Niwot falls to Thompson Valley, 44-14

Niwot High School football lost for just the second time this season, as the Thompson Valley High School Eagles overtook the Cougars 44-14 Sept. 29. Niwot is now 3-2 on the year at the season's midpoint, still with good odds of competing for a playoff berth.

Niwot started the game on defense as Thompson Valley was able to return the opening kickoff over 90 yards for a touchdown. The Eagles kept their momentum going with a two-point conversion that gave them an 8-0 lead. The Cougars struggled to answer back on their first possession as they only got one first down off of a Mats Lehan catch and run. Niwot’s run game got stuffed as they punted the ball away on fourth down.

Thompson Valley was able to run the ball down Niwot’s throat for most of the first offensive drive, slowly getting down to the red zone where Sergio Pimentel was able to knock the ball out of Thompson Valley's possession for a turnover. Niwot was slow to start moving the ball as they were stuffed on a fourth-down run that fell short.

Thompson Valley was then stuffed by Niwot’s defense, forcing a field goal that gave Thompson Valley a lead of 11-0. Niwot started their drive with a deep pass from Chad Volf to Lehan, putting the Cougars at midfield. Haden Shaw and Volf were able to run down the field a little longer but eventually the Cougars were stopped, turning the ball over.

Thompson Valley was able to score on their first play of the next drive as the Eagles’ quarterback scrambled over 70 yards for a touchdown. Thompson Valley botched the snap on their conversion, leaving the Eagles with a 17-0 lead. Niwot was quick to answer with their second kickoff returned for a touchdown, as Pimentel was able to weave through defenders en route for Niwot's first score of the game. Paris Lee knocked down the extra point that left Niwot behind, 17-7.

Thompson Valley continued to drive down the field after the kickoff. Pimentel continued to make big plays for the Cougars as he was able to lock down Thompson Valley’s receivers and eventually picked the ball off to give Niwot possession. Niwot wasn’t able to generate much offense, forcing an early punt.

Thompson Valley then had a quick drive when, after three back-to-back passes, the Eagles scored another touchdown and added the extra point, giving them a 24-7 lead. Niwot generated more offense on their next drive, connecting through the air to get to midfield but the drive eventually stalled out.

The Eagles took no time to score again when on the second play of the drive, Thompson Valley aired it out for a 50-yard passing touchdown against a now deflated Niwot defense for a 31-7 lead. Niwot got stuffed on their next drive, going three and out and punting the ball away.

Thompson Valley quickly drove down the field, as they ran for a 70-yard touchdown giving the Eagles a 38-7 lead. Niwot was then able to generate some offense, marching down the field but the drive unfortunately ended in an interception in the red zone. Thompson Valley scored again in just one play, rushing down the field for another touchdown. The Eagles missed the PAT attempt, giving the Eagles a 44-7 lead.

Niwot was finally able to get their offense moving on one of their final drives of the game as they marched down the fields, highlighted by long completions from Volf to Eric Dillon and Pimentel. The drive was capped off by a 20-yard touchdown pass to Dillon that made the game 44-14 after Lee’s PAT. Neither team was able to move the ball as reserves took the field.

Niwot’s next game will be against Frederick tHigh School Saturday, Oct. 7, at 1:00 p.m. at Everly-Montgomery Field.