Author: Hugh Johnson
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Community-powered Widefield football earns first road win in over 1,000 days
There’s a right way to play football, and it has nothing to do with wins and losses. Widefield quarterback Brody Gizzi has known it since his freshman year back in 2023, which was the last time the Gladiators had a winning season. “We didn’t really work as a team,” Gizzi said of his first year…
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Colorado College hockey notebook: A look at 3 incoming players
When Colorado College hockey coach Kris Mayotte watches incoming sophomore forward Carmelo Crandell on film this season, it’ll be a familiar feeling. Crandell’s play at Arizona State last season stood out to the Tigers’ coach on several occasions. When Crandell entered the transfer portal earlier this year, offering him a chance to come to CC…
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‘Super’ Jonas Fjeldberg strikes again, helps Switchbacks earn big win on road
It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s the super sub. Look out, here comes the super sub. On several occasions following matches this year, Switchbacks coach Alan McCann has sounded off on the not-so-great themes regarding his club, whether it’s failing to score despite plentiful chances or conceding goals on the few chances given to…
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Fans near and far celebrate “big-time football feel” at Pikes Peak Kickoff Classic
The Pikes Peak Kickoff Classic took Andrew Powell to another time. Weidner Field played host to two high school football contests on Friday with Fountain-Fort Carson taking on Colorado Springs Christian in flag football and Palmer Ridge facing La Cueva, out of Albuquerque, N.M., in the boys’ varsity football game. The sight of prep football…
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Switchbacks look to end August on high note at Lexington SC after full week of training
August may have felt like a blur for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks. Come the 31st, the club will have spent 17 days on the road per coach Alan McCann. In a month that’s featured multiple two-match weeks and six contests so far, the Switchbacks have taken their lumps with a 2-4 record that becomes 1-4…
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It’s business as usual for Palmer Ridge as Bears face La Cueva in interstate matchup for Kickoff Classic
Friday night is a unique opportunity for Palmer Ridge football and three other schools, but it’s also business as usual. After a 35-14 victory at Pueblo East in Week Zero of the 2026-2027 season, the Bears’ “home opener” will be a bit different. Palmer Ridge hosts La Cueva out of New Mexico in the second…
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Switchbacks make changes to security procedures following recent altercations at Weidner Field
Security protocol changes are coming to Colorado Springs Switchbacks games following a pair of altercations involving fans and visiting teams this summer. Security personnel in folding chairs will be posted along the west side inside Weidner Field, particularly behind the benches and player warmup areas, to provide a buffer between spectators and players and allow…
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Weidner Field to host 2027 World Lacrosse Sixes Olympic qualifier
Smiles filled the McDivitt Sky Club at Weidner Field Thursday morning as the next chapter for Olympic City USA was revealed. And it includes a direct link to the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. Officials with the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation and World Lacrosse announced that Weidner Field, the downtown home of the Switchbacks, would…
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Introducing the Pikes Peak Kickoff Classic: How Nate Lenz turned his love for sports into a force for good
Nate Lenz didn’t want another milquetoast gala or golf tournament. He wanted the big annual fundraising event for his nonprofit, the Pikes Peak Athletic Foundation, to stand out. “Those are ubiquitous,” Lenz said of the aforementioned fundraising events. “I wanted to do something different that also served our mission and that’s elevate athletics in the…
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Own goal, missed chances lead to frustrating night for Switchbacks in weather-delayed match
Talen Maples summed up Saturday in a word. “Frustration.” Playing their fifth match in 14 days, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks held level with El Paso Locomotive FC for 84 minutes, but the club’s second own goal in as many games gave the visitors a 1-0 victory at Weidner Field. In the 85th minute, Locomotive forward…