Cougar Football looks to build program

After posting a four-win season in 2021, third-year Niwot football coach Nik Blume aims to continue to build the program that had not won more than three games since 2008.

With only four seniors on the squad, the Cougars will be very young. "We have a really talented junior class," Blume said of the players who have come up through the program during his tenure. "It's our biggest class. We also have three or four sophomore kids who will contribute."

Blume hopes to make up in speed what he lost in size to graduation. "Our season will depend on how we hold up up front," Blume said.

Junior Chad Volf will be the starting quarterback after serving as a backup to Ben Classen last season. Classen elected to concentrate on track this year rather than continue his football career. But Volf is not without experience. "He started a couple of games for us last year when Ben was injured," Blume said. "He also started as a safety as a sophomore. He played well in the scrimmage at Silver Creek."

Joining Volf in the backfield are sophomore running backs Hayden Shaw, his twin brother Charlie Shaw, and Jesus Rosas. The Shaw brothers did not play football as freshmen, but have "done a lot of good things in camp," according to Blume. Both played varsity baseball last spring, but Charlie Shaw has been slowed by a groin injury suffered during the baseball season that has been slow to heal. Hayden Shaw and Rosas will also see action at linebacker, while Charlie Shaw is expected to play safety on defense.

Junior Sergio Pimental, another varsity baseball player last spring, will play wide receiver and cornerback. "He's done all the work," Blume said, noting that he's one of the hardest workers on the squad. Sophomore Weston Domich will line up at wide receiver and also play free safety. "He came over from Boulder Country Day as a freshman," Blume said. "He's a really good athlete with great length, and has a nose for the football." Domich scored a touchdown in the second half of the scrimmage against Silver Creek.

Junior Paris Lee will also play wide receiver after transferring from Silver Creek, where he played soccer last fall. "He was ineligible to play soccer this fall after transferring, so he decided to play football," Blume said. "He really shined in seven-on-seven this summer." Junior Mats Lehan, who started last season, also returns as a wide receiver.

On the offensive line, junior center Nico Kemp is a returning starter, and will also play inside linebacker. "He's already shown great things," Blume said, "and has a knack for the football."

Junior Garrett Eker played tight end last year, and will be part of the offensive line this season, according to Blume. "He was a standup outside linebacker last season, but he may put his hand down this year," Blume said.

Juniors Rhett Davis and Gavin Burrage will also play on the offensive line, and will be joined by senior Kevin Chen. "Last year was his [Chen's] first year playing football," Blume said, and he started. He's a big kid at 6'4" and 265 pounds. Junior Harrison Van Selus will also be part of the offensive line rotation. "He came out late last year as a sophomore," Blume said, "but he did all the work."

Senior Matt Hansen, who is also the goalkeeper for Niwot's soccer team, will handle the kicking duties. Several players have not yet returned to school, but are expected to provide depth, including Nico Yozell from Brazil. "He's very athletic and did some good things for us on JV special teams last year," Blume said.

Most of the Cougar varsity players will go both ways this fall. Blume is looking for some of the freshman, including Caleb Roby and Jack Arnold, to see varsity action this year, thought he hopes it won't be by necessity.

At press time, Blume had close to 50 players out for the squad, which is up from the 41 he had last season. "There's a lot to be excited about," Blume said. Niwot will have a chance to play on its own field for the first time on Sept. 9 for Homecoming. "We've been practicing on it since August 8th," Blume said. "I plan on it being a zoo [for Homecoming]."

The football field that was formerly used only for practice and sub-varsity games has been upgraded with lights and artificial turf. "On Fridays, people will be driving down 95th Street and see the lights and know there's football going on," Blume said.

Blume will be assisted by Matt Martz, now in his third season with the program, who serves as assistant head coach. Veteran line coach Scott Thomas returns, even though he retired as a teacher at Niwot last spring. Niwot grad Lamar West returns for his third season coaching the defensive line. Andrew Rickett is back for his second year with the program, coaching defensive backs and wide receivers.

Jon Hill, who is the head coach for girls basketball at Niwot, coached under Blume two years ago but took last season off to prepare for his first head coaching position. He is now back with the football program to coach linebackers. Shane Tow will serve as the sub-varsity head coach while also working with linebackers. Nate Shipley, another Niwot grad, ran the strength and conditioning program during the summer, and will help coach the offensive and defensive lines for the younger players.