Niwot football falls short in hard-fought homecoming clash

Niwot High School's homecoming football game against the Skyview Campus Wolverines on Friday, Sept. 13 ended in a narrow 14-6 loss for the Cougars, leaving them 0-3 on the season. The game was filled with moments of grit and determination, but the Cougars were unable to capitalize on key opportunities as they fought through turnovers and a tough Skyview defense.

Before kickoff, the Stapp family was honored by St. Vrain Valley School District Superintendent Don Haddad for their longstanding support of Niwot High School and its programs. The newly named Art Stapp Sports Complex features a brand-new scoreboard, which made its debut at the game. As the night progressed, the scoreboard, with its flashy new graphics, displayed messages like "Make Some Noise" and "Whose house? Our house," electrifying the crowd.

Skyview opened the game with a touchdown on its first possession, putting the Wolverines up 7-0 with 6:21 left in the first quarter. Niwot responded with a solid effort, starting their first offensive series at the 28-yard line, but despite a 14-yard gain from junior Caleb Roby, they were forced to punt.

The Cougars had a chance to make an early defensive stand when sophomore Ryan Yerke recovered a Skyview fumble at the Wolverine's 39-yard line. However, Niwot's drive was quickly halted when sophomore quarterback Jaydan Martinez threw an interception, setting Skyview up for another scoring opportunity.

In the second quarter, Skyview extended their lead with a touchdown pass, going up 14-0 with 11:14 remaining in the half. The Cougars showed their resilience on their next drive, as Martinez engineered a series of successful runs, eventually scoring a touchdown. Niwot's attempt at a two-point conversion fell short, leaving the score at 14-6 with 6:57 left in the half.

Halftime festivities included a lively cheerleading performance to Pitbull's "On the Floor" and an engaging marching band show. The homecoming court was presented, with the student section dressed in neon colors, embodying the homecoming dance theme, "Bright Lights, Neon Nights."

In the third quarter, both teams exchanged turnovers, with Niwot recovering a Wolverine fumble at the 45-yard line and Martinez managing to move the chains with a first-down run. However, despite a few promising plays, Niwot's offense could not break through. Roby provided a spark for the defense with an interception, but the Cougars were unable to capitalize on the turnover.

Before the start of the fourth quarter, Niwot honored its inaugural Hall of Fame class, Paul "Tiny" Koehler, Sue Prahl, Debbi and Art Stapp, Terri Ward, and Bruce "Biff" Warren, celebrating rich Cougar history. As the final quarter unfolded, Niwot continued to fight, but incomplete passes and opportunities kept them from closing the gap. The Wolverines held on for a 14-6 victory.

While the loss dropped Niwot to 0-3 on the season, the team can take heart in their competitive performance against a tough Skyview squad. The Cougars are gearing up for their first away game of the season, which will take place on Thursday, Sept. 19 against Wheat Ridge High School. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.