ARVADA — Funny how the ebb and flow of a high school football season can go — Columbine played Thursday night without electric junior quarterback Danny Spond, yet probably improved as a team.
The Rebels put away Arvada West early in a 34-17 decision at the North Area Athletic Complex in the Class 5A Big 8 League and seemed to make strides and solidify certain parts of their game.
With his team, ranked No. 3 in The Denver Post/9News 5A poll, improving to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the league, coach Andy Lowry said he was thrilled with his defense, offensive line and flawless play at quarterback by junior Phillip Romero.
“We just did a lot of things, we just got better tonight,” Lowry said. Romero, he said, “did a great job,” and the Columbine defense, which entered 2008 seeking key replacements, “has been great.”
With Spond sidelined with a shoulder injury and due to be evaluated before next week’s game, Romero ran the offense and displayed leadership.
“It was such a rush early,” Romero said. “Coming from wide receiver to quarterback is a whole different view, a whole different game.”
The Rebels did what they could to make it easy for him. Columbine led 21-0 before A-West (3-2, 1-2) managed its 12th snap from scrimmage. Interceptions by Nathan Wiggins, Jon Roberts and Bryan Birkeness in Wildcats territory led to a 28-0 bulge 4:44 before halftime.
Rushing by Romero, Kevin Richards, Roberts and Demetrius McDondle also helped the Rebels play their usual side game of keepaway.
“Boy, you give them the ball on three short fields and it’s trouble,” A-West coach Casey Coons said. “I think with this team, we’re young and inexperienced. But as long as they keep battling, we’ll be fine.”
Columbine 14 14 0 6 — 34
Arvada West 0 3 0 14 — 17
C — Richards 1 run (Link kick). C — Richards 1 run (Link kick). C — Romero 2 run (Link kick). C — McDondle 2 run (Link kick). AW — FG Castor 25. AW — Altman 17 run (kick blocked). C — Roberts 1 run (kick blocked) AW — Altman 12 pass from Glanz (Wright run).
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
