AURORA — In years past, the premier teams from the Skyline League have rolled through the regular season, only to get thumped in the playoffs.
Needless to say, this isn’t your father’s Skyline League.
Regular-season league champion Cherokee Trail posted its seventh shutout of the season, blanking Air Academy 10-0 on Friday night at Legacy Stadium in the Class 4A quarterfinals.
The reward for the No. 4 Cougars (12-0) is a rematch with Skyline League runner-up Monarch (11-1), a 35-28 winner over top-seeded Ralston Valley, next weekend. Cherokee Trail won the Week 2 matchup 19-7.
“Monarch is an established program, and I don’t think anybody is surprised they are in the semifinals. They are an excellent football program,” Cougars coach Monte Thelen said. “But we are new on the street, and we are trying to establish our program.”
Cherokee Trail was the recipient of a huge break on Air Academy’s first possession. Kadets senior tight end Matt Newland got behind the Cougars’ defense and was 15 yards clear of the nearest defender when quarterback Brennan Price hit him in stride, only to see the sure touchdown fall to the ground.
“20-20 hindsight, you look at the score, obviously it was huge,” Air Academy coach Mike Hillstrom said. “When it’s that early in a game though, you don’t really think about it, and you can’t worry about it.”
Cherokee Trail was without senior quarterback Gabe Walsh, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament last week against Pine Creek. Sophomore backup Diamond Gillis filled in admirably.
Clinging to a 3-0 lead starting the second half, Thelen opened up the playbook a little for Gillis, and the sophomore hit junior Kendall Gregory for a 53-yard catch-and-run on the Cougars’ first drive of the half for the only touchdown of the game.
“Diamond is a very mature kid for a sophomore,” Thelen said. “He has some strong leadership skills and is relying on a lot of experienced guys.”
Air Academy 0 0 0 0 – 0
Cherokee Trail 0 3 7 0 – 10
CT – FG Carlson 34. CT – Gregory 53 pass from Gillis (Rogers kick).
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com
