AURORA | The Cherokee Trail football team made it a happy Homecoming for its faithful with a 24-14 win over Rock Canyon Friday night at Legacy Stadium.
The injury-riddled Cougars (3-4) got a boost late in the first half when a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown from senior Darius Swanson sent them into the lockerroom with a 14-6 edge and they held on despite six turnovers.
Sophomore quarterback Hayden Albaugh threw touchdown passes to sophomore Donovan Swift and junior Sean Roberts for coach Joe Johnson’s Cherokee Trail team, which snapped a three-game losing streak and evened its record in the Mount Evans League at 1-1.
Swift’s reception in the back of the end zone got the Cougars on the scoreboard in the second quarter and rallied them from a 6-0 hole to a 7-6 lead, then Swanson nabbed a pass from Rock Canyon quarterback Adam Mullen and took it back to the end zone in the closing seconds of the half to boost the advantage.
Roberts hauled in a 20-yard pass that set up his own 24-yard field goal with 17 seconds left in the third quarter to put Cherokee Trail in front going into the final period and then caught a 33-yard touchdown pass a few minutes into the fourth quarter for some breathing room.
The Cougars take on Hinkley (1-6, 0-2) at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at Aurora Public Schools Stadium.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
CHEROKEE TRAIL 24, ROCK CANYON 14
Score by quarters:
Rock Canyon 0 6 8 0 — 14
Cherokee Trail 0 14 3 7 — 24
Cherokee Trail highlights: Hayden Albaugh 2 passing touchdowns; Sean Roberts receiving touchdown, 24 yard field goal; Darius Swanson 60 yard interception return touchdown; Donovan Swift receiving touchdown