Dakota Ridge football soars past Ponderosa in 4A top-10 showdown

LAKEWOOD — It might have felt a little different getting into conference play Thursday night at Jeffco Stadium, but it didn’t look any different for Dakota Ridge.

The Eagles (6-0, 1-0 in Class 4A South Metro League) remained undefeated on the football season with a dominating 40-7 victory over Ponderosa. 

“I felt like our intensity came up a little bit,” Dakota Ridge senior Landon Kalsbeck said of the difference getting into league play. 

The 4A South Metro League opener was also a top-10 showdown. Dakota Ridge is No. 2 in the 4A football ColoradoPreps.com rankings while Ponderosa was No. 10.

“Ponderosa is always a super tough team. We have played each other so many times,” Dakota Ridge coach Jeremiah Behrendsen said. “It was a great way to start it (league).”

Dakota Ridge’s defense shut out Ponderosa in the first half. The Mustangs’ lone score came after the Eagles had taken out most of their starters on defense in the fourth quarter with a running clock thanks to a 40-point margin.

“Our guys are as good as anyone,” Coach Behrendsen said of Dakota Ridge’s defense. “We have a bunch of dudes in different spots. It is hard to pick on any guy.”

Senior quarterback Kellen Behrendsen got the scoring going for Dakota Ridge with a short 2-yard touchdown run on the Eagles’ first offensive possession. Kalsbeck had a touchdown run and touchdown catch to push the Eagles’ lead to 21-0 in the second quarter before junior Aydan Smith kicked a 31-yard field goal to wrap up the half.

“Part of our goal right now is to show the state that we’ve got so many guys who are electric,” said Coach Behrendsen of the Eagles’ offense that has 10 different players find the end zone through the first six weeks of the season. “This week we had Landon with three touchdowns.”

Smith added another 31-yard field goal with 9:30 left in the third quarter to extend the lead to 27-0. Behrendsen threw his second touchdown of the night with a strike to senior Blake Bishop with 3:55 left in the third quarter to make it a 34-0 advantage.

“I saw it was going to be wide-open and I just threw it,” Behrendsen said of his 36-yard touchdown pass to Bishop.

Kalsbeck finished off the scoring for the Eagles with a 3-yard touchdown run with 10:45 left in the game to induce a running clock as Dakota Ridge grabbed a 40-0 lead.

“He is a play-maker,” Behrendsen said of the Kalsbeck, who might be one of the best two-way players in the state. “When you come to the game you always have to look for 12.”

Dakota Ridge is off to its best start since the Eagles were 11-0 going into the 4A state quarterfinals in 2021. Chatfield — eventual state champions — ended Dakota Ridge’s undefeated season with a 42-31 victory.

The 4A South Metro has an argument that it might be the toughest in 4A this year. All six teams had winning non-league records. Bear Creek, Dakota Ridge and Golden all held 5-0 records heading into league play this week.

Golden did suffer its first loss of the season Thursday night at the North Area Athletic Complex. Heritage (4-2, 1-0) put it on the Demons to a tune of 56-28.

“(Heritage) has some great players of there,” Coach Behrendsen said of the Eagles’ next opponent. “I have no doubt that they will be a tall test for us next week.”

Dakota Ridge is on the road next week against Heritage on Friday, Oct. 10, at Littleton Public Schools Stadium. 

“Heritage has been a good team for a long time. There are definitely some connects between our teams from youth to here,” Behrendsen said. “I know it’s a big game for our guys. It will probably be our best game in league.”

Dakota Ridge’s defense might have its biggest challenge yet in trying to slow down Heritage’s running attack. Senior Mo Thenell had a monster game against Golden rushing for five touchdowns at the NAAC.

“Mo (Thenell) is a stud,” Kalsbeck said of Heritage’s top running back. “It’s going to be fun. I’m looking forward to it for sure.”