The most important stretch of the prep football season — conference play — arrived with a jam-packed slate of games over two days involving Aurora teams.
City programs posted a combined 4-7 mark in Week 6 play and that included just one head-to-head matchup, but it was a big one when rivals Eaglecrest and Grandview got together for an explosive Centennial League opener Sept. 29.
When the clock finally hit all zeroes at Legacy Stadium in a see-saw contest, the Wolves prevailed over the previously undefeated Raptors 39-32. Senior quarterback Liam Szarka — who accounted for five touchdowns — made a defensive cameo inside the final minute and helped break up a pass on fourth down just outside the red zone to officially put the game in the win column for Grandview (5-1, 1-0). Full recap, here.
Full Aurora Week 6 scoreboard and highlights, here
Szarka threw two touchdown passes to junior Kyler Vaughn and a late one to junior Donavon Vernon with 3 minutes, 30 seconds, remaining as Grandview rallied from a late deficit. Junior quarterback Joe Steiner threw three touchdown passes for Eaglecrest (5-1, 0-1), including an 83-yard catch and run to junior Xavier Waldron to give the Raptors their first lead in the fourth quarter.
Waldron finished with two touchdowns and junior Josh Wiley also scored for Eaglecrest, while sophomore Chris Blanks contributed the other touchdown for Grandview.
Regis Jesuit evened its record at 3-3 with a 35-7 road win at Douglas County Sept. 28 to open Southern League play. Junior Peyton Lindell threw a touchdown pass to Arturo Chacon, Anthony Medina and Garrett Reece rushed for touchdowns, Cole Canino took back an interception for a score and Jack Manthey made two field goals — including a 52-yarder — to boost coach Danny Filleman’s Raiders.
Overland is also 3-3 after it prevailed 40-32 in an explosive Metro North League visit to Westminster Sept. 29. The Trailblazers established a season-high in points scored with help from a 70-yard touchdown pass from Talil Seals-Fisher to Avante Hendrix along with rushing touchdowns from Jarrius Ward and Geovanni Jones. Jalaun Jones recovered a fumble to prevent a potential tying drive for Westminster.
Aurora Central scored more points in a 55-0 Metro 2 League home win against Adams City Sept. 28 as it had in its previous four games of the season (46) to get to 2-3 on the season. Coach Chris Kelly’s Trojan scored in every type of way as Christopher Perkins rushed for two touchdowns — including one when he dropped back to punt — while Makai Unitt scored on a fumble return, Avonte Hosley took back an interception, Felix Morales Flores Jr. returned a punt for a score and Damian Ramirez Sanchez took back a blocked punt.
Vista PEAK Prep played host to Thomas Jefferson in a Homecoming contest Sept. 29 and fell to the unbeaten Spartans 52-13. Both of the touchdowns for coach DaVaughn Thornton Sr.’s Bison (2-4, 0-1) in the Southeast Metro opener came on long connections from sophomore Canaan Barthlow to junior Larry Mosley.
Hinkley — seeking its first win of the season — scored first in its trip to Thornton Sept. 29 for an I-25 League contest, but saw the Trojans counter and escape with a 7-6 victory over coach Dennis York’s Thunder (0-6, 0-3). Also limited to one touchdown as Smoky Hill, which dropped a 63-7 Homecoming contest to Arapahoe Sept. 29 at Stutler Bowl. Coach Brandon Alconcel’s Buffaloes now sit 1-5 overall and 0-1 in Centennial League play.
Ravaged by injuries, Cherokee Trail (3-3, 0-1) had a very difficult task in its Centennial League opener Sept. 28 at Cherry Creek and fell to the undefeated Bruins 48-0. Eliot Ming threw for 106 yards, including 79 to Peyton Castro, for the Cougars. During the week, coach Justin Jajczyk’s team received a win by forfeit from Chatfield for its season opener.
Gateway got 152 yards of total offense from Knyle Serrell, but didn’t get on the scoreboard in a 20-0 I-25 League loss to Widefield that puts coach Rashad Mason’s Olys at 1-6 overall and 1-2 in league.
Rangeview also got shut out in a 55-0 road loss to Legacy Sept. 28 in Front Range South League competition. Coach Chris Dixon’s Raiders (1-5, 0-1) were held to less than 50 yards of total offense and were kept off the scoreboard after back-to-back 21-point outings.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
