Wildcats overcome deficit in fourth quarter at Trailblazer Stadium
LAKEWOOD — Arvada West’s flag football team used a dramatic late push Wednesday to secure a 19-6 victory over Valor Christian and preserve its unbeaten run in Class 5A Jeffco League play.
The win at Trailblazer Stadium moved the Wildcats to 7-1 overall and 4-0 in league play. The game was decided in the closing minutes when Arvada West scored two touchdowns in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.
The breakthrough came with 2:16 remaining when junior quarterback Emerson Drake connected on a 30-yard touchdown pass to senior Macie Ferguson. Ferguson sliced through multiple defenders en route to the end zone, giving the Wildcats their first lead of the night at 12-7.
“It stresses me out and stresses everyone out,”
said A-West coach Deven DelReal, referring to the team’s late rallies. “The girls came back and fought hard. Macie Ferguson and Grace Schillie closed the game out. Emerson Drake was composed in the second half.”
Less than a minute later, junior Grace Schillie intercepted a pass from Valor Christian’s freshman quarterback, Braysen Stewart, and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown with 1:44 remaining. Schillie also converted the extra-point attempt, pushing the final score to 19-6 and snuffing Valor Christian’s final chance to respond.
Schillie’s late pick-six mirrored a similar game-clinching play she made the previous week against Ralston Valley. Her defensive play proved decisive after Arvada West’s defense earlier had turned back a lengthy Valor Christian drive at the Wildcats’ 6-yard line, forcing a turnover on downs with 4:43 left in the game.
Key moments and contributions
- 2:16, fourth quarter: Emerson Drake to Macie Ferguson, 30-yard TD pass.
- 1:44, fourth quarter: Grace Schillie interception return, 24 yards, pick-6 and extra-point conversion.
- 4:43, fourth quarter: A-West defense stops Valor Christian at the 6-yard line on fourth down.
Ferguson, a three-sport athlete who plays flag football and softball and participates on the school’s unified bowling team this fall, described the team’s mentality as a deciding factor in the comeback.
“Our mentality was that we needed to fight through it,”
Ferguson said. “We played as a team in the second half and that is what showed in the end.”
DelReal emphasized consistency as a focus for the Wildcats moving forward. “We have been preaching all week long that we need to start and finish with the same speed,” he said. The coach pointed to composure from Drake and clutch plays by Ferguson and Schillie as signs the team is improving in that area.
Standings at a glance
| Team | Overall | 5A Jeffco |
|---|---|---|
| Arvada West | 7-1 | 4-0 |
| Valor Christian | 2-3 | 1-2 |
The Wildcats’ late-game resilience has become a recurring theme: Arvada West also trailed at halftime against Ralston Valley the previous week before rallying to a 25-6 win. The pattern of come-from-behind victories will be closely watched by local fans and league rivals as Arvada West pursues a strong finish to league play.
With the league schedule now well underway, Arvada West faces mounting expectations to maintain its unbeaten conference mark. The late turnaround against Valor Christian provided momentum and reinforced an identity built on opportunistic defense and timely offense.
For Valor Christian, the loss ended their winning bid in Jefferson County play but showcased competitive moments — including the long drive that stalled inside the Wildcats’ 10-yard line — that could serve as teaching points for their younger roster, which featured the freshman quarterback Stewart.
As the 5A Jeffco season progresses, Arvada West will look to translate late-game heroics into more consistent starts. For now, the Wildcats leave Trailblazer Stadium with another win and a reminder that games are not decided until the final whistle.
