Creek’s Varsity football team beat Ralston Valley 35-9 on Friday night, scoring four touchdowns, two of which were in rapid-fire succession, and keeping the Ralston Valley offense out of the end zone for the majority of the evening.
“The game was pretty unique,” senior wide receiver and running back Jordan Herron (#2) said over text interview. “People had butterflies before the game and were excited, the student section was in-tune with the game, so overall it was a fun [and] exciting game.”
Even with a strong advantage over Ralston Valley in size and skill, Creek faced injuries and stalemates throughout.
During Creek’s opening offensive drive, senior offensive lineman AJ Burton (#78) dislocated his left shoulder. Shortly after, senior middle linebacker and nose guard Angelo Petrides (#8) dislocated his right shoulder.
“Obviously it sucked but I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony of my situation,” Burton said over text interview. “I also am not too stressed because the first time I dislocated my shoulder it was a nightmare, so this time it went back in with ease, and I expect to be back soon.”
Creek opened the game with a quick touchdown in minute 6:59 of the first quarter by Herron, bringing the score to 7-0. Ralston Valley responded with a 27-yard field goal and a touchdown shortly afterwards, turning the tide of the game in their favor at 7-9.
“[The touchdown] felt great. I was happy to see my teammates happy that I scored the first touchdown.” Herron said. “It feels good when others support and congratulate you, and that’s why I love Cherry Creek football.”
Creek re-captured the lead in the second quarter after a touchdown by sophomore wide receiver Max Lovett (#6) with 10:34 left on the clock. With the score at 14-9, the teams fell into a standstill as they settled into defensive positions.
“I feel like some of the best moments were when we had some difficult times,” sophomore quarterback Brady Vodicka (#13) said. “But we kept fighting and coming together with words of wisdom, to know that we had to keep pushing in order to get the outcome we wanted.”
After halftime, Creek increased its lead to 28-9 after Lovett scored a one-yard touchdown during the third quarter with 5:12 on the clock. Lovett’s touchdowns were celebrated throughout the team as they recognized the talent they’d picked up from Pomona this season.
“[Some of the best moments of the game was] Max Lovett’s two touchdowns, especially since he’s new to Creek,” Burton said. “I’m glad he got his roses, especially with how hard he’s worked this off-season.”
The game-winning touchdown came in the fourth quarter with 6:59 left after Vodicka pushed a three-yard run into the endzone to bring the score to 35-9.
“The touchdown felt amazing, knowing the fact that if we scored, the game would be over,” Vodicka said. “My teammates and I knew not to take a step off the pedal until the final whistle blew. So after the touchdown, it was a very relaxing moment to know that we won our first game of the season.”
The game demonstrated this season’s outpouring of talent, ranging from Lovett, who transferred to Creek from Pomona this season, to junior offensive linebacker Soren Shinofield (#68), who played well in Burton’s place. Adaptation became Creek’s key to this game after losing important players, but the team continued to fare well with players like senior guard and tackle Hayden Treter (#79) continually pushing for new ground.
“I feel really good about the overall game because it showed a big stepping point we had,” Vodicka said. “It was nice knowing that we have great potential again this year, and shows the amount of talent and hard working teammates we have on this team.”
Over the course of the season, Creek aims to pursue a fifth consecutive Colorado State Championship title, the fourth of which they secured last season over Valor last December. The title would be their 14th of all time, as well as the only 5-peat in Colorado highschool football history.
“Our team goals are almost the same every single year, and that’s to go as far as we can,” Vodicka said. “We want the best for each and everyone of our teammates. And we all want to put in all of the work, because we all have something big we want to accomplish that no team has ever done before.”
See moments from the game below.
![Creek Unified, the program that promotes inclusion of those with disabilities, through team sports. “I like unified [because] I get to see my friends,” Debolt said. “And I like to play [with] all the boys.”](https://unionstreetjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/thumbnail_WrynsEditsFINAL-email-new-keep-final-copy1-1200x873.jpg)
