COMMERCE CITY — Aurora Central is 5-0. It’s news to most of Colorado but not necessarily to the Trojans.
Their 35-22 Class 4A nonleague win over Adams City on Saturday at Krogh Field gave them a perfect mark at the halfway point of the regular season. That surpassed their victory total in many previous full seasons.
And it came against the host Eagles, who are now 3-2 and a year ago entered the season with just one victory in five seasons in a 4-76 stretch.
Senior captain Dominick Jackson, one of five Trojans who scored touchdowns, credited multiple factors.
“When we first had (new head coach Travis Peeples) come into the program, basically, it was a different philosophy, a different setup and we had to have committed players,” Jackson said. “But (the record) is not much of a surprise for us. We expected to come in and beat some teams.”
Peeples, who spent 20 seasons in Florida and had two assisting at Greeley West before taking over the Trojans in February, said, “We’re not shocked at all.”
Plus, he added, “We haven’t done anything yet.”
Jackson scored on a 44-yard punt return just before halftime that gave the Trojans some breathing room with a 21-6 lead. He also added a late rush for a first down when things turned somewhat tight.
Taevon Jordan, Tarrell Gissendanner, De’oveya Johnson and freshman Terell Ratcliff added touchdowns for Aurora Central.
The Trojans, who haven’t made the playoffs since 1991 — one of the state’s longest active droughts — begin Mountain League play Thursday against Golden. Upstart George Washington, Wheat Ridge, Denver South and Standley Lake also await.
“We need to keep working and pushing forward,” Jackson said.
Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post
