Renck & File: Broncos’ Sean Payton Owning October Is No Coincidence. It’s A Reflection Of The Strength Of Denver’s Staff

The Colorado Avalanche spent years developing Justus Annunen, but short-term needs eventually outweighed the longterm investment. Colorado traded Annunen and a 2025 sixth-round draft pick Saturday to the Nashville Predators for veteran netminder Scott Wedgewood, a second surprising alteration to the goalie depth before the 2024-25 season is 25 games old. “They needed a goalie shake up here, whatever the case may be,” Wedgewood said.

Hooves over hearts, Rams fans: If I’d have told you on Aug. 10 that Tory Horton would only play in five games this fall, you’d have bet the under on CSU’s victory total with Jeff Bezos’ bank account. “I really do believe that Jay Norvell has got the ability to be successful — very successful,” former CSU quarterback and athletic director Jack Graham told me recently.

Class 5A No. 1 Cherry Creek beat No. 5 Valor Christian, 42-17: The Bruins are headed back to the 5A title game for the seventh straight year after junior RB Jayden Fox ran in a pair of touchdowns and junior QB Brady Vodicka threw for one TD and ran for another.

Like the University of Denver men’s soccer team relative to the season, true freshman Keegan Kelly has gotten hot at the right time. In the ninth minute of No. 3-seeded DU’s Round of 16 match against No. 14 Indiana, he was at the right place at the right time to tuck away the match’s only goal after some pinball occurred in the box. Kelly’s delight matched that of the crowd of 1,875 at DU Soccer Stadium on Saturday afternoon — a facility record.

Four big  “D words” were frequently heard around the field at Jeffco Stadium on Saturday afternoon: “Domination, defense, disrespect and destiny.” The No. 5 Broomfield Eagles earned the right to use every one of them after they destroyed top-seeded Dakota Ridge 45-7 in the Class 4A semifinals. “Our most complete game of the year, no question,” said senior running back Colin Torres, who scored two touchdowns and rushed for 149 yards on 23 carries.

GREENWOOD VILLAGE — The Bruins are, once again, inevitable. Cherry Creek dominated Valor Christian on Saturday in the Class 5A semifinal at the Stutler Bowl, 42-17. That sent coach Dave Logan’s squad to its seventh straight title game as the Bruins seek to get back on top after falling in last year’s championship to Columbine. “That loss to Columbine made us really hungry,” junior running back Jayden Fox said.