Tom Thenell returns to Bear Creek football’s sideline

LAKEWOOD — The ‘Return of Tom Thenell’ script couldn’t have been written any better for Bear Creek football Thursday night.

Bear Creek running backs Jovan Hernandez and J.D. Lazzaro both had a pair of first-half touchdown runs as the Bears cruised to a 47-6 victory against area-rival Lakewood in the traditional season opener at Jeffco Stadium.

“It’s great. It’s great. I love what Coach Thenell is doing with the offense and what he is doing for our school,” said Hernandez, who pushed the Bears’ lead to 40-0 with his third touchdown run of the night midway through the third quarter to induce a running clock for the remainder of the game. “He is a great coach. We have a great season ahead of us, at least I hope we do.”

Thenell spent two decades (1992-2011) as the head football coach at Bear Creek. The Bears were the Class 5A state runner-up in 1997 and 2000. Thenell’s passing offense produced some of the best all-time prep quarterbacks in Colorado with the likes of Sean Davis (1992-1995), Justin Holland (1997-2000) and Zach Thenell (2006-2009) stats still in the top-10 in multiple passing categories. 

“I was not nervous at all,” Thenell said about his return to the Bear Creek sideline for the first time in over a decade. “I was a little emotional on the bus coming up Kipling to the stadium. I couldn’t believe I was sitting there with these guys on the bus going up Kipling.”

Thenell moved on to Mullen High School in 2012. He went on to coach at his high school alma mater for six seasons before taking over Smoky Hill High School’s football program for a 4-year stint. The past two years Thenell the offensive coordinator at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction. 

“It is kind of giving back to the game, the school and the community that was so important to me when I was trying to prove that I could be in the (state semifinals),” Thenell said of his return to Bear Creek.

The 2.0 version of Bear Creek football under Thenell proved right a way that it has some playmakers. 

Junior Kamari May returned the opening kickoff down to Lakewood’s 30-yard line. Five plays later, Hernandez scored on a 7-yard run to take the early lead.

“That was big. I felt like the momentum changed right when we got that big kickoff return,” Hernandez said of May’s 65-yard return to set up the Bears’ opening score. “Everyone’s head was up and everyone was hyped. It changed the game.”

Sophomore Jordan Cordova intercepted Lakewood quarterback Dean Vance on the Tigers’ third play from scrimmage. The Bears’ defense forced five Lakewood turnovers on the night.

“Our defense is beautiful. I just love the way they click,” Hernandez said. “They are a great defense.”

Hernandez broke loose for a 65-yard touchdown run to open up a 14-0 Bear Creek lead with 7:48 remaining in the first quarter. Lazzaro scored on a pair of short touchdowns runs in the second quarter to give Bear Creek a commanding 27-0 lead at halftime.

“Our offensive line has some seniors on it and it is important for them to be an important part of the football team,” Thenell said. “Tonight they obviously showed up and said run it behind us.”

Sophomore quarterback Riley Wilson threw his first varsity career touchdown with a 26-yard strike to May with 7:56 left in the third quarter. With the Bears’ backups in, sophomore Dylan Thomas broke off a 54-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter to make the score 47-0.

“I thought we showed up with a purpose to play hard and fast,” Thenell said. “I know these kids and I know what they are capable of. We aren’t there yet, but we have started.”

Lakewood did prevent the shutout scoring on the final play of the game on a 13-yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Kasten Steinke to senior Jaden Quinn. 

It will be a different look for Lakewood this season when it comes to conference play. The Tigers left the traditional Jeffco League for the current 2-year CHSSA cycle and will play in the Class 5A Metro North League. 

The new-look 5A Metro North features Boulder, Mountain Range, Northglenn, Overland, Westminster and Lakewood.

Lakewood currently has a 27-game losing streak. The Tigers’ last victory was nearly three years ago against Chaparral back on Sept. 16, 2021.