FORT COLLINS — Being Jake Stewart must be fun.
Colorado’s 88th high school football season opens today with the Rocky Mountain High senior among Class 5A’s most-feared playmakers. He’s a savvy receiver as well as a dangerous kick returner.
So the beginning of the school year for the 17-year-old, three- sport scholar could be expected to include heavy interest from Division I-A football coaches, right?
Not quite.
Though he’s one of the state’s best, having accounted for 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2007, Stewart doesn’t plan to play football after this fall.
He will walk away from a game at which he excels because of his passion for another sport.
“I’m a baseball guy,” he said.
Stewart doesn’t hate football, or fear it, or doubt he could excel at it in college, or really want to give it up. He just likes baseball more, no matter how many catches he has or touchdowns he scores this season.
“Baseball, there’s nothing like it in the world,” he said. “It’s so much fun. I’ve just had to say (to football recruiters), ‘I love baseball, guys.’ ”
He has narrowed his choice of college to baseball powerhouses Arizona State, Nebraska and Stanford.
“Actually, he’s such a good athlete that I would have been in full support either way,” Rocky Mountain baseball coach Scott Bullock said of his center fielder, who batted third, played on consecutive 5A title winners and was named All-Colorado by The Denver Post. “I think, in a sense, in football, your athleticism starts to level out. In baseball, guys like him don’t come around that often.”
Stewart’s decision is no secret to football recruiters. Lobos football coach Mark Brook has told them so many times, he’s probably blurting it out in his sleep.
“The first thing out of their mouths is, ‘Is he a baseball guy?’ And I tell them, ‘He is,’ ” Brook said.
Stewart, one of Fort Collins’ own, can still go crosstown and play football at Colorado State. All he has to do is sign in February. Wyoming, New Mexico and Idaho are among schools who will wait for him, should he change his mind.
“If he was to come out and say that he’s a football kid, he would have offers from almost every school around,” Brook said.
When Stewart began playing baseball, he was a lot smaller than the 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame he now carries. He had a bat, a tee and a ball that his German shepherd would retrieve. Who doesn’t remember first love?
“I’ve thought about it a lot, but I’m a baseball player and I’ve always been that way,” he said.
Now, however, his thoughts are focused on football and having a banner senior season. The countdown to his final multisport year — he also plays basketball — starts today, and he doesn’t want to miss a moment.
Besides, what else would he be doing?
“I can’t even think of anything,” he said. “Probably yelling at my mom to make me a sandwich.”
This fall, the baseball guy is being asked to elevate his play on the football field.
“Oh, we’ll get him the ball,” Brook said.
This winter, the baseball guy good enough to check the point also will be asked to drive the lane and dunk to win the basketball game.
“From our end, he’s just a great athlete, but what I like about him is that he’s a humble kid, he’s coachable and he listens,” Lobos basketball coach Bruce Dick said.
This spring, the baseball guy will be asked to cap a stellar career and lead a Lobos three-peat in baseball, which would be only the second time (Cherry Creek won five in a row, from 1995-99) in big-school competition since being sanctioned in 1950.
“Stanford thinks he’s the best center fielder in the country,” Bullock said.
This school year, the three-sport star is being asked to continue his 4.0 grade-point average.
“I’ve got to keep up with my friends,” Stewart said.
And then the baseball guy will be just a baseball guy. Indeed, it’s fun being Jake Stewart.
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
Receptive to versatility
A look at Rocky Mountain High School’s Jake Stewart, a three-sport senior student-athlete:
Football: Speedy receiver with 58 catches in 2007, when he totaled 1,500 yards receiving and rushing, 18 touchdowns, All-Colorado by The Denver Post
Basketball: Averaged 6.3 points in 2007-08, known for defense, can cover the point guard or post
Baseball: Starting center fielder with great range who batted third with 29 RBIs, All-Colorado by The Denver Post; played in this summer’s Area Code games in California
Student: 4.0 GPA, 31 ACT
College offers: Arizona State, Nebraska and Stanford, each for baseball
Class 5A top 10
1. Grandview: Wolves have reloaded well the past several seasons. Now at the top with a stellar defense, they just might figure out how to stay there.
2. Douglas County: Huskies are a happening, including remarkable roster numbers and a hungry following. Their glorious run, a fun one to watch, continues.
3. Mullen: Talent, skill, tradition and coaching is always a winning combination. As dangerous and capable as any program, one set for another run.
4. Columbine: Model program has long been a tight fraternity of commitment, leadership and results. Basic tough-guy play in 5A rules!
5. Bear Creek: Great size and know-how. Air Bears a savvy group that can play with any team, any style.
6. Cherry Creek: Change can be good, even for the Bruins. New staff, new quarterback and a return to some of their historical traits, such as power rushing behind solid line play and defense, can’t hurt.
7. Mountain Vista: Golden Eagles have settled into big schools and hung around long enough to warrant a look.
8. Legacy: Lightning strike has been brewing, and this might be the group to do it. Go watch touted defensive end Nick Kasa. It’s worth your while.
9. Pomona: These guys have come to hate being no better than third-best in Jefferson County. They count on a top rusher, Donovan Bowens, among a gritty group.
10. Thomas Jefferson: Strike one for the city. Spartans have set their sights on the championship of a new league (Central Metro), a realistic goal.
Class 5A players to watch
Terry Alletto, Ponderosa, Sr., C
Adonis Ameen Moore, Mullen, So., RB
Jose Astorga, Douglas County, Sr., RB
Josh Bredl, Horizon, Sr., TE-DE
Donovan Bowens, Pomona, Sr., RB
Devon Connors, Overland, Sr., QB
Jace Davis, Highlands Ranch, Sr., Slot
Kendall Gregory, Cherokee Trail, Sr., TE
Tommy Flanagan, Bear Creek, Sr., RB-K
Jack Harris, Chaparral, Sr., T
Ryan Hewitt, Mullen, Sr., TE
Nick Kasa, Legacy, Sr., DE
Todd Knight, Grandview, Sr., MLB
Alex Logan, Mullen, Sr., S
Dajuan Mack, Bear Creek, Sr., WR
Isaac Okoye, Eaglecrest, Sr., DE
Taylor Paxtun, Cherry Creek, Sr., OL
Devin Pullara, Arapahoe, Sr., S-WR-Ret.
Luke Ruff, Douglas County, Sr., SS
Jeremiah Sirles, Bear Creek, Sr., T
Danny Spond, Columbine, Sr., QB Jake Stewart, Rocky Mountain, Sr., WR
Zach Thenell, Bear Creek, Jr., QB
Terrell Thompson, Eaglecrest, Sr., RB
DaVaughn Thornton, East, Sr., TE
Matt Tucker, Grandview, Sr., FS-QB
Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post
