School: Eaglecrest Raptors, Class 5A Centennial League
Record: 2-1 overall and league; 23-31 career
Coaching resume: Assistant at Pomona from 1997-2002 and Smoky Hill in 2003; in sixth year leading the Raptors.
Life lines: Age 37, native of New York City. Graduated from Arvada West (1990) and Northern Colorado (1995); earned degrees in history education and journalism; earned master’s in administration from University of Phoenix (2003). Teaches physical education and health at Eaglecrest.
Back in his day: Linebacker and center at Arvada West from 1987-89, second team all-state linebacker as a senior; played in the All-State Game; linebacker at UNC from 1991-94, all-North Central Conference selection as a senior.
Last week: “It’s not too often that you get to upset one of the top teams in the state,” Doherty said.
In fact, Eaglecrest’s 21-19 victory over Cherry Creek the past weekend was only the Raptors’ second over the Bruins since joining the big schools in 1994. The school that was originally known as “Toxic High,” back when suburban sprawl was in its infancy in the southeastern corridor of the metropolitan area, is cleaning up a few aspects.
The Raptors have had an interesting beginning to 2009. They had to play Mullen, the defending state champion, in Zero Week because of a scheduling problem and were crushed 39-7, one of the worst offensive showings Doherty said he has seen. And in Week 1, they squeaked past Arapahoe 21-20.
On Friday, Eaglecrest had to withstand a late move by perennial power, 2008 runner-up and district rival Cherry Creek. The Raptors, surprised that the Bruins’ Kain Colter played — the Stanford-bound quarterback tore his right labrum in Week 1 and remains day to day — stopped a two-point conversion attempt (twice, because there was a Raptors penalty) inside the two-minute mark to win 21-19.
“Our defense has been good the past couple of weeks,” Doherty said. “We just came back and worked after that first game.”
Devin Murphy scored three touchdowns for Eaglecrest, which is idle this week.
Life in the Centennial can be difficult, but Doherty said it’s that way for most coaches.
“I love it when we win; it’s the best job in the world,” he said. “When you lose, it’s hard on everyone, super hard on the head coach. You don’t realize it until you’re in that position.”
Compiled by Neil H. Devlin, The Post
The Denver Broncos high school coach of the week award, in its 14th year, will have 10 honorees during the regular season. NFL Charities will present a check for $1,000 to the school’s program. Eaglecrest’s Tom Doherty joins Manzanola’s James Lopez as award winners in 2009. A coach of the year will be announced at the Broncos’ final home game, against the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 3 at Invesco Field at Mile High, and receive $2,000. Coaches are selected from a panel consisting of Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post; Billy Thompson, the Broncos; and Andy Lindahl, KOA 850 AM.
