Valor Christian transfer Chase Lopez making a statement with Pomona.
ARVADA» Valor Christian’s 17-13 victory against Pomona last Friday had everything — lights, TV cameras and second-half drama between two teams once again primed to make a run in this year’s Class 5A state playoffs.
But no one was more hyped for the matchup than Chase Lopez.
The Pomona senior transferred from Valor Christian this offseason and was eager to make some noise against his former team.
“For me, it was high intensity,” Lopez said. “I wanted to prove that I was capable of what I did.”
What Lopez did was catch the game’s opening touchdown, giving Pomona an early lead. It wasn’t enough to lift the Panthers to a win, but it made enough of an impression for his Valor teammates to see what they’re missing this season.
“I have a lot of respect for him,” said Eagles running back Gavin Sawchuk, who scored two touchdowns of his own in the game. “He’s smart. He’s good at running routes. He has good footwork. He’s just focused on the craft.”
“He’s just a physical player,” added Valor coach Ed McCaffrey.
At 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, Lopez brought size and speed on both sides of the ball for Valor as a junior, amassing 664 yards and 10 touchdowns as a receiver while chipping in 64 tackles (38 solo) at defensive back during the Eagles’ undefeated state championship run last season.
Before his senior year, Lopez had a scholarship offer from Northern Colorado on the table and has garnered interest from programs since, including Colorado, Colorado State, Texas Tech and UCLA. He remains undecided on which school he’ll attend.
Despite being a formidable offensive weapon, Lopez takes his biggest enjoyment on the defensive side of the ball. Playing at safety, he matched up against former teammate Kaiden Keefe on several occasions.
“I like to lay the wood,” Lopez joked.
After the game was over and the hits were brushed off, the pair took time for a few laughs and photos, and Keefe offered a few words of praise for his former teammate.
“Chase works really hard at practice. He puts the time in as well as the attention to detail,” Keefe said. “He’s a really good player, and I wish he was still with us, but things happen and I wish him nothing but the best.”
Lopez said he transferred to Pomona for family reasons. He made sure to take his work ethic with him, earning his place on coach Jay Madden’s squad.
“He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do, so he has fit right in,” Madden said. “He’s all business, he plays fast, has a lot of confidence and he believes in himself.”
The Panthers are two seasons removed from their state title run of 2017 under Madden but are currently a work in progress, the coach said. There’s a lot that Madden remains bullish on regarding this year’s squad, however.
At safety, Lopez bolsters a Pomona defense that includes Kyle Moretti and Sanje Strickland, whom Madden calls “two of the best linebackers in the state.” The Panthers showed flashes of their defensive capability in the second half against Valor, creating two turnovers and holding the Eagles scoreless.
The result put Pomona’s record at 1-2 on the year, as it continues to navigate a brutal nonconference schedule that included a previous loss to Regis Jesuit. On Friday, the Panthers take on 5A No. 2 Cherry Creek at the Stutler Bowl.
As for Lopez? He’s just happy to play football, no matter what school it’s against …or for.
“I don’t care who I play. I just always want to come out and compete,” said Lopez. “I’m just excited to help Pomona.”