Cherry Creek football coach Dave Logan cautioned fans not to get wrapped up in the final score.
The top-ranked and three-time defending Class 5A champion Bruins whipped Arvada West, 62-21, in a Sept. 16 game played at the Stutler Bowl.
“We have a long ways to go,” said Logan. “This is a long season. You learn a lot about your team during the regular season during wins and losses.
“It is the same as it always has been for us. We want to be playing our best football in November. What you can’t do is look too far ahead. This is a week-to-week proposition.”
Arvada West’s passing game and quarterback Ethan Cook was a challenge for the Bruins despite four Creek interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Too many penalties against the Bruins were another concern.
“They are a really good passing team,” added Logan “They have good receivers, good skilled position players and the quarterback has been a two-year starter. We knew they could throw it and they did a lot of good things in the passing game especially in the first couple drives.
“We had a hard time getting them slowed down. We made a couple adjustments which helped us. We were forunate to get on our hands on a few of the balls. We had too many penalties. Some of them I think we earned and some of them probably not. We’ll get those cleaned up. I thought the offensive line was the key to the running game.”
Cherry Creek’s offensive line and running backs led by Carlson Tann and Jordan Herron ground out yardage and took control of the game in the first quarter after the Wildcats managed a 7-7 tie early in the game. The Bruins wound up using three different quarterbacks in the game and the trio completed 14 of 17 for 239 yards.
Cherry Creek’s defense, led by Chase Brackney, Blake Purchase and Jake Howell, shut down the Arvada West ground attack and limited everybody except Cook and Brady Witherspoon, who teamed up for three TD receptions.
Tann gained 118 yards on 11 carries for Creek and scored once. Herron picked up 101 yards on seven carries and had two TDs.
“We played a lot of guys in the second half, which is always good, and listen, Arvada West is a really good team,” said Logan. “It got away from them a little bit in the first half. We had several big turnovers and two defensive scores.”
Herron scored twice for the Bruins, backup quarterback Brian Rudden threw two TD passes, Chase Brackney recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown and junior Brantley Logan had two interceptions and both went for touchdowns.
“We just executed,” said Herron. “Coach Logan always brings that up. We always have a good run game and with these backs, we are always going to be efficient with the run game. Tonight was pretty fun. It was homecoming week. I learned a lot in the game. I’ve got to be more explosive and bring more energy.”
Cherry Creek, 3-1, faces Regis Jesuit on Sept. 22 at the Stutler Bowl. Regis was ranked second in the Sept. 12 CHSAANow.com poll but dropped a 29-28 decision to Ralston Valley on Sept. 16.
