LAKEWOOD — Pomona coach Jay Madden wasn’t complaining minutes after his Panthers rolled Chatfield 48-28 on Thursday night at Jefferson County Stadium.
The veteran coach knows better. But his mind can wonder, can’t it?
“(The Chargers) wouldn’t go away, but we have to play defense,” Madden said after Pomona improved to 6-0 overall, 3-0 in the Class 5A Big 8 League. “We know that. Our offense has been carrying us the first six weeks. If our defense ever steps in, we might be a pretty good team.”
The Panthers, ranked No. 4 in The Denver Post/9News 5A poll, actually played some defense against the Chargers (3-3, 1-3), but their offense, top-ranked in 5A, did it again.
This time, it was more than senior running back Donovan Bowens (189 combined yards rushing and receiving), whose presence tends to keep the opposition honest.
Drew Ebner dropped what would have been a sure touchdown, then made four receptions, all for touchdowns. Nathan Grimes threw for three touchdowns and sealed the victory late on a 92-yard run. And Dylan Buononato threw for a touchdown on a halfback option pass.
Said Madden: “We’re an offensive team. But our defense was good early, and we played well in the second half; we made them work for everything.”
True — Chatfield had minus-7 yards in the first quarter, 12 in the third. The Chargers kept it interesting during the other two quarters.
Pomona led most of the way, but the Chargers, who came close against Bear Creek and Columbine, tied it at 21-21 at halftime.
But Pomona scored four times in the final quarter and kept quarterback Sam Stratton and Chatfield out of the end zone when it mattered most.
“The thing is, we have lots of playmakers,” Bowens said.
Said Chargers coach Bret McGatlin, “We’re close, but just not getting over that hump yet.”
Chatfield 0 21 0 7 — 28
Pomona 7 14 0 27 — 48
P — Ebner 26 pass from Grimes (Moore kick). P — Ebner 19 pass from Grimes (Moore kick). C — Stratton 11 run (Borrego kick). P — Bowens 7 run (Moore kick). C — Kellogg 48 pass from Stratton (Borrego kick). C — Slavin 6 pass from Stratton (Borrego kick). P — Bowens 1 run (Moore kick). C — Stratton 1 run (Borrego kick). P — Ebner 45 pass from Buononato (Moore kick). P — Ebner 44 pass from Grimes (Moore kick). P — Grimes 92 run (kick blocked).
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
