Trojans roll, will play for first state title in 18 years

By Michael Kelly

Longmont Ledger

LAKEWOOD – As the time ran out, Doug Johnson finally let the realization hit him.

The Longmont Trojans were headed to the state championship game.

“When there was about 12 seconds left on the clock I got a little dizzy,” the coach said.

The Trojans surprised many by reaching the Class 4A semifinals, and they continued to surprise Saturday afternoon.

They manhandled defending champion Wheat Ridge, running for 352 yards in a 36-20 win that put them in their first title game in 18 years where they`ll play Heritage, who beat Monarch, 36-35, in overtime Saturday.

“It`s the best feeling in the world,” senior Lance Kalahar said. “We believed and that`s all that mattered. It feels like a fantasy.”

It`s a reality. Longmont (11-2), seeded 11th heading into the 4A playoffs, didn`t need a missed extra point to beat the Farmers. The Trojans just played smash-mouth football, and it worked.

“Our offensive line mashed them all day,” quarterback Jake Johnson said. “That team is so fast but our line just worked them.”

Johnson was the biggest beneficiary of his offensive line`s big day. The senior rushed for 136 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 73 more.

His biggest play of the day came after Wheat Ridge closed the gap to 22-20 in the fourth quarter. On third-and-5 from the Farmers` 48, Johnson broke through the line and outran the defense to put Longmont ahead 29-20 with 10:25 remaining.

“Anytime you can get a two-possession game we`ll take it,” he said. “That was a time when we had to score and put them in an awkward position trying to throw the ball.”

The Farmers (11-2) did throw for 151 yards, and 68 came on one scoring play, but Longmont also made them pay for going to the air. Brandon Deines intercepted Nick Ossello late in the second quarter and Dillon Huber-Parker intercepted Eric Shannon`s halfback option pass at the goal line, killing a Farmers` drive that could have tied the game in the third quarter.

“The biggest thing was we didn`t have any turnovers,” said Jay Knaus, who ran for 114 yards and a touchdown.

Turnovers helped Longmont take control of the game. After Wheat Ridge scored on consecutive possessions to take a 14-7 lead, the Trojans stalled on the ensuing possession and had to punt. The Farmers had the momentum, but Deines` interception led to Johnson`s second touchdown.

Kyle Mews fumbled Wheat Ridge`s next snap, and Joey Cinea`s 33-yard field goal with 3 seconds left in the first half gave Longmont the lead for good at 16-13.

“Those changed the momentum of the game and our players did a great job of hanging onto the football,” Johnson said.

The Trojans` mistake-free game has them in their first title game since they beat Pueblo Centennial 26-0 in 1991 to win their third straight state championship. Now the 2009 team will try to become part of history. “Our kids have earned this,” Johnson said. “This group of kids carried the tradition and stepped up.”