Arvada — Standley Lake’s offense gave George Washington every chance to at least tie the score. Luckily for the Gators, the defense found a way to win it.
In a contest low-lighted by 34 total penalties, the Gators defense rose to the challenge down the stretch.With one key defensive stand at the end of the third quarter and two more in the fourth, Standley Lake held on for a 21-14 victory over the Patriots in a Class 5A nonleague game Saturday at the North Area Athletic Complex.
“When we needed to, we made the stops,” Standley Lake defensive tackle Josh Misegadis said.
Misegadis finished with eight tackles and two sacks as the Gators (2-0) held the Patriots (1-1) scoreless after the first quarter.
Standley Lake handed George Washington the lead on the Gators’ first series.
It was no joking matter as quarterback Dennis Miller tossed his first pass into the arms of George Washington standout Joe Harris. Harris took the ball 31 yards the other way for a touchdown.
The Gators responded on their next drive, when Miller found Pat Kremer wide open along the sideline. Kremer’s extra effort pushed him across the goal line for a 34-yard touchdown.
Not to be outdone, George Washington went 74 yards in eight plays the next time it had the ball. Harris pounded his way in from 11 yards out to take a 14-7 lead in the first quarter.
Standley Lake tied the game in the second quarter after George Washington fumbled, one of three Patriot turnovers that occurred on consecutive possessions.
Gators running back Tony Kemper took advantage of another fumble, this time on George Washington’s 5-yard line, with his second touchdown of the game. He carried nine times for 74 yards.
Trailing 21-14, the Patriots went on a 19-play drive that stretched from the third into the fourth quarter. But they turned the ball over on downs inside Standley Lake’s 20. Harris picked off his second pass on Standley Lake’s next drive, giving George Washington its second good chance.
“It was play-action and I went up to make the tackle,” Harris said. “But my teammate hit their quarterback and the ball wobbled right to me.”
Only 18 yards away from the end zone when they got the ball, the Patriots couldn’t make anything happen and lost the ball again on downs. One more opportunity. with 2 minutes remaining was also turned back.
“Twice down inside the 20 we did it. It was nice to get those stops,” Standley Lake coach Don Morse said.
Ken Henderson carried 18 times for 73 yards for the bulk of George Washington’s offense.
George Washington14 0 0 0 — 14
Standley Lake7 14 0 0 — 21
GW — Harris 31 interception return (Ogu kick). SL — Kremer 34 pass from Miller (Anaya kick). GW — Harris 11 run (Ogu kick). SL — Kemper 3 run (Anaya kick). SL — Kemper 5 run (Anaya kick).
