jaxson Arnold broke off a 68-yard run to set up Kalsbeck’s lone touchdown of the night. Kalsbeck scored on a 13-yard run on the next play to give the Eagles a 2-score lead.

“We really feel like we have four or five, maybe six, guys who at any time can make a big play,” Coach Behrendsen said. “That’s going to be the strength of our team so teams can’t hone in on with spot or one guy.”

Dakota Ridge’s defense was able to contain Williams and keep the Chargers off the scoreboard in the second half. Senior Coby Stewart intercepted Williams in the end zone on Chatfield’s deepest drive of the second half.

“Coach Duran (defensive coordinator) made some coverage adjustments with Coach Offerdahl our defensive back,” Coach Behrendsen said. “We were able to get pressure without having to send guys. We wanted to make sure we were able to corral him (Williams).”

Kalsbeck along with a host of other Chargers sacked Williams for a safety with two minutes to play for the final score. 

Clearly the expectations are high for the Eagles coming off their run to the Class 4A state semifinals a year ago before losing to eventual state champion Broomfield. 

“We want it bad. We want that ship (championship) bad,” Offerdahl said. “We are starving for it and willing to do anything for it.”