FORT COLLINS - The state-championship football game participants from classes 5A, 4A and 3A gathered Tuesday for Colorado High School Activities Association's championship press conference as well as a stadium tour at Colorado State University.

The championship games will be played Saturday at Canvas Stadium. The 3A game, between Pomona and Windsor, starts the day at 10 a.m. The 4A game, which kicks off at 1:30 p.m., features Dakota Ridge and Palmer Ridge. And, at 5 p.m., the 5A championship will feature Cherry Creek and Ralston Valley.

Tuesday’s event featured an introduction from each of the six head coaches in attendance, followed by a Q&A session with the media, and individual one-on-one interviews with players from all six teams.

Below are excerpts from each of the coaches’ opening statements as well as CHSAA Assistant Commissioner John Sullivan:
John Sullivan, CHSAA Assistant Commissioner:
“I want to say a special thank you to the coaches. I think a lot of times it gets lost just how much work they do. These teams are not here by accident. There’s perseverance, there’s talent, and there’s just a lot of hard work. A lot of people think things just happen during the season, but these kids have been working hard since the spring.”

Nate Johnson, Pomona (3A finalist):
“We were the North-1 League champions, and we get to play the North-2 League champions (Windsor) and we’re really looking forward to it. We played them (Windsor) last season in the playoffs, and we’re looking forward to a trench warfare kind of game. We’re excited for that. … I’m very proud of the team. Transitioning down from the 5A level the last two seasons, we’ve found our place in 3A. The boys are excited to go out and compete and represent JeffCo.”

Chris Jones, Windsor (3A finalist):
“We’ve had an amazing season, just like everyone else up here. … That’s all we can ask for, is just one more week with these guys. … It’s been a fun season, and I’m excited to have one more week with these guys, to work with them. Soon they’ll be old men like most of us up here … I’m grateful to be here with these talented players and coaches.”

Jeremiah Behrendsen, Dakota Ridge (4A finalist):
"It’s my 22^nd year at Dakota Ridge High School … and to watch us transition from what seemed like a bunch of schools lumped together and then watch how our community has grown together, it makes a day like this Saturday really special. This season has been extra special, just the way the group has come together, the way they love to play together. Culture drives everything … football is football, but family is what makes this stuff happen. We’ve played a great schedule, so many outstanding teams, and we’ve managed to focus on going 1-0 each week. … We’re excited to play Palmer Ridge. We know they they’re an incredible team with a great history.”

Zach Carlton, Palmer Ridge (4A finalist):
"We’ve had a great season so far. It’s a really resilient group of young men that we have the opportunity to coach every day. … It’s a group that really loves each other. They fight for each other. … We’re really looking forward to matching up with a very talented Dakota Ridge team. We love that challenge.”

Jared Yannacito, Ralston Valley (5A finalist):
“Our motto this year was ‘Keep punching.’ We’ve been close to getting here – we made the semifinals my first two years and the quarterfinals last year – and we made a commitment as a group, players and coaches, that we were going to keep punching, through the good, the bad, the adversity, until we broke the door down. This team finally did it, and became the first team in school history to get to the state championship. We’re excited to take on a legend in coach (Dave) Logan and Cherry Creek. We all know the excellence they bring to the field and we get to embrace that challenge.”

Dave Logan, Cherry Creek (5A finalist):
“It’s been a really good year. We’ve had some difficult injuries, but that’s just how football works unfortunately. I’ve appreciated so much the dedication of these players. They’ve embraced the process. It doesn’t guarantee that you’re going to win. The process gives you the opportunity to have the best chance to win. All these players – from all six of these teams here – know that it’s work.”