Highlands Ranch – Mountain Vista’s first offensive play Saturday night was a statement.
Eric Longoria turned the corner for a 55-yard gain and the Golden Eagles never looked back on the way to a 43-15 victory over Gateway in a Class 5A Continental League game at Shea Stadium.
As for a statement about its four wins in four league games, 4-0 Mountain Vista will withhold comment for a few weeks.
“It feels great, but you know what, we have to stick to it. We got a little comfortable last year, but now we are going to stick to our guns and not take any weeks off,” Mountain Vista quarterback Danny Beck said.
Mountain Vista also opened last season 4-0 but lost three of its next four games to finish in the middle of the pack in league standings and out of the playoffs.
Longoria carried 19 times for 203 yards and two touchdowns. Beck threw three touchdown passes, including two to Gavin Gildon, and he finished with 128 yards in the air.
Stephen Montrose intercepted two Gateway passes, returning one 61 yards for a touchdown to put Mountain Vista up 22-3 midway through the second quarter.
Gateway (1-3 overall, 1-3 league) benefited from good starting field position all night.
Randy Revere recovered a Mountain Vista fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half, and Gildon Gordon ran it in from 8 yards out to put the Olympians within reach, 22-15, but Mountain Vista reeled off 21 unanswered points.
Gordon finished with 108 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.
Gateway 3 6 6 0 – 15
Mountain Vista 15 7 7 14 – 43
MV – Gildon 14 pass from Beck (Tuten pass from Beck). G – FG White 24. MV – Gildon 29 pass from Beck (Prosia kick). MV – Montrose 61 interception return (Prosia kick). G – Gordon 29 run (pass failed). G – Gordon 8 run (run failed). MV – Longoria 2 run (Prosia kick). MV – Seibel 10 pass from Beck (Prosia kick). MV – Longoria 50 run (Prosia kick).
