After coming off the high of a thrilling victory over Heritage in the quarter finals, Dakota looked to keep the energy and momentum rolling as they entered the semi-finals to face a very tough Broomfield team. The winner of the game would be playing at Empower Stadium at Mile High for the state championship. 

Not only was the state championship on the line for the Eagles, but this game could possibly be the last game the seniors on this team ever play. The team knew this coming into the game. “We have such a tight bond as a team that we wanted to keep playing with each other, which is what drove us the entire season,” said Nolan Bobby, a senior on the team who has played all 4 years. 

The game was hard-fought between both teams–it looked to be a very close game and began to come down to the wire. Dakota Ridge found themselves on the scoreboard first with a touchdown in the first quarter. For the rest of the quarter, it was a battle of the defenses as Dakota held Broomfield to zero points. The first quarter came to an end and the Eagles were up 7-0. The second quarter got under way and Broomfield looked to be extra fired up after giving up a touchdown and not scoring one in the first quarter. The Broomfield Eagles responded to Dakota’s first touchdown with one of their own, and proceeded to score another touchdown. Broomfield took a 14-7 lead going into the half. 

The second half began and both teams came out even more fired up. Both Broomfield and Dakota could not get their offenses rolling as both teams went scoreless throughout the entire third quarter. The defenses had everything working for each team. Both teams showed signs of potentially going down to score but the other’s defense would stop them short. The third quarter ended and Broomfield still held a 14-7 lead. In the fourth quarter Dakota found the endzone for the first time since the first quarter. Instead of going for the extra point, the Eagles offense lined up for the 2 point conversion and successfully took a 15-14 lead over Broomfield. The Eagles continued to hold off Broomfield and looked to possibly stun them. 

But as the time was coming down to the end of the game, Broomfield converted on three consecutive 4th downs and brought themselves within field goal range to win the game. As a timeout was called with seconds left, the field goal unit came onto the field. The kick sailed through the uprights as the clock struck zero, sealing Broomefield’s 17-15 win.

 “At that time I knew my high school football career was over, which brought me to one knee. It was a feeling I’d never want to have again,” said Bobby.

 “As the ball went through the uprights all I could think about were the memories made playing this sport,” said senior Nick Parrish. 

Football brought these players close together and created a family within these friends, leading to many life lessons for the seniors to take with them long after they graduate. 

“I will reflect and look back on the friends I have made, and the life lessons I have learned by playing football and becoming a grown man,” said Parrish.