HIGHLANDS RANCH — It was a rather weird night. And a long one. Certainly not the usual entry into local Friday Night Lights.
It was The Denver Post game of the week and featured in the Great American Rivalry Series, headed by the U.S. Marines Corps, and took nearly 3 hours.
However, there were only a combined 10 points scored between programs from the vaunted Class 5A Centennial League that decided the 2014 big-school title.
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In addition to two players being taken off by stretcher, there was plenty of defense modified by turnovers, mistakes and penalties in front of a strong crowd at the Eagles’ stadium.
Ultimately, Valor Christian outlasted defending state champion Cherry Creek 10-0 in a rock-’em, sock-’em struggle with considerable postseason implications as big schools head into next week’s final round of regular-season play.
The Eagles, ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press 5A media poll, are 6-2 overall, 4-0 in league. The No. 4 Bruins (6-2, 2-2) have dropped two straight games.
Valor Christian will finish the regular season next weekend at home against defending Centennial champion Grandview (a 42-14 winner over Overland on Friday), which has won 10 consecutive league games. Cherry Creek will end against Eaglecrest.
The biggest play of the game produced the lone touchdown — despite being pinned at their own 3-yard line, the Eagles struck on a 97-yard scoring pass. Ben Waters, All-Colorado a year ago by The Denver Post, got behind single coverage and caught a heave by a rolling-out Dylan McCaffrey.
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The only other earlier scoring came from the foot of Jarred Kendziorski, who nailed a 26-yard field goal early in the second quarter. Plus, he had big success punting, notably pinning the Bruins inside their 5 down the stretch.
Cherry Creek had multiple chances, but the Eagles’ defense, topped by the likes of Tanner Tadra and Noah Elliss, came up large every time. Tadra later was hit and experienced neck pain and numbness. He was taken to a local hospital and coach Rod Sherman said “he would be fine.” And Jack Walley added an interception with 3:11 to play that sealed it.
In ending Valor’s run of five state titles, two in 5A, last year, the Bruins won the regular-season meeting by 33-17 before winning the title in a classic at Sports Authority Field at Mile High 25-24.
Neil H. Devlin: ndevlin@denverpost.com or @neildevlin
