Niwot football falls just short of victory with 16-14 loss

While Niwot High School was on a rampage early this year, with a hot 2-0 start, the Cougars have finally cooled down as they lost their first game of the year against the Skyview High School Wolverines. Niwot lost in a heartbreaker, 16-14, with the outcome decided on the final play of the game.

Niwot started the game on offense with Haden Shaw breaking off a long run on the second play of the game that gave Niwot great field position. Chad Volf connected with Sergio Pimentel through the air a couple of plays later, which put Niwot in a great scoring position.

A couple of short plays in a row let Volf get in on a quarterback sneak to put Niwot up 7-0 after Paris Lee's extra point. Skyview had a great return on the kickoff, getting close to midfield, but Niwot played lockdown defense, forcing an early punt.

Niwot started to struggle from there, when on a third and one set up by a Pimentel and Volf connection, Niwot fumbled the ball, giving Skyview possession inside the red zone. It didn't take long for Skyview to connect on a corner route to score their first points. The Wolverines had the chance to tie the game, but their kicker shanked the extra point keeping Niwot in the lead at 7-6.

The Cougars opened their next drive with two runs that totaled only about four yards. Niwot once again faced turnover problems when on a third down, Volf forced a pass that was picked off to end the quarter. Skyview started their drive hot even with Niwot's pass rush getting to the quarterback, he still connected with his tight end to put them at the five-yard line. Niwot's defense didn't give up easily, stuffing Skyview at the end as Shaw got to the quarterback on fourth down to force an incomplete pass.

The Cougars again stumbled on offense as their rushing game stuttered and an incomplete on third down forced an early punt. Niwot's defense continued to shut down Skyview as they stuffed the run and on fourth down, Eric Dillon was able to break off the pass to give Niwot the ball back.

Niwot finally started clicking on offense, getting consistent yardage on the ground, as the passing game came together with two deep passes setting them up nicely. An onslaught of penalties forced an early punt despite their on-the-field success.

Niwot's defense was once again dominant when after multiple shutdown plays, Ari Weinberger and Harrison Vanselus were able to get to the quarterback and take him down for a sack. Skyview only got one more play-off before the half came to an end with Niwot in the lead, 7-6.

Skyview came out of the break with the ball but failed to do much as Niwot's pass rush was too strong, forcing bad throws and giving the ball back to their offense. Niwot's offense clicked early as Jesus Rosas was able to break a long run that put Niwot into the red zone. Penalties continued to mount up which put Niwot back to the 40, forcing a fourth down attempted conversion that fell incomplete.

Niwot's defense continued to break Skyview's offense, forcing another early punt, but on Niwot's time out, Skyview got to Volf, stripping him of the ball and giving Skyview good field position. Niwot's defensive line stood out more than before this drive, featuring Ashton Karch, Weinberger, Vanselus, and Gavin Burrage, who held Skyview to just a field goal, giving Skyview its first lead of 9-7.

Niwot started the next drive well, converting in the air to get down the field, but while under pressure, Volf forced a ball into double coverage that was picked off and taken 50 yards for a Wildcat touchdown, pushing Skyview's lead to 16-9. Niwot started a dominant rushing campaign that went through the third quarter into the fourth. Niwot went for it on fourth down in need of a score, but Volf was tackled for a sack, giving the ball back to Skyview.

Niwot continued to have their way on defense, getting constant pressure on the quarterback, and forcing a stop with the help of some penalties. Niwot got the ball in a do-or-die situation where they delivered. Dillon was able to catch a deep pass from Volf over two corners to give Niwot a great field position. Volf found Mats Lehan shortly afterward, putting Niwot in the red zone where Shaw was able to break the line and score, putting Niwot just two points shy with a score of 16-14.

Niwot's defense didn't disappoint as they were able to force a three-and-out, which gave Niwot plenty of time to get more points. Pimentel was able to break out on the middle route, but incompletions on second and third down forced Niwot to run on fourth down, which came up just short, giving the ball back to Skyview.

The game wasn't over but Niwot needed a miracle. Niwot got the first half of their wish as Niwot's defense didn't falter, shutting down Skyview and giving Niwot the ball with less than a minute to go and zero timeouts.

Volf started with a quick pass to Pimentel then one to Lehan before spiking the ball with two seconds left. Lee came out for a long 56-yard field goal where he had the power, but the accuracy was off, missing right as time expired, ending the game with a 16-14 loss.

Niwot will have a week off before they play Eagle Valley High School at home on Sept. 22 for Niwot's homecoming game at 7:00 p.m.