A season to remember is in the books. But the Colorado Springs Flames aren’t ready for it to end.

The unbeaten Flames won the Colorado Football Conference championship Saturday with a 52-30 victory over the Denver Titans. They are scheduled to play Dec. 5 in Las Vegas against a California team for the Far West Football Association title. A victory there, and it’s on to Florida in January for a shot at the national semipro championship.

“Love to go to Vegas, take the show on the road,” quarterback James Everett said after throwing three touchdown passes and running for a score Saturday.

Everett, 31, the conference offensive MVP, is among five Flames players scheduled to play in the Far West all-star event Oct. 17 in Vegas. Also scheduled to play are receivers Bobby Purify and Andrew Goggans, linebacker Marcus Benjamin and defensive back Clint Christenson. Assistant general manager and defensive coordinator Nic Olney, who was selected to coach, said more players likely will be added.

That’s the kind of year it has been for the Flames (10-0), who outscored opponents 514-66 en route to their seventh conference title.

“I’m loving life, living the dream,” said defensive lineman Trevor Hudson, who missed four games because of a six-month Air Force deployment to the Middle East.

Purify, the former University of Colorado standout, was named the conference special teams MVP. Linebacker Donte Stewart was the defensive MVP.

“The cohesiveness, talent, the way everyone helps each other — this has got to be the top team I’ve played for,” said Goggans, 26, a one-time walk-on at Colorado State.

Photo by