Photo by Will Cornelius
Alex Larson ran for 130 yards and two touchdowns during Berthoud High School’s 38-6 victory over Wellington High School on Nov. 3 during the opening round of the 2A state playoffs.

Berthoud football wins first home playoff game since 2007 with 38-6 victory over Wellington High School to remain unbeaten at 10-0

By Will Cornelius
The Surveyor

Under Friday night lights, Berthoud High School defeated Wellington High School 38-6 to win the ‘Battle of Larimer County’ in the opening round of the 2A state football playoffs.

The Spartans and Wellington both entered the game with a perfect 9-0 undefeated regular season record, setting up one of the biggest football nights in Berthoud in years. After the game, Head Football Coach Cory Ticnor said winning the first home playoff since 2007 was huge for the team and community. “I’m so proud of these kids, they’ve worked so hard for the last year. To put in the time, in the off-season, in the regular season. That was a perfect game.”

Both the home and visitor stands at Max Marr Stadium were packed for the highly anticipated matchup, with people lining the chain link fence encircling the field to see the game. The game began with the Spartans receiving the opening kickoff which sophomore Jayce Newbill returned past halfway into Wellington’s side of the field. After senior Alex Larson took the first offensive carry seven yards, he took the very next carry 44 yards to score his first touchdown of the night. After a successful extra point from junior Ben Schroeder, Berthoud led 7-0.

Wellington then took the field with their devastating Wing-T offense. Slowly and methodically driving down the field, the visitors ran sweeps, counters and dives on their way to the endzone. From five yards out, junior Cash Altschwager crashed into the endzone for a Wellington touchdown. However, a failed two-point attempt by the visitors kept the Spartans in the lead 7-6. It would be the high-water mark for Wellington as they failed to score again all night while Berthoud scored 31 unanswered points.

The next Spartan drive showcased the stable of backs Berthoud relies on with Ben Larson, Joey Finnegan and quarterback Darin Davison all using their feet to gain ground. The Spartan offensive line has controlled the line of scrimmage in every game this season. “I love it. If I hand off the ball, I look back and—huge hole right in the middle for whoever,” Davidson commented about the excellent play of Berthoud’s linemen.

From three yards out, Alex Larson rumbled his way into the endzone for his second touchdown of the night. Then it was his brother’s turn on the two-point conversion as Ben Larson converted the attempt to make it 15-6 for Berthoud.

After allowing a touchdown on Wellington’s opening drive, the Spartans altered the attack angle of their defensive ends to stymie the visitor’s potent rushing offense. Wellington never got near the Berthoud endzone again. Entering the game, Wellington averaged 384 yards rushing per game. But the stout Spartan defense held the visitors to only 128 yards on 30 carries. “I think we’re the best defense in the state right now, to be honest,” said senior linebacker Uriah Chacon after the game. Chacon finished the game with 12 tackles and two tackles-for-loss. It was a dominating performance by the defense against a formidable opponent as Aiden McGrath, Elisha Mosher, Ben Larson, Finnegan and Schroeder all finished with double-digit tackles as well.

The Spartans added to their score in the second quarter with a short pass from Davidson to wide receiver Weston Peatrowsky and a 30-yard field goal from Schoeder. At halftime, the score was 24-6.
Berthoud rode the momentum into the second half as they scored two more touchdowns thanks to the feet and arm of Davidson. After scrambling out of the pocket, Davidson made one man miss, then another as he strode into the endzone on a 26-yard run. He then added a 30-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Michaelis on a fourth and long for the final score of the game. The Spartans spent the rest of the game running down the clock while keeping Wellington’s rushing attack in check. The final score was 38-6. With 394 total yards of offense, Berthoud vastly outgained Wellington who finished the game with 142 total yards.

Ticnor credited the two coordinators on the team, Isaac Vandeweert for defense and Daniel Francis for offense, with the big win. “You got to give it to Daniel Francis, offensive coordinator, put 38 points up on the board in the first round of the playoffs. Those two coaches won this game, as well as our kids.”
Berthoud’s game against Wellington was the first match in the 2A football bracket to be played. Due to travel requirements, all other 2A playoff games were held the next day. Spartan players and coaches said they were ready for whoever they had to face, but for Friday night Schroeder had other ideas. “Honestly, that’s tomorrow’s subject, not tonight’s. Tonight, I’m celebrating this one!”

On Saturday, Moffat County High School (8-2) defeated No. 5-seed Elizabeth High School (8-2) by a score of 31-21 on Nov. 4 in Elizabeth to secure the quarterfinal spot against the Spartans.

Despite Berthoud’s higher seeding, the Spartans will travel to Craig to play Moffat County this Saturday, Nov. 11. Quirks in the CHSAA bylaws dictate that in the quarterfinals of the 2A football bracket, the home team “shall be the team which has had the fewer home games during the state playoffs.”

There was also a notable upset in the 2A bracket as No. 15-seed Eaton High School beat No. 2-seed Kent Denver School with a 31-28 win. Rifle High School, the No. 3-seed, escaped a close encounter with No. 14-seed Brush High School, in a 21-14 win. Delta High School, the No. 1-seed, easily dispatched No. 16-seed Alamosa High School during a 49-14 rout.

With ten wins each, Berthoud and Delta are the only remaining unbeaten teams in the 2A classification.
After practicing all last week to stop Wellington’s ground attack, the Spartans must switch gears and spend this week preparing for Moffat County’s effective passing game. Moffat County will be the biggest passing threat the Spartans have faced all year as they average 205 yards passing a game, while still averaging 190 yards per game rushing. Senior quarterback Evan Beaver had a standout game for Moffat County in their victory over Elizabeth last week, completing 17-of-20 passes for 225 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also added 44 yards rushing and a touchdown. This season, Beaver has passed for over 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Stopping Beaver and Moffat County’s passing attack will be key for the Spartans on Saturday. Berthoud has not allowed over 200 yards passing in any games this season. The most the team has allowed is 171 passing yards against Eaton High School, who were forced to pass after the Spartans held their rushing attack to only 24 yards. The only common opponent Berthoud and Moffat County share is Steamboat Springs High School, which both teams shut out.

The Berthoud football team plans to make the trip to Craig this Friday and stay overnight for the midday Saturday quarterfinal. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in Craig at Moffat County High School. The winner will advance to the semifinals the following weekend and play the winner of No. 1-seed Delta High School and No. 9-seed The Classical Academy. The 2A championship game will be held on Nov. 25 in Pueblo at the CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl.