LAKEWOOD — Dakota Ridge football reeled rival Chatfield back to the pack in the race for the Class 4A Jeffco League on Thursday night at Jeffco Stadium.
The Eagles rallied in the second half for a 31-21 victory over the Chargers. According to Dakota Ridge coach Ron Woitalewicz, it’s the first win on the football field for Dakota Ridge over Chatfield since 2003. The Eagles were 0-6 in meetings against the Chargers over the past 14 years.
“We talked about that all week,” Woitalewicz said of getting the win over the Chargers. “Sooner or later it had to be our time. We had a great week of practice and they were excited.”
Chatfield senior Hunter Barnes (1) is able to keep his balance after taking a hit from Dakota Ridge senior Joshua Roybal. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Chatfield (5-3, 2-1 in league) entered the conference game as the lone undefeated team in league play. The loss gives Dakota Ridge (4-4, 2-1), along with Bear Creek, Wheat Ridge, Grand Junction and Golden all still a legitimate shot at the conference title.
“The goal has always to win league,” said Dakota Ridge senior running back Jered Garcia, who rushed for three touchdowns in the victory.
There were positives and negatives for Garcia. The leading rusher for the Eagles fumbled inside Chatfield territory in the third quarter. However, Garcia’s 35-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter gave the Eagles a 24-21 lead.
“I was upset. I hadn’t fumbled all season,” Garcia said. “I just knew I had to keep my head straight because we were still in this game.”
Garcia’s biggest run was a 44-yard scamper on a third-down and long play midway through the fourth quarter while the Eagles were hanging on to a 24-21 lead. The run put Dakota Ridge at Chatfield’s 1-yard line and Garcia would score a few plays later for his third touchdown.
“The big play I felt was the 3rd-down and 18,” Woitalewicz said. “He (Garcia) breaks off the big run.”
Chatfield quarterback Zack Yanda drops back to pass Thursday at Jeffco Stadium. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Chatfield couldn’t get much going offensively in the second half after scoring 21 points before halftime. Senior quarterback Zack Yanda returned to the field for the first time since suffering a separated shoulder Sept. 20 in an overtime loss to Greeley West. It was a bit of a mixed bag for Yanda.
“He (Yanda) obviously had a little rust early in the game,” Chatfield coach Bret McGatlin said. “I just love to have him back on the field.”
Yanda’s first pass was intercepted. Dakota Ridge cashed in great field position with an 8-yard touchdown run by Garcia. The Eagles grabbed a 10-0 lead with a 27-yard field goal by sophomore Max Hart with 3:17 left in the first quarter.
Yanda was able to get the Chargers going with a 62-yard touchdown pass to receiver Carson Lucas. The senior quarterback also connected with senior Carson Gibler right before halftime to give Chatfield a 21-17 lead at halftime.
Dakota Ridge quarterback Benjamin Biffinger is wrapped up by Chatfield’s Anthony Johnston (68) and Derian Smith (36) during the first half Thursday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“They outplayed us,” McGatlin admitted after Dakota Ridge outscored Chatfield 14-0 in the second half. “We had our opportunities, but never really took control of the game. They just played better.”
The Chargers travel to Stocker Stadium on the Western Slope next Thursday. Grand Junction (3-4, 1-1) hosts Chatfield at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25.
“No matter what we have to win our last two games,” McGatlin said. “The end of league will be interesting.”
The 4A Jeffco League champion receives an automatic bid to the 16-team state tournament.
Dakota Ridge was No. 21 in the RPI rankings before Thursday’s win, so grabbing an automatic bid is still the best chance for the Eagles to make the postseason.
“We have a great chance and opportunity now to win the league,” Woitalewicz said.
Dakota Ridge is back at Jeffco Stadium on Friday, Oct. 26, to play Wheat Ridge. The conference game is scheduled to kickoff at 7 p.m.
Dakota Ridge senior Jered Garcia, right, rushed for three touchdowns in the Eagles’ 31-21 victory Thursday night over rival Chatfield. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)