AURORA | For only the third time in eight weeks of football — including Zero Week — Aurora area football teams combined to post a winning record.
With Aurora Central on bye, six of the 10 city squads with contests came out victorious, as Eaglecrest and Grandview both kept pace in Class 5A Centennial League play, Gateway continues its bid for a 4A Metro 7 League crown, Regis Jesuit extended its winning streak to three games, Vista PEAK Prep got into the win column for the first time and Hinkley received a forfeit.
The Raptors, Wolves and Olys all picked up their sixth victories and did so in different ways.
Gateway — which is in search of its first postseason trip since the coronavirus-created spring 2021 season and first in a regular season since 2013 — came away from its Oct. 8 contest at Aurora Public Schools Stadium with a 27-18 victory over Thomas Jefferson.
Coach Rashad Mason’s Olys (6-1 overall, 3-0 in 4A Metro 7 League) got the only points of the opening half on the first of two touchdown passes from senior quarterback Westin Rayburn, who found senior Forrest Clemmons for the go-ahead score. The Trojans responded with 12 straight points to take the lead until Rayburn connected with junior Jeremiah Stark for a touchdown late in the third quarter, with the ensuing two-point conversion putting Gateway in the lead.
Senior Lyric Wynn — who piled up 142 yards rushing — and junior Luis Grajeda scored rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter to seal it for the Olys.
Eaglecrest (6-1) also had a dogfight on its hands with a non-league contest in the midst of Centennial League play when it welcomed Pine Creek to Legacy Stadium Oct. 9 and prevailed with a 28-0 victory.
Coach Jesse German’s Raptors held a 6-0 lead at halftime thanks to a touchdown pass from junior William Brinkman to senior JayAnthony Green and a strong defensive effort.
That extended into the second half as Eaglecrest kept the Eagles off the scoreboard while Brinkman twice more found receivers for scores as junior Rashaan Demoni Robinson burned Pine Creek’s defense for a long score and junior tight end Cooper Shaw tipped a ball to himself with one hand and secured it for another touchdown.
Once in the lead, junior running back Clyde Surrell IV battered his way down the field and scored from a yard out in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
Grandview took part in a high-scoring affair in its Centennial League visit to Mullen Oct. 9 — in which both teams had double-digit points after one quarter — and prevailed 40-17.
The Wolves (6-1, 3-1) got a huge effort on the ground from junior Neelein Shead Jr., who amassed 156 yards and rushed for a pair of scores, while junior quarterback Lander Wise threw a pair of touchdown passes. Coach Tom Doherty’s Grandview team also scored defensively on a pick-six by senior linebacker Braxston Widrikis as well as via field goal, which came courtesy of a kick by sophomore Cannon Rector.
Regis Jesuit opened the season 1-3, but has reeled off three consecutive victories, including a 43-0 win in 5A Southern League play at Fountain-Fort Carson Oct. 9.
Coach Danny Filleman’s Raiders (4-3, 3-1) posted their third effort of 40-plus points, which was centered around the passing game keyed by junior quarterback Luke Rubley, who threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns. Two of those strikes went to junior Colt Jones (who had 180 yards receiving) and another to senior Joe Pron, who also scored via rush.
Junior Theo Shelburn also had a rushing touchdown to go with 152 yards of total offense.
Vista PEAK Prep met up with Overland Oct. 9 at Aurora Public Schools Stadium in a matchup of area programs yet to pick up wins, which the Bison (1-6, 1-3 in 5A/4A South Metro League) did with a 40-0 victory.
Coach Kyle Reese’s team did the majority of its damage on the ground with 335 yards rushing, which included five touchdown runs. Three of those came from senior Derion Breaux, while sophomore JR Powell busted a 60-yard run as one of his two scores.
Overland (0-7, 0-4) couldn’t overcome five turnovers.
Hinkley had to forfeit two games earlier in the season due to lack of numbers, but coach Anthony Wilson’s Thunder (1-5, 1-2 in Independents League) were the receivers of one this time from Sheridan.
In the highest scoring contest of the week, Cherokee Trail lost a 43-41 four-overtime Centennial League marathon to Arapahoe Oct. 9 at Littleton Public Schools Stadium.
The Cougars (4-3, 1-3) had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation, but junior AB Zuragait’s 47-yard field goal attempt was blocked and the game went to overtime. The teams alternated touchdowns through four overtimes, but Cherokee Trail’s two-point try in the fourth overtime was no good and Arapahoe converted to end the contest.
Junior quarterback Bryson Peterson throw for 263 yards and five touchdowns for Cherokee Trail, including three to junior Evan Smith, plus one apiece for senior Jordan Mitchell and junior Rayshon Stanley. Zuragait connected on two field goals as well.
Rangeview fell 36-8 to Denver South in an Oct. 9 matinee at All-City Stadium to fall to 2-5 overall and 0-4 in the 5A/4A Big 8 League. Coach Chris Lopez’s team got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter when sophomore Jayden Delatorre threw a touchdown pass to junior Alijah Braddock.
Smoky Hill faced undefeated Ponderosa Oct. 9 at Stutler Bowl and fell 52-0. Coach Brandon Alconcel’s team now sits 2-5 overall and 1-3 in 5A/4A South Metro League play.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter/X: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
