Columbine running back/defensive back Josh Synder is the winner of the 2023 Denver Post Gold Helmet Award, edging out six other worthy senior finalists. Here’s a look at each of them:
Chaz Barnett
School: Rock Canyon
On the field: A disruptive force up front for the Jaguars defense, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive lineman has offers to play for Air Force, Army and Wyoming. As a senior, Barnett registered 52 tackles (4.0 for loss), including 6.0 sacks and three forced fumbles in 12 games. And over the past two seasons, he racked up 105 tackles (7.0 for loss), 12.5 sacks and three pass breakups.
Off the field: Barnett carries a 3.75 grade-point average in the classroom. Away from school, he has made a habit of helping neighbors, whether it’s putting up Christmas decorations for a neighbor with health issues, shoveling snow, assisting with flooding, or cleaning up leaves and debris. Barnett volunteers with his LDS church youth group, serving as a regional leader. As part of that role, he plans and leads social and service-oriented activities. In addition, Barnett has volunteered for Rock Canyon’s youth football camps multiple times.
Rylan Cooney
School: Holy Family
On the field: A three-year starter at quarterback, the 5-foot-8, 160-pound Cooney led Holy Family to its first state title at the Class 3A level with 3,645 total yards (2,812 passing, 816 rushing) and 48 touchdowns (25 passing, 23 rushing) this fall. That included 355 total yards and four TDs in the Tigers’ 3A title game win over Lutheran. For his career, Cooney compiled 8,363 total yards and 96 TDs while leading the Tigers to 23 wins.
Off the field: A Holy Family student ambassador, Cooney has welcomed incoming freshmen the past two years and served an upperclassman mentor while maintaining a 4.4 GPA. In addition, he’s been a camp counselor for Holy Family youth camps for four years and volunteered with the Northglenn Elks Club. As part of his community work, Cooney has assembled boxes of food and essentials for community members during the holidays and prepared 20 monthly meals at home that were distributed to local shelters, including Longmont Hope.
Cole Gaddis
School: Longmont
On the field: Committed to play for Colorado School of Mines next fall, the senior captain was a two-way force the past two years for Longmont. As a senior, he ran for 1,408 yards and 20 touchdowns out of the Trojans backfield while also amassing 78 tackles, one interception and a fumble recovery as a linebacker. Gaddis topped 1,000 yards rushing in each of his final two seasons, finishing with 2,856 total yards, 41 TDs and 226 career tackles (7.0 for loss).
Off the field: A peer tutor, two-time editor of the school yearbook, National Honor Society member and Link Crew member welcoming incoming freshmen, Gaddis has carried a 4.43 GPA while also attending Longmont’s Medical & BioScience Academy. A captain on the Trojans basketball team, he’s also served as a volunteer coach for Longmont basketball and football camps, and given time to A Woman’s Work, Weld County Food Bank, United Way of Weld County, Beef Sticks for Backpacks and Family Fan Club.
Blake Griffin
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Montrose RB Blake Griffin (26) eludes Dakota Ridge DB Dante Capoulungo (1) in the third quarter and heads for the end zone for a touchdown during the first round of the Colorado State 4A high school football playoffs at Randy Penn Field at Englewood High School Nov. 20, 2020. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post)
School: Montrose
On the field: A four-year varsity letterman and two-time captain who appeared in 35 games with the Red Hawks, Griffin played both ways this fall with 1,519 yards and 28 touchdowns rushing as a bruising tailback and 44 tackles (4.0 for loss) and one forced fumble as a linebacker for the Class 4A semifinalists. Over four seasons, Griffin ran for 4,389 yards and 69 TDs, including a 2,000-yard season as a junior.
Off the field: In the top 5% of his class with a 4.2 grade-point average, Griffin earned his pilot’s license as a junior. He has served on leadership teams focused on supporting the special needs community in Montrose. That included involvement in anti-bullying campaigns for special needs programs and working with the area’s Special Olympics program. In addition, Griffin has volunteered as a speed and conditioning coach for Montrose’s middle school programs and led youth sports camps.
Jordan Leslie
School: Mullen
On the field: Committed to play football for Dartmouth, Leslie has been a star on both the Mustangs’ football and basketball teams over the past two seasons. After joining the football program as a junior, Leslie took off as a pass-catcher and returner, culminating with a senior year that saw him catch 41 passes for 705 yards and compile 1,711 all-purpose yards and 13 total TDs (10 receiving, 3 punt returns).
Off the field: A peer tutor and mentor, Leslie carries a 4.25 GPA while also volunteering his time with the Denver Dream Center. He has participated in community outreach programs such as organizing Thanksgiving baskets, clothing drives and basketball camps for families around the Denver metro. A member of Athletes in Action, he has also participated in volunteer trips to places like Mexico, Peru and Puerto Rico.
Liam Szarka
School: Grandview
On the field: An Air Force commit, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound signal caller started three seasons for Grandview, leading the Wolves to the playoffs each year. As a senior, he racked up 3,501 total yards (2,922 passing, 579 rushing) with 43 touchdowns (28 passing, 15 rushing) in guiding Grandview to the Class 5A quarterfinals. The All-Colorado quarterback finished his prep career with 8,246 total yards and 97 touchdowns.
Off the field: A member of Grandview’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Szarka maintains a 4.2 GPA while giving his time to the community. In addition to serving on a Grandview-sponsored group that teaches sports to the school’s special needs population, he has volunteered at the Spartan Youth Football camp each of the past three years and been involved with Santa’s Elves, which provides gifts for families in need during the holiday season, the last five years.