It may seem like ages ago that high school fall sports were in session. However, football state champions were only crowned on Dec. 7. Therefore, it’s taken a little while for all of the all-state teams to come out. Football’s all-state team is out and now is the perfect time to take a look at what Durango High School fall sports athletes made Colorado High School Activities Association All-State teams. Durango football, boys soccer, volleyball and boys golf players were selected.
Football:
Second team all-state: Cully Feeney, Braxton Waddell, Elijah Oyler
It’s no surprise to see multiple players from Durango football on the all-state team. The Demons finished the season 7-4 overall, finished second in their first season in the 4A Soco League and earned the No. 6 seed in the 4A state playoffs.
Cully Feeney was impressive in his lone season as the starting quarterback for Durango. He turned the quarterback position from a question mark in the preseason to a strength by the end of the year with his dual-threat ability. The senior lefty finished 10th in 4A in passing yards with 1,753 yards. He had 20 passing touchdowns and eight interceptions.
He improved as the season went on and so did Durango, finishing the regular season 7-1 after an 0-2 start. Feeney was also Durango’s top rushing option with almost double the yardage of any other Demon rusher; he had nine touchdowns on the ground.
Feeney’s dual-threat ability will be missed and the Demons will rely on a new quarterback next season to lead the successful Durango football program.
One of the main reasons Feeney had the time to find his receivers or the space to take off and run was because of his offensive line. Senior offensive lineman Elijah Oyler was recognized for his efforts.
Oyler was a key cog on a unit that rarely allowed Feeney to get sacked. At 5-foot 10-inches and 205 pounds, Oyler played bigger than his listed height and weight, allowing Feeney the time to find his talented receivers. Oyler is another example of Durango offensive line coach Mike Sutter’s strong coaching.
Senior middle linebacker Braxton Waddell only played in nine games due to a car accident but made such an impact on the field he was awarded with second team all-state.
Waddell led the Demons in tackles per game with 10.3. He had 93 total tackles; 48 of those were solo and 45 were assisted. Waddell was one of the best athletes on the defensive side of the ball for Durango with his size and speed making him a tough cover for opposing offensive lines.
The senior’s absence was notable in Durango’s 42-20 loss to Heritage in the second round of the 4A state playoffs.
Honorable mention: Dawson McInnis, Cole Pontine, Gage Voiles
Dawson McInnis was a threat on the offensive and defensive side of the ball for Durango. He made honorable mention all-state as a free safety. He was fourth in tackling for Durango with 69 total tackles. McInnis led Durango with four interceptions. He was Durango’s top return man and was first in 4A with 38 yards per kickoff return.
The 6-foot-2-inch and 185-pound junior should be one of Durango’s most important players next year with his versatility.
Cole Pontine was a menace as a strong safety for Durango. He was one of the key reasons Durango didn’t allow a lot of big plays. He was second on the team behind McInnis with two interceptions and tied for first with two fumble recoveries. Pontine was third on the team with 92 total tackles. Pontine has been a key part of Durango’s defense the last few years and will be hard to replace.
No one got to the opposing quarterback for Durango better than senior defensive end Gage Voiles. He led Durango with four sacks and 16 hurries. Voiles also had 52 total tackles, which was sixth-best for the Demons.
Boys soccer:
First team all-state: Duncan Madrigal
Senior defender Duncan Madrigal didn’t show up in recaps and in statistical lists as much as offensive players who were scoring goals for the Demons. But make no mistake, Madrigal was one of, if not the most, important player for Durango boys soccer.
The senior center back was a constant on the back line for Durango. He had a calming effect at times and always seemed to make the right play to keep opposing offenses away.
Madrigal was a big reason Durango only allowed three goals once and had seven shutouts.
Honorable mention: Quinn Harrison, Dylan Burns, Flint Gervais
The rare instances where Madrigal and the defense couldn’t stop the opposing offense, junior goalkeeper Quinn Harrison was usually there to make the stop.
Harrison ranked fifth in 4A with 119 saves and had 10+ saves six times this season. Harrison should have another big year next season as Durango looks to make a deeper playoff run.
Junior forward Dylan Burns was a dynamic threat on offense for Durango. He finished seventh in 4A with 45 points from 20 goals and five assists despite missing a few soccer games due to being with the football team. He was a huge reason Durango scored multiple goals in 13 out of 18 games.
Expect Burns to have an even better season next year as the returning top scorer for Durango.
Senior Flint Gervais was a quality team player who helped the Demons move the ball up and down the field. He was third in points for Durango with four goals and four assists. As a lefty, he was a valuable asset to the team with his crossing ability with his left foot. He was also a solid defender and made some great runs up and down the sidelines.
Boys golf:
First team all-state: Drew Jepson
Sophomore golfer Drew Jepson grew physically and so did his golf game. The lanky sophomore could drive, chip and putt with the best of them this year. He finished ninth at the state tournament and won multiple tournaments this year.
Jepson was always around par throughout the year and had the best scoring average on a Demons team loaded with depth. Jepson should improve again next fall in his junior campaign; he could solidify himself as a challenger for the individual state title.
Second team all-state: Owen Muraro
Owen Muraro showed he could go low in his senior season and was second in scoring average behind Jepson for the Demons. He shot a season-low 68 in Montrose in August and was consistently in the 70s for the Demons.
Muraro finished his career with a 13th-place finish at the 4A state championship.
Volleyball:
Honorable mention: Eva Stewart
Senior setter Eva Stewart was a bright spot for the Durango volleyball team in a disappointing season. Stewart was a constant presence for a team that lost a few players to injuries this season. She finished her four-year varsity career in style and finished 12th in 5A with 637 assists.
Stewart spread the ball out to her outside hitters to keep Durango competitive this season. She had great length at 6 feet tall as a passer and a blocker. Demons volleyball head coach Kelley Rifilato will have a tough time replacing Stewart next season.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
