HIGHLANDS RANCH – A former Denver Bronco and his sons have been lighting up high school scoreboards in Highlands Ranch for years.
No, it’s not the McCaffreys.
Meet the Rubleys: Highland Ranch’s other prep football legacy family.
“I’ve always known the McCaffreys,” Highlands Ranch quarterback Jake Rubley said. “My brothers played against Max and Christian and I played against Luke. We’re always trying to beat them.”
Jake Rubley is the third son of former NFL quarterback T.J. Rubley, now head coach of the Falcons. A journeyman NFL backup, his biggest pro football moment was an infamous fourth-quarter interception against the Vikings in a 27-24 Green Bay Packers loss in 1995. Rubley became a scapegoat immediately following the loss and was cut days later.
Twenty-four years later, Rubley still looks back on that moment as an important one in shaping his football coaching philosophy.
“That was a miserable throw, the worst play in my life. But I’ll take the heat for it,” he said. “I tell the kids that what you read in the papers isn’t always true. It doesn’t get you off your path and it shouldn’t deter you.”
Denver was Rubley’s last NFL stop. He was brought in as a third-string injury replacement for Bill Musgrave in 1996, but didn’t play a down. When it came time to decide where to raise a family, however, Rubley came back to the Centennial State.
His two older sons, Ryan and Brock, carried on the family quarterbacking tradition at Mountain Vista before playing at Augustana and El Camino colleges, respectively. As a Mountain Vista ball boy, the youngest Rubley fell deeply in love with the game.
“It was awesome,” Jake said. “Growing up around football was amazing.”
With his junior season underway, Jake might be the most sought-after quarterback the Rubley family has ever produced. He has a four-star rating from 247Sports.com, which also lists him as the No. 9 pro-style quarterback in the country. He’s already received 17 college offers, including eight from AP Top 25 programs.
Jake made the decision to differentiate himself from his older brothers by attending Highlands Ranch — a decision T.J. credits in his son’s development.
“It just came down to environment, came down to the weight room and the different focus here in Highlands Ranch,” T.J. said. “It’s just a different place and from a football standpoint, it was better for Jake to come here.”
Jake took over as the Falcons’ starting quarterback last season, throwing for 1,951 yards and 20 touchdowns as a sophomore. He credits his attention to detail as the main reason for his success. It’s a trait he tries to emulate from his idol: New England Patriots QB Tom Brady.
“He’s one of those guys that pays the smallest attention to details and that’s why he wins,” Jake said. “Football is not just about Xs and Os. It’s about reading coverages, reading blitzes, defensive packages and formations. It’s a lot to learn.”
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, Jake is already a sizeable pocket presence at the prep level. But his even-keel personality is what impresses his dad most.
“He hangs in there, he’s optimistic, he’s good to people and he doesn’t let things get to him good or bad,” T.J. said. “If he has a great game or gets a college offer, something like that, he’s the same kid that he was the day before. If he has a bad game, you know, he’ll take it inside and he’ll work to fix it.”
The Falcons are far from a finished product. Turnovers and penalties hampered Highlands Ranch in a 30-20 loss to Eaglecrest to open the season.
“Our kids do a great job of playing tough,” Coach Rubley said. “They never quit and play lights out. We just have to play smarter and not make critical mistakes.”
It’s part of an ongoing process as Highlands Ranch prepares for perhaps the toughest schedule in the state — one that includes non-conference games against Grandview, Columbine, Regis and Pomona followed by a demanding 5A Metro South League schedule that concludes in November against defending state champion Valor.
Their success will hinge on the mistake-free football coached by T.J. and the arm of his son.
“We’re trying to create a culture here,” Jake said. “We’re trying to build a culture with our community and with our school. A culture where people want to come out here to see us play and be part of this.”
