5 to watch in 4A state championship game

We looked at five players to watch in the 5A state title game earlier in the day, so now let’s shift our focus to the Class 4A game in Pueblo. It’s been an odd 2020 season in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic with the real constant being change. But in this series, we will look at players who have consistently sizzled heading into championship weekend. In 4A, it’s Palmer Ridge-Loveland on Friday. The Bears are coming off three straight 3A titles and have looked equally impressive in 4A, going 6-0 on the strength of their pass-happy offense. Loveland, meanwhile, carried by a run attack that has averaged 340 yards per game, is looking for its first title since 2018 and eighth overall. [player_tooltip player_id="22527" first="Kaden" last="Dudley"], Palmer Ridge, WR: The Boise State commit, ranked 12^th in Colorado’s 2021 class, has surefire hands and speed to kill. In 2020, he’s been stout with 387 yards and a TD on 27 receptions. Over his three-year career, he has 92 receptions and 1,522 yards and 20 scores. He’s among QB [player_tooltip player_id="22533" first="Luke" last="McAllister"]’s favorite targets and should be pivotal Saturday. [player_tooltip player_id="22729" first="Ian" last="Loomis"], Loveland, LB: Loomis has 96 tackles and three sacks in eight games from the linebacker spot, including 10 for loss. He also has three picks and forced a fumble. He leads a defense that held Broomfield to seven points in the opening round, then high-powered Dakota Ridge to just 14 in the semifinals. He’s ranked as the 69^th athlete in Colorado’s 2022 class. [player_tooltip player_id="22533" first="Luke" last="McAllister"], Palmer Ridge, QB: The senior is headed to Colorado State in the fall, and throughout his career in Monument he’s given Rams fans something to be excited about. In 2020, he’s thrown for 1,646 yards and 23 touchdowns to six interceptions. In four of his six games, he’s thrown for at least four touchdowns. His statistical best game came against defending 4A champ Pine Creek in the opening round of the postseason where he threw for 367 yards and five TDs to no picks. [player_tooltip player_id="58946" first="Zack" last="Rakowsky"], Loveland, QB: The run-first quarterback leads Loveland on the ground with 1,224 yards and 16 TDs on 174 carries. In six of eight games, he rushed for more than 100. And in all eight games, he has a score. Throwing it, meanwhile, Rakowsky is 7 for 12 on the season with 49 yards and two TDs. [player_tooltip player_id="22560" first="Marcellus" last="Reed"], Palmer Ridge, DB/WR: Reed is the 47^th-ranked athlete in Colorado’s 2021 class and is committed to Pittsburg State (Kan.). In the fall, he’s been a force on both sides of the ball. As a receiver, he has 19 receptions for 596 yards and eight scores. Defensively, he’s been a stuck-to-you cornerback with two interceptions.