Dakota Ridge Eagles soars into 4A football state semis

LAKEWOOD — There was only one place in the state of Colorado on Friday night to catch state high school football playoff action.

With all other quarterfinals and semifinals match-ups scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 22), the Class 4A state quarterfinal game between No. 8 Pueblo West and No. 1 Dakota Ridge at Jeffco Stadium had the stage to itself Friday night.

“We were super excited,’ Dakota Ridge senior Landon Kalsbeck said of the Eagles being the only game in town. “We get any extra day of rest with everyone else playing tomorrow. We’ll rest and then prepare for Durango or Heritage. It was a great night tonight.”

Dakota Ridge showed why the Eagles are one of the clear favorites to win the 4A title. Dakota Ridge stayed undefeated with a 42-14 victory against the Cyclones. Kalsbeck was the headliner with a trio of touchdowns. 

The Washington State University-commit had a 1-yard touchdown run and then a 2-yard touchdown catch on a pop pass from senior quarterback Kellen Behrendsen to open up a 14-0 lead for the Eagles in the opening quarter.

“That is a testament to our work during the week,” Dakota Ridge coach Jeremiah Behrendsen said of the Eagles taking control early. “Our scout group, which we call our ‘Futures Team’, gives us outstanding looks. The way they compete it makes us work hard in practice is why our guys are ready to play on game day.” 

Kalsbeck — two-way player at running back and middle linebacker — had just six carries and the one catch through the first half, but the Eagles still built a comfortable 28-0 lead. Kellen Behrendsen threw a 71-yard touchdown to senior Nathan Rodriguez and the coach’s son had a 33-yard touchdown run in the final minute before halftime to push the lead to 28-0 at halftime.

“Probably the best part is Landon isn’t worried about what his numbers (stats) are,” Coach Behrendsen said. “He just wants this team to win.”

Dakota Ridge scored again coming right out of halftime on a 29-yard touchdown catch by senior Trent Moench.

“We were setting that play up all night,” Behrendsen said of his final of three touchdown passes on the night. “I saw Trent waving his hand and yelling my name. I threw it off one leg, but got enough on it to get it there. He made the play.”

The Eagles (12-0 record) have outscored their opponents 496-140 this season and have scored over 40 points in each of its last seven games. 

“No nerves at all. I was just excitement,” Kellen Behrendsen said. “I know what our team is made up of. We have some amazing dudes. Some amazing athletes and play makers.”

Kalsbeck put the exclamation point on the game with a 14-yard touchdown run with 5:33 left in the third quarter to induce a running clock with a 40-plus point lead.

“That was a pretty incredible run at the end,” Coach Behrendsen said of Kalsbeck’s third score of the night. 

It was the 12th touchdown run for Kalsbeck on the season.

“I just kind of blacked out honestly,” Kalsbeck said of his 14-yard touchdown run where he tossed Pueblo West senior Royce Thomas to the ground at the 10-yard line before bulling his way into the end zone. “I had a couple of great blocks from my o-line and made a good play.”

Pueblo West (8-4) scored a couple of touchdowns in the fourth quarter against Dakota Ridge’s back-ups to prevent the shutout.

Dakota Ridge is attempting to win its first football state championship. The Eagles have come close in recent years in making the title game, but haven’t reach the final since 2004. ThunderRidge edged Dakota Ridge 35-29 over 20 years ago.

Pueblo West has one football state championship to its name. The Cyclones defeated Monarch 21-14 in the 4A championship game in 2007.

Dakota Ridge will face the winner of No. 5 Heritage/No. 4 Durango at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at Jeffco Stadium in the 4A semifinals next weekend.