Niwot football falls to Mead, 14-3

Niwot High School football has fallen into a bit of a slump as they fell to the Mead High School Mavericks this past Thursday, Oct. 19, in another close game. Niwot stayed competitive with Mead but struggled to convert in the red zone, leading to the loss. Niwot is now 3-5 on the year, with two more games left on their schedule.

The Cougars started the game on offense, but quickly fizzled out, punting after three plays. Mead returned the punt into Niwot's red zone where Niwot quickly forced a turnover as Gavin Burrage scooped up a fumble to give Niwot the ball.

The Cougars struggled on offense again as two of their passes fell incomplete, forcing Niwot to punt again. Niwot's defense opened up strong, forcing a third and long, but the Mavericks converted and the play went 50 yards for a touchdown, putting Mead up 7-0.

The Cougar offense once again stalled, and after a third down sack, Niwot had to punt. Niwot's defense held, as Mead had incomplete passes on second and third down, forcing a field goal attempt that was blocked and returned by Mats Lehan to bring Niwot to the doorstep of the endzone.

The Cougars failed to run it in on first and second downs, and on third down, the pass went just too high, forcing Caleb Roby to knock down the short field goal, cutting the score to 7-3 in favor of Mead. Roby handled the kicking duties as Paris Lee, the regular kicker, was playing soccer for Niwot at the same time.

Niwot's defense quickly stopped Mead, forcing a punt on fourth down. The Mavericks faked the punt, but Nico Kemp quickly read the play, stopping the Mavericks giving Niwot great field position.

Niwot's offense was quick to get moving as Chad Volf found Eric Dillion down the field for a long pass that put Niwot inside the 10 yard line. Niwot again ended up getting stopped in the red zone, forcing a field goal attempt that went wide right, giving Mead the ball back. Mead led a drive down the field that eventually halted at midfield, forcing a punt. With little time left, Niwot kneed the ball, ending the half down 7-3

Mead opened up the second half with the ball, but Niwot's defense slowed down Mead's rushing attack, eventually stopping them on fourth down, giving the Cougars the ball back. Meads pass rush gave little opportunity for Niwot to do anything as Volf was swarmed on all three downs forcing another punt.

Niwot's defense was quick to stop as a Mead pass was intercepted by Niwot's Wyatt Volf. Niwot couldn't take advantage as they punted the ball away after four plays. Niwot's defense was able to slow down Mead's drive, but the Mavericks eventually ended up with a touchdown after a long drive, going up 14-3.

Niwot tried to push down the field, but after a tough sack on third down, Niwot couldn't convert, giving the ball back to Mead. Mead was able to run a chunk of the clock down, all the way down to the final seconds, handing Niwot a 14-3 loss.

Niwot is now 3-5 on the year with two games left on the schedule. Niwot takes on a strong 7-1 Riverdale Ridge High School team this Friday at 7:00 p.m.at Everly-Montgomery Field and will also be Niwot's Senior Night.