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Sunset Eighth Grade Football Dominates
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| By Bruce
Warren Coach Mark Braman’s eighth grade football team finished the season with a perfect record, winning the Longmont Youth Football championship for the third consecutive season. The championship game was one to be remembered as Braman’s Sunset I team defeated coach Chris Nirschl’s Sunset II team in a thriller, 13-12. The teams had met earlier in the division championship game, with Braman’s team winning handily. The Sunset II team suffered its only loss of the season then, but earned a return match in the championship game. Early in the game, Sunset I running back Matt Braman injured his shoulder and could not continue. Sunset I was already without the services of center Michael Perry due to injury. Sunset II was missing Colin Byrns due to injury, but Andy Blackmere returned just in time for the game. Sunset II scored first on a long pass from quarterback Austin Winger to Jason Hull. This marked the first time Sunset I had trailed all season. Later in the first half, Sunset II scored again on a run by Lamar West making the score 12-0. In the second half, Sunset I came alive and scored on an interception return by Jesse Stubbs, making the score 12-6. Matt Hendrick scored the second TD for Sunset I from one yard out. The PAT attempt was fumbled, but Robbie Fowler recovered in the end zone for the game winning point. Stubbs, Sean Ratliff, Brian Levanduski and Jeremy Hauck led the defense for Sunset I. Hauck, Alex Burns, Jon Rudolph, Paul Herring and Chris Maxon led the blocking for the Sunset II offense. Quarterback Clint Stapp, receiver Aaron Watson and running backs Hendrick and Burns carried the offensive load. Sunset II was led on defense by Blackmere, Ken Daum, Scott Trautman, Henry Heath and Ryan Albright. Winger, Hull and Blackmere led the offense. Nirschl was assisted by Steve Burns, Jesse Albright and Dan Ganonsis. 
Photo Courtesy of Gary Daum
Sunset II Eighth Grade Runner-Up: Top Row (l to r): Brandon Bauman, Jason Hull, Lamar West, Ethan Mestas, Austin Winger, Andy Blackmere; Second Row: Coach Nirschl, Todd Griffith, Jake Herzanek, Jordan Hammond, Ryan Albright, Josh Flores, Henry Heath, Coach Albright; Kneeling: Mason Whitener, Brian Lux, Brian Ganousis, Scott Trautman, Ken Daum, Nicolas Brady, Dustin Nirschl; Sitting, Luke Peterson and Travis Hiteshew. Not pictured, Colin Burns. |
Posted January 2001