Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostQuarterback Alex Padilla (8) of the Cherry Creek Bruins in the white headband celebrates with teammates after defeating Columbine 10-7 in the 5A football semifinals at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018, in Denver.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostLogan DeArment (10) of the Columbine Rebels runs in for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Cherry Creek Bruins at Jeffco Stadium on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostSeamus Henderson (25) of the Cherry Creek Bruins celebrates after the game against the Columbine Rebels in the 5A football semifinals at Jeffco Stadium on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018 in Denver.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostMac Willis (18) of the Cherry Creek Bruins kicks a field goal on a hold from Julian Hammond (13) during the second quarter against Columbine at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018, in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostLogan DeArment (10) of the Columbine Rebels throws a pass during the first quarter against Cherry Creek at Jeffco Stadium on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostHead Coach Andy Lowry of the Columbine Rebels hugs quarterback Logan DeArment (10) as Grant Keim (51) stands nearby after their 10-7 loss to Cherry Creek in the 5A football semifinals at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Denver.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostSeamus Henderson (25) of the Cherry Creek Bruins celebrates after the 5A football semifinals at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostQuarterback Logan DeArment pitches the football to Tanner Hollens (6) while being chased by Branden Jackson (60) of the Cherry Creek Bruins in the fourth quarter at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostSeamus Henderson (25) of the Cherry Creek Bruins runs with the football late in the fourth quarter against the Columbine Rebels at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostMicah Caldwell (8) of the Columbine Rebels walks to the locker room after a 10-7 loss to Cherry Creek in the 5A football semifinals at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostJaden Triplett (4) and Delante Dickey (17) of the Cherry Creek Bruins lead the team onto the field before a game against the Columbine Rebels in the 5A football semifinals at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostCherry Creek coach Dave Logan looks at his play sheet before the 5A football semifinals against the Columbine Rebels at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostJames Walker II (5) of the Cherry Creek Bruins runs with the football after eluding a tackle attempt by Logan DeArment (10) of the Columbine Rebels at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostTanner Hollens (6) of the Columbine Rebels is tackled by Branden Jackson (60) of the Cherry Creek Bruins during the 5A football semifinals at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostQuarterback Alex Padilla (8) of the Cherry Creek Bruins throws for a first down in the third quarter against the Columbine Rebels at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostQuarterback Alex Padilla (8) of the Cherry Creek Bruins runs with the football in the third quarter against the Columbine Rebels at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostEnoch Woolfolk (35) of the Cherry Creek Bruins runs with the football before being tackled by Nehemiah Nua (14) of the Columbine Rebels during the 5A football semifinals at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostRunning back Seamus Henderson (25) of the Cherry Creek Bruins looks to elude Tanner Hollens (6) of the Columbine Rebels in the third quarter at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostSeamus Henderson (25) of the Cherry Creek Bruins (right) celebrates his go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Columbine Rebels during the 5A football semifinals at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostTanner Hollens (6) of the Columbine Rebels eludes a tackle attempt from Carson Smail (24) of the Cherry Creek Bruins in the fourth quarter at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostColumbine Andy Lowry calls in a play during the fourth quarter of the 5A football semifinal game against Cherry Creek at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostQuarterback Logan DeArment (10) of the Columbine Rebels is tackled by Carson Brantley (21) of the Cherry Creek Bruins as teammates (L-R) John Adams (28), Arden Walker (83), Grayson Blackmon (90) and Gus Zilinskas (85) defend on the play at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostBraeden Hogan (34) of the Columbine Rebels sits dejected against the goal post after a 10-7 loss to Cherry Creek in the 5A football semifinals at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostRunning back Seamus Henderson (25) of the Cherry Creek Bruins celebrates after the Bruins defeated the Columbine Rebels in the 5A football semifinals at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostRunning back Seamus Henderson (25) of the Cherry Creek Bruins celebrates with James Walker II (5) after the Bruins defeated the Columbine Rebels in the 5A football semifinals at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostTanner Hollens (6) of the Columbine Rebels is tackled by John Adams (28) of the Cherry Creek Bruins during the 5A football semifinals at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood. Cherry Creek defeated Columbine 10-7 to advance to the championship game.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver PostSeamus Henderson runs through a hole in the Columbine Rebels defense during the third quarter of the 5A football semifinals at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018 in Lakewood. Cherry Creek defeated Columbine 10-7 to advance to the championship game.
Justin Edmonds, Special to the Denver Post
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Quarterback Alex Padilla (8) of the Cherry Creek Bruins in the white headband celebrates with teammates after defeating Columbine 10-7 in the 5A football semifinals at Jeffco Stadium on Nov. 23, 2018, in Denver.
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By Justin Edmonds | justin@jcedmonds.com | Special to The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
Cherry Creek football is headed back to the state championship game, but it didn’t come easy.
The Bruins squeaked past Columbine 10-7 in Friday’s Class 5A semifinal, shutting out previously unbeaten Columbine (12-1) in the second half to clinch their 17th title game trip.
Junior Seamus Henderson ran in a 6-yard touchdown on third and goal with 10:46 left in the game to put Cherry Creek (12-1) ahead for good. The Bruins held on from there, and will now go for their 10th state championship against the winner of Saturday’s semifinal between Grandview (11-1) and Valor Christian (12-0).
Logan DeArment gave Columbine a 7-3 halftime lead with a 3-yard touchdown run with 34 second left in the second quarter, but that was all the offense the Rebels could muster. Cherry Creek’s Mac Willis kicked a 35-yard field goal midway through the second quarter.
