Adversity is nothing new to the city’s football programs.
So when Montbello heard new coach John Pounder resigned Thursday, a 20-7 nonleague loss to Ralston Valley seemed like a small victory of sorts.
Two days after Pounder’s announcement, which he said was based on “irreconcilable differences,” Montbello took the field under former South coach Harold Johnson on Saturday afternoon at All-City Stadium and tried to make something happen.
There were signs of life for the Warriors, and a 95-yard interception return for a touchdown by Drew Davis could have been a turning point in a rough season. But a personal foul negated the big play and Montbello was left believing that it was on the right path, if not yet in the win column.
“Each game is getting closer as we go and we’re coming in more as a team. … Coaches come and leave all the time and this one just left in the middle of the season. But it’s not really a hardship,” said Davis, who carried 16 times for 70 yards and Montbello’s only score.
Class 5A Montbello (0-3) dropped its first two games to Cherry Creek (56-20) and Mullen (45-0). The losses did not trigger Pounder’s move. Instead it was a series of unresolved issues that prompted the resignation, which he presented to Montbello athletic director Eugene Williams on Thursday.
“There were differences that have been going on for a long time that I felt weren’t getting worked out, so I thought this would be best for all involved. They have enough problems without me adding to them. It wasn’t an easy thing to do, but there is no animosity there,” Pounder said Saturday from his home in Monument.
Ralston Valley (3-0), No. 2 in The Denver Post/9News 4A poll, basically handed Montbello its touchdown when Mustangs quarterback Cameron Wright’s pass was picked off and returned to the Ralston Valley 3-yard line. Two plays later, Davis scored easily.
But the Mustangs responded on their next drive with a nine-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a 3-yard run by Sam Bierbrauer. On Ralston Valley’s next drive, Davis picked off Wright again and weaved the length of the field for the go-ahead score that wasn’t.
A hit to the head of Wright after his pass and before Davis’ interception canceled the big play.
Ralston Valley 0 14 0 6 – 20
Montbello 7 0 0 0 – 7
M – Williams 1 run (Gorham kick). RV – Bierbrauer 1 run (run failed). RV – Meneses 1 run (Flageolle pass from Wright). RV – Wright 43 run (kick failed).
