ARVADA — When the game is on the line, Jonathan Swartzwelter hears nothing. No distractions, just him and teammates focused on converting a play.
He booted a 22-yard field goal on the final play last month for Fairview to escape Lakewood. And Friday evening, he nailed a 27-yarder — again on the final play — as the Knights outlasted Pomona 33-30 at the NAAC in The Denver Post game of the week.
The importance is huge. It boosted the Knights, ranked No. 2 in the Class 5A poll, to 7-0 overall, 4-0 in the North Metro League. They have clinched at least a tie for the league title. They can win it outright next week with a victory over crosstown-rival Boulder in one of the state’s storied matchups. And a win would probably clinch no worse than the second seed in the 32-team postseason bracket.
“I just treated it like an extra point,” Swartzwelter said.
This one was wild. The Knights led for much of the way, notably through a three-touchdown performance by Cameron Frazier, and enjoyed leads of 14-3 and 30-16. Jason Harvey, Anders Hill, talented sophomore Carlo Kemp and Sam Martin also figured heavily into the mix.
For No. 8 Pomona (6-2, 3-1), Chris Benefiel, Chris Marquez and Justin Roberts arose late before the Knights ended the toe-to-toe, trading-punches affair.
“We expected it to be that way; we have a very high opinion of Pomona,” Knights coach Tom McCartney said.
Pomona coach Jay Madden said his team’s inability to bring intensity in consecutive weeks hurt and remains a concern, but was upbeat about its desire.
“You gotta love it,” he said.
Fairview 14 8 8 3 — 33
Pomona 3 13 0 14 — 30
F — Frazier 97 kickoff return (Swartzwelter kick). P — FG Thimsen 33. F — Frazier 9 pass from Hill (Swartzwelter kick). P — Benefiel 67 pass from Roberts (Thimsen kick). P — Marquez 34 run (kick failed). F — Frazier 3 run (Kemp pass from Hill). F — Harvey 48 run (Harris pass from Hill). P — Marquez 11 run (Thimsen kick). P — Benefiel 9 pass from Roberts (Thimsen kick). F — FG Swartzwelter 27.
Neil H. Devlin: ndevlin@denverpost.com or
