Legend’s students and fans ran onto the field at Echo Park Stadium on Nov. 30 following the Titans’ 35-21 victory over Fairview in the Class 5A state football semifinal game.
It was a time to celebrate. The win for Legend (12-1) moves the sixth-seeded Titans into the first state football final for the school.
Legend will face top-seeded Cherry Creek (12-1), a team that will be making its seventh straight trip to Colorado’s championship game on Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins.
“It’s just unbelievable,” said senior all-purpose running back Jaden Lawrence. “I mean, we knew from day one that we would be able to get here no matter what seed we got. We’ve got great guys all around and it showed on the field that no one player stood out.”
Fairview knocked off second-seeded Mountain Vista in the quarterfinals but suffered its first loss of the season as the Titans scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to snap a 14-14 halftime deadlock. The teams traded fourth-period touchdowns.
“At halftime, it was tied but we just knew we had them,” added Lawrence. “We knew if we kept playing hard and could come out and punch them in the mouth.”
Legend Coach Monte Thelen said his team’s ethic for working hard is part of the reason for this season’s success.
Thelen was smiling when asked about the Legend defense which held Fairview scoreless after the Knights got a first down at the Titans’ six-yard line in the final minute of the first half.
Tatum O’Donnell paced the Titans’ defensive unit with 13 total tackles.
“That was huge, just having our defense shut them out four plays in a row,” said Lawrence. “Now, we will keep doing what we’ve been doing for next week. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
Lawrence finished the game with 36 yards rushing and had three pass receptions. Senior quarterback Nicholas Farley completed nine of 14 passes for 185 yards and connected with Ryken Banks on a 47-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring for Legend.
Champ Jones had three touchdowns for Legend in the total of six yards he gained. Linebacker Derek Neuenschwander had a 23-yard pick-six and joined Aaron Olson and Carson Flowers with interceptions for the Titans.
In the other 5A semifinal game on Nov. 30, Cherry Creek whipped Valor Christian 42-17 as quarterback Brady Vodicka passed for a touchdown and ran for another. Running back Jayden Fox gained 160 yards and had two touchdown runs.
Creek has won four of the past five state title contests.
Valor Christian quarterback Dawson Olk was 21 for 38 passing for 170 yards and a touchdown.
For more information, visit CHSAANow.com.