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A look at the 2023 football schedules for Pueblo-area high schools

chris abdelmalek, pueblo chieftain
·8 min read

The 2023-24 fall sports season is quickly approaching, and what better way to kick things off than to preview the upcoming football schedule for each of the Pueblo schools participating in the sport?

This year’s schedule is filled with excitement as each team is starting the year with a renewed sense of hope that they can add their name to the legacy that is Pueblo football.

The following is a list of each of the Pueblo high school football schedules along with some key matchups to look for throughout the season.

Please note, not all games have been scheduled and some games are subject to change due to weather conditions and other outside factors. Please check back throughout the season for the Games of the Week articles for up-to-date game schedules. (*denotes league games)

More: Pueblo's gridiron greats: 15 state champion teams that left their mark on the Steel City

Dolores Huerta Prep (8-man football)

This season for the Scorpions feels like a brand new one altogether with a new coach and a new set of players. The Scorpions are hoping to erase last year's season from their minds and focus on building a new culture on the field. After a disappointing 2-7 season, there is only one direction for the program to truly head, and that’s upward.

  • Aug. 19: Wiley, TBA

  • Aug. 26: at Vail Christian (Edwards, CO), TBA

  • Sept. 2: Elbert (Elbert, CO), TBA

  • Sept. 8: TBA, TBA

  • Sept. 16: Justice (Lafayette, CO), TBA

  • Sept. 29: at Hoehne (Hoehne, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 14: at Walsenburg (Walsenburg, CO)*, 1 p.m.

  • Oct. 21: Custer County (Westcliffe, CO)*, TBA

  • Oct. 28: Fowler (Fowler, CO)*, 1 p.m.

Rye High School (Class 2A)

The Thunderbolts had one of their best seasons in the last five years in 2022, going 8-2 overall and sweeping their league games with a perfect 5-0 record. However, the Thunderbolts laid an egg in the playoffs and will look to rectify that this upcoming season with a plethora of returning starters.

  • Sept. 1: Manitou Springs (Manitou Springs, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 8: at Salida (Salida, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 15: at Center Center (Center, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 22: Trinidad (Trinidad, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 29: Ellicott (Calhan, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 6: at Colorado Springs Christian (Colorado Springs, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 13: Peyton (Peyton, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 20: Banning Lewis Academy (Colorado Springs, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 26: at Rocky Ford (Rocky Ford, CO)*, 7 p.m.

Pueblo Central (Class 3A League 1)

The Wildcats were just one win away from making an appearance in the playoffs last season. A late-season injury to running back Amari Brown may have cost the Wildcats a chance at returning to the playoffs for the first time since the 2012-13 season. Some of their key matchups to watch for this year are the Bell Game on Oct. 6 and the final two road games of the season against Harrison and Pueblo South.

  • Aug. 25: at Alamosa (Alamosa, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Aug. 31: Pueblo East (Pueblo, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 7: Heritage (Littleton, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 15: at Coronado (Colorado Springs, CO), 6 p.m.

  • Sept. 22: at Pueblo County (Pueblo, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 6: Pueblo Centennial (Pueblo, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 13: at Sierra (Colorado Springs, CO)*, 6 p.m.

  • Oct. 20: Lewis-Palmer (Monument, CO)*, 4:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 27: at Harrison (Colorado Springs, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Nov. 3: at Pueblo South (Pueblo, CO)*, 7 p.m.

More: The Bell rings Blue! The 2022 Bell Game goes to Central in a 30-0 victory

Pueblo Centennial (Class 3A League 1)

The Pueblo Centennial football team listen to the National Anthem at the start of the 2022 Bell Game on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.
The Pueblo Centennial football team listen to the National Anthem at the start of the 2022 Bell Game on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.

The Bulldogs have not been to the playoffs since the 2015-16 season, but it wasn't due to a lack of heart or effort from the team. Unfortunately, last year, the team suffered many injuries throughout the season which derailed any momentum they would build after a victory. Some of their key games this year include the Bell Game (Oct. 6) and the matchup against Pueblo South (Oct. 26) near the end of the season.

  • Sept. 2: Palmer (Colorado Springs, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 8: at Widefield (Colorado Springs, CO), noon

  • Sept. 14: at Cheyenne Mountain (Colorado Springs, CO), 6:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 21: Discovery Canyon (Colorado Springs, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 6: at Pueblo Central (Pueblo, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 13: Harrison (Colorado Springs, CO)*, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 20: at Sierra (Colorado Springs, CO)*, 6 p.m.

  • Oct. 26: Pueblo South (Pueblo, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Nov. 3: at Lewis-Palmer (Monument, CO)*, 7 p.m.

Pueblo South (Class 3A League 1)

The Pueblo South High School football team take the field at Dutch Clark Stadium at the start of the 47th annual Cannon Game on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.
The Pueblo South High School football team take the field at Dutch Clark Stadium at the start of the 47th annual Cannon Game on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.

The Colts were another team that was just a few wins away from making it to the playoffs last season. With losses to Lewis-Palmer and Harrison, the Colts finished second in their league but hope to have a bounce-back season this year. Another big task ahead of them will be keeping their composure during the biggest game of the season, the Cannon Game against Pueblo East which takes place late in September.

  • Aug. 25: Pueblo County (Pueblo, CO), 4:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 1: Discovery Canyon (Colorado Springs, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 14: at Green Mountain (Lakewood, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 22: at Pueblo East (Pueblo, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 29: Monarch (Louisville, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 5: Sierra (Colorado Springs, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 13: at Lewis-Palmer (Monument, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 20: Harrison (Colorado Springs, CO)*, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 26: at Pueblo Centennial (Pueblo, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Nov. 3: Pueblo Central (Pueblo, CO)*, 7 p.m.

More: Pueblo South disqualified from Cannon Game for sideline brawl, cannon booms gold for East

Pueblo East (Class 3A League 2)

The Pueblo East High School football team take the field at Dutch Clark Stadium at the start of the 46th annual Cannon Game on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.
The Pueblo East High School football team take the field at Dutch Clark Stadium at the start of the 46th annual Cannon Game on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.

The Eagles are coming off a very exciting season, to say the least. After taking the cannon back last year with a controversial victory over South, the Eagles made the playoffs but unfortunately were bounced out in the first round by Lutheran. They will look to once again make the playoffs and hold on to the cannon this year, but will have to do so with a new quarterback, as last year's leader, Zayden Stevens, has departed from the program. Aside from the Cannon Game, the Eagles have big matchups against Pueblo County and Discovery Canyon at the end of the season.

  • Aug. 24: Cheyenne Mountain (Colorado Springs, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Aug. 31: at Pueblo Central (Pueblo, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 8: at La Junta (La Junta, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 15: at Lutheran (Parker, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 22: Pueblo South (Pueblo, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 6: Sand Creek (Colorado Springs, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 13: at Canon City (Canon City, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 19: Mitchell (Colorado Springs, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 27: Discovery Canyon (Colorado Springs, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Nov. 3: at Pueblo County (Pueblo, CO)*, 7 p.m.

Pueblo County (Class 3A League 2)

Pueblo County's Cohen Glenn pulls back to pass with pressure coming from Pueblo West's Johnathan Forsythe during the 20th annual Pigskin Classic game at the Colorado State University Pueblo ThunderBowl on Friday, September 2, 2022.
Pueblo County's Cohen Glenn pulls back to pass with pressure coming from Pueblo West's Johnathan Forsythe during the 20th annual Pigskin Classic game at the Colorado State University Pueblo ThunderBowl on Friday, September 2, 2022.

The Hornets were in a bit of a transition period last year with new head coach Ramie Enriquez taking over the calls. Despite the new leadership, the Hornets were one win away from making it to the playoffs last year; that crucial loss came at the end of the season against Pueblo East. The Hornets have key matchups early in the season including the Pigskin Classic against Pueblo West which will once again be taking place at CSU Pueblo this year. Their matchup against Pueblo East in the final game of the season could once again determine who will make it to the playoffs out of the league.

  • Aug. 25: at Pueblo South (Pueblo, CO), 4:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 1: at Pueblo West (Pueblo West, CO) CSU-Pueblo ThunderBowl, 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 8: Harrison (Colorado Springs, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 22: Pueblo Central (Pueblo, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 6: Canon City (Canon City, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 14: at Discovery Canyon (Colorado Springs, CO)*, noon

  • Oct. 20: Sand Creek (Colorado Springs, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 27: at Mitchell (Colorado Springs, CO)*, 6 p.m.

  • Nov. 3: Pueblo East (Pueblo, CO)*, 7 p.m.

More: Pueblo West football claims Pigskin Classic again with blowout win over Pueblo County

Pueblo West (Class 4A League 4)

The Cyclones finished last season with a 7-5 record overall, were third in their league and were able to earn a playoff berth as well. Led by running back Jacob Trader, the Cyclones were able to get some key victories last year, but unfortunately, their run ended in the first round of the playoffs. This year, they will have their traditional Pigskin Classic game against Pueblo County at CSU Pueblo and have key games against Mesa Ridge late in September and Montrose at the end of the season. Both games will be at home for the Cyclones.

  • Aug. 18: at Grand Junction (Grand Junction, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Aug. 25: at Dakota Ridge (Littleton, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 1: Pueblo County (Pueblo, CO) CSU-Pueblo ThunderBowl, 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 8: Fountain-Fort Carson (Fountain, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 23: Far Northeast Warriors (Denver, CO), 6 p.m.

  • Sept. 29: Mesa Ridge (Colorado Springs, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 6: at Palmer Ridge (Monument, CO), 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 13: Falcon (Falcon, CO)*, 7 p.m.

  • Oct. 19: at Coronado (Colorado Springs, CO)*, 6 p.m.

  • Oct. 27: Montrose (Montrose, CO)*, 7 p.m.

Christopher Abdelmalek is a sports reporter for the Pueblo Chieftain and can be reached at cabdelmalek@gannett.com or on Twitter: @chowebacca. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Here are the 2023 football schedules for Pueblo-area high schools