AURORA | With only two weeks remaining in the 2018 prep football regular season, league playoff races have gained some some clarity.
The results of Week 8 meant plenty for Aurora teams, which finished a combined 5-6.
The city’s unbeaten ranks — which were six-strong through five weeks — shrank to just one team, as only Smoky Hill emerged from Week 8 with a victory (a 48-0 cruise past Adams City). Eaglecrest suffered its first on-field loss in the regular season since the 2015 season with a one-point loss to Cherry Creek in a battle of undefeated Metro East teams.
Courtney Oakes is Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Sentinel Prep Sports
AURORA’S WEEK 8 FOOTBALL ROUNDUP
AURORA CENTRAL (1-6 overall, 0-2 in 4A Metro League): The Trojans were shut out for the third time on the season by a hot Heritage team, which won a 41-0 contest Oct. 12 at Aurora Public Schools Stadium. The Trojans were led by senior Michael Thompson with 45 yards rushing and were outgained 373-79 by the Eagles. Next up: Aurora Central plays host to Ponderosa (5-2, 2-0) at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 18.
CHEROKEE TRAIL (7-1 overall, 2-1 in Metro East): Locked in a battle with Overland until the late stages of the game, the Cougars came away with a 36-24 Metro East victory Oct. 12 at Stutler Bowl. A 20-point opening quarter that included two touchdown runs by senior Malik Sparrow and senior Myles Ruiz’s interception return for a score got Cherokee Trail off to a flying start. Sophomore Jayden Lavigne tossed a touchdown pass to junior Donovan Swift for some breathing room and the Cougars were able to hold on. Next up: Cherokee Trail visits Metro East-leading Cherry Creek (8-0, 3-0) at 7 p.m. Oct. 19.
EAGLECREST (7-1 overall, 2-1 in Metro East): The Raptors held a 13-0 halftime lead in their undefeated Metro East showdown with Cherry Creek Oct. 12 at Legacy Stadium, but were shut out in the second half and dropped a 14-13 decision. Eaglecrest built its lead in the second quarter on touchdown runs by junior Isaiah Emecheta (63 yards rushing) and senior Dylan James (125 yards rushing), but let the Bruins back into the game with turnovers in the second half. James drove the Raptors into the red zone inside the final minute, but sophomore place kicker Taylor Gomez’s go-ahead field goal attempt from 34 yards away sailed wide right. Next up: On a short week, Eaglecrest plays host to Arapahoe (4-4, 0-3) at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at Legacy Stadium.
GATEWAY (1-6, 1-1 in 4A Metro League): The Olympians came up with some big plays in an Oct. 11 Metro League matchup against Ponderosa at EchoPark Stadium, but didn’t have enough of them in a 57-19 loss. Junior Lanier DeRuso got Gateway off to a good start with an interception return for a touchdown on the Mustangs’ first offensive play and senior Elijah Williams later returned a kickoff for a score, but the Olys trailed 36-13 at the break. Sophomore Tony Gallegos threw a touchdown pass on the final play to senior Evan Winn to round out the scoring. Next up: Gateway hits the road for a 6 p.m. Oct. 19 Metro League game at Montrose (7-0, 2-0).
GRANDVIEW (7-1 overall, 2-1 in Metro East): The Wolves went to the air early and often, then finished off the game on the ground in a 42-14 Metro East victory over Arapahoe on Oct. 11 at Littleton Public Schools Stadium. Sophomore quarterback Jacob Burr had a combined six touchdown passes in the first seven games of the season, but tossed four scoring strikes against the Warriors, including three to senior Dayne Prim, who also finished with 125 yards receiving. Junior Jordan Smith caught Burr’s other TD pass, while senior Jordan Billingsley went for 163 yards and two scores. Senior Brandy Okeke had three sacks among seven tackles and the Wolves’ defense recovered four fumbles. Next up: Grandview welcomes Overland (1-7, 0-3) in to Legacy Stadium at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 for a Metro East matchup.
HINKLEY (4-3 overall, 0-2 in 4A Pioneer League): The Thunderbirds had the lead through three quarters in a Pioneer League road contest against Standley Lake Oct. 11 at the North Area Athletic Complex, but watched the Gators score 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to deal them a 37-20 loss. In his first stint at quarterback, junior Xavier Starks completed 13-of-20 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown pass to junior J.J. Lee, while he also rushed for 59 yards a score. Junior Leon Parham’s fumble return for a touchdown provided the other points for the Thunderbirds. Next up: Hinkley has a 1 p.m. Oct. 20 home Pioneer League game against Fruita Monument (5-2, 2-0).
OVERLAND (1-7 overall, 0-3 in Metro East): The Trailblazers played down to the wire in a Metro East contest with Cherokee Trail Oct. 12 at Stutler Bowl, but couldn’t quite catch the Cougars in a 36-24 defeat. Senior DJ Reid (interception return) and senior Jalon’e Rice (reception) scored back-to-back touchdowns in the second quarter as Overland trailed by two points at halftime and remained within three points (27-24) after junior Jawan Lacour’s touchdown reception late in the third quarter, but surrendered a safety and a late touchdown to fall short. Next up: Overland heads to Legacy Stadium at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 to face Grandview (7-1, 2-1) in a Metro East contest.
RANGEVIEW (1-7 overall, 1-6 in Metro 10): The Raiders played three scoreless quarters against Boulder in a Metro 10 home contest Oct. 11 at Aurora Public Schools Stadium, but yielded three touchdowns and a safety in the second quarter of a 20-0 loss. Rangeview turned the ball over three times and were shut out for the third time (but first time since Week 2), with sophomore quarterback Reece Berkey throwing for 102 yards and rushing for 51 more. Junior Domonic Menchacha had two sacks among 10 tackles to lead the Raiders defense. Next up: Rangeview has a 6:30 p.m. Oct. 19 home game at Aurora Public Schools Stadium against Westminster (6-2, 6-1).
REGIS JESUIT (4-4 overall, 3-0 in South League): The Raiders collected their third straight victory in style with a strong 41-14 South League road victory over Doherty Oct. 13 at Garry Berry Stadium. Regis Jesuit scored on the opening possession of the game when freshman quarterback Nicco Marchiol threw a long touchdown pass to junior Jackson Connelly and built a 20-0 halftime lead as Marchiol added TD tosses to senior Kiahn Martinez and junior Bryce Sloan (112 yards receiving). Martinez (182 yards total offense) rushed for a pair of scores and junior Gordon McKeehan also got into the end zone on the ground for the Raiders. Next up: Regis Jesuit heads to Colorado Springs for a second straight week as it plays at Fountain-Fort Carson at 6 p.m. Oct. 18.
SMOKY HILL (8-0 overall, 7-0 in Metro 10): The Buffaloes extended their undefeated start with their most lopsided victory of the season, as they downed Adams City 48-0 Oct. 11 at Stutler Bowl. Smoky Hill’s defense had three interceptions and forced the Eagles into some turnovers on downs in the red zone on its way to its fifth shutout of the season. Junior Obie Sanni racked up 197 yards and four touchdowns, while freshman Jonathan Potts and senior Isaac Lubega also rushed for scores and sophomore quarterback Leslie Richardson III threw a touchdown pass to junior Kaleb Starling in the Buffs’ fourth 40-plus-point effort of the season. Next up: Smoky Hill heads to North Stadium for a 7 p.m. Oct. 19 Metro 10 meeting with Mountain Range (3-5, 2-5).
VISTA PEAK (6-1 overall, 2-0 in 4A Pioneer League): Buoyed by the presence of 12-year-old Zackary Schultz — a leukemia patient at Children’s Hospital Colorado — the Bison came up three points short of their season-best point total in a 55-13 victory over Centaurus Oct. 12 at Aurora Public Schools Stadium. Vista PEAK rushed for five touchdowns with junior Gene Sledge (217 yards total offense) picking up two of them and junior Dennis Flippin and sophomores Montral Hamrick and Ja’Derris Carr adding one, while Carr also caught a scoring pass from sophomore quarterback Victor Owens. The Bison scored twice defensively to boot, with sophomores Kyshaun Green and Donovan Jarmon taking turnovers back to the end zone. Next up: Vista PEAK as a Pioneer League road game ahead when it faces Standley Lake (5-2, 2-0) at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at the North Area Athletic Complex.
