Football players, Greeley West is full of them. Players who combine toughness, smarts, skill and love for the game. Early, in the big Northern League contest between West and Longmont, Greeley West showed its experience as they weathered a strong opening attack by Longmont, eventually taking control of the game and winning 48-24 to secure the Northern League title.
In the first, Longmont came out fast, scoring on a 23 yard Jake Johnson scramble and a short Johnson touchdown run. Between the Johnson runs, West countered with a short Steffen Bunting TD that was set up by a Max Morgan interception and return.
In the second quarter, Greeley West moved the ball, but sputtered in the red zone settling for two field goals making the score 14-13 Longmont. Longmont countered and moved the ball deep, but they too were forced to kick a field goal as kicker Joey Cinea hit from 49 yards on a line drive. With momentum now in Longmont’s corner, Greeley West showed why they are a strong contender for a second straight trip to Invesco. Working with second team QB Jordan Gomez, called into service after starter Sean Blackmer went down with a leg injury, West moved the ball with precision and balance, eventually scoring on a 28 yard Gomez to Jordan Rockwell pass. Trailing most of the half, West would go in at the intermission up 20-17.
In the second half, West continued what they started at the end of the first half, scoring on the opening drive behind an offensive line ready to control of the trenches. Looking to stop the tide, Longmont opted to go for a 4th and two in their own territory only to have Jake Johnson sacked giving the West offense a short field leading to a Steffen Bunting 14 yard scoring run. West up 34-17. Not wanting to call it a night, Longmont’s Johnson broke contain, hit the jets and scored on a 54 yard run, tightening the score to 34-24.
Focused and determined not to let Longmont back in the game, Greeley West scored with 11:19 in the fourth on another Bunting run. One more West score supported by tough defense would see West walk off the field with a 48-24 win and firm control of the Northern League.