(Andre Lyseight/CHSAANow.com)
HIGHLANDS RANCH — Friday in Class 5A football playoffs, a defensive battle between Mountain Vista and Denver East came down to the final minutes in the fourth quarter.
“We played sloppy but got the ‘W,'” said senior cornerback Will Flynn.
That’s exactly what it came down to. No. 4-seeded Mountain Vista beat No. 5 Denver East, 19-14.
The Golden Eagles’ junior quarterback Judd Erickson led the way with two touchdown passes and a rushing score in the first half. Mountain Vista’s first-half offensive performance was good enough to get the victory as the Golden Eages were held scoreless in the second half.
“In the second quarter we got things going offensively and put some points on the board that helped us establish a little bit of a cushion for us,” said Mountain Vista coach Rich Cash. “Then our defense stepped up big in the second half with our backs against the wall.”
Mountain Vista started the game off strong on with a 36-yard touchdown throw from Erickson to junior receiver Kellen Parker giving the team a 6-0 lead after their first drive.
Denver East had two redzone opportunities that, if converted, would have changed the game.
The Angels went for it on fourth down at the goal line but got sacked. Mountain Vista’s defense stepped up again by stopping Denver East at the goal line, forcing another turnover on downs.
The Angels were able to get on the board in the first quarter with a rushing touchdown from senior running back Isaiah Davis to give his team a 7-6 lead.
Mountain Vista answered back with Erickson’s second touchdown pass, this one 21 yards to junior receiver John Krysa. That game the Golden Eagles a 12-7 lead.
Denver East junior quarterback Holden Kjerland-Nicoletti ran the ball throughout the half for positive yards every time he decided to take off, but didn’t result in any points.
As time expired in the half, Erickson threw a 43-yard pass to senior receiver Jordan Franklin. That set Erickson up for a fake handoff, giving him an easy 28-yard touchdown run and Mountain Vista a 19-7 lead before halftime.
The second half was a defensive battle for both teams. Denver East was finally able to catch a break after a fumble on punt return from Krysa. Kjerland-Nicoletti threw a 33-yard touchdown to junior receiver Connell Maxwell to cut Mountain Vista’s lead to 19-14.
The Golden Eagles looked like they were in full control throughout the whole game but the scoreboard didn’t reflect that. Denver East, trying to take the lead late in the game, turned the ball over on downs at its own 36-yard line.
Mountain Vista had a chance to score on a short field, but Erickson threw an interception in the end zone. The Angels returned the pick close to midfield with 5 minutes left in the game.
Kjerland-Nicoletti was leading his team down the field with the game on the line, but Mountain Vista defense tipped a pass, and forced a turnover that sealed the win.
“We played well and hard,” coach Cash said. “There are some things we could have done to improve. Our performance on the field, we got a little bit undisciplined at times. Hat’s off to Denver East. Kids came out and played hard and got after it the whole game. Good high school football game.”
Mountain Vista faces a tough No.1 Grandview team in second round of the playoffs next week.