AURORA — It went from domination to making folks at least think about biting their nails, but there was no disputing the final outcome in The Denver Post game of the week.
Grandview knocked off defending Class 5A state champion and top-ranked Cherry Creek 28-20 on Friday night at Legacy Stadium.
The Wolves, ranked No. 8 in The Associated Press 5A media poll, improved to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in league play. They halted Cherry Creek’s 13-game winning streak and led 28-0 behind a stellar defensive effort that also dominated the Bruins up front.
“When we play defense like that,” Wolves linebacker Deandre Shorts said, “no one can stop us.”
There were no excuses from the Bruins, even with their late point barrage. They knew they were handled.
“We got what we deserved,” coach Dave Logan said. “We didn’t play that well tonight and Grandview did. So we congratulate Grandview. We’ve got work to do.”
The Wolves, the defending Centennial champion and behind the superlative Hayden Blubaugh and Gunnar Lamphere, led 28-0 into the final quarter. Blubaugh (24 rushes, 189 yards), ran for a touchdown, caught a pass for a TD and threw for one on an option. Lamphere threw for two scores, and Shorts topped the defense.
Cherry Creek used an 85-yard return of a blocked field goal by Marquiss Davis and 1-yard plunges by Curtis Appleton and Trey Windham to get within a touchdown and a two-pointer, but the Bruins ran out of time.
Asked if it was his team’s best game in 2015, Wolves coach John Schultz said “yes … until I chose to kick that field goal.”
And the previous team to beat Cherry Creek? It was Grandview — 53 weeks ago, before the Bruins went on their title run.
“We got cocky a little bit,” Shorts said. “We needed to be humble, but we got the W.”
Said Schultz: “Just an incredible effort by everyone. The kids played hard, played well.”
