Chatfield High School senior Dalton Keene, right, runs through drills during the Chargers’ first week of practice. Keene has committed to play football at Virginia Tech after he graduates from Chatfield. (Photo by Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Public Schools)
LITTLETON — Chatfield senior Dalton Keene has already committed to play football at Virginia Tech University a year from now, but that doesn’t mean he wants to rush through his final year of high school.
“I’m hoping it slows down a little bit this year,” said Keene, a running back and linebacker for the Chargers. “We are going to try to make this season last as long as it can. I think we are going to do great things.”
Keene rushed for more than 600 yards averaging nearly six yards per carry and was the Chargers’ leading tackler with 116. He orally committed to Virginia Tech last winter.
“I don’t have to try to impress anyone any more,” said Keene, who is also one of the top hurdlers in the state qualifying for the state track and field meet last May in both the 110- and 300-meter hurdles. “I’m just playing the game and I’ll play to the best of my ability. I’ve got nothing to worry about.”
A big change for Chatfield is moving down from Class 5A to 4A for the next two-year high school cycle with enrollment numbers being pushed down to place the Chargers in 4A. The Chargers will play in the 4A Plains League that consists of Adams City, Dakota Ridge, Gateway, Golden, Heritage and Chatfield.
“I know there is a lot of excitement. We are a solid group with a lot of depth. I know our guys are excited about having a shot to play at the end,” Chatfield coach Bret McGatlin said. “It gives us a realistic chance. We were one of the smaller schools in 5A and now we are one of the bigger schools in 4A.”
The conference foes are a totally different look for the Chargers that had a 3-7 record last season. Chatfield does get tested mightily during its non-league schedule with Pine Creek, Wheat Ridge and Dakota Ridge — all three in the top-10 of the CHSAANow.com preseason 4A football rankings — and throw in rival Columbine, 5A state semifinal time last year.
Pine Creek won back-to-back 4A state titles in 2013 and 2014 before getting upset as the No. 1 seed in the 4A semifinals last year. Chatfield opens the season facing Pine Creek on the Eagles’ home field Sept. 2.
“We have been focusing on (Pine Creek) all year,” Keene said. “We know they are going to be a challenge, but we are ready for them.”
While Keene might be the headliner for the Chargers this season, McGatlin believes his supporting cast might be one of the deepest he has had since taking over the program just more than a decade ago.
Senior Tylor Rowles are one of more than a handful of returning skilled players for the Chargers on the offensive side of the ball. Rowles will more than likely play more wide receiver than running back.
“I am pretty excited,” Rowles said of moving from running back to wide receiver. “It was a little bit of a surprise because I haven’t played receiver since little league. All offseason playing at receiver I’ve really got the hang of it.”
Ben Frenette, Logan Dannenhauer and Brandon Andersen and Keland Rumsey should make an impact in Chatfield’s running game this season.
The quarterback position has come down to sophomore Zach Yanda and junior Colton Arne competing for starting job. They are vying to fill the shoes of graduate Isaac Schley who plays at Georgetown University in the Ivy League.
“They are both tremendous kids,” McGatlin said of Yanda and Arne. “We need a team player and a great leader. We need someone back there to keep the ball rolling and get the ball into our athletes’ hands.”
Defensively, McGatlin believes junior Chandler Callejo will emerge as is one of the top cornerbacks in the state. The Chargers have a lot of returning experience on the defensively line and linebacker core.
Chatfield will get some early TV time this year. Altitude is scheduled to broadcast the Chargers against Wheat Ridge on Sept. 15 at Jeffco Stadium. CET will air the rivalry showdown against Columbine on Sept. 22 at Jeffco Stadium.
Dennis Pleuss is a Communication Specialist with Jeffco Public Schools with a focus on athletics and activities.