Pomona’s Brendon Powley, Matt Taylor, Reid Fowler and Mercello Laguera defend the Panthers’ goal during a corner kick Monday against Standley Lake. Laguera, far right, scored the game-winning goal for Pomona in the 94th minute. (Dennis Pleuss)
If Monday at the North Area Athletic Complex is any indication, the Class 5A Jeffco League boys’ soccer conference title race will be quite a ride.
The Standley Lake Gators entered its league game against rival Pomona with an impressive 7-0-0 mark and No. 6 ranking in this week’s CHSAANow.com 5A soccer poll. While on paper it looked like a mismatch, the Panthers pulled out a 2-1 double-overtime victory to improve to 2-4-0, 1-1-0 in league.
“Anything can happen in Jeffco 5A,” Pomona coach Mike Askin said after the dramatic win. “We needed this to get back in the running.”
The game-winning goal was scored in the 94th minute off the foot of Pomona junior Marcello Laguera. Aided by a strong north wind at his back, Laguera’s shot from well outside the goal box sailed over the head of a leaping Standley Lake goalie Ryan Fernandez and into the back of the net.
“I saw that wind and the ball just took a skip,” Askin said of Laguera’s goal. “Elements are part of the game.”
It was the first goal since Pomona junior Jake Semple tied the game at 1 in the 27th minute of the first half.
The Panthers had a couple of chances for the go-ahead goal in the second half. The best scoring opportunity came in the 64th minute when senior Dillon Fee ripped a shot off the far post.
Standley Lake junior Jesse Schones, right, tries to fend off Pomona sophomore Luis Aguilar during the Class 5A Jeffco League game Monday at the North Area Athletic Complex. (Dennis Pleuss)
“I thought everyone put in an extra effort to win today,” Fee said. “There are a lot of good teams (in 5A Jeffco). They are young and fresh like us. We can move the ball around and showed we can play in this league too.”
Standley Lake (7-1-0, 1-1-0) now must rebound from its first setback of the season. The Gators haven’t won a boys’ soccer league title since 1990.
Sophomore Kyler Fowkes scored his eighth goal of the season for the Gators in the 11th minute, but Pomona adjusted to a four-back system to bottle up Standley Lake’s leading scorer for the majority of the game.
“I think it will humble us a little bit,” Fowkes said of the loss.
Standley Lake coach Jeff Vigil expected his team to have a target on its back entering league play after the hot start. He also believes his squad will respond positively after the setback.
“This program the last four years has been build on hard work, teamwork, being a family and being dedicated to each other,” Vigil said. “I think until you face adversity you truly don’t know if you are going to succeed in the big picture.”
The next league test for Standley Lake will be an important one against Chatfield (6-2, 2-0) at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at Lakewood Memorial Field. Pomona’s next conference tilt is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at NAAC against Bear Creek.
“This league is just crazy,” Vigil said. “Nobody is going to go undefeated in league.”
Standley Lake sophomore Kyler Fowkes hurdles Pomona senior Tanner Osiecki during the first half Monday at the North Area Athletic Complex. Fowkes scored his eighth goal of the season, but Pomona scored a 2-1 victory in double overtime. (Dennis Pleuss)
As the 2013 CHSAA girls gymnastics season hits its midpoint, there are some teams that are posting some top scores, along with multiple individual performances that need to be recognized.
CHSAA gymnastics schools submit their team scores to the CHSAA Office, but post the top individual and team results to cohsgymnastics.blogspot.com.
Note: Scores as reported to the blog on or before September 20.
The top 25 team scores up to this point include Mountain Range with the top score at 182.6 (Sept. 19), but also the season’s third (180.0, Aug. 29) and fifth (178.9, Sept. 6) best scores. Overland has the second best team score (180.475, Sept. 6) and 21st (169.9, Sept. 11) top score.
Defending 5A team state champion Broomfield has the fourth and 10th best scores this season (179.9, Aug. 29; 176.6, Sept. 4). Green Mountain checks in with the season’s sixth best score (178.675, Sept. 18), while Arvada West has posted the seventh (178.55, Sept. 5), 11th (174.8, Sept. 6), 12th (173.825, Aug. 29) and 23rd (168.75, Sept. 18).
Cherry Creek has the eighth (178.425, Sept. 7), ninth (177.325, Sept. 11) and 20th (170.325, Sept. 18). Chatfield checks in with the 13th best score (173.125, Sept. 10), while defending 4A team state champion Elizabeth has the 14th (172.450, Aug. 29) top team score this season.
Ponderosa checks in with No. 15 (171.3, Sept. 18), while Rocky Mountain’s team scores so far this season rank 16th (170.875, Sept. 6) and 19th (170.5, Sept. 19). Pomona has the 17th (170.775, Sept. 10) and 22nd (169.8, Aug. 29). Fort Morgan comes in at 18th (170.75, Sept. 19), Niwot 24th (169.235, Sept. 6) and Evergreen 25th (168.9, Aug. 29).
The top 10 individual scores by event, include Veronica Versina who has posted the top score (9.625, Sept. 18) and 10th (9.375) best score so far. Green Mountain’s Kathy Nguyen has scored the second highest in vault at 9.6 on Sept. 18. Broomfield’s Kailey Licata has posted a 9.5 (Aug. 29), while teammate Melanie Stelling hit a 9.45 that same day.
Mountain Range’s Alex Wilson comes in with the fifth top score so far at 9.425 (Sept. 6), while Columbine’s Baylie Trammel has two scores tied for the sixth spot (9.4, Sept. 18 and Aug. 29) top scores at the midpoint. Overland’s Ashlyn Graybill and McKenna Turbyne are also tied at sixth to round out the vault’s top 10, matching Trammel’s 9.4, both on Sept. 6.
On the balance beam at midseason, Mountain Range’s Taylor Molliconi holds the best score with 9.65 on Sept. 19, while Overland’s Kellyn Toole posted a 9.625 on Sept. 18 for No. 2. Cherry Creek’s Sela Buted and Sara Fangrow come at No. 3 (9.6, Sept. 20) and No. 4 (9.525, Sept. 7), respectively. There are three gymnasts holding down the No. 5 spot on the list, with Lakewood’s Hanna Roshka scoring 9.5 twice (Sept. 7, Sept. 10) and Marinna Dilley of Fort Collins with 9.5 on Sept. 6. Arvada West’s Jillian Kerr also has a 9.5, scoring that on Sept. 6.
On the uneven bars, Overland’s Devin Bundas holds the No. 1 spot (9.8, Sept. 6), followed by teammate Ashlynn Graybill (9.625, Sept. 6). MRHS’s Molliconi and Broomfield’s Licata are tied with the third best score at 9.55. Molliconi also holds the No. 6 spot (9.5, Sept. 18) and No. 8 (9.4, Sept. 19). Meanwhile, Thompson Valley’s Anisha Alvarado checks in at No. 7 (9.450, Sept. 19) and tied for 10th (9.35, Sept. 6). Columbine’s Trammel is No. 9 (9.375, Sept. 7) and Mountain Range’s Syd Kotar is tied at No. 10 (9.350, Sept. 6).
On the floor, Cherry Creek’s Olivia solow-Niederman holds the No. 1 (9.65, Sept. 20) and No. 7 (9.525, Sept. 7) spots. Ana Eyssimont from Chatfield is at No. 2 (9.625, Sept. 10), while Broomfield’s Licata sites tied for third (9.6, Aug. 29) with Arvada West’s Jessica Jankowski (9.6, Sept. 5). Jankowski is also tied for No. 8 (9.5, Sept. 6). Molliconi (MRHS) is tied at No. 5 (9.55, Sept. 19) with Overland’s Bundas (9.55, Sept. 11). Cherry Creek’s Buted is one of three gymnasts tied at No. 8 (9.5, Sept. 20) with Jankowski and Pomona’s Hagemann (9.5, Sept. 10)
The top all-around score at the midpoint goes to Mountain Range’s Molliconi who holds the No. 1 (37.6, Sept. 19) and No. 3 (37.2, Sept. 6) spots. Broomfield’s Licata holds the No. 2 (37.3, Aug. 29) and No. 4 (37.125, Sept. 4) spots. Bundas (Overland) is tied for fifth (36.975, Sept. 11) with Cherry Creek’s Solow-Niederman (Sept. 7). Cherry Creek’s Fangrow is in No. 7 (36.9, Sept. 7) and Arvada West’s Vasina is No. 8 (36.85, Sept. 18). Solow-Niederman is tied for 10th (36.825, Sept. 20) with Columbine’s Trammel (Sept. 18) and A West’s Jankowski (Sept. 5).
Colorado’s gymnastics teams head to regionals (Oct. 23 at Cherry Creek; Oct. 24 at Mountain Range and Oct. 25 at Arvada West) to qualify for the state championship meet on November 1-2 at Thornton High School.
On Sept. 12, floodwaters consumed Schenbeck Field located in Utah Park in Aurora and home of Overland High School baseball program.
The scene was grim. The scoreboard was completely engulfed in the 10-foot high water, as were the dugouts, batting cages, storage sheds and concession stand. Not a single part of the field was untouched.
When the water receded, it was clear to Overland’s head baseball coach, Michael Prichard, that he had another challenge to conquer. The force of the water had turned the benches in the dugouts upside down, displaced the bolted-down bleachers, engulfed the tractor used for field maintenance, washed rocks onto the playing field, flooded the concession stand, and drenched equipment and other team necessities.
The job would be daunting. Enter a new team of 60 baseball players, their coaches and parents from across the metropolitan Denver area. In consultation with coach Prichard, Allen Dyer (head coach of Cherokee Trail/Team Colorado) and Brian Bonn (Valor assistant coach) organized 50 individuals from their schools and organization, who worked alongside Overland baseball representatives on Sept. 21.
This group descended onto Schenbeck Field, with shovels, brooms, muscles and commitment to help a competitor in need. For three hours on a sunny Saturday, these volunteers worked diligently to bring the field back to life. On this day, they were all Trailblazers at heart.
Because of this team effort, Fall practices are possible, and in Spring, we’ll be able to welcome everyone to Overland’s field of dreams. Play ball!
Brush took down former No. 1 Platte Valley on Friday. Monday, the Beetdiggers took its spot atop CHSAANow.com’s Class 2A football poll.
Brush, which won the game 28-10, was ranked second last week. It received all 10 first-place votes in the poll. Platte Valley dropped to third, behind Kent Denver.
The 2A poll added Faith Christian (No. 8) and Aspen (No. 10) this week.
In 5A, ThunderRide continued to lead the way and received 13 first-place votes to No. 2 Valor Christian’s 11. Columbine remained in third, and Ralston Valley stayed at No. 4.
Chatfield moved up from seventh to fifth, and is followed by No. 6 Cherokee Trail and No. 7 Fairview. Grandview is eighth, Regis Jesuit is ninth, and Cherry Creek rejoined the ranking at No. 10.
Monarch stayed atop 4A’s ranking, but there’s a new No. 2 team in that poll: Montrose, which moved up from third. It’s excellent timing, considering the two teams play Friday.
For the second consecutive week, there is a new team leading CHSAANow.com’s Class 5A volleyball poll. This week, Grandview will take its turn at the top.
The Wolves moved up from No. 3 following a 2-0 week which inlcuded a 3-1 win over previous No. 1 Arapahoe. Arapahoe dropped to third, just behind No. 2 Doherty.
There is also a new No. 1 team in 2A, where Resurrection Christian takes over.
Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.
DENVER — Facing third-and-forever, A.J. Thompson heard a voice in his head. It belonged to his coach.
Stay calm, it said. Stay poised.
Thompson dropped back on third down and 43 from his own 48-yard-line. His No. 9 Montbello Warriors were tied at 24 with No. 2 Denver South, and less than three minutes remained in regulation time.
He scanned his receivers, and saw no opening. So Thompson pulled the ball down, cut through the mass of bodies at the line, and took off. He dodged a defender at South’s 30, then cut to the sideline to his right. He was gone.
“Forcing the pass wasn’t going to help anything,” Thompson said afterward. “I just watch quarterbacks, and the great ones make plays, no matter what. You can’t settle for one style.”
The 31-24 victory on Saturday at Evie Dennis Sports Complex was Montbello’s first over South since 2005. The Rebels had won the three previous meetings by a combined score of 135-9.
“They beat us two years in a row — embarrassed us, not just beat us, but embarrassed us,” said Thompson, a senior who finished with three total touchdowns. “We came in here, and we told ourselves it wasn’t going to happen again, especially on our own turf.”
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
Montbello (4-0) jumped all over South (3-1) in the first half and opened a 17-0 lead with touchdowns separated by 21 seconds in the second quarter. Thompson scored on a 10-yard run with 8:59 remaining in the half, and Montbello recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. Two plays later, Thompson eluded the rush in the pocket and found Jante Gadson for a 20-yard passing score.
South was stunned, but battled back to cut things to 17-9 on a field goal and Zach Lindsay’s 18-yard run with 3:49 remaining before the half.
Montbello answered. The Warriors marched right down and Jarrell Nettles had a 1-yard plunge that made it 24-9 at the break.
During that break, the Rebels corrected some mistakes — namely nine penalties for 85 yards — and started to claw its way back. In the third quarter, a long drive was capped by a 1-yard sneak from quarterback Tyson Purifoy. That made it 24-16.
Following a Montbello punt, another long drive from South was finished off by a second Purifoy sneak. A nice play-call, which sent Shun Johnson on a flat route to the right side of the end zone for a two-point conversion, tied the game at 24. At that point, 7:12 remained, and South was in complete command.
Montbello’s final drive started from its 23-yard-line. Nettles’ steady running helped reverse the momentum, and then Thompson found Giovanni Torres for a big 32-yard reception. A personal foul on the Rebels moved the ball deep into South territory.
However, two sacks and two delay-of-game flags quickly brought up third-and-43 from Montbello’s 48. Things were dire.
“We were breaking apart, to be honest,” Thompson said. “But, as a quarterback, my coach (assistant Stanley Richardson) just tells me all the time just to be a leader.”
Thompson’s scramble gave his team the 31-24 lead.
“We’ve been trying to tell everybody for the last two years: we think we have the best quarterback around, and nobody’s giving him offers or anything,” said Montbello coach John Trahan. “Hopefully today, they see what type of talent he has, not only with his arm, but with his legs, and he thinks the game through.”
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
Denver South did drive down to Montbello’s 16, and had two shots at the end zone, but turned the ball over on downs.
“They know how to play tight games, they’ve been there, they have big linemen, all the things, and they know how to win a close game,” Trahan said of South. “Our kids grew up a lot today, and they hung in there.”
Montbello has now matched its win total from all of last season, when the Warriors were 4-6. The program, which was 3-26 from 2009-11, is in search of its first playoff appearance since 2008.
Saturday, the Warriors got their first real test of the 2013 season. Even with the 3-0 start, Montbello’s opponents were a combined 1-10 and the Warriors had outscored those foes 140-33. Montbello’s next three games are against Wheat Ridge, Standley Lake and Monarch — three teams all ranked in CHSAANow.com’s 4A top-10.
“One thing we said even before we left our school today: I said, ‘I hope that we’re in a tight game, because we need to build some character with the rest of the schedule we have the rest of the year,’ ” Trahan said.
“We’ve been blowing teams out and winning by big margins, but you learn how to win in a dogfight game. We knew South was going to come out extremely hard in the third quarter and we talked about that. We had the character to endure that, and then bounce back. Great thing we had A.J. Thompson to make that play.”
