GILPIN COUNTY – Every year players who had been voted the best seniors in Colorado 8-man football square off at Gilpin County Stadium in the Elite All-State Game. Pitting the North against the South, for most of them it would be their final appearance on a football field.

Four of the 47 athletes selected were from local high schools, representing the North.

Gilpin’s Landon Church had the most interceptions in the league and second-most in the state in 2025 while playing defensive back. On offense, his 135 points scored came through runs, receptions, and returns.

Gilpin Eagle Ben Bushey’s work at pulling guard opened many a lane for the Eagles’ running backs. Stuffing opponents’ rushers and putting heat on the quarterback while positioned at defensive end were among his strengths.

Clear Creek Golddigger quarterback Jacob Jones’ 1,601 passing yards and 2,163 all-purpose yards led the league last year. Along the way he amassed 30 touchdowns and recorded eight sacks.

Nathan Guerrero spearheaded the Clear Creek rushing attack with 1,208 yards, which was best in the league. At linebacker, he registered 105 tackles and was recognized as an Academic All-State Athlete.

On the second play from scrimmage of the game, the North stuck first with a 46-yard touchdown run by Elijah Martin to make the score 8-0 after the 2-point conversion. The South answered when Derreck Buford ran the ball in from seven yards out to tie the score. Score at halftime: North 8, South 8.

Hall of Fame inductees

Between quarters of the first and second halves, six gridiron greats were inducted into the Colorado 8-Man Hall of Fame.

Steve Vosburg played at Otis High School between1960 and 1963. Scoring 135 points as a senior, his team won the state championship all four years of his career.

Joe Sisneros coached the Colorado Deaf and Blind School from 1966 through 1990. His teams won three state championships.

Dick Teecher achieved an 80% winning percentage during his tenure as head coach of the Wiley and McClave football team between 1979 and 1992. They won a state championship in 1987.

Brian Helton passed for 7,800 yards quarterbacking Simla from 1979 through 1982. From there he became a two-time All-American punter for the CU Buffaloes. After college, Helton earned two Super Bowl rings as a punter for the San Francisco 49ers.

Respected sportscaster Kevin Shaffer has been announcing all types of Colorado’s high school sports for 40 years, with an emphasis on schools with smaller enrollments.

Alfred Montez played quarterback at Granada High School. He was named Player of the Year in 1989 and led his team to a state championship. Montez would go on to play for Texas Tech.

Tense second half

In the second half, a 1-yard touchdown scamper by the North’s Jeremy Billington added six points for the North. Power back Blake Terryberry blasted through the line for the 2-point conversion. Punting from deep in their own territory, an errant snap on the punt by the South sailed into the end zone for a safety. Score: North 18, South 8.

An interception set up a 36-yard run by Jakzon Livesay to extend the North’s lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, South return man Derreck Buford raced 89 yards for a touchdown, keeping the game within reach. The South struck again with a pass to their opponent’s 1-yard line. It was capped off with a run by Buford around the left side for a touchdown. Score: North 24, South, 20.

With about a minute left to play, the North elected to go for it on fourth down with four yards to go on their own 34-yard line. With all of their timeouts remaining, if the South could stop them, they’d get the ball back, with a shot at winning the game.

An offsides penalty called against the South ended their hopes of those chances. Final score of an exciting contest: North 24, South 20.

For their outstanding performances and leadership, game balls were awarded to the MVPs on both sides.

Running back and linebacker Jakzon Livesay of Akron was declared the most valuable for the North. His brother Xavier won the same accolade in 2022.

Offensive guard, center, linebacker, and nose guard Matteo Moltrer from Hoehne was the MVP for the South.