Momentum swing stings Jags
Kellis 36, Boulder Creek 30 (OT)
Boulder Creek blows 30‑0 lead, misses chance at first win for program
by Jason Stone

ANTHEM – For one half, it appeared the Boulder Creek Jaguars were going to claim their first varsity football victory in school history.

But an elusive foe called momentum changed uniforms at halftime and turned last week’s game against Kellis into a nightmare for Jaguars fans.

Kellis, another team playing its first year of varsity, fought back from a 30‑0 halftime deficit by scoring 30 second‑half points–including 16 in the fourth quarter–then won it in overtime on a touchdown 36‑30.

“I take responsibility for this loss,” BCHS coach Scott Heideman said. “When you’re losing, you start second guessing yourself ... I really needed to be strong in what I’m doing for this team and stick to what I’m doing. I feel like I let the team down. I think I cost us this victory.”

Heideman cleared his bench early in the second half, but after Kellis began its comeback, it  suddenly became a team not to be denied. Heideman reinserted his starters midway through the fourth quarter, but it did not halt Kellis’ momentum.

In overtime, Boulder Creek (0‑5) took the ball first but had a field‑goal attempt blocked. Needing only a field goal to win, Kellis instead tried for the end zone on fourth down and converted the dramatic touchdown to stun the Anthem area crowd.

The ending in no way mirrored the start of the game. On Kellis’ first possession of the game, Chris Russell returned an interception 15 yards for a touchdown to put the Jags up 6‑0. Six minutes later, running back Nathan Hay scored the first of two rushing touchdowns in the first half to extend the lead.

“It was one of those situations where everything seemed to be working,” Heideman said. “The defense was scoring, the offense was scoring. The second half seemed to be the exact opposite. It’s just kind of like that when you get the old momentum against you.”

Kellis (1‑4) earned its first victory without the aid of any seniors on the roster. It scored two fourth‑quarter touchdowns and 2‑point conversions–the final one with four minutes remaining–to force overtime.

Boulder Creek will try a sixth time for its first win this week when Cobre High School from New Mexico travels to Anthem.

Reach the reporter at jason@thedesertadvocate.com.