Just like that, another Summit High School football season is in the books. 

The Tigers were originally scheduled to play their final game of the season on Friday, Nov. 8, in Breckenridge, but a powerful snowstorm postponed the game. The matchup against the Wheat Ridge Farmers was rescheduled to Saturday, Nov. 9, at Trailblazer Stadium in Lakewood so the 3A West Metro League opponents could battle it out.

With snow piled up along the outskirts of the football field, Summit charged onto the field and attempted to close out the season with a final win.

After receiving the opening kickoff, Wheat Ridge steadily marched down field, eventually crossing over the 50-yard line. Despite being backed up against its own end zone, Summit clamped down on defense and came up with a huge sack in order to force Wheat Ridge to punt. 

With the ball on its own 2-yard line, the Summit offense tried to gain some breathing room, but the Tigers were tripped up in the end zone by the Wheat Ridge defense. The result of the play was a safety, giving the Farmers an early 2-0 lead.

The two teams then exchanged possessions until the Farmers were able to put more points on the board late in the second quarter. With the ball placed on What Ridge’s 32-yard line, senior quarterback Isaac Mccune dropped back in the pocket for a pass and found senior Bennett Wilkes in open space.

Wilkes then used his speed to sprint past the Summit defense and into the end zone for the 70-yard touchdown reception. An extra point conversion brought the score to 9-0 with under two minutes remaining in the first half.

Not wanting to go into halftime without any points on the scoreboard, Summit senior quarterback Simeon Ryan, senior Dylan Gonsholt and senior Vander Waerlop hastily drove down the field. Following a lengthy Waerlop run, senior Alejandro Baray-Jain lined up behind center and found senior Quinn Breigenzer for a passing touchdown. Summit went into halftime, trailing 9-6.

After a slower moving first half, the pace picked up for the final two quarters. Following a Summit fumble to begin the fresh half, Wheat Ridge started its drive from Summit’s own 30-yard line. It was not long before Wheat Ridge scored, as Mccune kept the ball in his hands and broke into the end zone for a rushing touchdown.  

Trailing 16-6, Summit tried to cut into the deficit, but the team was thwarted by the Wheat Ridge defense. In the final moments of the third quarter, Wheat Ridge barreled into the end zone in order to take a 23-6 lead.

Summit fought to come back in the final quarter.

Gonsholt found the end zone on a wide-receiver motion play, bringing the score to 23-12 with around eight minutes remaining in the game. The Summit defense then did its part, holding Wheat Ridge from expanding its lead and forcing a punt. Summit tried to put more points on the board, but a turnover on downs gave the ball back to Wheat Ridge. 

Wanting to seal the game, the Farmers brought the ball over midfield and threatened the end zone. With the ball on Summit’s 36-yard line, Mccune tried to hand the ball off but fumbled it, allowing Summit to recover it.

In need of two scores, Summit wasted no time in picking up yards. In a highlight-reel worthy play, Ryan threw off his back foot and found Breigenzer stretched out over two defenders for the touchdown. Despite Summit’s efforts, the team came up a five points short, losing to Wheat Ridge 23-18 in the final game of the season. 

Summit concludes the fall with an overall record of 3-7 and a league record of 1-4.

The Tigers will graduate 11 seniors from its 41-athlete varsity roster. Seniors include Ryan, Breigenzer, Gonsholt, Baray-Jain, Waerlop, Reece Bosgraaf, Sean Mullaly, Jonah Ahn, Michael Keyes, Cesar Sauceda and James Rivera.

Summit is expected to return eight juniors, 10 sophomores and 12 freshman to next year’s team.