Erie is sweet on title run

ERIE» Here’s how sweet things have been for Erie’s 60 football team:

• The Tigers have won each of their first six games by an average of 31 points.

• They’ve seen more production from their sparkling, doitall back, Noah Roper.

• And perhaps best of all, the Tigers have forced 12 turnovers — a significant and delicious stat, because defensive coordinator Eric Mickens buys his players ice cream for every turnover they force.

“That’s a huge part of our defensive culture right there,” defensive end Jaymeson Nelms said.

Turns out, Erie is more than just an offense fueled by Roper, last year’s allclass Colorado rushing leader. The Tigers’ hungry defense — which has churned out six straight dominating performances to begin the year — will be key if Erie hopes to return to the 3A state title game for a second straight season after last season’s 4621 loss to Palmer Ridge.

But will the realization of a prolific offense and a shutdown defense be the recipe for Erie’s first state title in football since 1997?

“I think expectations have risen,” Erie coach Chad Cooper said. “Last year we lost two of our last three games of the regular season and we were still figuring ourselves out all the way to the playoffs. But this year, knowing capabilities that we have has raised the level of expectations for this team.

“We have a lot of seniors that have played for two or three years, and that has given us a lot of experience and has led to success so far.”

There’s Roper, who is enjoying another dazzling campaign on the ground. A year after rushing for 2,631 yards, the 5foot11, 194pound Roper has averaged nearly a whopping 10.2 yards per carry. He has 1,144 yards on the ground through six games.

There’s also quarterback Gavin Mendoza, who has thrown seven touchdowns to just one interception.

And then there’s the defense.

The Tigers have allowed just over 11 points a game — and most of those points have come after starters were sat with the game already in hand. Thirdyear starters Nathan Hackney and Nelms have been the staples to an aggressive and talented defensive line. And Roper has helped lead a hardhitting secondary.

Last week, the Tigers held Northridge to 73 total yards in a 480 win as Hackney and Aaron Dixon recovered fumbles. Thursday, Erie will look for more of the same as it tries to improve to 70 at home against Niwot.

“We take pride in not being scored on,” Hackney said. “We like shutouts. That’s the goal every game.”

Getting ice cream? They like that, too. Hackney and Helms said the dairy tradition has taken off inside the defensive unit and has everyone looking for their taste.

“Everybody wants ice cream,” Hackney said. “Everybody is striving to get ice cream. It’s the best feeling in the world. I don’t know why, but it’s kind of turned into our thing.”