Cyclones looking to storm through 4A again

(PUEBLO WEST, Colo) -- Pueblo West football is used to being competitive on the gridiron every single season, and this year's squad expectations are no different. "We've got a good group of kids, and there's some pretty good football players, too," head coach Clint Buderus said. "We're excited to see what happens and get started." These Cyclones are hungry to grow from last year, which was a supposed rebuilding cycle. "I feel like we're definitely more conditioned," senior wide receiver Elijah Goodloe said. "Our skill positions are a lot better. We're a lot faster and we have a lot of leaders on the team." Now with more experience, the Cyclone offense will bring back most of its pieces from last year including junior quarterback Chase Harrison who gained plenty of experience starting as a sophomore who's ready for another jump this fall. "He's our best kid in the weight room," Buderus said. "Not that we don't have other kids that do that, but he's really developed in that way, his knowledge of the game is a lot better just being in those situations, being thrown in the fire and having to learn from that is huge." But this group will be put to the test this season. Ranked seventh in the MaxPreps preseason rankings for 4A, the Cyclones will battle some of the best in southern Colorado including Palmer Ridge, Vista Ridge and Mesa Ridge. But these Cyclones are not afraid of the moment. During their practice on Monday, they practiced special teams and end of game situations to focus on the little details and situational football as they prepare to make another playoff run. "They're bought in," Buderus said. "They understand what the task is, and they understand the process and what it's going to take to get there." Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.