About a minute remained in Thomas Jefferson’s football season. Or so it seemed Saturday after a heart-stopping, 87-yard, go-ahead drive by Rocky Mountain in a Class 5A first-round playoff game at All-City Stadium.
A dejected player on the TJ sideline slammed his helmet to the artificial turf and said, “Time to hang ’em up.”
Not so fast, young man.
The Lobos’ miraculous drive merely set the stage for an even more amazing one by the home team. TJ quarterback Michael Mankoff found Lawon Benford with a pass over the middle, and a juke and a sprint later, the wide receiver reached the end zone for a 40-yard touchdown with 16 seconds remaining in the Spartans’ 14-10 victory.
“It’s a great feeling to know that play saved the season,” said Benford, who had only one previous touchdown catch this season.
Denver city champion TJ (7-3) is not the type of team to come from behind late in a game. In fact, the Spartans had only 14 yards through the air before their final offensive play.
Coach Tim Owens’ team generally relies on the power running of 5-foot-10, 210-pound tailback Nigel Nelson, who is closing in on 4,000 career rushing yards but was held to 90 yards on 20 carries by a Rocky Mountain (5-5) defense led by linebacker Ryan Cropp.
Heroes other than Nelson stepped up this time.
“I love it when that happens,” said Nelson, who said he is considering Colorado State among numerous college suitors.
The Lobos from Fort Collins seemed to have the game in hand after quarterback Alexander Kelly (15-for-25, 242 yards) completed 5-of-6 passes to account for all 87 yards of the go-ahead drive, which culminated on a 26-yard pass to Andrew Burns with 1:05 left.
Devon Fitzgerald then bobbled the ensuing kickoff, but got a handle on the ball and scooted 37 yards to the TJ 47. Four plays later, the Spartans went ahead.
“Our kids came back and did a great job on that last drive,” Rocky Mountain coach Mark Brook said, “and then TJ had an even tougher opportunity but was able to take advantage of it. Our hats are off to them.”
The Lobos dominated the first half but had only a 3-0 lead to show for it, and had 324 yards total offense to 220 for TJ. Rocky Mountain tailback Korey Jones was the workhorse in the absence of injured Brett Wagner, rushing for a game-high 101 yards on 29 carries. Burns had seven catches for 149 yards.
But as Owens noted, “We made the plays when we needed them.”
TJ will face Mountain Vista next weekend in the round of 16.
Rocky Mountain 0 3 0 7 – 10
Thomas Jefferson 0 0 6 8 – 14
RM – FG Nielsen 28. TJ – Squier 37 fumble return (kick blocked). RM – Burns 26 pass from Kelly (Nielsen kick). TJ – Benford 40 pass from Mankoff (Nelson run).
Mike Judson can be reached at 303-954-1549 or mjudson@denverpost.com.
