GREENWOOD VILLAGE — The pace was so brisk early that there could have been sandlot rules, as in first team to 50 points wins.
Neither program got there on Friday night, but you gte the idea — Pomona outlasted and outslugged Cherry Creek 41-29 in Class 5A nonleague at the Stutler Bowl.
The Panthers, ranked No. 3 in The Denver Post 5A coaches/media poll, moved to 2-0. It was their second consecutive week of big offense — they put up 41 on 4A Broomfield last week in a three-point victory.
Tenth-ranked Cherry Creek slipped to 0-2. The Bruins went down 20-19 late last week in a road loss against Los Osos, Calif.
Pomona never trailed. It scored the first five times it had the ball and junior Chris Benefiel, who ran for a late first down last week to preserve the victory, stretched out the Panthers’ leads in this one, particularly in the first half. He scored four touchdowns in the first half, when Pomona built a 34-18 bulge.
Cherry Creek continued to stay within range, but, on consecutive possessions down the stretch, suffered an interception in the end zone and had a touchdown negated by penalty, which resulted in settling for a field goal.
Pomona quarterback Alec Feland threw for 241 yards, 198 to wide receiver Mitch Colin. The two also hooked up on two touchdowns, one a 78-yarder on their second snap from scrimmage.
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714, ndevlin@denverpost.com or
