Pueblo readying as five more state prep football championships return to ThunderBowl in May

Apr. 19—When seven state high school football championship games were held in Pueblo in December, the mantra "Road to Pueblo" became a rally cry.

Now, five months later, the state returns to Pueblo once again for a second wave of state championships over a three-day span. The spring version returns to the campus of Colorado State University Pueblo at the Neta & Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl next month.

The Class A-8-man title game will be held at 2 p.m. May 13, with the Class 2A and 4A championship games following at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on May 14. Class 3A and 5A title games will complete the weekend at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on May 15.

The split football season came about following the global COVID-19 pandemic. Teams throughout the state had their choice to play either in Season A or Season C in accordance with the Colorado High School Activities Association.

Because of the pandemic, CHSAA came up with a plan to conduct all seven state championships at one site, with Pueblo chosen as the site.

It worked. Even though fans were limited to 75 per side in the fall, this time, there could be many more.

Now, following another condensed season of spring football, the playoffs will conclude with another round of title games.

Pueblo businessman Dan DeRose and a group called the Friends of Football have been responsible for running the show in Pueblo. They are once again ready to give the state their best effort as hosts.

"We're excited," DeRose said. "There should be many teams who have never had the chance to play for a state title and that's exciting for them."

DeRose said his group has put in a variance request with the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment for 3,000 fans per game.

"We're waiting to hear back and we'll be able to do social distancing, wearing masks and keep everyone safe," he said.

Tickets go on sale on the CSU Pueblo web site, gothunderwolves.com on May 1. There are three levels of ticket prices: $15 per game, $25 for a day pass for two games on May 14 and 15 and a special Pueblo pass for $30 for all five games.

In addition to the games, there will be a special presentation of the 12-member class of the National Football Foundation of Scholar Athletes of the Year at halftime of the Class 5A game.

"The first championships, we were limited to 75 fans per side," DeRose said. "This time, we're hoping the teams will get the full experience of playing at the ThunderBowl.

"Every single comment we heard from coaches, players and fans (in December) were positive and we're excited to give people a chance to watch some high school football."

The seven state championships in December each had their own personality and storylines. Here's a short review of what transpired.

— Fleming won its third consecutive title with a 60-28 victory over Stratton/Liberty in the 6-man title game

— Sedgwick County won a record sixth straight championship and set a state record by scoring 72 points in a 72-32 win over Sanford

— Limon shut out Strasburg 28-0 to extend its state record of most titles in the Class 1A championship game

— Eaton ended a 20-year state title drought by holding off Lamar 28-21 in the 2A title game

— Durango won the school's first outright title with a 21-4 triumph in the Class 3A championship

— Loveland routed Palmer Ridge 42-6 in the 4A championship game, claiming its eighth state crown

— Cherry Creek stood atop the heap of the big schools with a 21-0 shutout of Valor Christian in the 5A title game, securing its 11th state title

"Retracing the Road to Pueblo" is just weeks away, with more milestones expected for the state champions.

Pueblo, again, is ready.

Chieftain interim sports editor Jeff Letofsky can be reached at jletofsky@chieftain.com or on Twitter @jeffletofsky