Sterling pulls away in the second half, denies upset bid in Brush
For the first time in program history, the Sterling Tigers took the field as the defending state champions. Fresh off their run in 2019 to the Class 2A state title behind a large senior class, the 2020 version of the…
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Continue ReadingFor the first time in program history, the Sterling Tigers took the field as the defending state champions. Fresh off their run in 2019 to the Class 2A state title behind a large senior class, the 2020 version of the Tigers took the 45-minute drive down I-76 to play their rivals, the Brush Beetdiggers, in the first game of the season Saturday night.
The No. 3 ranked Tigers were looking to prove they were still a team to reckon with and would still be dangerous to face after their championship run. Brush was eager to show continued growth and prove they could hang with one of the best teams in the state.
Saturday’s game was a true battle that was tied late in the third quarter, but a few costly turnovers that Sterling capitalized on saw them break free late to get the win 25-7 on the road to open the season.
Both teams worked to move the ball down the field methodically on offense and kill the clock with lengthy drives. Brush used a run-heavy offense that ran dives, traps and counters with the inside runs and occasional sweeps to the outside. Sterling would spread the field in the shotgun and use short and intermediate passes to the outside to pick up yards. Early in the game, both defenses were showing the ability to get some stops and force some punts. It was Sterling who finally broke the scoreless game with a touchdown pass to Brock Burkholder in the back of the end zone early in the second quarter. They would lead 7-0 at the half thanks to a big defensive stand late in the half.
A fired up Brush team came out in the second half and drove the ball down the field on the opening drive. Quarterback Alejandro Maltos-Garcia broke free on a quarterback sweep to the outside for a touchdown run that tied the game with just over seven minutes remaining. The Beetdiggers seemed to have the momentum and got some more when the defense stuffed a fourth-and-goal quarterback sneak at the goal line.
Then the Sterling defense delivered the key play that swung the momentum back in their favor. A fumble was forced on a Brush running play and was recovered by Peyton Rose. A few plays later, Radek McCracken threw his second touchdown pass to Tucker Myers to put the Tigers back in front. Zavery Pence then ran the ball up the gut near the goal line and punched it in for the team’s first rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter to extend the lead. Following another fumble recovered by Brady Apbrandt, the Tigers put the game away with an eight-yard score by Riley Bornhoft with just under eight minutes remaining in the game.
We selected a game ball for a player from each team in the game.
Brock Burkholder, 2021, 6’0, 160, WR/DB, Sterling
Not only did Burkholder catch the first touchdown of the night, but Sterling also used his arm for a trick play that involved the quarterback throwing behind the line of scrimmage to him on the outside, and Burkholder would catch it and then throw the ball for a deep shot up the sideline. He was able to hit one of his pass attempts, and he delivered some big receptions throughout the night to help the offense.
Alejandro Maltos-Garcia, 2022, 5’11, 180, QB/DB, Brush
In the Brush offense, Maltos-Garcia may not get the chance to impact the game as much with his arm. But his ability to get to the outside on sweep plays, be patient enough to let his blocks in front get set up, and an ability to use speed and power to pick up good chunks of yards will serve them well. He had the lone touchdown for Brush but a few other big runs to keep them ahead of the sticks. Maltos-Garcia also had a few defensive tackles that helped the defense.
Upcoming schedule
Sterling will have a big test come to town on Friday when it plays host to the Eaton Reds. Another top 10 team in Class 2A, the Reds rolled over Weld Central 49-6 in their first game on Oct. 9. Next week’s game should be a true test to see just how good Sterling will be compared to last year’s championship team. As for Brush, the Beetdiggers will hit the road to face the Fort Lupton Blue Devils next week to try and bounce back. Fort Lupton suffered a 48-16 loss at University in Week 1 and is a team continuing to rebuild in the Patriot League.