Coal Ridge football improves to 2-0

PEYTON, Colorado — Few saw this one coming: Coal Ridge is 2-0 in football.

After last week’s season-opening win over Hayden, the 2A Titans encored Saturday with an 18-15 win at Peyton, a 1A school located just northeast of Colorado Springs.
In just the opening two weeks of the 2008 season, Coal Ridge has tripled its all-time varsity win total — to three. The Titans entered the season with just a single varsity victory, a 12-11 win over Basalt in 2007.

“They’re excited,” first-year Coal Ridge coach Scott Parker said. “They’re gaining confidence and things like that. It was a good win, but we’re not bouncing off the walls.”

That’s because 2A Western Slope League play still awaits the Titans, who travel to Rangely next week before opening league play at home against Cedaredge on Sept. 19.

On Saturday, Bradey Gasaway provided the bulk of the offensive firepower Coal Ridge needed to upend Peyton. The senior running back rushed for a pair of scores and returned a punt 60 yards for another touchdown late.

Gasaway also hauled in a 55-yard pass from quarterback Keenan Grumley to set up his second TD.

Peyton (1-1) led 7-6 at the break before the Titans upped the defensive pressure and put just enough points on the board to get the job done.

After Peyton scored late in the fourth quarter, Coal Ridge kept the host squad from recovering an onside kick to preserve the win — and ensure the five-hour bus ride home was a pleasant one.

“Our defense really stiffened up in the second half,” Parker said.

And so the Titans enter the third week of the season unbeaten.

“The kids worked hard this summer and they’ve been working hard this [school] year,” Parker said. “Our mindset is changing a bit.”