A-West quarterback Emerson Drake has six TD passes in victory against Columbine

LAKEWOOD — Arvada West is one conference win away from three consecutive flag football Class 5A Jeffco League titles.

The Wildcats cruised to a 40-0 victory over Columbine on Wednesday night at Trailblazer Stadium. It was the 8th straight win for A-West (10-1, 6-0 in 5A Jeffco).

“It’s a great group of girls that have been playing together for a long time,” said A-West junior quarterback Emerson Drake after the Wildcats’ fifth 40-point scoring output this season. “We are just getting better every day.”

The lone loss for A-West this season was against two-time defending 5A state champion Mountain Vista. The Golden Eagles took a close 19-13 win Aug. 25.

A-West can officially clinch the three-peat on the road Saturday, Sept. 26. The Wildcats travel to Highlands Ranch to face Valor Christian on the Eagles’ home field. The game is slated for a 10 a.m. start.

“We are looking forward to sealing this next win to grab the conference championship,” A-West coach Deven DelReal said. “Taking care of business every league game has been huge. It is part of our first goal of the season.”

Valor Christian (6-3, 3-2) did give A-West a scare the first time around. The Eagles held the lead in the fourth quarter, but the Wildcats rallied in the final minutes to take a 19-7 victory back on Sept. 9 at Trailblazer Stadium.

“Saturday morning is a big one for us,” Drake said of the second go-around with Valor Christian. “Have to dial in. Going for that three-peat.”

A-West has an 18-1 league record since flag football became a CHSAA-sanctioned sport in 2024. The lone conference loss for the Wildcats came against rival Ralston Valley back on Aug. 27, 2025. The conference opener loss a year ago didn’t cost the Wildcats the league title, as A-West won its final seven other conference games to repeat as league champs.

The Wildcats didn’t leave much doubt they would remain undefeated in league play on Wednesday night. Drake tossed a trio of touchdown passes in the first half to open up a 20-0 lead at the break against the Rebels (3-8, 0-5)

Junior Grace Schillie, along with seniors Alexis Maes and Macie Ferguson each had a touchdown catch in the opening half.

“We have the long ball, but the check-downs are always there too,” Drake said after throwing six touchdowns for the fourth time this season.

The Wildcats’ offense kept things going in the second half scoring on its first drive of the third quarter. Drake threw her fourth touchdown pass of the game to Maes from 19 yards out to extend the lead to 27-0 midway through the third quarter.

Ferguson, who leads the Wildcats with 16 touchdowns catches on the season, had a pair of scoring grabs in the second half to put the game way. Drake has 43 touchdown passes on the season.

“She (Drake) has taken out of her day, time outside of practice to get better and wanting to understand the offense,” DelReal said of working with Drake with film study between games. “I love the offense and the way we are going.”

A-West’s defense was stellar as usual. The Wildcats have outscored league opponents 183-19 and have five shutout wins on the season.

Columbine couldn’t get much going offensively on any of its six offensive positions in the first half. A-West junior Jocelyn Aeries intercepted Columbine junior quarterback Kennedi Monteath in between two of the Wildcats’ scoring drive in the second quarter.

“We are lucky to have a great defense,” Drake said of the Wildcats’ defense that has allowed just 50 points in 11 games this season.

Spearheading A-West’s defense is senior Alex Antill, who had 19 sacks on the season before the game against Columbine.

“It all starts with the rush,” DelReal said of A-West allowing just four touchdowns during the current 8-game winning streak. “(Antill) is so composed and poised up front. She knows her job is to go get the quarterback and pull the flag. She knows she has great defensive backs behind her that are aggressive to the ball.”

Heading into action Wednesday, the Wildcats were No. 4 in the MaxPreps Rankings, which will determine the seeding for the 20-team 5A state tournament that begins Oct. 13.