Top-ranked Eagles pass another test in Centennial debut
VALOR CHR. 35, OVERLAND 10
highlands ranch » It was very much a game, so don’t be fooled by the final score.
ItwasValor Christian’s first foray into the vaunted Centennial League. It was after both teams were coming off bye weeks.
And it gave everyone a chance to see how good Overland really was or really wasn’t.
But in the end, Valor Christian gathered itself on awindy night at home and fended off the very game Trailblazers 35-10 as the state’s historically toughest league opened in style Friday.
Itwas the Eagles’ 26th consecutive victory against an in-state team and their 50th of 51. Topranked in The Associated Press Class 5A poll, Valor Christian, two-time defending 5A champion, moved to 4-1 overall and was pleased with its competition.
“We got Overland’s best game,” coachRod Sherman told his team. “If you aren’t pleased with that, you don’t belong in this league.”
The Eagles, who never trailed, took control early in the fourth quarter with a three-touchdown binge. Sophomore quarterback Dylan McCaffrey twice connected with Ben Waters for scores, and in between he caught one from talented two-way back Eric Lee Jr., who found him wide open on a double-reverse pass.
Bound for Nebraska, Lee had beenwaiting for theCentennial to start because he played youth ball with many of its current stars.
“We understand it will be this type of play,” he said. “We just have to be ready.”
Bubba Watkins opened the scoring forValor Christian on a 15yard run in the opening quarter. McCaffrey added a 1-yard plunge in the second for a 14-0 lead despite the Trailblazers running 37 plays to the Eagles’ 22.
Thewind kept punting interesting and Valor’s newer linemen had trouble dealing with theTrailblazers into the final minutes.
But Overland, also 4-1 and ranked ninth, will look back and realize that it had its chances. After a 46-yard field goal by Marc Soto got the Trailblazers within 14-10, it turned even more interestingwhen they appeared to take the lead on an electrifying 67-yard punt return by Austin Conway. However, a penalty at midfield negated it. Overland deflated a bit and Valor seized command.
Said Lee: “We knew this league was tough and we’re just excited to get it going against a team like Overland that has amazing athletes.”