AURORA — Kent Denver’s 31-14 Class 2A nonleague victory Saturday night over host Bishop Machebeuf at Aurora Public Schools District Stadium balanced nostalgia with current schoolboy football, a little of yesteryear and today.
The two rivals used to meet in the old Metropolitan League for football that was disbanded because of the classification’s continuing struggle between parochial and private schools.
And the coaching names have been significant — Scott Yates, the longtime Kent Denver figure, is the son of Dick Yates (South); Tom Tesone, who heads the Buffaloes, was The Denver Post 1972 Gold Helmet winner while at Cherry Creek, and is the son of Fred Tesone. Both fathers are in the Colorado sports hall of fame and were prominent in the prep scene for years and present at the game.
As for today, Kent Denver (3-0), ranked No. 6 in The Denver Post/9News 2A poll, remains a class threat. Bishop Machebeuf (2-1), which has struggled for years, has made it clear improvement is here.
“I told you they’ve gotten better,” a relieved Scott Yates said of the Buffs. “We stepped up and did what we had to do against a pretty good team, and we feel pretty good about it.”
Behind running backs Tyler Jackson and Patrick Murray, quarterback Richard Yates and sound play across the lines and at linebacker, the Sun Devils built an early lead, made the Buffs pay for their miscues, then rode it out. Jackson (118 yards rushing) ran for a touchdown and returned an interception for another. Murray returned a kickoff for a touchdown, scored on a 2-yard plunge and kicked a field goal.
“They’re a good team and are solid on defense,” a banged up Murray said of Bishop Machebeuf.
The Buffs flirted with trading blows with the Sun Devils, but the two return plays for touchdowns kept them trailing and in a hole they couldn’t vacate. Their rushing attack was productive behind Auberee Prickett (119 yards), but the Sun Devils defense pitched a shutout after halftime.
“The kickoff return and that pick, you can’t make mistakes against a good team,” Tom Tesone said. “But we’re getting better and we competed.”
Kent Denver 17 7 7 0 — 31
Bishop Machebeuf 0 14 0 0 — 14
KD — FG Murray 24. KD — Jackson 3 run (Murray kick). KD — Jackson 56 interception return (Murray kick). BM — Prickett 1 run (kick failed). KD — Murray 86 kickoff return (Murray kick). BM — Bergner 11 pass from Chappell (Prickett run). KD — Murray 2 run (Murray kick).
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
