The Eagles and Wolves were two of the better 4A teams a year ago: solid quarterbacks, playmaking defenses, a combined 21-3 record.

Here’s how quickly things can change in high school football: Pine Creek lost to Chatfield 50-39 and Vista Ridge fell to 4A defending champ Windsor 33-21 in their openers Friday.

For the Eagles (0-1), David Moore III rushed for two scores and Brock Domann threw and ran for another.

The defense, which replaced nine starters from 2015, allowed 50 points – the most given up by Pine Creek since its 66-10 loss to Valor Christian in the 2011 4A state title game.

“We have a lot to get better with, but I mean the 2013 team started 1-2 and they won a state title,” Domann said. “I think we’re going to be just fine.”

Dylan Schindele went 23 for 30 for 311 yards and three touchdowns for Vista Ridge (0-1). It was the senior’s first start and the Wolves’ first game in four years without the school’s all-time passing leader, Elway Tubbs, under center.

Windsor scored a late touchdown to take a 26-21 lead at half and added another score late in game. Vista Ridge, meanwhile, hurt itself with 125 penalty yards.

“The biggest thing going forward is to not make the same mistakes,” Vista Ridge coach Jerimi Calip said. “Those penalties really hurt us.”

TCA’S Miller ‘looked great’ on the football field just six months after brain surgery

Brady Miller played his first football game since undergoing brain surgery in February.

With a 6-inch scar serving as a reminder of his arduous recovery back to normalcy, Miller started at tight end and outside linebacker in the Titans’ 48-0 win over Sierra Friday.

He hit, he blocked – “he looked great,” TCA coach David Bervig said.

“I think (his dad) Chadd may have been holding his breath at times but Brady looked great,” Bervig said. “He was having a great time. It was great to see.”

Six players scored a touchdown for the Titans (1-0) and kicker Anders Carlson added a pair of field goals.

“We don’t have that one playmaker and that’s good for us,” said Bervig, whose team lost 15 seniors from a year ago. “Our skill positions is as deep as it has ever been.”

Doherty run attack still lethal

Doherty’s offensive line provided muscle and Cameron Crowe’s 150 yards and four touchdowns added flash as the Spartans beat Rangeview 46-27 in their season opener Thursday.

Doherty (1-0) didn’t miss a beat in a ground attack that ranked 16th out of 48 in 5A last year – even without TeQuan Baker, who graduated with 3,017 career rushing yards.

In fact, the Spartans’ 316 yards on the ground and 6.7 yards per attempt Thursday were a near duplicate of their 328 yards and 6.7 yards per attempt from their 2015 opener.

“Our offensive line did a very nice job,” Doherty coach Jeff Krumlauf said. “Like a really nice car, it looks nice on the outside but the O-line is our engine and keeps us going.”

Zander Offutt went 13 for 27 and had three touchdowns and three interceptions for the Spartans. Justin Ragland had five catches for 145 yards and a score.

Doherty outscored the Raiders 18-0 in the second quarter to take a 24-13 lead – Crowe scored twice on the ground and Offutt connected with Ragland for a 96-yard TD. The Spartans then rattled off 22 unanswered points in the second half to build a 46-19 lead with 7:16 remaining.

“Our whole focus is on the task at hand,” Krumlauf said. “Every week we want to go 1-0.”

Doherty went 5-5 last year and lost in the first round of the postseason.

Evans leads Palmer Ridge to win

Palmer Ridge quarterback Ty Evans didn’t seem timid in the starting role.

The sophomore threw touchdowns to Bryan Boatman of 96 and 90 yards in the first half and the Bears (1-0) held on to beat Sand Creek (0-1) 28-12 on Friday.

Evans replaced Isaiah Sanders, who is now at Air Force. In his debut, he went 14 of 18 for 330 yards and two touchdowns.

“Ty played extremely well. I was very happy with him,” Palmer Ridge coach Tom Pulford said. “Throughout the offseason Ty studied film, developed a better understanding of read progression and won the job. He did great for us.”

Boatman, meanwhile, had three catches for 219 yards.

The Eagles and Wolves were two of the better 4A teams a year ago: solid quarterbacks, playmaking defenses, a combined 21-3 record.

Here’s how quickly things can change in high school football: Pine Creek lost to Chatfield 50-39 and Vista Ridge fell to 4A defending champ Windsor 33-21 in their openers Friday.

For the Eagles (0-1), David Moore III rushed for two scores and Brock Domann threw and ran for another.

The defense, which replaced nine starters from 2015, allowed 50 points – the most given up by Pine Creek since its 66-10 loss to Valor Christian in the 2011 4A state title game.

“We have a lot to get better with, but I mean the 2013 team started 1-2 and they won a state title,” Domann said. “I think we’re going to be just fine.”

Dylan Schindele went 23 for 30 for 311 yards and three touchdowns for Vista Ridge (0-1). It was the senior’s first start and the Wolves’ first game in four years without the school’s all-time passing leader, Elway Tubbs, under center.

Windsor scored a late touchdown to take a 26-21 lead at half and added another score late in game. Vista Ridge, meanwhile, hurt itself with 125 penalty yards.

“The biggest thing going forward is to not make the same mistakes,” Vista Ridge coach Jerimi Calip said. “Those penalties really hurt us.”

TCA’S Miller ‘looked great’ on the football field just six months after brain surgery

Brady Miller played his first football game since undergoing brain surgery in February.

With a 6-inch scar serving as a reminder of his arduous recovery back to normalcy, Miller started at tight end and outside linebacker in the Titans’ 48-0 win over Sierra Friday.

He hit, he blocked – “he looked great,” TCA coach David Bervig said.

“I think (his dad) Chadd may have been holding his breath at times but Brady looked great,” Bervig said. “He was having a great time. It was great to see.”

Six players scored a touchdown for the Titans (1-0) and kicker Anders Carlson added a pair of field goals.

“We don’t have that one playmaker and that’s good for us,” said Bervig, whose team lost 15 seniors from a year ago. “Our skill positions is as deep as it has ever been.”

Doherty run attack still lethal

Doherty’s offensive line provided muscle and Cameron Crowe’s 150 yards and four touchdowns added flash as the Spartans beat Rangeview 46-27 in their season opener Thursday.

Doherty (1-0) didn’t miss a beat in a ground attack that ranked 16th out of 48 in 5A last year – even without TeQuan Baker, who graduated with 3,017 career rushing yards.

In fact, the Spartans’ 316 yards on the ground and 6.7 yards per attempt Thursday were a near duplicate of their 328 yards and 6.7 yards per attempt from their 2015 opener.

“Our offensive line did a very nice job,” Doherty coach Jeff Krumlauf said. “Like a really nice car, it looks nice on the outside but the O-line is our engine and keeps us going.”

Zander Offutt went 13 for 27 and had three touchdowns and three interceptions for the Spartans. Justin Ragland had five catches for 145 yards and a score.

Doherty outscored the Raiders 18-0 in the second quarter to take a 24-13 lead – Crowe scored twice on the ground and Offutt connected with Ragland for a 96-yard TD. The Spartans then rattled off 22 unanswered points in the second half to build a 46-19 lead with 7:16 remaining.

“Our whole focus is on the task at hand,” Krumlauf said. “Every week we want to go 1-0.”

Doherty went 5-5 last year and lost in the first round of the postseason.

Evans leads Palmer Ridge to win

Palmer Ridge quarterback Ty Evans didn’t seem timid in the starting role.

The sophomore threw touchdowns to Bryan Boatman of 96 and 90 yards in the first half and the Bears (1-0) held on to beat Sand Creek (0-1) 28-12 on Friday.

Evans replaced Isaiah Sanders, who is now at Air Force. In his debut, he went 14 of 18 for 330 yards and two touchdowns.

“Ty played extremely well. I was very happy with him,” Palmer Ridge coach Tom Pulford said. “Throughout the offseason Ty studied film, developed a better understanding of read progression and won the job. He did great for us.”

Boatman, meanwhile, had three catches for 219 yards.