Football team is unable to come home with a victory losing the game on their 50th.
Photo by Mia Nogueira
TJ Football came to the field ready to play on Friday, September 21st for TJ’s 50th Homecoming game, but did not secure the victory in the second half, losing to the South Rebels 27- 18.
The football squad came to the Homecoming game feeling the intensity and aura of excitement created by all of the 5oth anniversary festivities and tailgating before the game. As the crowd filled the stands and both teams completed their warm-ups, the Spartans looked confident about the outcome of the game and seemed prepared for a victory.
The team took little time gaining the first lead of the game, scoring on their first drive with a touchdown throw from Quarterback Brandon Gonzales to Senior Wide-out Ian Melnicoe. The Spartans dominated possession and time on the ball in the half and also had several big stops on defense from many key defensive players such as Brandon Tara, who forced and recovered a fumble on a big stop, and Robert McMacken who recorded several tackles behind the line of scrimmage and broke up many of the Rebels’ passing attempts. At the end of the first half, the Spartans had a defining lead over South with a score of 18-7.
The Spartans came out in the second half with the same intensity and drive to win that they had in the first half, but made several key mistakes that dug them a deep hole from which they ultimately could not emerge. In the Second half, South’s defense forced TJ into many unnecessary mistakes and miscommunications that were costly to the Spartans’ winning ambitions. The Spartans turned the ball over multiple times to the Rebel defense both through the air and on the ground. These mistakes swung the momentum in South’s favor and, more importantly, lost TJ the lead they had gained in the first half. Senior Ian Melnicoe said, “It was all around disappointing. We [TJ] worked so hard to gain a lead in the first half, and just lost our focus in the second with all of the turnovers and mistakes.”
Lineman John Jones agreed with Melnicoe, saying, “We need to keep our focus through the entire game without all of these mistakes if we want to have any hope of playoffs this year.” As the final seconds of the game ticked away on the scoreboard at All City Field, the Spartans exited the field with the grim faces of shock and defeat with a final score of 27-18.
The Spartans look to turn their season around as they face the Lakewood Tigers Friday, October 1st at All City Field. The team needs all the support they can get against this tough opponent, so make sure to keep your Friday night open for this game.
TJ Varsity Football Schedule:
9/03/10
7:00 PM @ Columbine (Littleton, CO) ( L 30-14)
9/11/10
4:00 PM vs. Chaparral (Parker, CO) ( L 45-19)
9/16/10
7:00 PM @ Heritage (Littleton, CO) ( L 46-6)
Location: Littleton Public Stadium
9/24/10
7:00 PM vs. Denver South (Denver, CO) (L 27-18)
10/01/10
6:00 PM vs. Lakewood (Lakewood, CO)
10/09/10
4:00 PM @ Lincoln (Denver, CO)
10/16/10
1:00 PM @ George Washington (Denver, CO)
10/22/10
7:00 PM vs. Denver East (Denver, CO)
10/30/10
4:00 PM @ Montbello (Denver, CO)
Location: All City Stadium
