Fort Collins – Who or whatever “the schneid” is, it is never comfortable to be on one.
Just ask the Fossil Ridge SaberCats.
The third-year program, based in Fort Collins, was staring at its first win in school history, up 14-0 on Frederick after the first quarter.
But the football gods weren’t on Fossil Ridge’s side. Instead, the Warriors improved to 3-0 with a 20-14 come-from-behind Tri-Valley League win at J. Ray French Field.
“This is probably the most frustrating loss I’ve ever had,” said SaberCats coach Clint Fick, whose coaching résumé in Colorado is impressive. “This is one we should have had.”
Fossil Ridge (0-3 overall, 0-1 league), which is 0-for-23 thus far, got on the board first when cornerback Bart Panella scooped up Justyn Genchi-Martinez’s fumble and went 66 yards the other way for an opening score.
Fossil Ridge’s defense forced a three-and-out on Frederick’s next possession, then Greg Rushing blocked Chad DeLaBarre’s punt. Three plays later, quarterback Brian Leistikow dived over the goal line from 1 yard out.
Frederick, unbeaten after three games for the first time since 1989, ran just six offensive plays in the second quarter. One of those was a Genchi-Martinez 2-yard touchdown run.
“Were we confident at halftime? Yes and no,” Fick said. “I’ve seen so many times in my life when a team dominates the first half like we did and only comes out a touchdown ahead …that’s never a good thing.”
Said Frederick coach Thad Lear: “I’m really proud of how we faced adversity today. We shot ourselves in the foot, but they never quit coming.”
The Fossil Ridge double-wing offense, which saw senior Mike Romero churn out 122 yards on 22 carries, began to sputter with the loss of guard Justin Pellman just before halftime, and even though the Warriors weren’t fluid offensively, they did enough to get the W.
Warriors quarterback Cavin Thorne and Genchi-Martinez exploited the SaberCats’ defensive secondary, hooking up seven times for 136 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
“I have so much confidence in Genchi, that he can just jump up and get it,” said Thorpe, who went 10-for-20 with 183 yards and two touchdowns. “That is the first person I look for, whether it’s supposed to be my first read or my last read. I know he has the hands and the speed to get open.”
The comeback was completed with 2:47 remaining when Thorne hooked up with Luke Witty for a 23-yard score. Witty was hit just as he crossed the goal line and appeared to have fumbled, but the officials conferred and ruled that he scored first.
Frederick 0 6 6 8 – 20
Fossil Ridge 14 0 0 0 – 14
FR – Panella 66 fumble recovery (Leistikow kick). FR – Leistikow 1 run (Leistikow kick). F – Genchi-Martinez 2 run (kick failed). F – Genchi-Martinez 30 pass from Thorne (pass failed). F – Witty 23 pass from Thorne (Thorne run).
Jon E. Yunt can be reached at 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com.
