One can only imagine what ThunderRidge coach Joe Johnson said to his team at halftime.
Sitting on a 35-0 lead, perhaps a simple “Thank you” would have sufficed.
“Our coaches were keeping us in check,” ThunderRidge quarterback Kyle Black said with a smile. “We weren’t really pinching ourselves.”
Just don’t expect the Grizzlies to be shaking off this dream anytime soon.
ThunderRidge wrapped up its second consecutive Class 4A state championship Saturday, outexecuting Grand Junction from the start for a 51-21 victory at Invesco Field at Mile High.
The Grizzlies finished 14-0, wrapping up their 23rd consecutive victory to secure their third state title since 2001.
Perhaps the only remaining question is figuring out which player made the biggest impact against the previously unbeaten Tigers (13-1).
Black completed 10-of-13 passes for 168 yards, threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. Fullback Nick Lind, the reigning 4A player of the year, ran for 155 yards and two touchdowns, and running back Mike Coffey had 84 yards and a touchdown.
ThunderRidge’s Blackhearts defense intercepted Tigers quarterback Isaiah Quigley twice, had three sacks and held running back Kris Means to 37 yards rushing.
“It’s hard to explain,” Lind said. “It’s really the chemistry of our guys knowing this is our last game together. You can’t lose your last game as a senior. We have so many people that can step up.”
Cue Eric Moats. The senior receiver made two touchdown catches but made a bigger impact defensively, intercepting Quigley on Grand Junction’s second play and knocking down a potential touchdown in the second quarter.
“I haven’t really played (defensive back) all season, but I just practiced in the last three or four weeks,” said Moats, who had seven catches for 130 yards. ThunderRidge scored on its first three possessions and twice more in the second quarter to take a 35-0 lead into halftime. Grand Junction’s explosive offense was quickly rendered one-dimensional, allowing the Grizzlies’ front line to attack the pocket.
“We got them into predictable situations and then we poured on the pressure,” said standout linebacker James Tucker, who stepped in front of a Quigley pass early in the fourth quarter for his third interception of the season.
Quigley hit 22-of-40 passes for 259 yards, hooking up with receiver Justin Murray for 10 catches and 115 yards.
“We came a little flat (and) didn’t play our best football like we usually do,” said Means, who has orally committed to Iowa State. “It was too big of a hole too quick.”
The Tigers were inches away from making the game interesting, as Quigley’s first pass was a 50-yard attempt that slipped through the arms of Murray.
Quigley’s next pass was caught – by Moats, who returned his interception to the Tigers’ 4.
