Cherry Creek High School football met with the end of its season
in the second round of the Class 5A state championship playoffs
Nov. 12 at the Stutler Bowl in Greenwood Village after two-time
defending state champs and former Centennial League rival Mullen
defeated the Bruins 41-24.
The Bruins entered the playoffs as the No. 17 seed, while
Mullen, with an undefeated record, carried the No. 1 seed. Creek
didn’t start opening things up until the second half. By halftime,
the only point the Bruins were able to get on the board was a
23-yard field goal from kicker Nick Gauna.
In the third quarter, Luke Papillon scored on a 1-yard run, and
in the fourth, he threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to John Joyce.
Later, Darryl McNeil had a 45-yard touchdown rush for the
Bruins.
Starting quarterback Hunter Burton finished with 74 passing
yards and threw one interception. Papillion filled in later and
rushed for 39 yards.
Creek’s running game workhorse Taylor Wooten booked another 156
rushing yards before the final whistle. McNeil had 64 rushing.
Joyce had 68 receiving yards.
Cherry Creek finished its season with a 7-4 overall record.
