Golden junior Richie Pruett (1) battles with Arvada West sophomore Jasper Padia, left, and senior Cooper Prada (25) during the season opener for both teams Monday night at Arvada West High School. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
ARVADA — Richie Pruett played in a handful of varsity games as a sophomore last season for Golden’s boys basketball team.
Pruett scored 20 total points last season. He topped that Monday night in the Demons’ season opener pouring in a game-high 23 points as Golden took a 72-63 road victory against Arvada West.
“He (Pruett) has grown and matured. He has gotten a lot better,” Golden coach Lou Vullo said. “He is totally committed and bought in. He is much improved. There are a lot of guys here that are the exact same way.”
Golden sophomore Alan Acevedo (right) drives toward the basket during the first half Monday against Arvada West. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
While the Demons graduated eight seniors from last year’s Class 4A Jeffco League championship team, Golden still is held in high regard. Golden was ranked No. 5 in the CHSAANow.com 4A boys basketball preseason poll.
“We knew going in that we have talent,” Pruett said.
Some returning talent is sophomore Alan Acevedo, who was an impact player as a freshman last year. Acevedo had a solid game against the Wildcats scoring 19 points despite struggling at the free-throw line going 4-for-10.
Golden made sure Acevedo had the ball in his hands down the stretch run after A-West cut the Demons’ nearly 20-point lead to single digits in the fourth quarter.
He (Acevedo) is super crafty and what I’m really proud of him is he worked on his body,” Vullo said. “He has gotten a lot stronger. That is going to help us down the stretch.”
Sophomore Aliou Diallo also had a nice game with 10 points and junior James Lacey pitched in eight points for the Demons who don’t have a single senior on the squad this year.
“It was what I expected. A little bit sloppy,” Vullo said. “We are young and inexperienced, but coming out and beating a 5A team that is pretty scrappy is good.”
Arvada West senior Eli Ross (10) tries to avoid Golden sophomore Alan Acevedo (30) during the first half Monday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
A-West was led by the trio of Eli Ross, Zion Thomas and Carson Nichols. The three all reached double-figures, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Golden. The Demons were able to keep the Wildcats at arm’s length to close out the victory.
With the Jeffco Public Heath Department allowing just 50 people in gym due to the COVID pandemic to start the prep basketball season, it was a bit of a surreal atmosphere.
“With all the summer and fall stuff we did with no fans really prepared us for this,” Pruett said of playing in nearly an empty gym. “At the end it comes down to how we play. Not how the fans would influence how we play.”
With just 14 regular-season games, Vullo has stressed to his squad that they need to start fast and almost be in mid-season form right now.
“We want to make sure we stay together, get our practices in and stay healthy,” Pruett said. “We want to finish these six weeks out on top and get ready for playoffs. Get ready for a state run.”
Golden has its home opener against Thornton on Wednesday night. A-West attempts to get its first victory under its belt when the Wildcats host Boulder on Friday, Jan. 29.
Dakota Ridge’s boys basketball team hopes to be in the mix for a Class 5A Jeffco League title this year after finishing tied for third last season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
LITTLETON — Dakota Ridge’s boys basketball team won’t be making any excuses this season.
“I’ve decided as a program that we were never going to complain about rules, masks, games or the season,” Dakota Ridge boys basketball coach Sean Kovar said after practice Jan. 20. “As long as we get a chance to come together as brothers to be a family. We are just super excited to be here with balls bouncing and shoes squeaking.”
While every high school basketball team across the state will be dealing with COVID-19 pandemic rules and regulations, the Eagles took a big hit before players took the court for official practices this week. Taeshaud Jackson Jr. — Class 5A Jeffco League first-team all-conference selection last season as a junior — won’t be on the court for Dakota Ridge.
Dakota Ridge boys basketball coach Sean Kovar works with players during the first week of practice. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Jackson decided to leave Dakota Ridge and Colorado to enrolled in a California prep school. He averaged a double-double last season with 15.7 points and 11.6 rebounds per game.
“I was obviously disappointed for our program because I knew what an awesome kid and player he was, but we totally supported him in his decision,” Kovar said of Jackson. “Anyone who comes through our program we want the best for them. He was in a situation where he could better his situation and we completely supported that. We are excited to see where he ends up playing at the next level.”
Jackson had been catching the eyes of Division I programs.
Dakota Ridge would have had a formidable one-two inside punch with the 6-foot-6 Jackson and 6-foot-8 senior Gino Corridori.
“It was for sure disappointing, but Taeshaud is my brother and I want the best for him,” Corridori said. “Obviously I would have liked him to stay, but it was his decision at the end of the day.”
A positive for the Eagles is having Corridori back at 100 percent. Corridori averaged 14.3 points and 7.8 rebounds last season, but in only 10 games. A broken wrist kept Corridori on the bench for the first half of the season.
“It’s huge,” Kovar said of having Corridori back. “He is a leader and is one of our rocks. We play through him a lot. Over the last four years he is one of the most improved players we’ve ever seen come through our program. He can do it all.”
Dakota Ridge senior Gino Corridori has already signed to continue his basketball career at Western Colorado University after graduation. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Western Colorado University saw the talent too. Corridori has already signed to play basketball at the Division II program in Gunnison. Before heading off to the next level, Corridori sees the Eagles as a 10-win team during the shorted 14-game regular season.
“It feels great because I know I can contribute right way this year,” Corridori said. “It was hard to watch last year.”
Dakota Ridge played its best basketball last year in the playoffs. As the No. 41 seed in the state tournament, the Eagles upset No. 24 Doherty in the opening round. Dakota Ridge nearly clipped rival and No. 9 Columbine in the second round. The Rebels were able to rally late to escape with a narrow 59-54 victory.
“We always talk about playing our best basketball at the end during the state tournament,” Kovar said. “I felt like we were there last year and had a really good chance to beat a really good team. It just didn’t go our way.”
Kovar is counting on his other three seniors — Hunter Hickman, Joel Dominic and Jonathan Junker — on leading Dakota Ridge into the Eagles’ season that begins Jan. 27 with a road game at Legend.
“You definitely have to come out with a different mindset,” said Hickman, who was a 5A Jeffco League honorable mention selection last season. “You can’t just go out and get a handful of preseason games under your belt. We have to come out hitting it hard.”
Dakota Ridge senior Hunter Hickman, left, returns as a Class 5A Jeffco League honorable mention selection last year. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Green Mountain sophomore Jayda Maves squares up for a 3-pointer during practice on Jan. 19. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
LAKEWOOD — Green Mountain girls basketball was one of last high school basketball teams to play before the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown prep sports in Colorado.
The Rams walked off the court at the Denver Coliseum on the night of March 12, 2020 after a 38-31 Class 4A state semifinal loss to Holy Family. That night would be the final action of the 2019-20 prep season in Colorado with the remainder of the state basketball tournaments cancelled, along with the entire spring sports season due to the pandemic.
Green Mountain junior Avery Oaster has the Rams focused on another solid season after going undefeated in Class 4A Jeffco League play last year. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“It has been a long off-season for every program and coach in the state,” Green Mountain girls basketball coach Darren Pitzner said during the second day of official practice Jan. 19 at Green Mountain High School. “I want to give credit to our coaches across the state. Our coaches have pivoted more times than a Courtney Hank (4A Jeffco League MVP last season) step-through.”
Little did the 4A Jeffco League champion know it wouldn’t be back on the court until more than 10 months later to start its follow-up campaign from a 24-3 record and first state semifinal state appearance.
“It’s been a challenge. It’s been hard,” Green Mountain junior Avery Oaster said of the past 10 months. “The first step was just to get us together. We do have a promising season coming up.”
Changes in the Colorado High School Activities Association seasons has trimmed nearly a month and a half off a basketball normal year. Teams across all classifications are allowed 14 regular-season games and a scheduled 32-team 4A state tournament beginning March 9.
“It feels a lot longer than 10 months ago, that’s for sure,” Green Mountain senior Courtney Hank said talking about the state semifinal appearance. “It was definitely challenging missing out on the team (summer) camps we normally do where you really can bond early as a team. It will be interesting to see how that effects us going into the season.”
However, the Rams do have the advantage of several key pieces returning from last year’s historic team. First-team 4A Jeffco League all-conference selections Oaster and Hank return, along with second-team selections in junior Shea Murphy and sophomore Jayda Maves.
“The junior class this year has all been playing together since they were in elementary school,” Hank said. “We are all really good friends off the court too that really helps I think when it comes to chemistry.”
Green Mountain senior Courtney Hank (right), last year’s Class 4A Jeffco League MVP, led the Rams in scoring, rebounding and block shots last season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Hank is the lone senior on what is still a fairly young roster. The returning MVP knows the graduation of Maddie Phillips (7.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game) leaves a void, but Green Mountain has a pair of 6-foot freshmen — Marae Riley and Taylor Ellington — who could develop into filling a key role.
“We’ll do a good job building off what we did last year, but we also have a lot of new talent that will be fun to see,” Hank said.
Green Mountain — No. 3 in the CHSAANow.com 4A girls basketball preseason rankings — opens its season Jan. 29 in a non-league game on the road against Lakewood.
“With our first games versus Lakewood and Ponderosa against two really well-coached teams and good programs,” Pitzner said. “I think our kids are really motivated and excited to finally get going.”
While Oaster said the team is focused on successfully defending its 4A Jeffco League title and another deep postseason run, Pitzner takes the big picture approach with the high school basketball season getting underway and continues to maneuver through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My goals are to help kids through this challenging time,” Pitzner said of his focus this season. “I want to help my kids become the best they can with the opportunities they have. The big picture is helping our kids through this difficult time, rise to the occasion and fight through adversity.”
Green Mountain girls basketball coach Darren Pitzner guided the Rams to their best record in school history last season with a 24-3 mark while advancing to the Class 4A state semifinals. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Jay Madden celebrates with his family after Pomona’s 56-49 victory over Eaglecrest in the Class 5A state championship game in 2017 at Mile High Stadium. (Lance Wendt/CHSAANow.com)
ARVADA — After nearly two decades leading Pomona High School’s football program, Jay Madden officially stepped down as head coach this week.
“Number one is I’m tired. I’ve been doing this a long time and the stuff that goes along with being a head coach wears you out,” Madden said in a phone interview Tuesday morning. “I love coaching. I love kids. I love football. I’ll probably never quit coaching.”
Madden will remain as a teacher at Pomona. He has a few more years before retiring from teaching and wants to focus on being a father.
Jay Madden spent 26 years as a head high school football coach in Colorado with stops at Alameda, Dakota Ridge, Mullen and Pomona. (Lance Wendt/CHSAANow.com)
“It was time to not be the boss anymore,” Madden said. “It’s time to be a dad. I’ve got a son who will be a sophomore in high school next school year. I can be his dad for three years, recharge my batteries and hopefully go back and do this all over again.”
What Madden — 1986 Pomona graduate — has done as a high school football coach in Colorado since his first head coaching job at Alameda in 1995 is impressive. He spent five seasons at Dakota Ridge (1996-2000) and two years at Mullen (2001 and 2002) before heading back to his alma mater for an 18-year stint.
At Pomona, he guided the Panthers to the Class 5A state quarterfinals each year except for once since 2008. As one of the smallest 5A football schools in the state, the Panthers advanced to the state semifinals six times and played in four state championship games (2009, 2015, 2016 and 2017), including winning the 5A title in 2017 over Eaglecrest.
“Honestly, I had no idea,” Madden said of his goals when he took over the Pomona football program in 2003. “At the time I was just glad to be back in Jefferson County. I had been told when I took the job that it was never going to be the same as the glory days. We were going to prove them wrong and I believe we did that.”
There are numerous on-field memories that Madden will never forget. The state championship victory at Mile High Stadium, a 2011 victory over Mullen and even this season defeating rival Ralston Valley with a last-second field goal.
“Eighteen years is one spot is a long time. It was a good run, that’s for sure,” Madden said. “We did it the right way. We grew where we were planted and made this a great place.”
Walking away from a program that Madden spent 18 years building into a perennial powerhouse was difficult.
Jay Madden guided the Panthers to a 7-1 record this past season, including a Class 5A Jeffco League title and advancing to the state semifinals. (Lance Wendt/CHSAANow.com)
“There is never an easy time to step down because you always have another great group of kids that you love,” Madden said. “Number one is I’m going to miss the players. The before practice time. The weight room time. The times where the kids are just being kids. And I’m going to miss my assistant coaches.”
Pomona athletic director Mike Santarelli has the task of finding Madden’s replacement. That won’t be an easy to replace Madden who racked up a 218-86 record as head coach over 26 seasons.
“Jay is probably the best Xs and Os coach I’ve ever seen,” Santarelli said. “He is always one step ahead of everybody. He does an outstanding job of getting his players ready for games.”
Santarelli added that Madden’s ability to adjust from year-to-year when it comes to highlighting the strengths of his players is unmatched.
“We just have to start looking,” Santarelli said. “We are changing. Demographics and interests aren’t the same. COVID hasn’t helped us either. We’ve got to get someone who is willing to put the time and effort in.”
Madden said there wasn’t an extra pressure taking over his alma mater back in 2003, but there was extra pride building up Pomona were he had been around since when his father became the freshman football coach in 1980.
“We’ve had some great kids. Great coaches and a great community,” Madden said.
ENGLEWOOD — Loveland’s historically rich football program is heading to its 15th state championship game.
The No. 4-seeded Indians upset top-seed Dakota Ridge 20-14 at Randy Penn Stadium on the campus of Englewood High School on Saturday afternoon in the Class 4A state semifinal.
Loveland senior Zack Rakowsky (5) won’t go down easy during the Indians’ 20-14 victory over Dakota Ridge on Saturday at Englewood High School. More photos from the game. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“We’ve been in dogfights before. It’s nothing new to us,” Loveland senior Zack Rakowsky said moments after the final horn sounded. “Dakota Ridge is a really tough opponent. We knew if we played our kind of football we’d walk out of here with a win.”
Loveland (8-0 record) scored touchdowns on its first three offensive possessions against Dakota Ridge (7-1) to jump out to a 20-7 lead midway through the second quarter. Junior Tyson Williams finished off the opening drive of the game with a 12-yard touchdown run to cap off an 80-yard, 10-play drive.
Following a quick scoring drive by Dakota Ridge that was capped off by a 3-yard touchdown catch by senior Cavica Wilkerson from quarterback Ben Gultig, the Indians answered again with another 80-yard scoring drive.
Loveland sophomore quarterback Garrett Harstad scored from 2 yards out to give the Indians a 13-7 lead.
“Loveland did a good job of running the ball,” Dakota Ridge coach Ron Woitalewicz said. “We couldn’t get a stop in the first half.”
The Eagles had scored on 13 consecutive drives dating back to their state quarterfinal victory a week ago when they went 12-for-12, but Loveland ended that streak forcing Dakota Ridge to punt with just under 8 minutes left in the second quarter.
The next play would be the biggest offensive play of the game for Loveland. Rakowsky took an inside handoff and raced into the end zone for a 73-yard run to extend Loveland’s lead to 20-7.
“The momentum after that you could feel it on our sideline,” Rakowsky said of the longest play from scrimmage of the game. “It was just great blocking. I wasn’t even touched. I thank my offensive line for that.”
Dakota Ridge senior Spencer Hardy (37) chases down Loveland senior Zack Rakowsky during the fourth quarter Saturday. The Eagles shutout Loveland in the second half, but Dakota Ridge still came up short suffering a 20-14 loss in the Class 4A state semifinal. More photos from the game. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Rakowsky carried the offensive load for the Indians with over 20 carries for nearly 200 yards on the ground.
Both defenses found their footing in the second half. In fact, the only score after halftime came on an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown by Dakota Ridge junior Dante Capolungo with 6:40 left in the fourth quarter to cut Loveland’s lead to 20-14.
“I thought it was going out of bounds, but then it took that one hop and from there I knew I was off,” Capolungo said. “I was able to get the touchdown to flip the game and the momentum. We had a chance.”
Dakota Ridge did have a golden opportunity after the Eagles’ defense forced a 3-and-out by Loveland. The Eagles took over on their 41-yard line with 4:21 remaining. However, after getting an initial first-down Dakota Ridge’s drive stalled.
Loveland junior Ian Loomis sacked Gultig on a 4th-down play to give the ball back to the Indians. Loveland managed one more first-down run by Rakowsky and ran out the clock to end the game.
“It is just so thrilling,” Loomis said of his monster sack that ended the Eagles’ final offensive drive. “On fourth downs that is my best time. Fourth downs just get my going and I just go through the line.”
Loveland junior Ian Loomis (22) wraps up Dakota Ridge senior Charlie Offerdahl during the Class 4A state semifinal Saturday at Englewood High School. A pair of sacks by Loomis helped Loveland to a 20-14 victory. More photos from the game. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Loomis had a key sack in the third quarter that ended another Dakota Ridge drive.
“I really thought it would be our defense that was going to win this game,” Loomis said. “I think we put them in uncomfortable positions.”
Loveland is now back in a familiar position, play for another state title. The Indians have a 7-7 record in state championship games. Loveland’s last title came just two years ago in 2018 where the Indians defeated Skyline.
Palmer Ridge — a powerhouse in 3A before moving up to 4A this season — will be Loveland’s opponent in the 4A title game next week. The Bears (6-0) defeated Fountain-Fort Carson 28-12 in the other 4A semifinal Saturday afternoon.
“I think we are ready for it,” Loomis said of the upcoming 4A title game against Palmer Ridge. “We were so motivated coming into this game facing the No. 1 team. I think we’ll come in and beat Palmer Ridge.”
The Eagles were trying to head to their first state title game since 2004. Dakota Ridge lost to ThunderRidge 35-29 in the 4A state championship game 16 years ago.
“I’m so proud of these kids because they gave up a lot,” Woitalewicz said. “They sacrificed social time. They all went remote (learning) so they didn’t get quarantined. They didn’t hang out with friends. They really sacrificed so they could have this season. We knew they season would be special.”
Woitalewicz’s 2019 squad came within seconds of advancing to the title game last season. Broomfield defeated Dakota Ridge 17-15 with a last-second field goal at Jeffco Stadium. The crushing defeat has definitely motivated this year’s senior-laden team.
“These seniors were great leaders. They set a high standard for us to come back next year,” Capolungo said of Dakota Ridge’s back-to-back state semifinal appearances. “They showed all us young guys how to be a complete team.”
Dakota Ridge senior Mason Galbreath (10) attempts to make a leaping grab, but Loveland senior Joe Killian (9) is able to break out the pass during the Class 4A state semifinal Saturday at Englewood High School. More photos from the game. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Jeffco Preps With Pleuss is a monthly roundup of Jeffco prep highlights hosted by Dennis Pleuss, Jeffco Public Schools’ sports information director. Dakota Ridge (Class 4A Jeffco League champs) and Pomona (Class 5A Jeffco League champs) opened up the football postseason with impressive offensive performances. The victories moved the Eagles and Panthers into the state semifinals for the second straight season. Chatfield’s football team rallied in the second half to grab a season-ending victory over Green Mountain. Ralston Valley rolled to a win over rival Arvada West at the NAAC. We also give a look at the renovations made at Trailblazer Stadium.
ENGLEWOOD — To say Dakota Ridge’s offense was impressive Saturday would be a gross understatement.
The top-seeded Eagles (7-0) scored — 10 touchdowns and two field goals — on all 12 offensive possessions in the Class 4A state quarterfinal game against No. 8 Montrose at Randy Penn Stadium on the campus of Englewood High School.
Dakota Ridge senior Ben Gultig sprints into the end zone for a 53-yard touchdown run to open up the scoring Saturday at Englewood High School. Gultig also threw for three touchdowns in the Eagles’ 76-34 victory over Montrose. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“That is credit to our kids and our offensive coordinator Jeremiah Behrendsen,” Dakota Ridge coach Ron Woitalewicz said of the Eagles’ putting up 76 points in a 76-34 win. “We knew we could throw the ball on them. I didn’t know we would have that much success.”
According to ColoradoPreps.com, Dakota Ridge’s 76 points is the fourth highest team total in an 11-man playoff game in Colorado high school football history.
“We’ve always had the ability to do this,” Dakota Ridge senior quarterback Ben Gultig said as the scoreboard still showed the 76-34 final score. “Our offensive line is what has to carry us through every game. They are the foundation of this team.”
Gultig got it all started with a 53-yard touchdown run on the opening drive. It started the Eagles on putting up three touchdowns less than 5 minutes into the game.
“We script those first few plays,” Woitalewicz said. “We thought they were going to key on Charlie (Offerdahl). We thought we could pull a couple of quarterback counters out and get a big play early.”
Dakota Ridge senior Charlie Offerdahl, who verbally committed to the University of Colorado on Nov. 11, actually had a fairly quite game on the stat sheet. Offerdahl had a 2-yard touchdown run for the second score after Dakota Ridge’s defense forced it first of four Montrose turnovers.
“Part of it was getting those turnovers early and working with some short field,” Dakota Ridge coach Ron Woitalewicz said. “Our offense is hard to stop when you give them 80 yards to go. You give them 35 yards to go and it’s going to be really difficult to stop them.”
Gultig tossed his first of three touchdown passes to senior Mason Galbreath with 7:19 left in the first quarter to push the lead to 21-0. Dakota Ridge seniors Colin Stuhr and Dakota Williams had fumble recoveries to set up the Eagles’ second and third touchdowns.
“All week we were preparing for that dive and hard pounding running offense,” Stuhr said. “After we scored 21 points quick we just wanted to keep it rolling. We were scoring any way we wanted to.”
Galbreath caught a second touchdown late in the second quarter and senior Cavica Wilkerson had a touchdown catch early in the fourth quarter that pushed the Eagles’ lead to 70-34.
Dakota Ridge racked up seven touchdown on the ground. Sophomore Noah Triplett had a trio of touchdown runs. Gultig, Offerdahl, senior Max Hart and junior Dante Capoulungo each found the end zone one on the ground.
Montrose junior Tayne Ila (4) races down field as Dakota Ridge junior Dante Capoulungo (1) is able to run him down during the second quarter Saturday at Englewood High School. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“We are definitely unique because we sub a lot of guys in and out,” Gultig said. “There is not a weak link on this team.”
Montrose (4-3) did put up five touchdowns in the loss and actually cut the Eagles’ lead to 31-21 just before halftime. However, senior kicker Tilo Pena kicked a 46-yard field goal as time expired before halftime to keep the offense scoring streak going for the Eagles. Pena also kicked a 27-yard field goal in the second quarter.
“Our kids had the attitude that we are the No. 1 seed for a reason,” Woitalewicz said. “Let’s go out and show people why.”
Dakota Ridge will likely be back at Englewood High School next week for a 4A state semifinal game against No. 4 Loveland. The Indians (7-0) defeated No. 5 Broomfield 28-7 on Friday night in another quarterfinal game.
The Eagles played their home game Saturday at Englewood High School so spectators would be allowed to watch the game in person. Currently, Jefferson County Public Health has an ordnance that doesn’t allow fans at CHSAA sporting events in Jeffco due to rising COVID-19 cases in the county.
“The fans definitely helped,” Gultig said. “I think this is a good field for us.”
Dakota Ridge is seeking its first football state championship. The Eagles made the 4A title game in 2004, but lost to ThunderRidge.
Memories of watching Broomfield kick a last-second field goal nearly a year ago to hand Dakota Ridge a heartbreaking 17-15 loss in the 4A semifinals are still fresh for the Eagles.
“We really wanted to play Broomfield next week for that revenge tour,” Stuhr said. “We’ve got Loveland next week and we have to focus on them.”
Dakota Ridge senior Charlie Offerdahl (44) dives toward the pylon during the Class 4A state quarterfinal game against Montrose on Saturday at Englewood High School. The Eagles scored 10 touchdowns and two field goals on their 12 offensive possessions in a 76-34 victory. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
HIGHLANDS RANCH — Pomona was scoring rushing touchdowns like it was going out of style Friday night in its Class 5A state quarterfinal match-up against Eaglecrest.
Dominick Nichols, Ben Cruz, Jack Pospisil, AJ Zamora and Ian Dexter all scored touchdowns on the ground for the Panthers in a dominating performance. Pomona’s six rushing scores allowed the Panthers to walk out to Valor Christian Stadium with an impressive 49-19 victory in the postseason opener.
“We have five or six of the greatest running backs any team has ever had and they all have different things they are good at,” Pomona coach Jay Madden said of his riches at running back. “They do everything for us.”
Nichols had a pair of rushing touchdowns, an interception on defense, along with a huge 27-yard touchdown catch with under a minute to play in the first half that gave No. 4-seeded Pomona a 21-13 lead at halftime. It was just the second touchdown pass of the season for senior quarterback Jack Pospisil, who was celebrating his 18th birthday.
“That was huge,” Nichols said of his touchdown catch. “I saw #13 (Riley Lovato Mueller) guarding me and I felt like I had the speed advantage on him. I told Coach Madden to bring it to me.”
No. 5 Eaglecrest (5-2 record) actually held a 13-7 lead after a remarkable 39-yard touchdown catch by senior Seyi Oladipo with 8:14 left in the second quarter. Pomona’s defense was able to buckle down and the Panthers’ offense ran wild with 35 unanswered points.
“We knew it could be a roller coast ride,” Madden said. “As soon as we got used to their speed and got some pressure on the quarterback we were OK. Our offense let our defense relax because they knew we were going to score points.”
Pomona (7-0) got touchdown runs from Pospisil and Nichols in the third quarter to really take control of the game. Zamora found the end zone early in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 42-13.
“We’ve got a lot of good running backs and we try to spread it around because teams can’t stop most of us,” Zamora said. “Our offensive line is getting stronger and stronger. We are looking super good.”
Dexter scored on a 6-yard run to finish the scoring.
“We came into the week knowing they would key on Jack,” Nichols said. “The running backs knew we had to come out and execute plays.”
Next up for Pomona is defending state champion Cherry Creek (7-0). The top-seeded Bruins defeated No. 8 Regis Jesuit 29-6 in another state quarterfinal game held Friday night.
The Panthers and Bruins will play next week in the semifinals at Stutler Bowl.
“We have been an underdog ever since Max Borghi left,” Zamora said. “We made it to the state semifinals last year and we weren’t even supposed to be in the playoffs. I’ve fine with the underdog role. All we are going to do is prove people wrong.”
The last meeting between Eaglecrest and Pomona was one of the most memorable 5A state championships games on record that featured Borghi, current running back at Washington State University. The Panthers took a 56-49 victory over the Raptors in the 5A title game on Dec. 2, 2017.
The Panthers produced on of the most impressive offensive performances ever in the largest classification state title game. Pomona quarterback Ryan Marquez passed for nearly 350 yards and five touchdowns. Borghi has almost 250 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Billy Pospisil, Jack’s older brother, had 189 yards receiving and three scores.
Pomona is the torch barrier for the historically strong 5A Jeffco League during this condensed state tournament because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Columbine (5-1) and Ralston Valley (5-2) — both suffered 3-point losses to Pomona during the regular season — were just on the outside of the Top-8 of the CHSAA Seeding Index that determined the 8-team field.
“We wanted to show everyone that Jeffco has a great league,” Madden said. “In a normal year those two (Columbine and Ralston Valley) would be in for sure. It’s just too bad it didn’t work out that way.”
