x
Breaking News
More () »

HIGHLIGHTS: Pomona football bounces back with big win over Highlands Ranch

The Panthers shake back-to-back losses with emphatic victory over Falcons on Thursday night.
The Pomona High School football team defeated Highlands Ranch 42-14 on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018.

ARVADA — The Pomona football team not only wanted to return to the win column, but to do so with a statement.

Mission accomplished.

After losing back-to-back games over the past two weeks, the defending Class 5A state champions were ready to get back to their winning ways. They did just that Thursday night at the North Area Athletic Complex with a convincing 42-14 victory over Highlands Ranch.

"The last two weeks were a little rough," senior running back Dominic Bettini said. "Just to do what we needed to do, to come out and get the job done, it felt good tonight."

It was also a bittersweet game for Bettini, who was playing against his former teammates. Last year, Bettini had more than 1,600 rushing yards for Highlands Ranch, where he played up until his final year.

"I loved it," he said. "I'm still friends with those guys and I hope they're still friends with me."

Bettini had two rushing touchdowns for Pomona, which is ranked No. 4 in 5A, in Thursday's win. He was part of an explosive offense that went off for six touchdowns.

Quarterback Riley Welsch threw three touchdown passes, two of which were to David Ross and one to Billy Pospisil.

Pospisil also had a 97-yard kickoff return immediately after halftime to shoot the Panthers (3-2) out to a 35-7 early second-half lead.

Despite the score, Highlands Ranch (1-4) was actually first to find the end zone on the game's opening drive when running back Kole Lundquist ran in from 11 yards out. The Falcons added a late touchdown pass from quarterback Jake Rubley to Kaden Smith.

The Panthers next play Lakewood on Sept. 28, while the Falcons will travel to Rock Canyon the same day.

Before You Leave, Check This Out