Kicking extra points mean a lot to Rifle.

Last year, Kyle Sanderson's successful PAT earned the Bears a state title. On Friday, Bryce Enewold split the uprights with 2.6 seconds left to give the 2005 team its biggest win of the season.

The senior's kick earned Rifle a 21-20 win over previously unbeaten Northridge - the No. 1-ranked team in Class 3A - and sent those who watched the first round state playoff upset at Greeley's District 6 stadium plopping their hands against their foreheads in awe or disbelief.

Fullback Tyson Thompson set up the dramatics by bulling his way into the end zone from 2 yards out with 2.6 seconds left on the clock.

The senior's determined run capped an unbelievable 20 play, 70-yard scoring drive, which appeared to be snuffed out in mid-drive when Rifle was called for an illegal block on the Grizzlies' 38.

The flag appeared to the death knell to Rifle's season. The Bears had earlier watched a 14-7 halftime lead vanish after Northridge scored two second-half touchdowns on throws of 4 and 11 yards by quarterback Collin Wallace.

Rifle scored both of its first-half touchdowns in the second quarter, on a 3-yard run by Thompson and Tyler Gose's 36-yard TD pass to Andrew Schmidt.



Upset: see page A12

In the second half, Northridge got a dose of Western Slope football's about. And, the Grizzlies didn't like the medicine.

Sent backward to their own 46 by the penalty, Rifle faced a first-and-25 situation with 3 minutes, 56 seconds left in the game and 54 yards to cover.

And, it didn't look too good for the gutsy Bears, who haven't earned much respect statewide, despite being the defending 3A state champs.

The first two plays netted 3 yards. On third down, Tyler Gose found receiver Cody Boe open and gained 21 of those valuable yards back. Feeling confident of his own abilities and his offensive line, Gose kept the ball and squeezed out two yards for a drive sustaining first down.

And the Bears quarterback kept things rolling by hitting Enewold for a 15-yard gain a play later.

With the clock winding down to the game's final minute, Thompson and Colby McFarlin moved the ball inside Northridge's one-yard line with 23 seconds left.

Left with no timeouts to call at that point, Gose smartly spiked the ball to kill the clock. That was just enough time for Thompson, to earn the last of his game-high 187 yards with his game-tying score.

Enewold did the rest. Northridge tried to make him uncomfortable - calling both of their remaining timeouts to ice him.

It didn't work.

Enewold's PAT advances Rifle to next week's 3A quarterfinals against the winner of today's Silver Creek at Elizabeth game.