Fort Collins' Jack McKeon runs wild, sets presumed program record in 5A football playoff win
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Fort Collins’ Jack McKeon just keeps smashing through would-be tacklers.
He’s smashing some records, too.
The Lambkins’ senior had a remarkable game when Fort Collins needed it, rushing for a presumed program record 370 yards with 4 touchdowns in a 42-25 win over ThunderRidge during a Colorado Class 5A first-round playoff game Nov. 7 at French Field.
“It’s special to watch what Jack does on the football field,” said head coach Matt Yemm, himself an alumnus and former Lambkins great.
This record playoff performance wasn’t even all that far off from the phenomenal senior season McKeon has authored.
The running back now 2,067 yards with 27 rushing TDs this season, leading Colorado 5A football in both marks. He also has four games with 200+ yards and five more with 3+ touchdowns.
This was McKeon’s masterpiece to date, though. The 370 yards (on 44 carries) is a presumed program record, though Fort Collins records are fuzzy before the MaxPreps era (2004 and beyond) in the program’s 100-plus year history.
“Certainly hasn’t (been done) for us in a playoff game,” Yemm said.
McKeon did it every which way. He grinded out tough yards for crucial first downs, broke several long runs and punched in four of Fort Collins’ five offensive scores — and probably crossed the goal line on a should-have-been fifth TD.
More importantly, McKeon set the tone early as ThunderRidge’s defensive length took away quarterback Justin Cranford’s throwing lanes.
That’s emblematic of McKeon’s rallying role for the Lambkins, who have now won a playoff game for just the second time in the last 11 seasons.
“What you see on the field is the tip of the iceberg for Jack. He has a 4.2 GPA. He’s the kindest, most genuine kid. Loves the game and his teammates. There’s nothing negative to say about him,” Yemm said.
“He’s our star but doesn’t act like it. The team feeds off that.”
True to form, the Lambkins senior also had more than 200 yards in the second half, helping turn a 7-7 game at halftime into a second-half track meet.
Of course, McKeon also slammed the door shut with under 5 minutes left and a 10-point Lambkins lead, scoring from 50 yards out to cap a career night.
— PSD Athletics Official (@PSD_ATHLETICS) November 8, 2025
“The coaches were yelling at me to stay in bounds. I saw the gap opening up, so I just hit it and went,” McKeon said with a laugh.
There were other Lambkins who made some big plays. Kaden Souders had a pick-six interception return TD, Ryley Forbes and Mason Bandhauer cleared the way up front and Jaden Smith was excellent in coverage on defense.
But McKeon’s legendary night will live on in Lambkins’ lore, a remarkable feat given the program’s tenure stretching back over a century.
“I take a lot of pride in it, but I’m only part of the job,” McKeon said. “The offensive line gives me the big holes, and all my downhill long runs are because of (receivers) blocking on the outside.
“When I score, it’s because of everybody.”
The toughest test yet is up next for McKeon and No. 13 Fort Collins (9-2, 4-1 league). No. 4 Legend (9-1, 5-0) awaits for a 5A second round showdown vs. the Lambkins after an opening-round bye.
But the future didn’t matter in the immediate aftermath. These Lambkins longed for a playoff win, recalling the 2021 team they’d watched as 8th graders get the program’s last postseason win.
“We’ve been working hard at this my whole four years here and to see it come to fruition like this is an amazing feeling,” McKeon said.
“I’m so happy for the kids to experience this in front of our home crowd at French Field. This place just has a little magic to it,” Yemm added.
For one night, McKeon made more than a little magic happen, rushing right into Fort Collins history.
This story has been updated with additional postgame quotes, context and statistics.
Chris Abshire covers high school and community sports for the Coloradoan.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Fort Collins football’s Jack McKeon runs wild in Colorado 5A playoff win
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