Denver, CO
Renck: For Rudden family, joy comes from Cherry Creek baseball, Gabby’s legacy
Joy comes in many forms.
It was impossible to miss as royal blue caps and baseball gloves soared into the air on a cloudless Saturday, celebrating Cherry Creek’s 10th state baseball title.
On the All-Star Park field after an 8-1 victory over Regis Jesuit, teammates screamed and hugged as parents, overcome with emotion, wiped away tears. There is nothing like finishing a season as a champion.
For Wyatt and Walker Rudden, it represented their last time on a high school diamond together. Wyatt, the senior ace on his way to Michigan, and Walker, the gritty junior second baseman who refused to give up on his dream of starting, paused when trying to wrap their heads around the scene unfolding around them.
“His last pitch was a groundball to me,” Walker said, shaking his head. “Can you believe that?”
“He battled all year to get out there,” added Wyatt. “This was really special.”
Joy comes in many forms.
On the mound, Wyatt operates more like a middle linebacker than a pitcher. His fastball reaches 88 miles per hour, and he throws inside without fear, a trait “that really separates him and leads to his success,” explained Bruins pitching coach Dave Veres.
Wyatt reacted to three inning-ending strikeouts by flexing like Hulk Hogan before his finishing move.
“There might be a sip of an energy drink involved,” said Walker, who allowed one run on three hits, while navigating six walks with eight Ks over five innings. “What can I say? I love to compete. And the stakes were high.”
Joy comes in many forms.
Behind home plate, mother Megan stood watching, cheering, hiding her anxiety with polite conversation and a nervous smile. Husband Nick planted down the left field line, watching as a proud father and former Cherry Creek feeder team coach who worked with many of the kids on the roster.
“It means so much not because of the outcome but everything that goes into it,” Nick said. “We are blessed.”
The Rudden family is a Cherry Creek family. Nick and his three brothers played for legendary coach Marc Johnson. Nick won back-to-back titles in 1998 and 1999 as part of the school’s five-year run of dominance.
He carved out a role as a utility player at Michigan before returning home. That is when reality clobbered him over the head. His sister Tammy Rudden Krause’s 5-year-old daughter Gabby was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2003. She passed away after a 19-month battle.
Joy, even when facing unimaginable pain and loss, comes in many forms.
Tammy created the Bags of Fun Foundation in Gabby’s honor. Over 15,000 backpacks with toys and games have been given to children fighting critical, long-term and life-threatening conditions in Denver, Kansas City and Omaha.
“Gabby was so brave, such a strong spirit,” said Dananne Solomon, the foundation’s director in Colorado. “She turned her own fight into a movement of laughter.”
The program relies on fundraising — Cherry Creek High School plays an important role during their spring power week — and volunteers. Wyatt and Walker never met Gabby, but became immersed in her memory as they helped out in any way they could.
“They are always available for work at the warehouse,” said Tammy, who has been attending Cherry Creek games for decades, watching her brothers and nephews. “They go to work and do the not-so-fun stuff behind the scenes.”
The way Nick sees it, he would not have a family if not for Gabby. Megan worked as Gabby’s nanny after college. That is how she met Nick.
“My wife and our children, none of it exists without the cause. It is hard to articulate who Gabby was, her resilience,” Nick said. “I can’t do justice on what she has meant to us.”
It was around middle school when Wyatt and Walker began to realize how special Gabby was. It was natural for them to volunteer. But it went beyond that. At Cherry Creek, they recruited teammates and classmates. They saw firsthand how awful cancer is, and how customized bags of toys can allow kids to be kids again, even if only for a few hours.
“It just changes their lives. It’s horrible to have to deal with cancer,” Walker said. “This gives them some control in a situation where they often feel like they don’t have any.”
Wyatt has also viewed Gabby as someone who put others before herself. Not long ago, he listened to a classmate recall his experience with cancer. It brought everything full circle.
“He got a Bag of Fun. And just to hear his story was amazing. He had a really tough time and that really helped him through his process,” Wyatt said. “It was a reminder of just how meaningful the work and the (foundation) are.”
Joy comes in many forms.
Holding a trophy, surrounded by friends you have played with for years, creates goosebumps. These teammates will walk together forever.
But there was something deeper than sports at work on this sun-bleached afternoon. When the cheering stopped, and the long walk began to the parking lot, there was humility learned from small victories that are a lot bigger than a baseball game.
“My sister has taken the memory of Gabby and created a legacy. I can’t tell you how proud I am of her, of what she’s done,” Nick said. “She has inspired our family, Wyatt, Walker, Annabelle and Hudson. She has inspired the Cherry Creek baseball community to help, to never take anything for granted. Today is a day when Gabby’s memory lives on.”
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In a game that was over in the first quarter, the Denver Nuggets destroyed the Utah Jazz 135-112. The score isn’t even indicative of how the game went. To start the game, the Nuggets went on a massive run, leaving the Jazz down by 27 points in the middle of the 1st quarter. For the Jazz, it’s surprising just how different they are on the road versus at home. At home, the Jazz are 7-9 while they are 3-9 on the road. This game was a perfect example. The Jazz looked like they got Monstar’d in the first quarter, and there was no way for them to recover the rest of the game. It’s a sign that this Jazz team, as competitive as they’ve mostly been at home, is not there yet as a competitive team.
There were a few things on this one to build on, but some things to be concerned about. Keyonte George was able to calm down after a shaky start and was able to shoot a respectable 7/14 from the field and 2/4 from three. He also grabbed 8 boards and dished out 7 assists. George looked the most in control of anyone on the Jazz during the loss. It’s one of those signs that George is evolving into a great player who will perform at a high level regardless of whatever situation he’s in.
For things to be a little concerned about? Lauri Markkanen continues not shoot the three well. Tonight he was 2/9 from three and is now shooting 35.2%. Overall, Markkanen shot it well from the field at 10/20, but it would be nice if that three-point shot started falling more consistently. It’s the skillset that sets Markkanen apart but it’s not really showing up again this season. Last season, Markkanen ended the year at 34.6%. Is this the reflection of a season being thrown again, or is this just what Markkanen is as a shooter?
Probably the biggest concern of everything is the defense. Yes, you’re playing against Nikola Jokic, but the Jazz came into this one as the #29 defense in the league. So many times in this one, you have defenders playing off shooters and not able to defend shooters. And we’re not talking drive-and-kick-type plays, these are one-pass-away possessions that are getting open threes. It’s not the best sign for this team, ever being a high-level defense. Maybe they’re not trying as hard with the obvious tank that now appears to be happening, but it would be nice to see some better outcomes with the defense on nights like tonight. That said, the best thing for this team, after a game like tonight, is to add more talent to the roster. Fixing the defense is something they’ll worry about more next season. But it’s definitely something to watch as the season goes on, and pay attention to who is able to make an impact defensively.
The Denver Broncos saw their 11-game winning streak end thanks to the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was a pretty brutal performance all the way around from Denver, but thanks to that 11-game winning streak, the Broncos were actually able to lose a game – they could afford a loss, if that makes sense.
Even with the Bills, Chargers, and Patriots all winning in Week 16, the 12-3 Broncos are still atop the AFC West and atop the AFC. All Denver has to do is win their final two games, and both things will be clinched. With Denver slowly beginning to battle key injuries, getting that first-round bye could be massive for the health of the team.
With the Kansas City Chiefs likely starting a third-string QB in Week 17, you would like to think that Denver can take care of business and get to 13-3, which could set up a massive showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers for the division title. Well, that game just got a bit more interesting, as a key Chargers’ defensive player was just suspended.
Chargers lose starting linebacker Denzel Perryman to a two-game suspension
Here is the update from Tom Pelissero:
Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman has been suspended without pay for two games for repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players, including during Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 22, 2025
Denzel Perryman is a starting linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers and was essentially suspended two games for not playing a clean, safe version of football. This obviously means that Perryman is not suiting up for the remainder of the regular season, but will be back in time for the playoffs.
Perryman, 33 years old, is on his second stint with the Chargers and has now played in 10 games this year. In those 1- games, he’s racked up three passes defended, 47 total tackles, and four tackles for loss. Perryman is definitely more of a tone-setter on the defensive side of the ball and not someone who is going to make those hyper-athletic splashy plays that some linebackers can make.
This is huge for the Chargers’ defense, a very good unit thanks to defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, but the personnel on that side of the ball aren’t super talented. The Chargers are one of those teams that honestly benefit more from great coaching than they do having more talent than the opponent.
The Bolts can still win the AFC West, but they would have to win their final two games. Not having Denzel Perryman for a massive Week 18 showdown in Denver is flat-out massive and a huge blow to their defense.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence discusses his team’s sixth straight win
Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdown passes and ran for one score in the Jaguars’ 34-20 win over the Denver Broncos.
DENVER — Time to recalibrate our expectations for this Jacksonville Jaguars team. Time to set a higher bar. Time to think about bigger things. Time to talk about goals beyond an AFC South title.
Like Super Bowl things.
How can you not after watching the Jaguars beat the Denver Broncos 34-20 at the cauldron known as Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Dec. 21? It was impressive and thorough and workmanlike, how the Jaguars ended the Broncos’ 11-game winning streak and handed them their first home loss in more than a year.
The Jaguars should believe a division title — they lead the Houston Texans by a game — isn’t enough.
The Jaguars should feel winning a first-round playoff game is only the beginning of a magical run in January/February.
And the Jaguars should be confident regardless of whether they have to return to Denver or play at New England next month.
“The fight of this team,” veteran receiver Tim Patrick said as he shook his head. “It was our first time this year going back and forth against somebody and battling and the continued will to execute at a high level when the pressure was on, I’m definitely proud of the guys.”
Welcome to the party, Jaguars. The Super Bowl Contender Party.
Hey, New England, Denver and Buffalo in the AFC and the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle, Philadelphia and Chicago in the NFC, make a place at the table for the Jaguars, who have won 11 games in a season for the first time since 2007 and have a six-game heater for the first time since 1999.
They … have … arrived.
“It’s not about ‘arriving’ — I knew what we had in OTAs (last spring),” cornerback Jourdan Lewis said. “I guess the rest of the league (now) understands who we are.”
Coen doesn’t care about narrative
Opponents should understand the Jaguars are hitting a new stride in their passing game (three touchdowns for quarterback Trevor Lawrence), have myriad play-makers (take a bow, receiver Parker Washington) and are all kinds of opportunistic on defense (two more takeaways).
But maybe to spice things up and feed the internal narrative that nobody believe in them, Jaguars coach Liam Coen found a new target last week: Broncos coach Sean Payton.
During the week, Payton said of the Jaguars: “It’s a smaller market, but you see a real good team.”
Not sure what being a smaller market has to do with winning in the NFL with revenue sharing and the salary cap, but Payton tends to stir the pot, even if it isn’t on purpose.
You really never know where Coen is going to take a press conference. To get the briefing going, I threw out an innocuous, big-picture question about all three phases contributing to the win. (And they did. The special teams was lights out.)
“Great team effort,” Coen began.
But then, he couldn’t help himself.
“Just thankful that a small-market team like us can come into a place like Mile High and get it done,” Coen continued.
Boom. I asked Coen if it really was a rallying cry.
“You know … yes. Yeah,” he said.
Whatever works. Back in Week 4, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh was the figurative bullseye. Being a home underdog to Indianapolis two weeks ago was noted. Entering this game, it was Payton.
Manufactured motivation has been a part of sports at all levels since the first newspaper was published and first microphone was turned on to gather audio.
Look, as I talked to a long-time team employee earlier this month about, the Jaguars won’t get their desired respect even if they won the Super Bowl. The headlines outside Jacksonville the next morning would be more about the losing team.
Coen kinda embraces it, but sorta not.
“We don’t really care about the narrative,” he said. “I want that narrative to keep coming. It’s only helping us.”
Team getting better each week
You know what’s really helping the Jaguars? They’re a darn good team. A team improving each week.
This is why I won’t make a habit of writing the “Nobody believes in us. Nobody respects us,” card. I’ll leave that to players, coaches and fans.
What should be the focus is how the Jaguars took the lead over Denver for good with 4:33 left in the second quarter, part of a stretch where they outscored the Broncos 27-7.
Against the Broncos’ league-best red zone defense, the Jaguars went 4 of 5.
Against the Broncos’ league-best third down defense, the Jaguars went 8 of 15.
And against the Broncos’ league-best pass rush, the Jaguars gave up five sacks, but for a total of 14 lost yards.
The Jaguars offense is borderline unstoppable with a league-high 12 games of at least 25 points.
After consecutive punts to open the game, the Jaguars went touchdown, punt, touchdown, field goal, touchdown, touchdown and field goal to take control.
After allowing a Denver touchdown, the Jaguars’ defense went field goal, punt, touchdown, punt, fumble, field goal and interception over the next seven possessions.
As we head toward Christmas, this Jaguars season — unexpectedly entertaining and successful — is presenting you, the fans, the best kind of present. And it’s a ride that may not end until mid-February in Santa Clara, Calif.
“My expectations were already high,” Patrick said. “This was just another stop.”
Just another stop, but a huge stop on the way to the Super Bowl.
Contact O’Halloran at rohalloran@gannett.com
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