Niwot football wins home opener, 2-0 on the season

Niwot High School football is now two weeks into the current season and with a 29-14 win against the Thornton High School Trojans, Niwot is off to a 2-0 start. Niwot was dominant on the offensive side of the ball scoring points during each quarter, with the defense keeping Thornton off the scoreboard until the fourth quarter.

Niwot started the game on defense, quickly shutting Thornton down with an interception by senior defensive back Sergio Pimentel on a deep pass. Niwot then started its opening drive highlighted by big runs from juniors Jesus Rosas and Haden Shaw, but the drive ended abruptly in the red zone on a fumble.

Niwot was quick to bounce back when senior Ashton Karch got a huge tackle after Thornton's quarterback pitched the ball to a running back resulting in a 15-yard loss. Two plays later, Niwot finished the job, as a group tackle gave Niwot two points for a safety. Niwot got the ball following the safety, but struggled to move the ball forward, punting early.

Niwot's defense continued its early mayhem as they shut Thornton down again, forcing a punt. Sophomore Caleb Roby started the ensuing drive with a long receiver reverse that went deep into Thornton territory where Chad Volf was able to push the ball closer to the end zone to end the quarter.

To start the second quarter, Haden Shaw punched the ball in for six, with Roby knocking down the extra point to give Niwot a 9-0 lead. Niwot continued to break down Thornton's offense when sophomore Wyatt Volf broke up a third-down pass, forcing another punt. When the punt fell short, Niwot had great field position.

The Cougar offense struggled at first, but a deep end zone throw resulted in an impressive contested catch by senior Eric Dillon, putting Niwot up 16-0 after Roby's extra point. Thornton was able to string together multiple big runs during their drive, but failed to convert on a fourth down play, turning it over.

Chad Volf started the next drive quickly, with a long run that stretched the field. The runs kept stacking up, as Haden Shaw, Rosas, and Chad Volf all carried the ball to the red zone before time ran out and the half was over, with Niwot holding a 16-0 lead.

Niwot started the second half with the ball, but struggled on the first series, falling just short on a fourth down conversion attempt. Thornton continued their offensive struggles as they went three and out, complemented by a tackle for a loss by Dillon.

Niwot started with a kick again as Chad Volf broke through the midfield line with a long run. Which was followed by a catch and run from senior Mats Lehan. Haden Shaw broke off a deep run which was followed by Rosas punching in another Niwot touchdown, making the score 23-0 after Roby's kick. Three failed runs later, Thornton was punting it again, as Niwot continued to dominate on defense.

Niwot struggled to get the ball rolling on its next drive, punting early. Niwot's defense continued its domination to the end of the quarter, starting the fourth quarter with a Gavin Burrage sack. Niwot started running the ball more this quarter until they punted after burning a chunk of the clock.

Thornton was able to start their drive strong as they ran almost 60 yards in one play to score, making the score 23-8 after a two-point conversion was successful. Niwot answered back right away, with multiple long runs stacking up until the Cougars scored, but a missed extra point made the score 29-7.

Thornton started taking advantage of a tired Niwot defense again, until they were able to punch in another score. But the Cougars were able to burn the rest of the clock, winning their second game of the season 29-14.

Niwot's next game will be against the Skyview High School Wolverines in Thornton next Friday at 7:00 and then will have a bye week before homecoming week.