GREENWOOD VILLAGE | With belief that hasn’t waned, the Cherokee Trail football team is ready for the Class 5A state playoffs.
The Cougars came into 2013 with high expectations coming off last season, when they made it to the 5A state championship game, and coach Monte Thelen’s team takes a 7-2 record into the upcoming postseason following Friday night’s 27-14 victory against Overland at Stutler Bowl.
Junior running back Cameron Smith rushed for two touchdowns and caught a pass for a score as Cherokee Trail wrapped up the No. 2 spot in the Centennial League standings behind Cherry Creek with the victory. Senior quarterback Aric Johnson also threw a long touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Jason Thompson for the Cougars, who finished 4-1 in league play.
Behind a Tre Thomas-led defense, Overland (5-4, 3-2) played competitively the entire game without junior quarterback Austin Conway, who served an automatic one-game suspension due to an ejection in the Trailblazers’ previous game against Smoky Hill.
Sophomore Brent Halliburton took over the position and threw a touchdown pass to Khalil Jenkins in the second quarter to get his team within 13-7 at halftime.
Halliburton also connected with Marc Soto on an 18-yard scoring strike with 31.8 seconds remaining in regulation.
Both teams have qualified for the 5A playoffs and await the issuing of the 32-team postseason bracket on Sunday.
Cherokee Trail 27, Overland 14
Score by quarters:
Cher. Trail 7 6 7 7 — 27
Overland 0 6 0 8 — 14
Courtney Oakes is Sports Editor of the Aurora Sentinel. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. Facebook: Aurora Prep Sentinel.
