Douglas County has returned.
After losing to ThunderRidge in overtime to open the regular
season, Huskies football took it too the Grizzlies Nov. 7 at Shea
Stadium in Highlands Ranch. ThunderRidge, the No. 3 seed, played
host to the second-round match up of the Class 5A state
championship playoffs and lost to County 59-26.
The Grizzlies were in trouble early after falling behind 21-0 in
the first quarter and 42-7 at halftime.
Huskies receiver Bernie Dieker, a senior, had possibly his best
game of the season booking three touchdown receptions from senior
quarterback Eddie Williams in the first half. Later, Williams found
Dieker on a big pass play that set up a 9-yard field goal from Gabe
Romano to open the fourth quarter. Williams longest shot to Dieker
for pay dirt was 29 yards.
With a County offensive line brutalizing the Grizzlies up front,
senior running back Jose Astorga came up big with a 12-yard
touchdown run on the first play of the Huskies’ offense. He struck
gold again on a 62-yard roll late in the second quarter, and he had
a 39-yard touchdown jaunt in the fourth.
Luke Ruff made the highlights reel on the Huskies second drive
with a 78-yard touchdown book.
Williams, who ran a touchdown in himself in the final second of
the first half, had a fourth touchdown pass in the fourth quarter,
this time to Conlin White for 20 yards.
ThunderRidge was shut out in the first quarter after two fumbles
recovered by the Huskies. The first was on the hosts’ first
offensive play of the game. In the second, quarterback Tim Jenkins
found receiver Jared Faulkner for a 20-yard touchdown pass.
The Grizzlies attempted an onside kick, which was originally
called successful, but the decision was overturned after discussion
between the officials. Upset by the decision change, ThunderRidge’s
sideline took a series of penalties, and one assistant coach was
ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Despite their obvious frustrations, the Grizzlies returned in
the second half to keep County on its toes. Jenkins connected with
receiver Dave Arnold for a 27-yard touchdown pass. Jenkins posted
another throw into pay dirt to receiver Patrick Pokryfke for eight
yards; however, a missed point-after-touchdown kick left the score
42-20 at the end of the third.
Jenkins put the pigskin in the hands of Faulkner once again in
the fourth, which the receiver was able to turn into a 75-yard
touchdown pass-rush. It would be the Grizzlies’ final touchdown of
the season, as County tightened up on defense to force a turnover
on downs at the Huskies’ 27 on the following T-Ridge
possession.
With the win, the No. 14 seeded Douglas County advances to the
5A championship quarterfinals against No. 11 Poudre.
