Angels On Fire

Experience, Maturity, Fuels Football Team

By Adam Uribes

GPHN Intern

For some East High athletes, it can be a daunting proposition, performing in the shadow of the many that have come before them, amassing more than 70 state titles.

In recent years, the football team has fallen short of those lofty accomplishments. The school’s boy’s soccer and basketball programs have excelled, for example, while the football team has struggled in its past two campaigns, going only 8-12 in that time frame and missing out on the state playoffs both years.

  For players and coaches alike, it has been disheartening to put in time on the practice field without seeing the results of that much dedication.

That’s what makes the enthusiasm and the energy emanating this year from Colfax and Esplanade all the more infectious. After a humbling 35-3 loss to perennial power Columbine High School in the season opener, the Angels have won seven out of their last eight games. They are positioned to finish 8-2 and stand a great chance of booking a return trip to the playoffs, hoping to earn their first win in the city tournament since 2008.    

In other words, rebounding from being just a middling team in recent memory, the Angels have had their first taste of success and are on the cusp of even more.

Among the leaders: Record-breaking passer and senior Myles Patterson, and a trio of talented receivers that include seniors Elijah Ewing and Corey Tate and junior Aaron Franklin. The Angels’ capable offense matches up with a stout defense led by juniors Jaylin Graham and Jimmie Rice, who Head Coach Spencer Colter said “is playing as good as anybody in the state right now.”

Deep and talented on both sides of the ball, the Angels have shown grit and guts in close wins this season versus Westminster and Montbello High School, as well as dominance while trouncing Adams City and Boulder.

From the halls of the school to the stands on game day, the school and community has rallied around its Angels.

“People have seen the points put up on the board, people have seen the success and the games we won; I think students are paying attention,” said East Principal John Youngquist of the swell of support. “I think that will continue to grow over the course of the season.”

Athletic Director Terita Berry touched on that excitement as well.

“There was definitely a loss of support and interest for a while [but] I think our guys should be proud that this team is beginning to pick up the level of interest and support, they are starting to see the hard work and build a comradery with this team,” she said.

A multitude of red and white-clad students braved the cold and wind on Oct. 5 for the Homecoming Game versus Smoky Hill. Another great turnout accompanied the Oct. 13 contest versus Montbello (even current Denver Broncos running back and former DPS standout Phillip Lindsay was spotted taking in that game).   

Players, parents and coaches have been quick to note that this year’s team wasn’t built in a day. The turnaround this year is in part due to the past few years of maturing and putting in the work. Michael Haynes, (father of senior Jacob Haynes) and Troy Ewing (father of junior Elijah Ewing), said that this year’s team needed the time and maturation that has manifested itself in the senior-laden Angels roster.

Coach Colter also notes having several kids with experience have resulted in a more disciplined style of football. “We’re not hurting ourselves and shooting ourselves in the foot anymore, like the past couple of years,” he said. “We’re playing pretty clean football.”

That patience born out of struggle has bred a confidence in players like Haynes. “We wanted it bad this year,” he said.

“We let our talent do the talking,” added senior defensive lineman Cam’Ron Cain.

Cam’Ron Cain Shows He Can

Overcoming Obstacles On And Off The Field

By Adam Uribes

GPHN Intern

Influences, both good and bad, can sometimes make it hard to walk the straight and narrow path.

Fortunately for Cam’Ron Cain, a 17-year-old Park Hill resident and defensive lineman at Denver East, Simon Peter O’Hanlon has had a big part in supporting the mature choices Cain is making towards a brighter future.

O’Hanlon is a mentor with Denver Achievement Academy, a program that is dedicated to “launching under-served students on a pathway to success in life by enhancing academic achievement through expanding knowledge, forging character, and providing service to others.” Cain joined D.A.A. when he was in 5th grade, and O’Hanlon has been his mentor for several years.

“Cam’Ron is pretty special to me,” said O’Hanlon. “Many of the things [some students] have to overcome just to attend high school, much less graduate and all the forces that are pulling at them, makes me so proud of them.”

Cain gives credit to O’Hanlon, and to the program, saying that without the support the pressures that come from having uncertainty at home early on and being surrounded by gangs may have caused his life to turn out differently.

“D.A.A. kept me out the streets, kept me headstrong, kept me on a roll to success,” he said. “[O’Hanlon is] like a second father to me.”

Cain didn’t take up football until 8th grade. Despite starting later than kids who had been in youth leagues for years, Cain excelled with the sport because of the values taught to him early on: persistence and determination.

Cain has lived with his grandparents since he was 15. Billy and Carrie Scott point to the uniqueness of their grandson. “The neighbors and people around here, everybody he comes into contact with, say how well grounded he is and how nice a young man he is,” said Billy Scott. “We feel very fortunate as his grandparents.”

The mentors and adults in his life, Cain says, have taught him to approach problems. Whether in the hallways at school or on the football field, it’s best to slow down and be disciplined in action.

“Athletics is nothing but a blessing – it’s a gift,” he says, “but being a good person is number one.

“[I] try to stay focused in every single class, every single practice.”

Cain looks to continue his education after East at either Texas Christian University or Kansas University, and hopes to pursue a business or entrepreneurship track. He’s also interested in criminology and sports physical therapy.