Rifle – Using a reverse on a punt return and a two running back rotation, the Rifle Bears put together a seven-play, game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter, topping Steamboat Springs 14-7 in Saturday’s Class 3A semifinal.
Bears’ running backs Bryce Enewold and Tyler Thompson alternated carries, continually pounding on the Sailors’ defense. With the game tied at 7 and 3:07 left in the game, Enewold ran 12 yards, diving across the goal line for the winning score.
“We just played as a team and we played hard,” Thompson said.
After shutting down the Sailors’ offense, making them go three-and-out with less than five minutes remaining in the game, Rifle’s Jose Villagrena returned a punt 32 yards on a reverse that landed the Bears on Steamboat Springs’ 38-yard line. Rifle ran the ball seven straight times, setting up the winning touchdown, but there was still more than three minutes left.
Enewold’s kick rolled by two Sailors, stopping at the 19-yard line, giving Steamboat Springs three minutes to go 81 yards to tie the game. Steamboat Springs’ Jay Hanley pulled in a dump pass from Tanner Stillwell and zig-zagged 28 yards to the Bears’ 37-yard line. On the next play, Stillwell rolled out of the pocket looking for an open receiver, but found Thompson instead.
Thompson’s interception sealed the victory as Rifle ran out the clock.
“I saw their quarterback scrambling and saw their receiver out in the flat and I got there to get the pass,” Thompson said.
Hanley finished with 135 yards rushing, but fumbled twice, including one at Rifle’s 6-yard line, leaving Steamboat Springs empty-handed after a 50-yard drive.
“I think it came down to we made more mistakes than they made,” Steamboat coach Aaron Finch said.
Enewold finished with 104 yards on 14 carries for the Bears, while Thompson added another 72 on 20 carries. Rifle totaled 260 yards on the ground, while Steamboat Springs had 188.
Despite losing 22 seniors and coach Darryl Gorham from 2004’s championship team, Rifle is back in the title game. It will host Florence on Saturday.
“After last year, I remember all I wanted to do was get back here,” said Rifle coach Damon Wells, who was the defensive coordinator last year.
Steamboat Springs 0 0 7 0 – 7
Rifle 0 7 0 7 – 14
R – Enewold 26 run (Enewold kick). SS – Hanley 53 run (Deline kick). R – Enewold 12 run (Enewold kick).
