Golden football picks up 1st-round playoff win over Monarch

ARVADA — Golden wasn’t messing around in its Class 4A first-round playoff game Friday night at the North Area Athletic Complex.

The No. 9-seeded Demons won the coin toss, elected to receive the ball and preceded to march down the field 80 yards in 13 plays for an opening scoring drive against Monarch. Junior quarterback Kalin Hufford connected with fellow junior Jack Dixon for a 4-yard touchdown to start what resulted in a 48-7 rout in Golden’s favor.

“We have kind of put it all together,” Dixon said of the Demons’ 3-game win streak since a heartbreaking 29-18 lost to Dakota Ridge that cost Golden the 4A Mountain West League title and first-round bye in the playoffs. “We have been focusing and doing a lot better. We aren’t making a lot of mistakes.”

Golden (9-2 record) extended its lead to 28-0 at halftime thanks to three touchdowns in the second quarter to break the game wide-open. Dixon had his second touchdown catch of the half with a 27-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. Senior Luc Chevalier ripped off a 67-yard touchdown run and senior Ridge Shaffer capped off the half with a 1-yard touchdown run.

“He (Hufford) is getting more comfortable,” McDougal said of Golden’s quarterback. “We had a couple things in the flat area that we felt we could take advantage of and he throw it. He is learning, getting better and getting more confident.”

Golden’s dominating defense pitched a first-half shutout against the shorthanded Coyotes who started sophomore Henry Guanella at quarterback with junior Riley Montemayor out due to injury.

“As a (defensive back) I just have to be patient,” Golden senior Mason LaBrie said preparing for Monarch’s offense. “I can’t let down my team. I have to keep doing my job the whole time. When you face these triple-option, Wing-T type of teams as a (defensive back) if you fall asleep they are just going to throw one right over your head.”

LaBrie was ready for the pass and intercepted Guanella in the opening minute of the second quarter to set up Dixon’s second touchdown catch.

“I just want to thank my coaches for keeping me prepared,” LaBrie said giving credit to his coaches when talking about the interception. “Outside of school they are mentors for me. I’m grateful for them.”

The game actually ended on an interception. Junior Gabriel Reece picked off Guanella in the final seconds and returned it 65-yard to the end zone as time expired. 

“Young kids playing hard,” Golden coach Matt McDougal said of the last-second interception that ended the game in walk-off fashion.

The win advances the Demons into the round of 16 where it will face No. 8 Heritage (6-4) on the road next week. McDougal knows his defense will be key in trying to slow down the Eagles that are averaging more than 37 points per game this season.

“We are going to need them to play well,” McDougal said of the Demons’ defense. “If we are going to do anything in the playoffs from here on out our defense has to play well.”

Golden seniors Cole Sjogren and Max Trujillo both had 1-yard touchdown runs in the second half to keep the Demons’ offense rolling heading into the next round of the postseason.