With a plethora of playmakers and an early 90 yard kickoff return for a score, 4-2 Denver South looked ready take down 4A mainstay Dakota Ridge Friday night, but the Eagles would not have it as they posted a 27-13 league win to move to 5-2 on the season.
Impressive freshman Phillip Lindsay took a kick back for a score and Dakota Ridge countered with a score of their own to make it 6-6 with 8:30 in the first. At this point, junior Eagle signal caller Bolton Howes took it upon himself to get Dakota Ridge back in the lead. On a sharp drive, Howes hit receiver Derek Vander Velde on a perfect fade pass, followed by a strike to Ryan Bennett. The two passes allowed Howes to seal the deal on a sprint right in which he tucked the ball, cut back and ran in 38 yards for a score. With the PAT Dakota Ridge was up 13-6.
Early in the second quarter, South responded, getting a big gain on an old school hook and ladder that would eventually set up a short touchdown run by Misheck Keith. With the successful PAT the score was knotted with 8:53 left in the first half.
The remainder of the second quarter would see South squander multiple opportunities. After the Keith score, Dakota Ridge fumbled the kickoff return. In business deep in Eagle territory, South could not convert on 4th down. On their next offensive possession South again moved inside the Dakota Ridge 10, but again they could not convert for a score, failing on multiple pass attempts and coming away with no points.
Foreshadowing the second half, the Dakota Ridge offensive line, anchored by big Jeff Berghorn started to impose its will on a Rebel D that saw nine players going both ways. A balanced combination of run and pass moved the ball to the South one setting up a Brett Terrell TD run out of power I. The PAT made it 20-13. In the waning seconds of the half, South used passes to Lindsay and A.J. Battle to get inside the Eagle five. In the final seconds, South was stopped on a short run and the clock ran out keeping the score 20-13 Eagles.
Throughout the second half, Dakota Ridge was able to control the ball and limit the touches of the speedy Rebel offense. Late in the third quarter a Howes to Brent Terrell pass set up a 15 yard David Judd touchdown run. The extra point made it 27-13. There were no more scores for either team in the fourth making the final 27-13.
Bottomline:
The missed offensive opportunities by South in the second quarter took away any chance for a potential win. With the majority of South players on the field the entire game playing ironman football it was only a matter of time before the Dakota Ridge line wore them down.
Game Ball:
Junior Bolton Howes is a quietly efficient QB who, with little fanfare, put up close to 300 yards of offense on the night. Freshman Phillip Lindsay of South looks to be the real deal. Not the biggest player at 160 pounds, the South running back carries the ball with authority and has get there now quicks.