(Andre Lyseight/CHSAANow.com)
DENVER — On a hot fall afternoon, Regis Jesuit football was able to hold off Denver South without scoring any points in the second half.
The first half production was enough for Regis Jesuit, the No. 5 team in this week’s Class 5A rankings, to beat Denver South in a 29-14 win.
“In the first half, we played real solid. Second half I think we had a little let down. South came out and did a great job second half,” said first-year Regis Jesuit coach Danny Filleman. “That was the first time we had a lead like that this year, so we got a little complacent.”
A number of penalties were called throughout the game, and it affected Denver South more so than Regis Jesuit. The Rebels, who play in 4A, could not get into any type of rhythm. At one point in the first quarter, they were forced to punt after facing fourth-and-70.
Regis Jesuit was able to capitalize early in the game with a blocked punt in the end zone for a safety. On the following drive, Denver South was called for a crucial roughing the kicker penalty on a field goal attempt, allowing Regis Jesuit to get a new set of downs.
Senior running back Alec Barnes scored on the next play after a 10-yard run. Barnes added another touchdown in the second half by zigzagging through the defense for 35-yard touchdown.
“Coach drew up the plays well all week and we had good blocking,” Barnes said of his second touchdown. “When we ran it the offense blocked well the hole was there, I made a cut and ran the ball to the end zone.”
Denver South scored its first points of the night with a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Amon Wright to receiver James Hardy. But Regis Jesuit got the ball before halftime and scored on an 89-yard rushing touchdown down the sideline by junior running back Alfred Jones.
Neither team was able to do much in the second half. Regis Jesuit had numerous quick three-and-out drives for much of the remainder of the game. The Denver South defense tackled well, not allowing much to happen in the run game or yards after catch.
As the second half wore on, Denver South looked like it could make a comeback on the strength of their impressive defense. The Rebels were able to score again on screen pass to Hardy for 86 yards, making the score 29-14 before the fourth quarter.
But penalties continued to prevent the Rebels from getting anything else going. The Raiders defense survived and held off the Rebels from scoring again.
“We had good first half and came a little slow and sluggish the second half,” Barnes said. “If we can put together a full game and have two good halves. We are going to be good.”