DENVER BRONCOS HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE WEEK
Rich Bortner
School: Arvada Bulldogs, Class 3A Metro North League.
Record: 1-1 in 2015 and career.
Coaching résumé: Student assistant at Middle Tennessee State from 2007-08; assistant at Skyline High School from 2011-12; offensive coordinator at Hinkley in 2013; worked with Smoky Hill in summer 2014, went back to Skyline as an offensive consultant during the season; in his first year as head coach at Arvada.
Life lines: Age: 29. Native of Lakenheath, England. Graduated from Crestview (Fla.) High School in 2004 and Middle Tennessee State in 2008, earning a degree in liberal studies and outdoor recreation. Teaches social studies at Arvada K-8.
Back in his day: Three-year letterman and tackle for the Crestview Bulldogs from 2001-03; first-team all-area as a senior; honorable mention all-area as a junior, when Bulldogs won a state title and were 13-1; also competed in weightlifting and track (made the regionals in discus). Guard for Middle Tennessee State from 2005-07. Forced to retire after spinal injury.
Last week: Arvada defeated Sheridan 27-14.
“I like a challenge,” Bortner said.
He has one — the Bulldogs entered the season not having won a game since Sept. 13, 2013, when they outlasted Skyline 48-47 in overtime. It was 18 losses in a row before the Sheridan game.
The Bulldogs took their victory in stride.
“I don’t know that they were acutely aware initially, but it was in the backs of their minds,” Bortner said. “They always knew there was a losing streak, and we didn’t bill it that way.”
Deondre Gordon caught a pass for one touchdown and returned an interception for another. Junior quarterback Ian Coleman ran for another score, as did running back Michael Lambert.
With just 30 players in the program “on a good day,” Bortner said, challenges remain for Arvada. He admitted he has more than one Bulldog who’s playing his first downs and frequently has no idea about the game’s language, such as “the back side.” Inexperience is everywhere.
Nevertheless, winning can change a lot.
“It was awesome,” the coach said.
The Denver Broncos high school coach of the week award will have 10 honorees during the regular season and a coach of the year at season’s end. The winners are selected by Neil H. Devlin, Ring of Fame member Billy Thompson and 850 KOA’s Andy Lindahl. Each weekly winner will receive a $1,000 donation to his school in his name made possible by the NFL Foundation and the coach of the year will receive a $2,000 grant. They will be honored during halftime at the Broncos’ Jan.3 game against San Diego at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
