Let’s Play Ball

East Football’s Season So Far: Thrashings, Nail-biters, Heartbreakers

Story and photo by Reid Neuriter
For the GPHN

The East football team is having a successful 2024 season, sporting a record of five wins and two losses as of mid-October.  

Highlights so far include a 62-0 homecoming thrashing of Montebello on Sept. 27, and a nail-biting 29-26 victory over Chatfield on Oct. 11. Between those games came a substantial test at All-City Field on Oct. 5 against Columbine, the defending Colorado 5A State Champions. 

The Angels kept the game against the Rebels close in the first half, with neither team scoring in the first quarter. East took a 3-0 lead thanks to a field goal at the start of the second period. But eventually, Columbine’s experience and relentless running attack wore down the Angels’ defensive line, and the Rebels triumphed 34-9.  

Shockingly, Columbine attempted only two passes the entire game, with one falling incomplete, and the other being intercepted by East senior defensive back Deion Giles-Ray. But Columbine’s total of zero passing yards made little difference, as the Rebels were able to rush for 404 total yards on 56 carries. East’s offense was led by senior running back Sean Campbell, who had 40 rushing yards. Angel junior quarterback Declan MacDonald passed for 68 total yards on 10 completions and 22 attempts.  

Although the East squad is improving, there is still a gap to bridge before the Angels are competitive with Colorado’s elite 5A programs.