LITTLETON | An atypical regular season ended in an atypical fashion of late for the Smoky Hill football team, which dropped a 49-34 decision to Arapahoe Thursday on a chilly evening at Littleton Public Schools Stadium.
The Buffaloes — who finished the previous two regular seasons undefeated — concluded this coronavirus-shortened regular season at 2-4 overall and 1-4 in its return to play in the Centennial League.
Senior quarterback Leslie Richardson III recorded his sixth game with multiple touchdown passes as he threw four on the evening, three to junior wide receiver Anthony Harris Jr. and another to senior Davien Norman, but he was also intercepted three times, including one that went back for a touchdown in the opening minute of the game.
Senior safety Micah Williams had a huge defensive game for Smoky Hill as he scooped up a fumble and returned it for a touchdown in the first quarter, came up with a pair of interceptions of Arapahoe quarterback Cole Hansen — both in the red zone — and recorded a sack in the final quarter. Junior Malik Danels also had an interception that saved points in the closing seconds of the opening half.
The Buffaloes defended well against the Warriors in the air, but had trouble slowing down senior running back Ezekiel Pierce, who rushed for six touchdowns. Two of Pierce’s scores game in the fourth quarter as Smoky Hill attempted to make a comeback.
Coach Tom Thenell’s Buffaloes has a non-playoff game Week 7 game scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at Stutler Bowl against Fossil Ridge.
Courtney Oakes is Sentinel Colorado Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or [email protected] Twitter: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
ARAPAHOE 49, SMOKY HILL 34
Score by quarters:
Smoky Hill 6 12 8 8 — 34
Arapahoe 14 14 7 14 — 49
SCORING
First quarter
Arapahoe — Angelo Petrides 35 yard interception return (Sebastian Pucher kick), 11:03
Smoky Hill — Micah Williams 60 yard fumble return (kick failed), 6:04
Arapahoe — Ezekiel Pierce 2 yard run (Pucher kick), 0:09
Second quarter
Smoky Hill — Anthony Harris Jr. 45 yard pass from Leslie Richardson III (pass failed), 10:59
Arapahoe — Pierce 18 yard run (Pucher kick), 6:53
Arapahoe — Pierce 11 yard run (Pucher kick), 5:23
Smoky Hill — Davien Norman 1 yard pass from Richardson III (pass failed)
Third quarter
Arapahoe — Pierce 4 yard run (Pucher kick), 10:07
Smoky Hill — Harris Jr. 8 yard pass from Richardson III (Norman pass from Richardson III)
Fourth quarter
Arapahoe — Pierce 2 yard run (Pucher kick), 2:53
Smoky Hill — Harris Jr. 57 yard pass from Richardson III (Richardson run)
Arapahoe — Pierce 60 yard run (Pucher kick), 2:28
