AURORA | The excitement of playing in Week Zero for the Regis Jesuit football team met the reality of the opposition Thursday night at Lou Kellogg Stadium.
The homestanding Raiders were among the small group of teams that got to begin the season earlier than the rest of the state, but did so against a formidable opponent in defending Class 5A state champion Cherry Creek.
In front of a packed house, the preseason top-ranked Bruins looked to be in midseason form with a 28-point first quarter that turned into a 45-10 victory over Regis Jesuit.
Coach Danny Filleman’s Raiders scored all of their points with the help of junior linebacker Sawyer Burruss, who returned a fumble for a touchdown and came up with an interception that set up a field goal by senior Jack Manthey.
Cherry Creek came out ready to go from the opening kickoff, as it marched down the field on its first drive and scored when Alijah Landrum-Hamilton recovered a fumble in the end zone. Less than two minutes later, the Bruins’ lead doubled when Manthey’s punt was blocked and recovered in the end zone by Karson McKenzie.
Star tailback Jayden Fox scored the first of his three touchdowns a short time later and Ty Goettsche rumbled 46 yards for a score after bringing in a Brady Vodicka pass to close out the explosive opening quarter for Cherry Creek.
The Bruins added three more points on 24-yard field goal after a strong red zone stand by the Regis Jesuit defense, which then couldn’t stop Fox on a 94-yard touchdown sprint that made it 38-0 with just 3:35 left in the opening half.
Junior Will Anzures gave the Raiders a spark when he forced a fumble on a quick completion and Burruss scooped up the loose ball and took it to the end zone. Burruss then stepped in front of a Vodicka pass for an interception — Regis Jesuit’s second of the game after one by junior Logan Singer in the end zone — to set the Raiders up in prime position.
Sophomore quarterback Luke Rubley (who finished with 98 yards passing and was intercepted once) couldn’t connect on multiple throws to the end zone, which forced Regis Jesuit to settle for Manthey’s 28-yard field goal.
Fox scored the only points of the second half midway through the third quarter.
Regis Jesuit’s Week 1 opponent is likely to be just as challenging, as Valor Christian (1-0) is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. visit Aug. 29 in a rematch of teams that met in the quarterfinals of last season’s 5A playoffs.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter/X: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
CHERRY CREEK 45, REGIS JESUIT 10
Score by quarters:
Cherry Creek 28 10 7 0 — 45
Regis Jesuit 0 10 0 0 — 10
SCORING
Cherry Creek — Alijah Landrum-Hamilton fumble recovery in end zone (Clay Henderson kick), 8:13
Cherry Creek — Karson McKenzie blocked punt recovery in end zone (kick), 6:25
Cherry Creek — Jayden Fox 12 yard run (kick), 6:00
Cherry Creek — Ty Goettsche 46 yard pass from Brady Vodicka (Alexander Verduzco kick), 3:14
Second quarter
Cherry Creek — Jolon Quintana 24 yard field goal
Cherry Creek — Fox 94 yard run (Quintana kick), 3:35
Regis Jesuit — Sawyer Burruss fumble return (Jack Manthey kick), 1:58
Regis Jesuit — Manthey 28 yard field goal, 0:32
Third quarter
Cherry Creek — Fox 17 yard run ( Quintana kick), 6:53
RUSHING
Regis Jesuit: Joe Pron 10-57, Benjamin Bacon 2-5, Dahntay Kouahi 1-(minus 2), Luke Rubley 9-(minus 25
PASSING
Regis Jesuit: Rubley 14-27, 98 yards, 1 interception
RECEIVING
Regis Jesuit: Pron 3-37, Kouahi 7-33, Colt Jones 1-11, Andrew Mihm 1-9, Logan Singer 1-5, Bacon 1-4
