AURORA — Highlands Ranch understood it would have to match the intensity of an emotionally charged Regis Jesuit squad.
Thanks to a fine all-around game from senior Joe Hansley, the Falcons were able to do just that, making the heavy hearts of the Regis Jesuit Raiders just a little bit heavier.
Highlands Ranch closed the regular season with 37-28 victory Friday night to earn a share of the Class 5A Continental League crown during an emotional night at Regis’ Lou Kellogg Stadium. On Friday morning, the Raiders learned one of their teammates, junior defensive lineman Dominic Doyle, died Thursday night.
Doyle’s father, Derrick Doyle, is an assistant coach at Regis Jesuit and was on the sideline for the Raiders. A moment of silence was observed before kickoff, and the Raiders’ captains carried Doyle’s No. 56 jersey to midfield for the opening coin toss.
“I’m proud of our kids — they showed a lot of composure and played their hearts out,” Regis coach Mark Nolan said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t make the plays that were necessary to win the game. But I’m proud of our team for how we battled in spite of the circumstances.”
Four consecutive touchdowns, including three from Hansley, allowed Highlands Ranch to take a 28-7 lead late in the first half.
Regis stormed back. Senior running back Jordan Jungers scored his third touchdown of the game early in the second half to trim the Falcons’ lead to 28-21, but a potential tying drive by Regis was thwarted when the Falcons’ Adam Gauthier nabbed his second interception of the game. Hansley soon extended Highlands Ranch’s advantage on an 88-yard touchdown reception from Steve Donatell.
A touchdown catch by the Raiders’ Michael Harpole kept Regis within striking distance, but the Falcons finally iced the win on a 27-yard field goal by Joey Kloss with 2:00 remaining.
“Truly, the game means nothing,” Highlands Ranch coach Darrel Gorham said. “There are things way bigger than this game tonight, for sure.”
Highlands Ranch 7 21 0 9 — 37
Regis Jesuit 7 7 7 7 — 28
RJ — Jungers 9 run (Dunn kick). HR — Hansley 34 run (Kloss kick). HR — Hansley 8 run (Kloss kick). HR — Hansley 37 pass from Donatell (Kloss kick). HR — Donatell 3 run (Kloss kick). RJ — Jungers 2 run (Dunn kick). RJ — Jungers 6 run (Dunn kick). HR — Hansley 88 pass from Donatell (kick failed). RJ — Harpole 20 pass from Salum (Dunn kick). HR — FG Kloss 27.
