State’s top high school seniors battle on the gridiron in 2022 CHSCA games

By Cassime Joseph

North, led by coach Zac Lemon- Eaton, crushed the South 23-17 at the Colorado High School Coaches Association All-State Football Game Friday night, June 10th, at the Thunder bowl. 

Jacob managed to get his team closer to the red zone with a quarterback scramble. Pass from quarterback number 17, Brock Saya from Roosevelt High, to number 11 Kanon Padilla from University High School, would put the North on the board 6-0. Unfortunately, North kicker Jose Lopez from Eaton High School would miss the game’s first field goal. 

These senior high school athletes are playing at a college level football making for an exciting game. At the end of the first quarter, number 23 Theisen drove the ball to the 1 yd line, making it first and goal for the North. Number 30 Evan Morris, from Mead High School, ran in the touchdown to lead South 13-0. 

In the second quarter, South, led by coach Jay Saravia from Cheyenne Mountain, tightened up its defense, even though North still had possession of the ball most of the first half. North would take their first timeout of the game early into the second quarter. South took the ball back, not moving much yardage at all. South put 3 on the board by their kicker number 2, Sullivan Moon from Cheyenne Mountain high school. Many calls were made throughout the game, including a personal foul against the South defense for a face mask that gave the North more ammunition against the All-State South. 

Elite cheerleaders from high schools in Colorado entertained the audience during halftime with flips and stunts. They fired the crowd for the second half. 

At the start of the third quarter, number 8 Jace Perez from Elizabeth high school put North in position for the ninth 1st down of the game, which the South defense stop them from making another touchdown.

North’s Ryan McConnell (No. 55, Erie High School) intercepted a South pass deep in the North red zone, giving North control of the ball. His team failed to capitalize, and turned over on the fourth, setting up South for control in touchdown range. 

Ryan McConnell from Erie High School, setting up South for another touchdown play. South would kick a field goal making it 23-3. Posing for the touchdown play picture was number 23, Theisen from Erie High School. He was leading the South 20-3.

In the fourth quarter, all bets were off, as South linebackers hunted the North quarterback, and kept him from throwing the ball. The first sign of life from South is when number 15 Isaiah Davis from Denver East ran eight yards to get his first down, one of the key reasons South got on the board. North kicker Lopez would redeem himself by kicking the field goal and leading the South 23-3. South number 8 Kahar Briggs from Harrison High School would make their 1st touchdown, making the score 23-10. At the last second of the game number 32 Jian Aguilar from Florence High School made the last touchdown of the game. The South did not accept defeat, using their time wisely.

State’s finest take the field