LAKEWOOD — It had been a decade since Columbine was able to knock off rival Pomona in the football playoffs.
That drought finally ended Friday night at Jeffco Stadium. The No. 2-seeded Rebels stayed undefeated on the season with a 41-14 victory over No. 7 and the defending Class 5A state champion Panthers.
“I wasn’t counting, but thank you and it feels incredible,” said Columbine coach Andy Lowry who has guided the Rebels to five state championships during his tenure at Columbine.
Columbine junior Adam Harrington (29) is wrapped up by a pair of Pomona defenders on Friday night at Jeffco Stadium. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
The state quarterfinal win ended a four-game playoff winning streak by Pomona over Columbine. The Panthers took postseason wins against the Rebels in 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2012. The last time Columbine had a playoff win over Pomona was 2008.
“I put that all aside,” Columbine senior quarterback Logan DeArment said of facing the playoff losing streak against Pomona. “I believe in our guys. We have a special thing going on here and that is a great football team we beat tonight.”
Columbine (12-0 record) moves on the next week’s state semifinals. The Rebels host No. 3 Cherry Creek on either Friday or Saturday next week at Jeffco Stadium. The Bruins defeated Ralston Valley 24-16 at Stutler Bowl on Friday night.
“I’m excited we are playing here,” Columbine junior running back Adam Harrington said. “I think we just have to play our game. Creek is a great team.”
Harrington had a big night for the Rebels scoring on touchdown runs of 2, 28 and 11. He finished with 13 carries for 98 yards to lead Columbine on the ground. DeArment threw for a pair of touchdowns and finished 6-for-9 passing for 109 yards but it was Columbine’s defense that turned the tide against Pomona (7-5).
Columbine senior quarterback Logan DeArment drops back to pass in the Class 5A state quarterfinal game Friday night at Jeffco Stadium. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
The Rebels came up huge forcing four takeaways. Columbine converted the four of turnovers into 24 points.
“Defense saved us,” Lowry said. “Offensively we sputtered a lot tonight. (Pomona) is tough. They are the defending state champs and have been in the last three state championship games. Jay (Madden) and his staff do an incredible job.”
Pomona did take an early 7-0 lead with an impressive six-play, 80-yard drive that was capped off by a 14-yard touchdown run by Pomona senior quarterback Riley Welsch.
However, Columbine responded with 20 unanswered points for the rest of the first half to take a 20-7 lead at halftime. DeArment had a 20-yard touchdown pass to junior Justin Lohrenz. DeArment and sophomore Adam Tasei both had field goals in the second quarter.
The big touchdown for the Rebels came on the first of three touchdown runs by Harrington right before halftime. Columbine junior Tanner Hollens intercepted Welsch to set up the Rebels on Pomona’s 21-yard line.
“I just saw the ball thrown and tried to close as fast as I could,” said DeArment, who came up from his safety position to hit Pomona receiver David Ross right when a high pass got to him. The ball popped up into the air and into Hollens’s arms. “I hit him (Ross) right as the ball got to him and we got lucky to get the pick.”
Pomona quarterback Riley Welsch (18) scores the opening touchdown Friday night at Jeffco Stadium. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Harrington scored with 1:20 left before halftime to extend the Rebels’ lead to 20-7. The junior running back now leads the team with 17 rushing touchdowns on the season.
“It feels great,” Harrington said of his three touchdown runs. “When you cross that line nothing feels better when you see the ref put his arms up. I just wanted to help the team as best as I could.”
Pomona got back into it with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Welsch to senior Therious Robison to open the third quarter and cut the Rebels’ lead to 20-14.
Columbine got back on track converting a touchdowns on a Pomona fumble, a turnover on downs and an interception by DeArment for 21 unanswered points to close out the game.
It was the second meeting this season between the 5A powerhouses. Columbine cruised to a 35-13 victory over Pomona less than a month ago at Jeffco Stadium. DeArment, Harrington and Hollens combined for more than 300 yards rushing and five touchdowns against a banged up Pomona squad that had lost its all-time career leading receiver Billy Pospisil to shoulder surgery.
Pomona has been without leading tackler Kyle Moretti for the playoff too. The junior linebacker broke an ankle in playoffs before the Panthers’ postseason opener last week.
The Panthers were hit hard this season by injuries, but Pomona coach Jay Madden didn’t make that an excuse.
“The injuries and a great football team,” Madden said of what Pomona had to deal with Friday night. “Let’s be honest, I don’t care if all our guys were playing, that is one hell of a football team. We would have had to play a great game with all our dudes. Let’s give Columbine credit.”
Columbine junior Adam Harrington (29) tries to break through the tackle of Pomona senior Jack Thiele (19) during the first half Friday at Jeffco Stadium. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)