HIGHLANDS RANCH — It was very much a game, so don’t be fooled by the final score.
It was Valor Christian’s first foray into the vaunted Centennial League. It was after both teams were coming off bye weeks.
And it gave everyone a chance to see how good Overland really was or really wasn’t.
But in the end, Valor Christian gathered itself on a windy night at home and fended off the very game Trailblazers 35-10 as the state’s historically toughest league opened in style Friday.
It was the Eagles’ 26th consecutive victory against an in-state team and their 50th of 51. Top-ranked in The Associated Press Class 5A poll, Valor Christian, two-time defending 5A champion, moved to 4-1 overall and was pleased with its competition.
“We got Overland’s best game,” coach Rod Sherman told his team. “If you aren’t pleased with that, you don’t belong in this league.”
The Eagles, who never trailed, took control early in the fourth quarter with a three-touchdown binge. Sophomore quarterback Dylan McCaffrey twice connected with Ben Waters for scores, and in between he caught one from talented two-way back Eric Lee Jr., who found him wide open on a double-reverse pass.
Bound for Nebraska, Lee had been waiting for the Centennial to start because he played youth ball with many of its current stars.
“We understand it will be this type of play,” he said. “We just have to be ready.”
Bubba Watkins opened the scoring for Valor Christian on a 15-yard run in the opening quarter. McCaffrey added a 1-yard plunge in the second for a 14-0 lead despite the Trailblazers running 37 plays to the Eagles’ 22.
The wind kept punting interesting and Valor’s newer linemen had trouble dealing with the Trailblazers into the final minutes.
But Overland, also 4-1 and ranked ninth, will look back and realize that it had its chances. After a 46-yard field goal by Marc Soto got the Trailblazers within 14-10, it turned even more interesting when they appeared to take the lead on an electrifying 67-yard punt return by Austin Conway. However, a penalty at midfield negated it. Overland deflated a bit and Valor seized command.
Said Lee: “We knew this league was tough and we’re just excited to get it going against a team like Overland that has amazing athletes.”
Neil H. Devlin: ndevlin@denverpost.com or
Overland (4-1): 0 0 10 0 — 10
Valor Christian (4-1): 7 7 0 21 — 35
VC — Watkins 15 run (Kendziorski kick). VC — McCaffrey 1 run (Kendziorski kick). O — FG Soto 46. O — Conway 5 run (Soto kick). VC — Waters 69 pass from McCaffrey (Kendziorski kick). VC — McCaffrey 22 pass from Lee (Kendziorski kick). VC — Waters 34 pass from McCaffrey (Kendziorski kick).
