Cherokee Trail pulled away from Denver East to win on Friday night. (Andre Lyseight/CHSAANow.com)
AURORA — In what started out as an even matchup, Cherokee Trail was able to pull away in a win over Denver East, 35-7.
The two teams were not able to get much going in the first half.
Cherokee Trail finally got a good drive going when quarterback Michael Morris was able to connect with receiver KJ Sapp multiple times to lead them down the field. The led to running back Max Gonzales’ 8-yard rushing touchdown.
A few drives later, Denver East was able execute the same way Cherokee Trail did when quarterback Holden Kjerland-Nicoletti connected with receiver Jack Moran twice on long passes. A pitch to Hassani Moore gave the Angels a 6-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7.
In the second half, Cherokee Trail came out determined to score and on the first drive, and that’s exactly what the Cougars did. They made their way down the field and scored with a touchdown pass from Morris to Sapp.
Denver East lost all momentum after an interception was returned for a touchdown by Cherokee Trail defensive back Michael Ward in the third quarter.
“At halftime the plays that were going to win the game were still going to be made, and we just thought this was a great opportunity for us to go out and execute,” said Cherokee Trail coach Monte Thelen. “We felt good, we were able to do that.”
In the fourth quarter, running back Quincey Voss was unleashed. Voss lead the Cougars into Angels’ territory with a long run, finishing it off with a 35-yard touchdown run with nine minutes left in the game.
Voss continued to dominate in the quarter by ending the game with another long run and a 9-yard rushing touchdown to seal the game.
“What motivated me was being in that locker room at halftime and knowing I have a family full of hard workers and that’s what it means to be a Cougar,” Voss said.