The dynamics of the new Denver Prep League were made clear Friday night.
George Washington and North played before a larger-than-usual crowd at All-City Stadium with first place on the line – a scenario that might have never happened before the bulk of the DPL dropped down from Class 5A this season.
Without Montbello, Thomas Jefferson or East to contend with, George Washington showed itself as the new source of power with a commanding 42-0 victory over the Vikings.
While the Patriots (2-3, 2-0 in DPL) would like to get a shot at some of their old rivals, they seemed comfortable moving into the driver’s seat for a league title and its automatic playoff berth.
“We got to do what we can in the league to send a message to everybody else,” said running back Dave Harris, who ran for 130 yards on seven carries to lead the Patriots.
Elzy Spruell scored three touchdowns and kicked all six extra points, and quarterback Samuel Casillas threw for a touchdown and ran for another. Spruell rushed for 102 yards on 23 carries and Casillas was 4-for-5 passing for 61 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to tight end Jordan Schultz.
The Patriots scored on their first five possessions, got a 92-yard interception return for a touchdown from James Ray and outrushed the Vikings 209-55 to help offset being penalized 16 times for 151 yards.
“More wins to come,” Spruell said. “We can only get better.”
The Vikings (3-4, 2-1) got one first down (via penalty) in the first quarter and didn’t move the sticks themselves until 6:26 remaining in the second quarter. Workhorse running back Thomas Baker was held to just 51 yards on 19 carries.
“It hurt us bad,” North coach Paul Kelly said of Baker’s low numbers. “I really didn’t like the idea that we were trying to air out the ball. It makes us take a step back.”
North sophomore quarterback Derek Robinson was sacked twice and harassed all night. He completed seven passes for 124 yards and was intercepted twice.
Robinson’s best pass was a 32-yard completion to Ryan Semore on fourth-and-10 to put the Vikings on the Patriots’ 8. Robinson was flushed from the pocket on the next play and tried to hit a receiver underneath, only to have Ray step in front and take it to the house as the Patriots went up 28-0 before halftime.
North 0 0 0 0 – 0
George Washington 14 14 14 0 – 42
GW – Spruell 1 run (Spruell kick). GW – Schultz 18 pass from Casillas (Spruell kick). GW – Spruell 1 run (Spruell kick). GW – Ray 92 interception return (Spurell kick). GW – Spruell 3 run (Spruell kick). GW – Casillas 2 run (Spruell kick).
