DENVER | Cherokee Trail was up to the challenge, but fell short on the scoreboard Saturday afternoon.
The Cougars came up just short in the best season in school history, falling 9-0 to heavily-favored Valor Christian in the Class 5A state championship game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
Christian McCaffrey’s 1-yard touchdown run and Brandon Spencer kicked a 38-yard field goal in the fourth quarter for the only points, as Valor Christian won its fourth consecutive state championship — and first in Class 5A — while turning back a Cherokee Trail team making its first state championship game appearance in the 10th season of the school’s existence.
Coach Monte Thelen’s Cougars weren’t expected to much of a challenge for the Valor Christian “juggernaut” which had won the past two 4A state championships and one in 3A in 2009. But from the time Anthony Murray intercepted Eagles quarterback Luke Del Rio’s first pass, Cherokee Trail was going to put up a fight.
Neither team was able to score in the first half, as both defenses were at their best.
Cherokee Trail’s Ryan Winke had his 43-yard field goal attempt blocked midway through the first period, while Spencer shanked a 30-yard attempt in the final minute of the second quarter.
The Cougars — who handed Valor Christian its first scoreless half since its 2010 season opener against Grandview — did a good job of limiting McCaffrey’s damage and twice forced him to fumble, but the recently-named Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year for hurt them in a variety of different ways in the closing quarter-plus.
On special teams, McCaffrey changed the game with his punt on the final play of the third quarter, which was downed by Valor Christian at the Cherokee Trail 1 yard-line.
Thelen identified it as the play of the game, as the shift in field position turned the tide. The Cougars gained just four yards on three rushes and were forced to punt, with Aric Johnson’s kick out of the end zone traveling just to the Cherokee Trail 39.
The Eagles converted a 3rd-and-12 when Del Rio hit Chaz Polson at the 1 yard-line. Evan White and company stood up McCaffrey twice at the goal line, but he was awarded a touchdown on his third try, with the Cougars contending his knee was down before he crossed the plane. The score stood, however, but Spencer missed the extra point to keep it a 6-0 game with 6:01 remaining.
Looking for the go-ahead score, Cherokee Trail faced a 3rd-and-2 right away and gave the ball to Cameron Smith, who was dropped for a 3-yard loss by McCaffrey. On fourth down, Johnson scrambled, but couldn’t find an open receiver and was tackled short of the first down.
With the help of a phantom facemask call on Jackson Burrell’s tackle of McCaffrey 10 yards in the backfield, Valor Christian came away with points when Spencer sneaked a 38-yard field goal attempt inside the left upright for a 9-0 Eagles lead with just 2:04 remaining.
Cherokee Trail — which failed to reach Valor Christian’s red zone a single time in the game — couldn’t convert another fourth down on its final possession.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
(4) VALOR CHRISTIAN 9, (3) CHEROKEE TRAIL
Score by quarters:
Cherokee Trail 0 0 0 0 — 0
Valor Christian 0 0 0 9 — 9
SCORING
Fourth quarter
Valor Christian — Christian McCaffrey 1 yard run (kick failed), 6:01; Valor Christian — Brandon Spencer 38 yard field goal, 2:04
RUSHING
Cherokee Trail: Cameron Smith 14-25, Sherman Thomas 6-15, Dante Deleonardis 1-4, Cameron Currington 1-2
Valor Christian: Christian McCaffrey 28-126, Daryl Hawkins 8-46, Luke Del Rio 1-(minus 3))
PASSING
Cherokee Trail: Aric Johnson 6-13, 91 yards
Valor Christian: Del Rio 12-20, 89 yards, 1 interception
RECEIVING
Cherokee Trail: Brandon Barry 2-44, Smith 2-20, Anthony Murray 1-17, Dominique Grady 1-10
Valor Christian: Chaz Polson 5-42, McCaffrey 4-32, Alex Ulmer 1-10, Levi Waddell 1-5
