Dakota Ridge finally joins South Jeffco rivals with a state football championship

FORT COLLINS — Dakota Ridge joined its neighboring rival schools by winning its first state championship football title Saturday, Dec. 6.

The Eagles finished out their historic undefeated season with a dominating 38-14 victory over Palmer Ridge at Canvas Stadium on the campus of Colorado State University in Fort Collins. 

“We’ve always been considered the little brother to them (Columbine and Chatfield),” said Dakota Ridge senior quarterback Kellen Behrendsen, who was named the Most Valuable Player going 21-for-24 passing for 289 yards and five touchdowns. “I think we really sent the message this season that we weren’t to be messed with. We can hold our own.”

Dakota Ridge had only played in one state title football game previously — 35-29 loss to Thunder Ridge in the Class 4A state title game in 2004 — but took care of business against Palmer Ridge to make history.

“It feels amazing after going out in the semifinals and quarterfinals earlier in my career,” said Dakota Ridge senior offensive lineman Jace Winchester, who signed the day before the state champion game to continue his football career at University of Idaho. “It feels great to go out on top and not have the gut wrenching feeling going home on the losing side.”

The South Jeffco high schools of Chatfield, Columbine and Dakota Ridge now have a grand total of nine state championship football titles since 1999. Each of the three schools that are located within a 5-mile radius have claimed a football title over the past five years.

Columbine has six 5A state titles — 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2011 and 2023 — all led by coaching legend Andy Lowry. 

Chatfield broke through in 2001 winning the 5A state title under Dave Logan, who picked up his 13th state trophy as a coach Saturday when Cherry Creek defeated Ralston Valley in the 5A final. Bret McGatlin was the Chargers coach in 2021 when Chatfield went on a remarkable postseason run to win a 4A title.

“I have a lot of respect for the coaches who have been there over the years and are there now,” Dakota Ridge second-year head coach Jeremiah Behrendsen said of joining Lowry, Logan and McGatlin. “I take pride that South Jeffco is incredible and South Jeffco has a lot of good football.”

Coach Behrendsen actually started his coaching career at Dakota Ridge the year that the Eagles played for the 4A state title in 2004.

“I was a baby on that 2004 team,” said Coach Behrendsen, who was the freshmen offensive line coach in his first year at Dakota Ridge. “Coach Woj (Ron Woitalewicz) gave me so many opportunities over the years and developed me in so many ways.” 

Dakota Ridge actually has had just three head football coaches since the school opened its doors in 1996. Jay Madden was the first head coach before moving onto a handful of different coaching stops that included winning the 2017 5A state championship at Pomona. 

Ron Woitalewicz just retired a few years ago and handed his longtime assistant coach over the keys to the program.

“I had Coach Woj my sophomore year and he did a great job,” Winchester said. “When Coach B took over I felt like he took it to another level. It wasn’t just football. It was a family. He is like another Dad to me. We all love him.” 

Coach Behrendsen’s son Kellen was the Eagles’ starting quarterback during the 2-year run where Dakota Ridge racked up a 25-2 record. 

“What I’m most excited is that now our community can now say they have one in the books for them,” Coach Behrendsen said. “It’s just such a special place. To be here for over two decades and feel like this is where I grew up because of the way people treat me. I’m just happy for this community. This is truly built on 30 years of people. This is a D-Ridge win for D-Ridge Nation for sure.”

Another family connection was the Offerdahl Family. Charlie Offerdahl was on the sideline Saturday at Canvas Stadium to watch his younger brother Jack realize his dream in winning a state title. Charlie has a successful career at Dakota Ridge before playing football at the University of Colorado.

“It’s unbelievable. It’s means everything,” Dakota Ridge senior Jack Offerdahl said. “These are my brothers, my family. We’ve been working since the third grade for this. I’m so proud of my boys.”

Offerdahl missed a handful of games this season after he had a complete tear of his MCL. He decided not to have season-ending surgery and instead went through rehab and wore a brace during the Eagles’ playoff run.

Offerdahl and fellow senior Landon Kalsbeck were both instrumental in Dakota Ridge winning the 4A boys lacrosse state championship last spring. Kalsbeck will graduate early from Dakota Ridge and enroll at Washington State University next semester to get ready to continue his football journey with the Cougars.

“This is better than any individual accomplishment,” said Kalsbeck, who had back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and scored 44 touchdowns over the last two seasons. “This is a group of guys who love each other and don’t care about individual stats. This is what happens when you get a group like that.”