(Andre Lyseight/CHSAANow.com)
LITTLETON – If it’s possible for a game to be a must-win for both teams this early in the season, it was certainly the case for Arapahoe and Heritage on Friday.
The state’s No. 8-ranked Warriors beat Heritage 31-24, a win led by senior quarterback Pete Mitchell and senior running back Nick Thompson. Mitchell threw for two touchdown passes and Thompson added two rushing touchdowns with an impressive ground game that helped his team get a win over their rival.
“I think we played phenomenal. It was a total team effort,” said Thompson. “Everyone knew their role and did their part and that’s how you win ball games like that.
“They have some linemen that were going both ways so we knew we could wear them down. We just wanted to pound the ball the whole game, so in the second half when they’re really tired we could put the dagger in them.”
The Eagles’ first drive started off with a 40-yard catch to receiver Tim Pless but ended badly with an interception by Mitchell Pennetta. Heritage was quickly able to bounce back from the turnover by getting the ball back after a fumble recovery.
Eagles quarterback Chase Hansen took advantage and threw a nice 23-yard touchdown pass to Daejour Haynes giving Heritage an early 7-0 lead.
“I think with a rivalry game of this nature, unfortunately you do some things you wish you didn’t do,” said Arapahoe coach Mike Campbell. “(We) made a couple mistakes with the ball, maybe dropped coverage once or twice. There is a lot of emotion out there and you got to hold it all together. Overall I’m very proud of how we played.”
After Heritage’s first touchdown they struggled to get much going for the rest of the half with numerous three and outs and a turnover on downs. Arapahoe punched the ball in with Thompson to tie the game.
Then the Eagles made a crucial mistake by tipping the ball on a kick-off and not being able to recover, lost the ball in their own territory. Mitchell took advantage of turnover and threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Fischer Conley to give the Warriors a 14-7 lead.
(Andre Lyseight/CHSAANow.com)
Arapahoe controlled ball for much of the third quarter. The Eagles were within reach but made yet another crucial mistake by roughing the kicker giving the Warriors automatic first down on the five-yard line. Thompson was able to rush the ball in for another touchdown increasing the lead to 24-7.
Heritage was still in the game in the fourth quarter after a 67-yard kick return, setting them up for a 12-yard rushing touchdown from Haynes. Arapahoe milked the clock and settled for field goal to bring the score to 34-15 with 4:38 left in the game.
Heritage got the ball with a deep pass from Hanson to Haynes. Another pass from Hanson to Clayton Cain went for a 19-yard touchdown catch, scoring in 32 seconds. But with only 4:06 left in the game and the score 34-21 in Arapahoe’s favor, it proved to be too little too late.
“It’s a huge crosstown game,” said coach Campbell. “I do think they are an excellent football team that we beat tonight. I’m just glad to get a good win against a good opponent.”