Quick Hits

The Bears have been one of the most successful teams in recent Colorado 3A football history. Prior to 2008, Rifle had been in the playoffs for 13 consecutive years and had been league champions in 4 of the previous 10 years (with a 86 – 35 record). Rifle once again made the playoffs in 2011 and won the Western Slope Conference title with a perfect 10-0 regular season record.

Despite finishing fourth in the Western Slope Conference in 2004 and 2005, the Bears appeared in two consecutive 3A state championship games, and brought home the state title in 2004. In 2006, the Bears finished the season tied for the best record in the Conference. In the playoffs, Rifle scored more points than any other Mean Moose opponent in a quarterfinal loss to eventual state champion Alamosa. In 2007, the Bears qualified for the playoffs for the 13th consecutive year and more than held their own with eventual state finalist Falcon, scoring more points than any Falcons opponent had all year.

In all, the Bears have 28 Colorado state playoff appearances and have played in 50 total playoff games with a 24-25-1 all time playoff record in the single elimination tournament. The Bears are an impressive 12-10 in the playoffs since 1998.