December 1st 2024.
As the sun blazed down on Jeffco Stadium, the air was filled with the sound of four powerful words: domination, defense, disrespect, and destiny. And rightfully so, as the No. 5 Broomfield Eagles had just demolished the top-seeded Dakota Ridge 45-7 in the Class 4A semifinals. They had every reason to use those words to describe their impressive victory.
Senior running back Colin Torres, who had scored two touchdowns and rushed for an impressive 149 yards on 23 carries, couldn't help but praise his team's performance. "This was definitely our most complete game of the year," he exclaimed. "The big boys up front did it again for me. They always make the biggest holes for me to run through and I just follow their lead. I wouldn't trade this line for any other in the entire state."
It was clear that the Eagles were on a mission to claim their sixth state title, two years after their last victory. And they were set to face off against the No. 2 seed Montrose at Canvas Stadium on the Colorado State campus in Fort Collins. As the Redhawks had just defeated the No. 3 seed Pueblo West 18-7 in the other semifinal, it was bound to be an exciting and intense match-up.
Broomfield had been on a roll, winning eight straight games and outscoring their opponents by an impressive margin of 521-119 this season. And their dominance was evident in the semifinal game against Dakota Ridge. While there may not have been a specific turning point in the game, it was clear from the start that Broomfield was in control.
Dakota Ridge had started off strong, marching 66 yards down the field on their first drive. But when they were just inches away from the goal line, Broomfield's Landon Kalsbeck was stopped on a fourth-down run. And that's when the Eagles took over, driving 99 yards in 11 plays and scoring a touchdown on a 17-yard run by senior Elliot Less.
Quarterback Darien Jackson and Mikhail Benner, a senior receiver, had played a crucial role in that drive with their impressive pass connections. And when asked about his thoughts as the game started with Broomfield's ball at their own 1-yard line, Jackson replied, "I was just thinking, 'Let's set the record for the longest drive in 4A.' That was my mentality. Our line did an amazing job of pushing us forward despite the tough starting point."
Coach Robert O'Brien couldn't help but praise his team's effort. "What a drive that was," he exclaimed. "99 yards in 11 plays is no easy feat. We were able to convert when we needed to and that was a huge boost for us."
But the Eagles were far from done. On the first play of Dakota Ridge's next possession, their junior quarterback Kellen Behrendsen attempted a pass downfield. But Benner, who also played on the defensive side, read the play perfectly and intercepted the ball, returning it for a 35-yard touchdown. Things were starting to look bleak for Dakota Ridge.
"Our defense was simply amazing," O'Brien said proudly. "They managed to take the ball away from Dakota Ridge six times in a semifinal playoff game, and that's no small feat. It really sparked some belief in our offense and once we started running the ball, we knew we had a chance."
The Dakota Ridge defense had been impressive in their quarterfinal game, shutting out their opponents 14-0. But they were no match for Broomfield's strong offensive line. "We had talked about the importance of tackling, blocking, getting off blocks, and breaking tackles in our team meeting on Monday," O'Brien explained. "And our guys really stepped up and dominated in those areas. It was a phenomenal effort."
As the game progressed, Broomfield continued to dominate, with Torres scoring another touchdown and junior Maxwell Marchi adding a 38-yard field goal just before half-time. By the time the game ended, Broomfield's defense had managed to come up with an incredible six turnovers.
But for Benner, who was headed to the Air Force Academy next fall, the highlight of the game was his interception. "It was a broken play and I had a receiver in coverage," he recalled. "But I saw an opportunity to make a big play, so I went for it. Big players make big plays, and I was just doing my part for the team. It was an exciting moment for me, especially in the semifinals."
With the game well in hand, Broomfield was able to give some of their younger players a chance to shine. And in the end, it was a well-deserved victory for the Eagles, who had been one of the most successful 4A programs in the past five years. And now, they were headed to the state championship game once again.
"We embrace the pressure that comes with playing in big games," O'Brien stated confidently. "It's something that we have earned through our hard work and dedication. We want that target on our back. It's all about the culture that we have built within our team."
As the running clock started in the third quarter, Broomfield's Torres managed to plunge into the end zone for another touchdown, putting his team up 35-0. And while Dakota Ridge was able to avoid a shutout with a touchdown late in the game, it was clear that Broomfield was the dominant team.
The Eagles will now face off against Montrose in the state championship game, and they are determined to add another title to their impressive record. And with their strong defense, dominant offense, and unwavering determination, they just might have what it takes to claim the top spot once again.
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