We were only going to name one coach of the year but this year we felt like we needed to do two, so without further ado the coaches of the year are Travis Peeples from Wellington and Andy Lowry of Columbine.
Coach Travis Peeples
Wellington Eagles' Rise Under Coach Travis Peeples: Its all about Buy-In
Starting a new football program at a new school is hard. There is a never ending list of things that have to be done, equipment to be bought, coaches to be hired, planning to be executed. Now add in the fact that the school will not have seniors and you are looking at a potential recipe for disaster.
Here we are two years in and the Wellington Eagles are anything but that. Under the tutelage of Coach Peeples, the Eagles soared to a 9-1 overall record, dominating the 2A Patriot -- Central Division with an unblemished 5-0 league record.
Under his guidance, Wellington executed a balanced attack, amassing 361 points while conceding a mere 144 throughout the season, underscoring their offensive potency and defensive resilience. A major part of their success stems from the fact that Peeple's scheme fits their players.
Congratulations to Coach Peeples and his whole staff. Very impressive work this year and it is exciting to think about the fact that next year is the first year there will be seniors. In our opinion Wellington is a front runner for a 2A state title next year.
Coach Andy Lowry
Its all about beating the odds, facing personal battles, and the incredible power of teamwork
Andy Lowry, a name many in the sports world will recognize, wrapped up an unforgettable season as head coach of Columbine High's football team. He's been dubbed the Denver Post's All-Colorado Coach of the Year for 2023, the Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award and has had his name all over the papers for good reason.
Andy isn't your average coach. He's the kind of guy who's led his team, the Columbine Rebels, to a flawless season and snagged his sixth state championship in three decades. But it's not just the victories on the field that make his story remarkable. This year, Andy and his team took down the four-time defending champs, Cherry Creek, in the Class 5A title game. And they did it without a single FBS scholarship offer among them, proving that heart and hustle can outmatch size and stats any day.
Behind the scenes, Andy faced personal challenges that tested his strength like never before. He mourned the loss of his niece in a tragic accident and supported his wife through her ongoing battle with cancer. Through these tough times, Andy was quoted as saying he found solace in his faith, his team, and his coaching staff.
Congratulations to Andy and his entire staff and we look forward to what you guys bring to the field next year.