Longmont – Niwot’s offense must have felt like it was on a mini-vacation in the first half with the short field they played on.
The Cougars’ average start on their first four drives Friday night was the Sterling 38-yard line, setting up easy conversions in an 18-0 Class 3A Tri Valley League victory over the Tigers at Everly Montgomery Field.
Niwot (2-0, 1-0), No. 4 in The Denver Post/9News 3A poll, did not disappoint in the first half, breaking out a wide receiver pass on its first offensive play, blocking a punt and forcing a fumble and an interception.
The defense took over in the second half, and the Cougars held Sterling to four first downs in the game and 73 yards of total offense.
“We have a lot more work to do, but we came out tenacious,” Nathan Dorzweiler said.
The senior receiver and defensive back intercepted two passes, recovered a fumble and hauled in a 22-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tyler Olsen.
“I was surprised. I thought they would put some points on us,” Dorzweiler said. “I thought it would be a close game.”
The Tigers (0-2, 0-1), state runner-up last season, found a way to close down Niwot’s offense in the second half but could not muster enough offense to mount a comeback.
“We gave them the ball in some pretty nice areas,” Sterling coach Mark Bauder said. “We mostly hurt ourselves. Luckily our defense took over.”
On the first offensive play, Olsen flung a lateral pass to Nick Saraceni on the left sideline. With the cornerback charging him, Saraceni fired a pass downfield to an open Chris Wetzel. Wetzel picked up 38 yards before being dragged down. The Cougars ended the series with a 42-yard field goal by Thomas Tudor.
After Dorzweiler jumped on a loose ball on the ensuing series, Niwot running back Cody Buck burst through the line for a 19-yard scoring run. It was Buck’s only carry of the game.
Early in the second quarter, Saraceni blocked a punt and set up Niwot on the Tigers’ 8-yard line.
A couple of penalties pushed Niwot back, but Olsen found Dorzweiler running a post corner on the left side for a 22-yard score.
From that point on, it was all defense.
“We did what needed to be done,” Niwot defensive end David Angilau said. “We came ready, and we are getting pumped up for the playoffs.”
Sterling 0 0 0 0 – 0
Niwot 11 7 0 0 – 18
N – FG Tudor 42. N – Buck 19 run (Buck run). N – Dorzweiler 22 pass from Olsen (Tudor kick).
