Arapahoe, the state’s ninth-ranked Class 5A football team, used a strong defensive effort to upend second-ranked Cherry Creek, 13-10, in an Oct. 15 Centennial League game played at Littleton Public …
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Arapahoe, the state’s ninth-ranked Class 5A football team, used a strong defensive effort to upend second-ranked Cherry Creek, 13-10, in an Oct. 15 Centennial League game played at Littleton Public Schools Stadium.
The Arapahoe Warriors moved to the front of the league title chase as the Centennial school’s defense pressured Creek most of the game and contained the Bruins’ offense while offensively controlling the ball long enough to keep the Cherry Creek defense busy.
“Our defense all year has played well,” said Arapahoe coach Joe Nuu. “Our offensive line was unbelievable and kept us in the game, driving the ball.
“If we were going to go out, we were going to swing with both barrels,” Nuu added. “If we had lost, people would say that was supposed to happen, so there was nothing to lose.”
The Littleton district school improved to 3-0 in the league and 7-1 overall with league games remaining against Smoky Hill and Grandview.
Arapahoe got two field goals from Sebastian Pucher and the senior linebacker Jack Weiler got the game deciding touchdown early in the fourth quarter with a 42-yard interception return.
Creek quarterback Christian Hammond, who was was under pressure from the Warriors’ defensive line the entire game, scrambled and forced a throw which Weiler picked off for a pick-six.
“I give all the credit to the D line on the interception,” said Weiler. “They caused the pressure. He (Hammond) was going out and saw him kind of go back and I though he better not throw that and he did. I was ready for it.
“We knew we were good,’ continued Weiler. “We showed it all year. We shut them down. That was one of their lowest scoring games in years. Our defense played well and that was a heck of a statement by us.”
Injury-riddled Cherry Creek, the two-time defending state champions, is now 2-1 in league play and 6-2 overall.
“They’ve (the Warriors) been good all year and I congratulate Joe and his staff,” said Creek coach Dave Logan. “Arapahoe played very well. They were good on both sides of the ball, their kids were physcial and we congratulate them. We got what we deserved.
“We have been banged up and our kids hung in there,” Logan added. We roughed the punter but we hung in there. We thought we would find a way to win the game. It was a big win for Arapahoe and we’ll find out who is able to play physically. We’ve been hit hard with injuries especially to running backs but I don’t want that to be the theme.”
Cherry Creek, trailing by three points, held Arapahoe deep in the Warriors territory, forced a punt with 2:04 to play. However, the Bruins roughed the kicker to give Arapahoe a first down and the Warriors ran out the clock.
Creek closes the season against Eaglecrest and Smoky Hill.
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