Aurora – It was redemption for Gjemar Gibbs on opening night.
In his first start for Rangeview, Gibbs, a 5-foot-11, 155-pound junior defensive back, went through a whirlwind of plays and feelings on Friday night.
Earlier in the game against Eaglecrest, he made two touchdown-saving tackles. Then they were almost negated when he muffed a punt that led to the Raiders’ poor field position and eventually allowing the tying touchdown down the stretch in the fourth quarter.
However, Gibbs kept his composure and successfully defended a fade route thrown his way on fourth down to save the Raiders’ 20-14 overtime victory over the Raptors at a crowded Aurora Public Schools Stadium.
“I kind of knew they’d try a fade my way,” Gibbs said of Eaglecrest’s attempt from the 3-yard line.
Gibbs got between Raptors receiver Anthony Musielak and quarterback Shaun Kyle – and stayed there. He rode Musielak to the left corner of the end zone and knocked down the pass to save the victory.
“It feels real good to do that,” Gibbs said.
An elated Rangeview coach Dave Gonzales was thrilled for the Raiders, ranked 10th in The Denver Post/9News Class 5A poll.
“We’ve got some young’uns out here and one of them kind of got us in trouble, but when it came down to it he made the play,” he said. “You can’t ask any more than for a kid to come back and redeem himself.”
Eaglecrest, which finished the game with its third-string quarterback because of injuries, felt stung.
“I’m so proud of our kids,” Raptors coach Tom Doherty said. “It’s a tough one for them, but tough times don’t last … but it still hurts.”
Throughout regulation, defense controlled the game. Eaglecrest was hurt only once by returning all-state running back Corey Nabors, who had 167 yards on 26 carries. He broke off a 40-yard scoring run early in the second quarter and Rangeview got its second touchdown on a terrific, over-the-shoulder catch by Beau Harris on a 27-yard pass from Rick Bergquist 47 seconds before halftime.
Meanwhile, Rangeview had its hands full despite the Raptors’ lack of experience at quarterback. Junior running back Milton Cherry fought, scratched and clawed his way to 221 yards on 29 carries. His touchdown and two-point conversion run with 7:01 remaining in regulation tied it.
After five more possessions, three by Rangeview, proved fruitless, Nabors scored standing up from the 10 on the first play in OT.
“It feels good to get this one,” he said.
Nabors, bottled up most of the night by the Raptors’ front, never flinched.
“It was a character-builder right there,” Gonzales said of Nabors’ winning run. “When it was time to show some leadership and make a play, he did.”
Eaglecrest 0 6 0 8 0 – 14
Rangeview 0 14 0 0 6 – 20
R – Nabors 40 run (kick failed). E – FG Harlow 43. R – Harris 27 from Bergquist (Nabors run). E – FG Harlow 28. E – Cherry 11 run (Cherry run). R – Nabors 10 run (kick failed).
Neil H. Devlin can be reached at 303-820-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com.
