Roughly 30 games on the spring football schedule again this week but only three feature matchups involving first week winners. They include Manual at Flatirons Academy, Glenwood Springs at Montezuma Cortez and Academy at Denver West. We preview those matchups and others in our week two spring football report.
Photo provided by Brandy Carter.
Flatirons Academy recorded the most difficult win in week one as they edged Estes Park 27-26. As expected, returning standout Jacob Dube was involved in most of the offense as he combined for 245 yards in the win. Through the air, Dube threw for 141 yards and two scores and then added 101 yards on the ground with a third score. Trenton Rowan was the top target in the passing game as he caught seven passes and all three touchdowns. On defense, Trevor Ryan had a big day with 11 tackles while Devin Glowicki (2) and Russell Kingery (1) combined for three interceptions.
Against Manual, the Bison face an offense that generated 318 yards and four touchdowns on the ground in beating Clear Creek 34-14. That effort wore down the Golddiggers as the game was tied 14-14 at halftime before the Thunderbolts went on a 20-0 run in the third and fourth quarter.
Jewell Cameron totaled 120 yards on 15 carries and Rai-zohn Bell gained 100 on 12 attempts. Each scored a touchdown. Bell was also a factor on defense with both a fumble recovery and interception. Jamir Bryant topped the Thunderbolts with nine tackles and Caleb Barnes provided two sacks.
Following the long road trip and win at Steamboat Springs last Saturday, Montezuma-Cortez gets to stay at home this week to host Glenwood Springs. They used to be conference rivals but haven’t played since the Panthers dropped into the 2A division. With the condensed divisions in the Spring, both are now back in 3A and battle inside conference action.
Cortez won at Steamboat Springs 12-3; getting a touchdown in both the third and fourth quarters after being shutout to halftime. Their defense was excellent; shutting out the Sailors the rest of the way following a first quarter field goal.
Glenwood Springs used a punishing run game to down Aspen 41-14 in their season opener. Much of the damage came in the second quarter where the Demons scored three touchdowns; turning a 7-0 first quarter lead into a 27-0 cushion at intermission. According to the Glenwood Springs Post-Independent, Blake Nieslanik had two first half TD runs in the win.
Academy set school history by getting their first-ever win over Kent Denver last week. Isaiah Elliott had a huge game; throwing for 213 yards and two touchdowns in leading the Wildcats to the 19-13 decision. He also led the Wildcats with 61 yards rushing. Gabriel Espinosa had five catches for 120 yards with Jakob Hillman and Dylan Kohlbrenner both hauling in touchdown passes.
Ryan Petrick was the defensive leader. He recorded nine tackles; scooped up a fumble and intercepted a pass. Kohlbrenner was the top tackler with 14. Espinosa and Rickden Tsering each had a pick while Sean Smith also recovered a fumble.
Denver West was also strong defensive in blanking Littleton 26-0. The win snapped the Cowboys eight game losing streak dating back to the 2018-19 season. That year they won their season opener but still finished 1-8.
In addition to the three battles of early unbeatens; there are three more games pitting 1-0 squads against teams making season debuts. Two are in the big school ranks as Denver South (1-0) hosts Far Northeast and Kennedy (1-0) meets George Washington. The third takes place in eight-man football where Las Animas (1-0) is home to Front Range Christian.
Las Animas attempted just one pass but used a very effective ground game in beating Justice 48-12 last week. The Trojans finished with two 100-yard ballcarriers and two others with at least 50. Markus Vigil, with 131 yards on 12 carries, led that group followed by Joseph Hawkins with 114 on 10 tries. Caden Morlan added 84 and Justin Miller 56.
Morlan added two interceptions and eight tackles defensively. Rome Martinez was involved in eight stops.
Kennedy came from behind to beat Gateway 31-20 last week. The Commanders trailed 20-12 after three but tallied 19 unanswered across the fourth quarter. Isaac Sisneros passed for 194 yards and a touchdown with Michael Bueno catching seven of those completions for 95 yards. Kennedy’s defense gave up 286 yards of offense but made plays when called upon. Dominic Quintana had a dozen tackles.
Denver South also used a strong second half to pull away from Mountain Range 54-6 in their season opener. The Ravens were up just 21-6 at halftime but ran off 33 straight in the second half.
Several other players put together strong performances in week one:
- TJ Herebic ran for 117 yards and three touchdowns; helping Classical Academy down Northfield 42-0.
- Vista Peak earned 177 yards and four touchdowns rushing from Ja’derris Carr in their 40-6 win over Westminster. Tre Tabor added three sacks.
- Rifle totaled 351 yards rushing in a 49-0 blanking of Coal Ridge. Kaden Wolf led that attack with 127 yards on 15 carries and five different ball carriers reached the end zone.
- Harrison’s defense limited Denver North to just 70 yards on the ground in a season opening 40-9 win.
- Basalt scored 28 first-quarter points in rolling past Salida. Matty Gillis was six of seven passing for 109 yards. Three of those completions went for touchdowns with all three going to Rulbe Alvarado. Gavin Webb added 120 yards and three scores on the ground.
- Rangeview handled Adams City 44-0 as Brian Figueroa picked up 110 yards rushing with two touchdowns. Jeffery Afriyle also scored twice and Jaylen Bennett blocked a punt.
- Grand Valley rolled Ellicott 48-0 behind a combined six touchdowns from Emilo Garcia (4) and Steven Hicks (2). Garcia finished with 163 yards rushing and Hicks 108.
- John Mall handled Custer County 60-0 with Ricardo Bobian and Anthony Aldretti both scoring three times. Bobian ended the game with 132 yards rushing. DJ Van Matre added 120 on the ground to go with a team high nine tackles and an interception.
