AURORA | The Cherokee Trail football team let a golden opportunity slip through its fingers Friday night, as the Cougars had defending Class 5A state champion Cherry Creek on the ropes several times before coming up short.
The Cougars couldn’t quite put the final nail in the coffin of the top-ranked Bruins, however, as Cherry Creek prevailed 16-13 in overtime in the Centennial League opener for both teams on a brisk night at Legacy Stadium.
Senior placekicker Ryan Sullivan’s potential game-winning 41-yard field goal attempt on the final play of regulation sailed wide left, sending the game to overtime where Ashton Riley’s 1-yard plunge for a touchdown lifted Cherry Creek (5-0) to victory.
“It was a heartbreaker…so close, so close,” said Cherokee Trail senior linebacker Anthony Holmes, who set up Sullivan’s game-winning attempt with an interception off Cherry Creek quarterback Joe Caplis, one of four on the night for the Cougars defense.
“I thought we had it all the way to overtime, but one little mistake changed the game,” he added. “We’ve got to work on a few things and next time, we won’t lose.”
Cherokee Trail coach Monte Thelen came away encouraged by the Cougars’ (3-2, 0-1) performance, especially with all the chances his team had to win.
“Our execution wasn’t great, but we played our hearts out and the CT community should be proud,” Thelen said. “We have to improve our execution and that’s on me, it’s my responsbility, and we’ll keep on working. Last time we played in the state semifinals (2013), we lost two games in the regular season, one to Cherry Creek.
“If they are the No. 1 team in the state, we’re pretty good, too.”
Junior defensive back Mike Ward had two interceptions and returned one for the only touchdown for Cherokee Trail, which had to play most of the game without starting quarterback Michael Morris, who suffered a hand injury, pressing Ethan Leisge into action.
With senior Kaylon Brown, junior So-Ku Mun Williams and others causing havoc in the backfield, the Cougars’ defense played an outstanding game. The play that came back to haunt Cherokee Trail, however, came in the second quarter when Marquise Davis broke a slew of tackles on his way to an 80-yard touchdown.
Cherokee Trail got on the board when Ward snared a pass at the 35 yard-line and got the ball inside the pylon with a dive as Caplis hit him while he was in the air.
“I got great blocks from my defense, so it was great to get my second pick-six of the season,” said Ward, who also took an interception back for a touchdown against Denver East.
“The quarterback was mad, he got me good, but I got in there,” Ward added.
Sullivan connected on a 39-yard field goal in the third quarter to even the score to cap a penalty-aided drive and got a chance to win the game when Holmes corralled a tipped pass in Cherry Creek territory in the final minute.
After Sullivan’s kick went wide, the Bruins won the coin toss ahead of overtime — where each team gets a possession from the 10 yard-line — and chose to play defense.
Max Gonzales’ hard run pushed Cherokee Trail to the 4 yard-line on second down, but Gonzales was swarmed under by Cherry Creek’s outstanding defensive line on the next play and the Cougars were forced to settle for Sullivan’s 25-yard field goal.
On the Bruins’ possession, Riley’s 9-yard burst got the ball to the 1 yard-line and he stretched the ball across the goal line on third down to win the game, sending Cherry Creek players streaming onto the field in celebration.
Cherokee Trail turns its attention to a matchup with rival Grandview (4-1, 1-0) — which downed Eaglecrest 52-31 — at 7 p.m. Oct. 9.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
CHERRY CREEK 16, CHEROKEE TRAIL 13 (OT)
Score by quarters:
Cherry Creek 0 10 0 0 6 — 16
Cherokee Trail 0 7 3 0 3 — 13
SCORING
Second quarter
Cherry Creek — Marquise Davis 80 yard run (Charlie Scott kick)
Cherry Creek — Scott 25 yard field goal, 9:17
Cherokee Trail — Mike Ward 35 yard interception return (Ryan Sullivan kick), 4:39
Third quarter
Cherokee Trail — Sullivan 39 yard field goal
Overtime
Cherokee Trail — Sullivan 25 yard field goal
Cherry Creek — Ashton Riley 1 yard run
