Arvada – Thirty-three seconds.
That’s way too fast for a defense to give up 20 points in its first game of the season.
Grand Junction scored on the first play of its first three offensive possessions Friday night, setting the table for a comprehensive 46-0 demolition of Arvada at the North Area Athletic Complex.
The Tigers’ superb execution and abundant athleticism turned the Class 4A nonleague game into a one-sided highlight reel.
Touted as a power running team behind Kris Means, the Tigers leaned on a variable passing attack behind quarterback Isaiah Quigley, who threw five touchdowns thanks to some superb downfield blocking.
“We’ve gotten to the point where we kind of know, looking around, what we’re going to do,” said Means, who rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown on three carries. “We’ve been practicing hard, and it paid off tonight.”
Quigley, a senior, spread 12 completions among seven receivers for 226 yards and no interceptions.
The Tigers’ defense forced five turnovers, including a 19-yard fumble recovery by Jake Simonton that put the visitors up by the final margin with 9:08 left in the third quarter.
It was an especially tough draw for the Reds, who were 3-7 last season. Arvada, which plays in the Mountain Plains League, is implementing a Wing-T offense under first-year coach John Hilton.
“It’s a brand-new offense,” Arvada tight end Sean Lofland said. “It’s going to take some work from us.”
The Reds threatened once, driving to the Tigers’ 3-yard line midway through the second quarter before being stuffed on fourth-and-goal.
Grand Junction, already leading 27-0, took the ball and drove 97 yards in five plays thanks to a 72-yard run by Means. Senior Shea Starr hauled in his first of two touchdown catches on an 8-yard slant to cap the drive.
“We’re very excited about that,” Quigley said of Grand Junction’s balanced offense. “Means is a great running back.”
Grand Junction’s blocking opened up the game’s first two scores. Senior Mark Novotny was the recipient both times, catching screen passes around either end of the line before chugging 60 and 45 yards to put the Tigers up 13-0.
“I love blocking just as much as I do running,” said Means, who scored on a 40-yard run with three seconds left in the first quarter.
