ARVADA — If you’re a Pomona Panther, you’re a tough guy. How else to explain why one of Class 5A’s smallest schools, located in an older neighborhood, is playing in Saturday’s state championship game while surviving a brutal schedule?
Pomona (10-3) plays Valor Christian (11-2) at 2:30 p.m. at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
There are rumors the Panthers’ skill players shave with axes and their linemen can eat bowls of change.
“If you go to Pomona, you have to be a tough guy, tough enough in terms of football,” said coach Jay Madden, 47.
But Madden’s teams aren’t about Marine training camp or trying to become an Army Ranger. Sure, they want you lifting weights at 6:30 a.m., but there’s more to it than pumping iron to Metallica.
“You come here and you know you’re going to play great teams,” said Madden, a 1986 Pomona graduate. “And it’s fun. That’s what everybody forgets. It’s fun for the kids. Forget the wins and losses. It’s about having a great experience every Friday night. No one’s had more fun than Pomona this season.”
Fun? The Panthers have had a blast.
“Our whole school is really passionate with everything we do and that just comes off with football,” said junior running back Cameron Gonzales, who has piled up 1,437 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns. “You have to put everything you have into what you’re doing.
“It’s crazy to see what’s actually happening, but it’s a fun reality.”
Consider the Panthers’ schedule. While other programs shudder at the thought of taking on Colorado’s best week in and week out, Pomona knows no other way.
It opened by beating Valor Christian at home 28-14. Next were losses to Cherry Creek (7-6) and Mullen (38-31), then pastings of Lakewood, Arvada West and Bear Creek by a combined 119-14. Hitting the first-half wall came in the form of a 42-35 setback to Columbine. The Panthers began 1-2 and were 4-3 with two regular-season games to play.
“Yeah, but we wanted to see what we could do with the next seven games,” Madden said. “We thought this group had what it took.”
Pomona has yet to lose.
“We always walk around and try to show up all the teams we’ve played,” said senior defensive end and outside linebacker Elijah Leyva. “They try to test our character and we try to show we’re a hard-nosed team.”
The Panthers had to gut one out (13-6) over Ralston Valley and whipped Chatfield to enter the playoffs 6-3. They had little trouble with Poudre and Horizon before winning on the road at Grandview and getting even with Columbine, ending its undefeated bid, in the semifinals.
“They’re not afraid to lose,” Madden said of his players. “And we’ve played all of these teams.”
Nine of their foes are either considered among Colorado’s elite or a league champion.
Pomona also has done it with a sophomore quarterback (Ryan Marquez), assorted speed and, as Madden said, “building offensive and defensive lines” that include junior Jake Moretti, already a pledge to Ohio State.
The Panthers are in their sixth title game since 1983. They are 1-4, the only win coming in 1988.
They are hoping their schedule and tough-guy outlook will make a difference.
“All those games against those good teams just means we’re battle tested,” Leyva said. “We’ve lost some, but those losses have put us in the position we are right now. It’s awesome.”
Madden said he told his guys after that opening game that, yes, “they’d probably have to play Valor again.”
The Panthers will do so in their usual fashion. When it was freezing the past two rounds, Pomona linemen wore no sleeves, left guard Dominic Marquez said, “because of the tough-guy thing. We just like to go out there and show how tough we are and leave it all out there on the field. You just give it your all.
“I love playing on this team.”
Game plan
When the Panthers run
Cameron Gonzales and Max Borghi behind quarterback Ryan Marquez are a trio with a combined total of 43 touchdowns. They run behind an offensive line headed by junior Jake Moretti. Valor Christian’s defense has improved, led by junior Noah Elliss. But Pomona has run the ball on everybody.
Edge: Panthers
When the Eagles run
Valor has done it by committee, although Tanner Tadra returning from an injury is a boost. Pomona’s Josh Madrid, Garrett Zanon, Elijah Leyva and Brandon Micale, etc., have been good against the run all season.
Edge: Panthers
When the Panthers pass
Marquez has been effective, but he hasn’t been asked to throw it much. Elliss is a mobile load up front to handle, and the Valor secondary can run.
Edge: Eagles
When the Eagles pass
Dylan McCaffrey is the state’s best quarterback. No matter who lines up against him is in trouble and the Eagles have gotten better protecting him. Pomona’s defense will be taxed.
Edge: Eagles
Special teams
Both teams have speed, skill and know-how on return and coverage units. The difference? Valor kicker Jarred Kendziorski has made nine field goals.
Edge: Eagles
Individual leaders
Pomona
Rushing — Cameron Gonzales 203 carries, 1,437 yards, 29 TDs; Max Borghi 135-880, 7; Ryan Marquez 84-380, 7.
Passing — Ryan Marquez 106-of-165, 1,464 yards, 7 TDs, 3 interceptions.
Receiving — Max Borghi 34 receptions for 453 yards, 5 TDs; Masavik Dominguez 28-298, 0; Mark Ruhland 20-292, 0; Chris Gatseos 8-210, 2.
Tackles — Josh Madrid 120; Garrett Zanon 109; Miles Matulik 71; Chris Gatseos 70; Uriah Vigil 61; Elijah Leyva 52; Cameron Gonzales 49.
Sacks — Elijah Leyva 9.0; Brandon Micale 8.0; Mark Bobian 2.0; Kaleb Walters 2.0.
Valor Christian
Rushing — Dylan McCaffrey 114 carries, 540 yards, 12 TDs; Joshia Davis 100-469, 2; Tanner Tadra 90-413, 5.
Passing — Dylan McCaffrey 187-of-292, 2,606 yards, 26 TDs, 4 interceptions.
Receiving — Ben Waters 50 receptions, 940 yards, 15 TDs; Booker Schelhaas 37-592, 5; Cole Baker 32-400, 5; Joshia Davis 23-194, 0; Adryon Vickers 11-137, 1.
Tackles — Gabriel Kortz 104; Tanner Tadra 61; Christian Eliss 56; Noah Ellis 56; Micth Howell 44; Jack Walley 42.
Sacks — Noah Ellis 9.5; Mitch Howell 6.0; Gabriel Kortz 4.5; Nate Meredith 4.5; Tanner Tadra 2.0.
Team statistics
| POMONA | VALOR CHRISTIAN | |
| Total offense | 4,375 | 4,630 |
| Rush offense | 2,911 | 1,801 |
| Pass offense | 1,464 | 2,829 |
| Total TDs | 57 | 56 |
| Points/game | 30.7 | 31.8 |
| Opp. points/game | 16.2 | 14.9 |
| Int.-yards | 6-91 | 10-21 |
| Fumble rec. | 11 | 15 |
| State titles | 1 | 5 |
Game by game
POMONA (10-3)
at Valor Christian W, 28-14
Cherry Creek L, 7-6
at Mullen* L, 38-31 OT
Lakewood* W, 42-7
at Arvada West* W, 42-0
Bear Creek* W, 35-7
at Columbine* L, 42-35
Ralston Valley* W, 13-6
at Chatfield* W, 35-13
Playoffs
Poudre W, 44-22
Horizon W, 35-14
Grandview W, 32-21
Columbine W, 21-20
* — Jefferson Co. League game
VALOR CHRISTIAN (11-2)
Bonneville, IdahoW, 51-12
Pomona L, 28-14
at Bentonville, Ark. L, 41-22
at East, Salt Lake CityW, 26- 10
at Overland*W, 45-20
at Eaglecrest*W, 23-12
at Cherokee Trail*W, 33-14
Cherry Creek*W, 10-0
Grandview*W, 31-14
Playoffs
Legend W, 50-4
at Chaparral W, 47-3
Ralston Valley W, 42-16
at Cherry Creek W, 20-10
* — Centennial League game
