LITTLETON | In a game delayed until after the conclusion of the regular season for other prep football teams in Colorado, Hinkley ended the 2024 season with a 26-13 win at Littleton Nov. 12.
The Thunder snapped a 44-game losing streak that dated back to the start of the coronavirus pandemic-affected 2021 spring season.
Hinkley went out on a high note with touchdowns in all three phases of the game played at Littleton Public Schools Stadium. Senior Gabriel Ocampo rushed for a 45-yard touchdown, senior Larik Dominguez took back an interception 55 yards to the end zone and senior Marco Duran had a 69-yard kickoff return score for coach Dennis York’s team.
“Everything finally fell into place after three years of hard work,” York told the Sentinel. “I am so proud of our players and extremely proud of our seniors that finally tasted victory after four years. It was a tough hill to climb, but they did it.”
The Hinkley program won the last two games of a 7-3 2019 season under former coach Michael Farda, followed by an 0-6 campaign in the spring of 2021 (when Aurora Public Schools programs chose to play after the arrival of COVID-19) and 0-9 in the subsequent fall under late coach T.C. Newland.
York — a member of Newland’s staff — took over and went through two 0-10 campaigns and an 0-9 start this season until the big win.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter/X: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
