Pomona edges Columbine for 5A Jeffco League title
Two teams that pride itself in running the ball and playing strong defense faced off with a league title on the line in the final week of the regular season. No. 3 Pomona traveled to face No. 5 Columbine on…
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Continue ReadingTwo teams that pride itself in running the ball and playing strong defense faced off with a league title on the line in the final week of the regular season.
No. 3 Pomona traveled to face No. 5 Columbine on the road, where one team would finish with an undefeated record, a league title and, most likely, a spot in the Class 5A state playoffs next week. The losing team would sit on the bubble for a spot in the playoffs.
The game lived up to the hype. Two touchdowns from Pomona was the difference for them to leave with a 14-11 win to finish the regular season with a 6-0 record.
Game recap
On the second offensive play of the game, Pomona quarterback Jack Popsil showed why he is a weapon with the football. After faking the handoff to the fullback on the triple option, he hit the edge and showed a burst of speed when he broke off for a 77-yard touchdown run to strike first. After that, it was a slugfest, with both teams wanting to establish the run game and the defenses stepping up to create turnovers and big stops along the way.
Special teams also contributed, starting with Columbine kicker Adam Tasei kicking a 20-yard field goal in the second quarter that saw the Rebels trail 7-3 at the half. Perhaps the biggest play of the game came in the third quarter when Pomona’s Dominick Nichols fielded a punt and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown to extend the lead.
Columbine hung around and pulled to within three points when quarterback Brock Zanetell plunged in for a 1-yard touchdown sneak a few plays after running back Seth Cromwell broke free for a 41-yard rush to set it up. In the end, Pomona was able to hang on in the fourth quarter to win.
Game balls
There were plenty of players who stood out and made some big plays for both teams. Here is a look at some of the top performers from the game for each team.
Jack Popsil, 2021, 5’8, 176, QB/DB, Pomona: Popsil did most of his damage with his legs. His first rushing attempt was a 77-yard run for a touchdown on an option play. The other big run he had late in the game came on a play-action rollout for a first down that helped seal the win.
Dominick Nichols, 2022, 5’11, 175, WR/DB, Pomona: The game-changing play of the game was his punt return in the third quarter. He showed great speed in the open field and read where the lane was for him to go for 60 yards and the game-winning touchdown. In a close, low-scoring game, special teams proved to be a big factor thanks to Nichols.
Ian Frye, 2023, OL/DL, Pomona: Frye had a fumble recovery and proved to be a big presence on the interior of the defensive line. With his size and strength, he helped the defense in not allowing Columbine to run freely between the tackles for most of the night.
Steven Gartman, 2022, WR/DB, Pomona: Gartman also had a fumble recovery for Pomona, the first turnover he has on the season. His speed made him reliable in coming from depth to try and stop the run as well.
Daniel Vigil Jr., 2021, 5’9, 160, WR/DB, Columbine: Vigil led a talented secondary group and got the team’s lone interception of the night. He also recorded four tackles and was helpful in stopping the run, but it was him and others in the back end that prevented the passing game for Pomona to be a huge factor on the night.
Dominic Esquibel, 2022, 5’11, LB, Columbine: The versatile linebacker was flying all over the field and led Columbine with seven tackles. He did a great job of bringing hard contact to the ball carrier and preventing yards after contact
Justice Gomez, 2022, 6’1, 225, OL/DL, Columbine: The defensive tackle was a disrupter on the interior for Columbine. He was able to blow up the center and get penetration in the backfield to disrupt the timing on some run plays. His physicality and technique were effective and resulted in him recovering a fumble and forcing another. He was a bright spot on a Columbine defense that allowed just one touchdown in the game.
Seth Cromwell, 2021, 5’10, 185, RB/LB, Columbine: Cromwell has been a steady presence in Columbine’s run game over the course of his career. He carried the ball 23 times for 149 yards on Friday. His best strength was keeping his legs churning after contact to get additional yards. While most of his runs were tough ones between the tackles, he also showed his speed on a 41-yard rush that resulted in a touchdown a few plays later.