Jay Saravis boasts three decades of coaching experience with multiple stops in New York and Colorado.

Over those 31 years, the Cheyenne Mountain football coach said he’s witnessed three players the caliber of Mason Godshall. The Red-Tailed Hawks’ sophomore started varsity as a freshman and has showed out as a sophomore, especially Friday night against Doherty.

Godshall finished the night with a pair of interceptions returned for touchdowns – both in the second quarter – and a rushing touchdown as the Red-Tailed Hawks spoiled the Spartans’ homecoming game with a 41-6 victory at Garry Berry Stadium and improved to 5-0 for the first time since 2021.

“I’ve only seen three players good enough to play at the varsity level as a freshman,” Saravis said. “Mason was that last year, this year he’s even better. I can’t imagine what this kid’s ceiling is. He’s got something extra that you can’t coach and knows how to play good football and he’s a great kid.”

Godshall entered the game having never intercepted a pass in his career. The Red-Tailed Hawks sophomore caused a fumble in 2024, blocked a punt this year and had two passes defended, but never a pick.

Then, Godshall displayed the sixth sense Saravis noted in the linebacker’s game. With the Red-Tailed Hawks up 10-0 in the second quarter after Godshall’s rushing touchdown and Sam Hawker’s 28-yard field goal in the first, Godshall ignited the defense.

Doherty (2-3) opened the second quarter with the ball and moved it 10 yards before Godshall broke to the flat, intercepted the ball and returned it 30 yards for the score. The Red-Tailed Hawks (5-0) followed with a two-point conversion to build an 18-0 lead with 11:10 left in the half.

Hawker followed with a 65-yard pass to Issac Sisneros then a 3-yard run to pay dirt to build a 25-0 lead with 8:35 on the clock. On Doherty’s next possession, Godshall struck again as snag the ball from a Doherty receiver and returned it 23 yards for the score and gave the Red-Tailed Hawks a 32-0 lead with 7:37 left in the first half.

“We had a good week in practice and we were prepared and the scout team gave us good looks all week,” Godshall said. “We watched film for this and this is what we prepared for and we got to show it tonight.”

“We,” which Godshall reiterated several times as he recapped the Red-Tailed Hawks’ fifth win in as many games has been vital, Saravis said, for Cheyenne Mountain’s success this year. Usually, Hawker, who scored his 10^th rushing touchdown of the season Friday against the Spartans, posts video-game numbers and helps pace the offense.  

“But tonight was Mason’s night,” Saravis said. “The selflessness and buy in that we get from this group is great. They know if the ball goes over the goal line, Cheyenne Mountain scored, not Johnny. It’s a collective effort and it’s a great mentality that these kids have.”

The Red-Tailed Hawks could improve to 6-0 next week when they head home to face Centaurus (4-1). That win could set up a potential showdown of undefeated teams on Oct. 10 as the Red-Tailed Hawks host an equally hot Sand Creek team. But Godshall said, mentally, the team remains in Sept. and are shifting their focus to the Warriors. “We take it week by week and one game at a time,” Godshall said. “We’re looking to prepare each week and get better each week.”