Joe Amon, The Denver PostJustice High School's Justin Hunyadi and Abraham Dauphinais after a heartbreaking loss 29-18 to Pikes Peak Christian of Colorado Springs. A win would have secured a conference championship for the boys and their small school at Boulder High School's Recht Field in Boulder on Oct. 22, 2016.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostJustice High School Phoenix #51 Abraham Dauphinais throwing football with #7 Myka Johnson outside of their home. Tanya Jackson says "football is their savior," It has helped both the boys in many ways. Longmont CO October 20, 2016.- Joe Amon, The Denver PostAfter a long day at school and practice Tanya Jackson is picking on her son Myka Johnson as she finishes dinner and he is trying to wait patiently for his food. Longmont CO October 20, 2016.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostTanya Jackson calls "dinner," but #18 on the team, Enrique Romero an almost permanent fixture in their home and Abraham Dauphinais are sleeping as Tanya's youngest 6 year old Mykla plays on her pad. Longmont CO October 20, 2016.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostJustice High School Phoenix football team heading to Lamont Does Memorial Park a few blocks from the school for practice. Lafayette CO October 20, 2016.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostJustice High School head coach Nels Thoreson in his last class of the day with his football players filling his room. Thoreson is reminding his players of the importance of focusing during practice after this meeting, that they are playing as a team after a very disappointing season last year and just how much they have to look forward to as a team that has completely turned around, not only on the field but in life by being part of something special.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostJustice High School #96 Zakiyy Lucas looks up from his writing in Nels Thoreson's english class during an assignment to write about a time when students had to use their own skills to survive. Being a school for at-risk youth the topic hit close to home with many. Lafayette CO October 18, 2016.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostJustice High School #7 Myka Johnson waiting for the keys to the gear shed right outside of the english class room so they can get to practice at Lamont Does Memorial Park. Lafayette CO October 20, 2016.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostJustice High School Phoenix #2 Eriq Warren or "Q", goes for a pass that is just off his finger tips in the end zone against Pikes Peak Christian of Colorado Springs at Boulder High School's Recht Field Boulder CO October 22, 2016.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostJustice High School's Abraham Dauphinais, fullback and defensive tackle, getting himself together before his game against Pikes Peak Christian of Colorado Springs at Boulder High School's Recht Field on Oct. 22, 2016.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostThe cheerleaders and the crowd are stunned by a penalty call against Justice High School Phoenix during their game against Pikes Peak Christian of Colorado Springs at Boulder High School's Recht Field Boulder CO October 22, 2016.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostJustice High School #51 Abraham Dauphinais stands up Miami Yoder quarterback #88 Wyatt Rodriguez on a keeper and drives him to the turf in a first half of their 8 man football game dominated by Justice at Boulder High School's Recht Field Boulder CO October 15, 2016.
- Joe Amon, The Denver Post8 man football team Justice High School Phoenix head coach Nels Thoreson reins in his team to keep them focused on the game after a long stoppage of play for an injury against the Miami Yoder Buffalos at Boulder High School's Recht Field Boulder CO October 15, 2016.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostJustice High School Phoenix #10 Justin Hunyadi celebrates his touchdown reception to make the score 29-18 with just over 4 minutes left in the game as the try to make up points against Pikes Peak Christian of Colorado Springs at Boulder High School's Recht Field Boulder CO October 22, 2016.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostJana Von Lintel cheering on her son #2 Eriq Warren as the Justice High School Phoenix take on the Miami Yoder Buffalos at their home field, Boulder High School's Recht Field. Boulder CO October 15, 2016.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostJustice High School #96 Zakiyy Lucas dancing his way into head coach and teacher Nels Thoreson's english class after finding out how well his fantasy football team did over the weekend. Lafayette CO October 18, 2016.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostJustice High School Phoenix #21 Josiah Coronado and fellow receiver #7 Myka Johnson are the last 2 dancing behind the school after their practice at Lamont Does Memorial Park. Lafayette CO October 20, 2016.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostJustice High School players fired up and looking toward their game against Pikes Peak Christian after hearing from captain Justin Hunyadi, "What every you all have inside, what ever you have been hiding bring it out, Bring it out!" to end practice at Lamont Does Memorial Park in Lafayette on Oct. 20, 2016.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
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Justice High School's Justin Hunyadi and Abraham Dauphinais after a heartbreaking loss 29-18 to Pikes Peak Christian of Colorado Springs. A win would have secured a conference championship for the boys and their small school at Boulder High School's Recht Field in Boulder on Oct. 22, 2016.
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By Joe Amon | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
The 14-year-old school is in an unassuming residential neighborhood in Lafayette, where Justice’s 84 students — who come from throughout the area — swarm the narrow hallways of the tiny building between classes. The school’s cafeteria is a kitchenette with a small table. A small utility shed houses all of the football equipment.
Amid this gritty chaos stepped Nels Thoreson, a former college quarterback at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, to coach and mentor a group of kids nobody else wanted and many of whom had never played football.
Read the full story here:
