Cougars win 15-6 in first-ever home football game

The Niwot Cougars came up big this weekend in a historic game, winning their homecoming game and the first ever-home game in the school's 50-year history. Niwot alumni from as far back as 1972 showed up to the game, still repping their school spirit almost 50 years after they graduated. While the community banded together, the Cougars put on a show that didn't disappoint.

Niwot started with the ball against Skyview High School in Thornton (2-1 , and almost put a scoring drive together, but it was cut short because of an errant pass that was picked off.

Skyview didn't start their opening drive any better, as they fumbled the ball on their first play, giving Niwot the ball back right away on a night during which a steady drizzle of rain fell throughout the game.

Niwot kept up the theme of short drives as it only took one play for quarterback Chad Volf to score six points on the ground, putting Niwot up 6-0 as the extra point was partially blocked.

Skyview started their following drive off with a 61-yard run, but their momentum came to a halt as they failed to move the ball after that, turning it over after back-to-back QB sacks by Cougars Garrett Eker and Nico Kemp

Niwot couldn't keep this momentum going on their third drive as they got shut down apart from a 14-yard rush.

The Wolverines started putting together a drive after failing to do so on their first two attempts. Stringing double-digit yardage plays together, it looked like Skyview was going to put points on the board, but a tackle for a loss by senior Kevin Chen set up a fourth and long pass that fell incomplete.

Niwot stole the momentum right back when they snatched a pair of 20-yard runs that set up a 2-yard touchdown by Jesus Rosas. Brothers Hayden Shaw and Charlie Shaw picked up significant yardage on the drive. Niwot found success on the PAT as well, making the score 13-0.

Skyview had a couple of plays on their fourth drive that showed potential, but Niwot's defense line was able to get the quarterback behind the line two more times on that drive, forcing the ball back into Niwot's hands.

Niwot started off their drive with a 32-yard rush by quarterback Chad Volf but didn't get much traction after that, ending up one yard short of a first down on fourth down.

History continued as Niwot got both a sack and a tackle for a loss on Skyview's next possession, ending the half with the Cougars up by 13 points.

The second half started off slow, with both Niwot and Skyview struggling to get anything going on offense. Niwot kept trying to run the ball, sometimes breaking off a big gain, but often getting stuffed at the line.

On the other side of the ball, Skyview was trying to air the ball out but most of the passes fell incomplete. This back and forth went on until late in the fourth quarter when Skyview started to put a drive together. After a 27-yard pass, the Wolverines connected one more time for 48 yards and a touchdown. With a missed two-point conversion the game fell into a 1-score game late in the fourth period.

Niwot got the ball back but once more struggled to gain momentum, punting it on fourth down with only a handful of minutes left in the game.

When it looked like Skyview was going to make a comeback in the game, it all came crumbling down on them as their QB was sacked for a safety, putting Niwot up 15-6, and giving the ball back to the Cougars. The Cougars ended the game taking a knee, starting the season off at 2-1, undefeated in their new stadium.

Niwot's next game will be in two weeks on Sept. 23 at Battle Mountain High School, at 4 p.m.