Arvada – Into the second quarter, it appeared Pomona was doing to Columbine what Columbine usually does to everyone else.
With 6:10 to play before halftime, Columbine had run a grand total of four plays, quite the reverse from the Rebels’ ball-control style.
However, recovering a fumble on the game’s opening kickoff to set up a Columbine touchdown and getting an 80-yard touchdown run by Chad Korodaj helped the Rebels take control while downing Pomona 21-7 Friday night at the North Area Athletic Complex in Class 5A’s second round of the playoffs.
The Rebels have won 10 straight games after losing their season opener and will face Lakewood in another South Metro League rematch. South Metro member Pomona finished 7-4.
Staying together has been key for the Rebels.
“Most definitely,” University of Colorado-bound tackle Ryan Miller said. “You’ve got to hand it to special teams, and everyone was on. That’s great coaching, too.
“We’re coming together, we’re a lot closer than I thought this team would be. Our seniors are leading, and it’s a huge team effort.”
Said Columbine coach Andy Lowry: “It’s such a great group of kids. They believe in each other and us.”
Pomona botched the opening kickoff as returner Devon Davidson ran into a teammate, the ball popped straight up and Columbine’s Jacob Wright recovered at the 15-yard line. Orenzo Davis took two plays to run it for a Rebels touchdown.
Pomona responded two series later as Davidson scored on a 6-yard end-around, but that was it for the Panthers.
On the first play after the ensuing kickoff, Korodaj, who led all rushers with 188 yards, ran off left tackle behind Miller and went 80 yards for a touchdown.
The Panthers never recovered.
“You get behind right away,” Pomona coach Jay Madden lamented. “The game plan the whole week was we’ve got to find a way to get ahead so those mind-numbing drives don’t get you. Then you can say, ‘Go ahead, run those mind-numbing drives.”‘
Instead, Pomona trailed within the first minute. The Panthers also missed a 21-yard field goal.
Columbine made it 21-7 when it finally got the ball back midway through the second quarter to set up Davis’ 25-yard TD run.
Pomona managed only two first downs after halftime as the Rebels defense, helped by Miller’s sack in the fourth quarter, sealed the outcome.
Columbine 14 7 0 0 – 21
Pomona 7 0 0 0 – 7
C – Davis 8 run (Anundsen kick). P – Davidson 6 run (Riley kick). C – Korodaj 80 run (Anundsen kick). C – Davis 25 run (Anundsen kick).
