Cougar football loses 32-27 in a down-to-the-wire game

After starting off the football season with a win against Greeley Central, the Niwot Cougars followed their week 1 win with a week 2 loss to the Thornton Trojans, 32-27.

Niwot's first drive consisted of run after run, including a 16-yard run by sophomore Hayden Shaw. Late in the drive, Niwot quarterback Chad Volf threw a bubble screen to junior wide receiver Mats Lehan who went 16 yards for an opening drive touchdown, starting the game with a 7 to 0 lead.

The Trojans got the ball but couldn't get much traction. Thornton's first three attempts to get the ball rolling were not a success, resulting in a fourth-down punt.

Niwot started its next drive off on the ground where Hayden Shaw broke free for a 26-yard gain followed up by a 19-yard run. Two plays later, Niwot rushed for 15 yards, and Charlie Shaw followed it up with a touchdown for 6 more points.

Upon receiving the ball, Thornton struggled to move it down the field again, gaining 0 yards on 3 plays, ending the quarter by punting the ball away.

Niwot's second quarter opening drive was dominated by the Shaw brothers who rushed for 59 yards on 5 plays. Momentum halted when the ball was snapped early resulting in a fumble that was recovered by the Trojans, starting a downward spiral for the Cougars.

The Trojans started off their next drive strong, opening up their passing game, with completions of 13, 6, and 43 yards apiece, then scoring on a 2-yard touchdown run. The Trojans missed a 2-point conversion making the score 14-6 in favor of the Cougars.

Niwot then moved the ball down the field with plays of 19, 12, and 22 yards. This drive came to an abrupt halt as their next three plays went for 2, 3, and 1 yards, and an incomplete pass left them with a turnover on downs.

The Trojans kept up their momentum by connecting through the air for 20 yards to start off their next possession, then grabbed 28 more on a scramble. Thornton scored with 5 seconds left in the half, tying the game at 14 to 14 going into halftime.

The Trojans started the second half with an 11-yard passing play and then kept their momentum up by connecting in the air for 38 yards a couple of plays later. They kept moving the ball and punched it in from the 2-yard line to go up 20 to 14.

Niwot struggled on the first drive of the second half rushing for 1 yard on 3 plays in a row, forcing a punt.

With the help of a 15-yard personal foul penalty, Thornton put the ball in for 6 more points, pulling ahead, 26 to 14.

The game was then delayed due to lightning, and started back up 1 hour and 45 minutes later. This event ended up being a blessing in disguise for Niwot as the third play after the delay was a 40-yard touchdown pass, making the score 26-20 in favor of Thornton.

For the first time since the first quarter, Niwot stuffed the Trojans, forcing a 3-and-out, allowing only a total of two yards in three plays. Following the punt, Niwot started to see a shift in momentum.

The Cougars started a strong drive and with the help of a 47-yard run by Chad Volf, scored quickly and connected on the PAT to give the Cougars a 27-26 lead with six minutes left in the game.

The Trojans continued to struggle on offense, not moving the ball at all on their first three downs, and decided to punt it on fourth.

When it seemed that the Cougars were in position for a comeback victory, they failed to drain the clock, fumbling at midfield, giving Thornton one more chance with good field position.

After losing five yards on their first three downs, it started to look bleak for Thornton, but on fourth and 15, Thornton heaved the ball up for exactly 15 yards keeping hope alive for the Trojans. Thornton then pounded the ball in for a touchdown two plays later, taking the lead at 32-27 with a minute left.

Niwot ended up with one more chance to win the game, but on the first down, a long pass attempt resulted in a game-sealing interception.

The Cougars are now sitting at 1-1 on the season. Their next game will be both their homecoming game and their first ever true home game in the 50 years the school has existed. Catch them on Friday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. against Skyview right here at Niwot High School.