LAFAYETTE — In Colorado high school football, overtime rules state that each team gets at least four downs from the 10-yard line to score a field goal or touchdown.
Friday night, that meant that, somehow, someway, either Cherokee Trail or Monarch was going to put some points on the scoreboard.
In a game defined by defense — right down to Erik Yeash’s interception on the final play — Monarch edged the visiting Cougars 6-0 in overtime in the Class 4A state semifinals at Warrior Stadium.
“We were motivated to come out and prove we are the best defense in the state,” said Monarch’s Christopher Vaughan, who recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass in the first half. “You hear (Cherokee Trail) on TV saying they are the best in state and we came out here and I think that we proved that we are the best.”
The Coyotes (12-1) avenged an early-season loss to Cherokee Trail (12-1) and will vie for another state championship, after winning in 2002.
The Cougars’ dream season ended a game early for their fans, and they will compete at the 5A level next season, with the opener against powerhouse Mullen.
Neither side could make much happen in the first half.
Cherokee Trail managed just 64 total yards in the first two quarters, while Monarch put up 102 total yards, including 52 rushing yards from Nicolas Rothschild.
But each side had a couple prime opportunities to end the stalemate. On its second drive, Cherokee Trail was forced to punt, but Monarch’s Ryan Stepisnik misplayed and fumbled the ball. Zack Smith was there to recover it, and Cherokee Trail was set up on the Coyotes’ 17-yard line.
After three incomplete passes by Diamond Gillis, however, the Cougars missed wide left a 34-yard field-goal attempt.
Early in the second quarter, with Cherokee Trail marching down the field for the first time all game, Vaughan picked off Gillis on the 1-yard line to end the scoring threat.
Vaughan recovered a fumble on the second play of the Cougars’ next drive to set up Monarch inside Cherokee Trail territory. But Cougars defensive lineman Beldy Nseka came up with a big sack, stalling Monarch before the half.
“We got that interception and we’re inside the 10-yard line,” Cherokee Trail’s Beau Schneider said about the missed opportunity. “That’s a tough thing to handle.”
In the second half, Monarch started two drives inside its own 5. Each time, the Coyotes put together drives of at least 14 plays, but both came up empty.
Monarch put another drive together and drained the final 5 minutes of the fourth quarter. With 10 seconds remaining in regulation, Monarch missed a 29-yard field goal short and to the left.
Overtime.
Monarch’s Cale Soole scored on a 1-yard run on the first series of overtime. Cherokee Trail needed to respond, but on third down from the 11, J.D. Stout tipped Gillis’ pass near the goal line and Yeash came up with the game-clinching pick.
“It was a jump ball and J.D. was able to get a hand on it,” Yeash said. “I fought to get to the ball and just came down with it.”
Cherokee Trail 0 0 0 0 0 — 0
Monarch 0 0 0 0 6 — 6
M — Soole 1 run (kick failed).
