Carroll brothers power Regis Jesuit to victory

Regis Jesuit erased a two-touchdown deficit against a traditional football power Friday night to reach the Class 5A state playoff quarterfinals.

The No. 7 Raiders rallied in the second half for a 28-21 victory over No. 10 Pomona at Lou Kellogg Stadium. Two Regis brothers — junior quarterback Exander Carroll and senior running back Zavier Carroll — set the tone. Exander scored the goahead rushing touchdown with 3:26 left in the third quarter and the Raiders pulled away for good.

Regis is seeking its first football state championship in program history.

“We just wanted it more,” Zavier Carroll said. “It’s a once-ina-lifetime opportunity, really, being able to play my last year with my brother.”

Pomona’s dominant rushing attack produced the night’s first touchdown when senior quarterback CJ Kaylor ran 15 yards into the end zone for an early 7-0 lead. The Panthers made it a two-touchdown advantage in the second quarter with an 8-yard rushing score from senior running back Chase Muller.

Regis (8-3) created a scoring push set up by an impressive 28yard bobbling sideline catch by senior wide receiver Dallas Macias. Sophomore Anthony Medina capitalized one play later with a short rushing touchdown. The Raiders missed two first-half field goals and trailed 14-7 at the break.

But Regis tied it early in the third quarter with a goal-line rushing touchdown from Zavier Carroll. The Raiders took the lead, 21-14, on Exander Carroll’s 4-yard rushing score. Then Zavier Carroll added a 21-yard touchdown scamper in the fourth quarter.

“E and Z are special kids,” Regis coach Danny Filleman said. “They’re just exemplary Regis Jesuit students and hard-nosed kids who compete. It’s just a blast to coach them because they have that never-give-up attitude. It’s just contagious.”

Pomona scored a rushing touchdown from senior Dominick Nichols with under four minutes left in regulation. But the Panthers were unable to complete the comeback.

“We told them the whole time it was going to be a dog fight,” Filleman said. “That’s what it was until the end. I’m proud of our kids for hanging in there. We got down early and just battled back.”

le Fredrickson: kfredrickson@denverpost.com or @kylefredrickson