Golden’s football team knew Kennedy wasn’t the cream of the crop when it came to Class 4A football squads.
However, the Demons weren’t about to take it easy on the winless Commanders from Denver. Golden devoured Kennedy 50-0 Thursday, Sept. 14, at Brooks Field during Golden’s homecoming game.
“Before we came into the game, we knew that Kennedy wasn’t really a very good team, but we weren’t going to settle for anything less than a shutout,” Golden senior linebacker Jackson Sutherland said. “We made that goal for our coaches since they have been working so hard, and the team came together after last week.”
With the season-ending injury to senior quarterback Nate Goergen in the loss last week to Montrose, Golden’s defense picked up the pace. The Demons (2-1) handed Kennedy (0-4) its third shutout loss of the season. The Commanders of the 4A Denver Prep League have been outscored 172-3 in their four games.
The Demons’ offense added to Kennedy’s misery scoring six touchdowns.
Golden platooned sophomore Cory Hilborne and freshman Ryan Stokes behind center in place of Goergen, who stood on the sidelines with crutches.
Hilborne had an 18-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Mohamad Hasoon. However, it was the Demons’ run game that commandeered the Commanders.
Junior fullback Colin Leffert had touchdown runs of 55, 44 and 5 yards to lead Golden. Senior running back Kameron Gates added scoring jaunts of 58 and 19 yards.
They totaled 267 yards between them to lead eight different running backs for the Demons who combined for 332 total rushing yards.
“We are trying to improve on our running game and that’s the focus of our team right now,” Leffert said. “Our offensive line was opening up these huge holes like we have never seen. It was amazing.”
Golden’s defense held Kennedy to 91 total rushing yards. Golden senior Jeremy Soliz had a 20-yard interception return for a touchdown.
“Our defense stepped up and played well tonight and did a great job,” Demons’ coach Tom Ward said. “Right now after losing Nate we’re alternating two quarterbacks to find which one we want to use.”
WHAT’S NEXT
Golden (2-1) opens Class 4A Mountain Plains conference play against Arvada (3-0) at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at North Area Athletic Complex in Arvada.