Conifer football rolls past D’Evelyn at Trailblazer Stadium

LAKEWOOD — Only thing that is going to slow down Conifer football right now is a bye week.

“That Week 3 bye is kind of wonky, but it is what it is,” Conifer coach Matt Steinfeldt said of the week off after the Lobos outscored their first two opponents 100-6. “It might be good to have two weeks of film to look at things that we are doing well and things we need to work on. That is what we’ll do with next week.”

The Lobos improved to 2-0 on the season with a dominating 56-0 victory over D’Evelyn on Friday night at Trailblazer Stadium. Conifer was able to follow up a big 44-6 victory over Standley Lake last week at the North Area Athletic Complex.

“There is always concern about how the team is going to preform,” Conifer senior Solomon Washer said. “I’m not concerned at all. I feel like we are band of brothers. I feel we are going to do really well this year.”

Conifer had to replace starting quarterback Benson White and leading rusher Carston Wolanske to graduation. Senior Jack Peterson has taken over the reins at quarterback and has the Lobos clicking offensively.

On the second play from scrimmage, Conifer senior Dillon Tracy had a 69-yard touchdown run to open up the scoring. Peterson connected with Washer for a pair of 23-yard touchdowns through the air in the first quarter to push the lead to 21-0.

“It really felt good to get back into the groove,” Washer said after he was held to five catches for 49 yards last week against Standley Lake. 

Washer led the Lobos last year with 46 catches for 1,049 yards and 13 touchdowns. 

Dillon Tracy powered the Lobos’ rushing attack with touchdown runs of 69, 13 and 15 yards against the Jaguars.

“There is a lot of chemistry and the offensive line is playing great,” Tracy said after scoring three rushing touchdowns. “Skilled positions are fantastic and our new quarterback JP (Jack Peterson) is doing exactly what we are asking him. He is playing great.”

Dillon Tracy had a 13-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter and Peterson scored on a 20-yard scamper to increase the lead to 35-0 at halftime.

The game went to a running clock midway through the third quarter with a 37-yard touchdown run by sophomore Mckade Tracy to give the Lobos a 42-0. 

Dillon Tracy scored his third touchdown run on the final play of the third quarter. Sophomore Kabe Schultz finished the scoring with a 19-yard touchdown run to cap off the 56-0 victory.

“Last year we didn’t really we really didn’t know who we were with me being a first-year guy,” Steinfeldt admitted. “A year in the program, a lot of our guys got a lot of time on JV and we had three levels of football at Conifer. I think some of that experience and our offseason work is showing up.”

Steinfeldt is in his second year at the helm of Conifer’s football program. Last season the Lobos finished with a 7-4 record to go along with a 3A postseason berth. 

Conifer’s defense was just as impressive as the offense. D’Evelyn (1-1 record) couldn’t get much going offensively in the shutout loss. The Jaguars won their home opener against Fort Lupton in Week 1. 

Conifer has a bye next week before its home opener against George Washington on Friday, Sept. 19. 

“It never changes as a coach. It’s a 1-0 mentality,” Steinfeldt said of not looking too far ahead. “I think if we just get through each play, each series and each game those other things will eventually come. Being competitive is what we want to be here.”

Conifer’s last league football title came back in 2019. The Lobos would love to end Green Mountain’s run of three straight conference titles in the 3A West Metro League.

“Our first priority is to win league,” Dillon Tracy said. “The ultimate goal is to make a deep (playoff) run and win state. There is a lot of seniors and experience here.”