(Andre Lyseight/CHSAANow.com)
ENGLEWOOD — Playoff football is a time for teams to put their regular season records behind them and focus on the opponent in front them. It’s even a time to make up for previous playoff losses.
Last year, the Kent Denver Sun Devils beat the Platte Valley Broncos in the semifinals in a tight matchup.
This time, in the Class 2A football semifinals, the matchup was much of the same, but Platte Valley came out on top with the win after trailing by 17 points in second quarter. Platte Valley beat Kent Denver 29-23, handing the Sun Devils their first loss of the season.
Broncos quarterback Tanner Schwindt threw an interception in the end zone, and a crucial interception that returned for a 60-yard touchdown earlier in the game. But Schwindt entered the second half completely forgetting about his mistakes. He had a rushing touchdown, and then threw the game-winning touchdown pass.
“The credit has to go to our defense and offensive line,” Schwindt said. “I played poorly in that first half. But they stuck by me. We knew if we came out here and played our football our game. We didn’t vary from anything. Our defense locked them down the second half like they been doing all year. They gave us just enough chances and we knew our offense was good enough to put it in there. We get one more week now.”
The Broncos defense held Kent Denver’s explosive offense to zero points in the second half.
Kent Denver had a good start to the game. On their second drive of the game, Sun Devils quarterback Rob Casey threw 76-yard pass to William Salder, who was stopped short at the goal line. Platte Valley’s defense stepped up and held Kent Denver to just a field goal for an early 3-0 lead.
Platte Valley looked like its was going to quickly respond. But Schwindt threw ball up for grabs deep in the corner of the end zone that was intercepted by Kent Denver defensive back Justin Schatz.
Kent Denver, with the momentum, let senior running back Wyllis McKissick do what he has been doing all year by controlling the ground game with a 22-yard run. That set up 58-yard pass from Casey to Charles McKissick for the touchdown pass and a 10-0 lead.
Shortly after that, Platte Valley turned the ball over with a fumble on Kent Denver’s 23-yard line. The Sun Devils capitalized on the turnover as Casey threw his second touchdown pass to Charles McKissick.
The Broncos responded with a 50-yard kick off return, and the Platte Valley offense made it the rest of the way with 12-yard touchdown run, giving them their first points of the game and cutting the lead to 17-7.
Before halftime, Schatz got his second interception of the game returned for a 60-yard touchdown that gave Sun Devils a comfortable 23-7 lead.
“I told the kids, ‘No scoreboard watching today,’” said Platte Valley head coach Troy Hoffman. “That was one of our goals. Can’t watch it. I didn’t know what it would be anyways. I knew Kent Denver was a really good team.”
In the second half, the Broncos came out strong and determined to get back into the game. Platte Valley was able to convert play after play, leading to a two-yard rushing touchdown from junior running back Drew Neuerburg.
The Broncos got the ball back after an interception thrown by Casey. Schwindt and offense took advantage of a much-needed turnover with quarterback sneak making it a 2-point game at 23-21.
“We needed something and I was glad I got to provide a play for my team,” said Schwindt. “I knew I gave a couple up in the first half. I needed to get my guys in positions to succeed.”
Kent Denver then turned the ball over again on Platte Valley’s 30. The Broncos had a chance to take the lead with ball on the 1-yard line, but were stopped short on fourth down.
Still, the Sun Devils’ offense struggled to get into any rhythm in second half.
Platte Valley’s offense kept on getting into position to take the lead but Kent Denver’s defense would always find a way to come up with a stop. Schwindt threw his third interception in the end zone with 5:50 left in the game.
On 4th-and-4, the Broncos converted the first down with a pass to senior Mathew Hoffman. Schwindt then threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Parker Gilliland for a 29-23 lead with 46 seconds left in the game.
Kent Denver tried to get in the end zone before the game ended, but Casey was sacked and fumbled the ball, sealing the game for Platte Valley.
Hoffman found a way to keep his team composed in their comeback win.
“We came out and scored,” he said. “We got the stop and couple of turnovers. You start to feel it and the kids start to believe. I told the kids they have to reach down inside: ‘You’re going to remember how you overcame this good or bad. You’re going to remember this for the rest of your lives and you’re going to learn something.’ I can’t be more proud of my team.”
Platte Valley will host Bayfield in the 2A championship next Saturday.