Durango High School senior football player Cully Feeney made an impression on the field in his lone season as the starting quarterback and off the field with Demons fans. Feeney was voted as the top Durango High School fall athlete on durangoherald.com
“I’m extremely grateful,” Feeney said. “It's pretty cool to see how many responses there were on that poll and how many people answered and supported me. It just feels good to know that Durango cares about Durango football and what I did this season.”
Feeney won the vote with 33% of the vote. Durango boys golfer Drew Jepson was second at 28% and Durango girls cross country runner Lacy Ruggiero was third at 21%.
After playing a huge role on the defensive side of the ball in 2023, Feeney replaced three-year starter and current Colorado Mesa quarterback Tyler Harms in 2024. The Demons and Feeney started slow, with a 0-2 start, but the quarterback and the team found their groove and finished the season 7-4 overall. Feeney led Durango to a 4-1 record in the Demons’ first year in the 4A Soco 2 League. The Demons hosted a state playoff game but lost to Heritage.
Feeney finished 10th in 4A in passing yards with 1,753 yards. He had 20 passing touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed for 668 yards and nine rushing touchdowns. He earned second team all-state for his play this fall.
“This season was really fun,” Feeney said. “It was pretty cool to get to see that turnaround from the 0-2 start, it was cool to get some eyes on Durango that weren't on us in the beginning of the season, toward the end, and flip that narrative. We exceeded a lot of people's expectations for us. So that was a really cool part to prove some people wrong.”
Feeney credited his growth this season to interim head coach Ryan Woolverton and offensive line coach Mike Sutter. Feeney said he and Woolverton got a lot closer this season; Woolverton pushed Feeney hard to succeed. At the same time, Feeney will remember Woolverton as a funny guy and will remember all the jokes they shared.
One of the reasons the 2024 season was special for Feeney was because he got to play with his brother, Grady. As a sophomore, Grady played running back and shared the backfield with Cully plenty of times this season. Feeney said he and Grady are close and his family will always remember the touchdown pass he had to Grady against Palisade.
Feeney will be on the baseball field under new Durango baseball head coach Masen Hibbeler in the spring. He thinks he’ll play pitcher, first base and outfield. The Demons are currently practicing twice or sometimes three times a day. Feeney is excited to have Hibbeler as the head coach and thinks he can turn Durango’s fortunes around this season.
In June, Feeney will play in the Colorado High School Coaches Association All-State football game in Pueblo. After that, he’ll head to Colorado School of Mines in the fall to study electrical engineering. Feeney is talking with the Colorado School of Mines football coaches about playing for the Orediggers in the future. His father, Conor, also went to Colorado School of Mines. Feeney wants to live up to his father’s legacy.
“My biggest inspiration is my dad,” Feeney said. “He's the one that introduced me to the sport of football. He pushes me to be the best person that I can be. He teaches me so many things like discipline, hard work and how to be a good young man.”
One of Feeney’s favorite things to do outside of sports is fly fishing with his dad. He enjoys trying to catch trout on the Animas River and the Florida River.
Feeney is a big Notre Dame fan and is super excited they’re in the College Football Playoff National Championship game. He’ll be cheering on his Fighting Irish on Monday against Ohio State just like many friends and family will cheer Feeney on in his future endeavors.
bkelly@durangoherald.com