PARKER — There was little to distinguish crosstown rivals Chaparral and Ponderosa in the early stages of their battle Friday night for first place in the Class 5A Southern League.
As the night grew bitter cold at Stadium, the new state-of-the-art stadium in the southwest corner of town, fifth-ranked Chaparral enjoyed brief moments of warmth — their frequent mass hug huddles celebrating key plays.
A running game that eventually found room, a turnover-free offense and a defense that intercepted two late passes combined for a 27-3 Chaparral victory and extended ownership of The Pride of Parker trophy. At Challenger Park, the local King Soopers and Sonic, the Wolverines retain bragging rights when they run into the Mustangs.
“Fifty to 90 percent of our motivation was the rivalry,” said senior Spencer Duran, who carried the ball 30 times for 143 of his team’s 224 rushing yards. “We see them in town; we are out there seeing guys we know. This game is anticipated all year long.”
Coach John Vogt, whose team improved to 6-0, 5-0 in conference, credited halftime adjustments and his players’ character.
“We’ve got a good thing going,” he said.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Wolverines used a blocked punt and recovery by Spencer Vogt, son of the coach, to set up Duran’s 3-yard burst.
The Mustangs (5-1, 4-1) answered with a 14-play, 63-yard drive capped by Nathan Ekhoff’s 35-yard field goal. The key play was a fake punt that Tyler Sandt converted.
Leading 7-3, Chaparral seized momentum in the third quarter with a six-play, 53-yard drive ending with Jordan West’s hurdling 15-yard TD run.
With Thomas Thornton running a deceptive precise option, including a 35-yard keeper, the Mustangs’ most promising second-half drive was thwarted by an interception and 25-yard return by sophomore Andrew McReynolds. The turnover led to the Wolverines’ third TD.
