Aside from good hockey and maple syrup, Canadians apparently make a mean chili.
At least that was the verdict Saturday at Denver Christian in the second annual chili cookoff before the Crusaders’ crucial Colorado League game against Platte Canyon.
The Canadian Chili took first prize, and the Crusaders won the game 20-7 behind the outstanding play of running back John Lenderink to avoid missing the Class 2A playoffs.
Of course, a much bigger contribution came from the proceeds of the chili-tasting event, which raised $435 for the Emily Keyes Memorial Fund. Keyes, a 16-year-old junior at Platte Canyon, was killed by a gunman in the school Sept. 27.
“They are always a class school here,” Platte Canyon coach Mike Schmidt said. “I always appreciate what they do, even when we’re not going through difficult times.”
There were dishes dubbed Texas Chili, Mom’s Chili and New Orleans Floodwater with Shrimp. Platte Canyon fans ate for free and nearly everyone stuffed the jar sitting on the table of organizer Betty White.
On the field, the teams fought to a scoreless stalemate in the first half before the Crusaders (6-3, 5-1 in league) made some blocking adjustments and were able to wear down the Huskies (6-3, 5-2).
The Crusaders opted for the edges and were able to spread the Huskies out defensively while riding Lenderink.
The junior scored on runs of 4 and 8 yards and threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Sean Van Kooten late in the third quarter after taking the handoff from Gandy Henry and rolling to his right. Lenderink had just 25 yards at halftime but finished with 106 on 22 carries.
“We made some changes and saw some openings,” Lenderink said of Denver Christian’s halftime shifts. “Our offensive line blocked real well in the second half. I got some huge holes and I was able to capitalize.”
Said Crusaders coach Mark Swalley of the Huskies: “They’re very scrappy and sure tacklers. We knew it was going to be a close, hard-fought game.”
Platte Canyon, which remains in the hunt for a wild- card berth, lost quarterback/safety Blake Horstmann after the senior made a tackle on the game’s first play from scrimmage. Junior Anthony SeChrist took over, facing a defensive line that wreaked havoc all afternoon.
The Huskies had just 19 yards of offense at halftime and didn’t get a first down until the first play of the fourth quarter. Sophomore A.J. Melillo prevented the shutout with a knifing 43-yard touchdown run with 1:17 remaining.
Platte Canyon 0 0 0 7 – 7
Denver Christian 0 0 14 6 – 20
DC – Lenderink 4 run (Heffron kick). DC – Van Kooten 34 pass from Lenderink (Heffron kick). DC – Lenderink 8 run (kick failed). PC – Melillo 43 run (Reed kick).
