Kade Bishop News Today

Chelsea Self / Post Independent Rifle Senior Embrey Marantino had just finished the game with 201 yards and two touchdowns. Riding the bus back to Rifle, it took just two words for him to sum up how it felt to win the 3A state title: Cloud Nine. “Like, if you would’ve asked me two or three months ago if we would’ve even been in the playoffs, I would’ve said heck no,” Marantino added. “I didn’t even think we were going to make it to the playoffs, much less win the state final. But ...

Ray K. Erku / Post Independent Just a few minutes away from punching their ticket to the next round of the 3A playoffs, Bears senior Bryce Rowley was anxiously lingering on the sidelines when one of his teammates asked how many quarterback sacks he had. “Three,” he responded confidently. “But I’m going for one more.” If it weren’t for the backfield ambushes by Rowley, perhaps the outcome of the Bears’ 28-20 win over The Academy on Saturday could’ve been different. The 140-pound ...