In an age of specialization in high school sports, Rocky Mountain’s Bryan Peters is a rarity – he’s a three sport athlete.
And not just any three-sport athlete. One of the top quarterbacks in the state, Peters was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Colorado. On the basketball court, he led the Lobos in steals and was an honorable mention all-league choice.
But the baseball diamond is where Peters might be at his best. Headed to Nebraska on a baseball scholarship, Peters has been a member of Rocky Mountain’s past two state championships with sights set on a third.
Bryan Peters of Rocky Mountain.
Photo by Patrick Miller
“I have very high expectations for my team in the postseason,” Peters said. “A lot of the players on our team have been around the past two years during our state title runs so we have the experience of playing in big games and we know what it takes to win them.”
The playoff pressure didn’t bother Peters in Rocky Mountain’s first two playoff wins at the district level. In an 11-0 win over Ponderosa, Peters blasted a two-run homer. In an 8-0 win over Chatfield in the second game, Peters took to the mound and threw a one-hitter while striking out eight for the victory.
That type of performance is no surprise to Lobo coach Scott Bullock who knew there was something special about Peters the first time he saw him.
“The first day he walked into our school you could tell he was special,” Bullock said. “You just know immediately he is one of those kids that are going to succeed.”
Part of the reason behind that success is Peters’ drive to be the best.
“My biggest strength has to be my competitiveness,” Peters said. “I hate to lose even in the littlest, most pointless things and I will do everything in my power to win.”
Bullock notes that one of the ways Peters gets ahead is through hard work.
“He never takes a day off and he never has a bad day,” he said. “He shows up every day with the right approach to life, school and baseball.”
Bullock added that Peters’ approach is what has made him successful on the field of play as well as in his personal life.
“Bryan has numerous qualities that make him special. I would say he is very tough mentally. His mental toughness is second to nobody. He is very hard working in athletics and in the classroom and he is very respectful of his peers, his teaches and his coaches and obviously he gets the same in return.”
“He’s a kid who gets it.”
Peters’ abilities and competitiveness have helped make Rocky Mountain one of the top baseball, and football, programs in the state.
Bryan Peters, Rocky Mountain
Courtesy Photo
As a junior, Peters was an all-conference defensive back and backed up all-state quarterback Alex Kelly on offense. Peters took over the role of Lobo signal caller as a senior and shined. Blessed with one of the state’s top receivers to throw to in Jake Stewart, Peters completed 150 of 244 passes for 2,536 yards and 31 touchdowns with just two interceptions. He also showed off his all-around athletic ability by leading the team in rushing with 949 yards on 113 carries with 12 touchdowns.
The Lobos won their first 11 games of the season before falling to eventual champion Mullen in the third round of the 5A playoffs. For his efforts, Peters was named as the state’s top player by Gatorade. He was also named the Old Spice Red Zone player of the year, and received the Denver Post Golden Helmet as that publication’s top player.
Peters could very easily be in the running for the Gatorade award in baseball as well. Rocky Mountain teammate Andy Burns won the honor last year with a .463 average that included 36 RBI and 10 home runs. Peters has a very similar batting line with a .446 average that includes nine home runs and 26 RBI. Peters also has performed well on the mound, striking out 50 batters in 29 innings with a 6-0 overall record.
As a junior, Peters batted .436 with six home runs and 27 RBI and was 5-0 on the mound with 48 strikeouts and a 1.13 ERA. In his three years combined on the varsity team, Peters has never lost a pitching decision.
Peters earned all-state honors last year from the Rocky Mountain News and from the Denver Post. Over the summer, he played for Perfect Game National in Minneapolis.
“It was sweet to play in the Metrodome against some of the best players around the world.”
Ranked by MaxPreps as one of the top 100 players in the country, Peters credits his coaches with helping him hone his skills along with long hours of practice with his father.
“We used to practice in the backyard throwing the ball around with me trying to imitate the Rockies hitters as I would listen to their games.”
Peters may soon join those Rockies hitters at the major league level. Peters could be selected in the June draft, something Peters is looking forward to.
“It would be one of the best experiences of my life because it has always been my dream since I was a little kid,” he said.
For now, however, Peters and his teammates are focused on another state championship. While Peters has performed well throughout the season, a number of his teammates have also excelled, especially Stewart.
A three-sport star in his own right, Stewart is a two-time all-state football player and he is batting a team best .543 with nine home runs and 44 RBI. He had a grand slam and a solo home run in the playoff win over Ponderosa.
Add in Marco Gonzales, who is batting .533 with 30 RBI, and Pierce Trumper, who is hitting at a .415 clip, and the Lobos appear to be a tough team to beat heading down the stretch. Peters, however, knows it won’t be easy.
The Lobos entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed behind No. 1 Rampart and No. 2 Cherry Creek. Rocky Mountain lost to the Bruins 10-2 just a few days before the state playoffs began.
After winning the district title over the weekend, Rocky Mountain begins state tournament play on Friday against Heritage. A win in that game, and a Cherry Creek win over Grandview, would set up a Cherry Creek – Rocky Mountain matchup later in the day.
“They are going to be a tough team to beat because they have a lot of talent and experience,” said Peters.
The state finals are set for May 16 at All-City Field in Denver. Don’t be surprised if Peters and his Lobo teammates celebrate a third straight state title that day.
MaxPreps
Baseball Report
