Season Opener Highlights
The first week of Colorado high school football arrived with a flurry of activity, often referred to as Zero Week, setting the stage for a season marked by thin rosters and early surprises.
Roaring Fork High School opened its varsity campaign in Carbondale, only to be overwhelmed 41‑0 by a dominant Gunnison squad; the Rams now sit 0‑1 and will travel to face Battle Mountain on September 2 at 6 p.m.
Gunnison, now 1‑0, continues its climb in the 2A Western Slope League, with a home matchup against Grand Valley scheduled for August 28.
Across the valley, Basalt’s new head coach Danny Popish made a successful debut, guiding his team to a 21‑12 victory over Rifle and giving the Longhorns a 1‑0 start.
Aspen’s soccer side also began its season under head coach Bryce Sandoval, who will see his squad open against Moffat County later in the week, while the Skiers remain unbeaten at 0‑0.
Delta High School, a preseason favorite in the same league, eked out a 13‑7 win against Eagle Valley, while the Longhorns are set to host Rifle on the following Thursday.
Official rankings from the Colorado High School Activities Association are still weeks away, leaving teams to focus on early performance rather than league standings.
Looking Ahead
The early slate also highlighted the broader challenge of low player numbers across several programs, a factor that could shape the competitive landscape as the weeks progress.