After-Action Report: Northglenn at Thornton

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week three's night under the Friday lights is officially in the books, and it is time to look back at the game of the week. This after-action report will correlate with the game I attended.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This article will look at Friday's game between Northglenn and Thornton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong>Northglenn at Thornton | Friday, September 9, 2022</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><em>Final Score 52-14 Northglenn</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rivalry game between the Northglenn Norsemen and Thornton Trojans started as a harrowing dog fight, with both teams capitalizing early on the talents of their best playmakers. After the opening kick, Thornton's first play from scrimmage was a touchdown pass for more than 70 yards, with less than 30 seconds coming off the clock in the game. After a few possession changes, Northglenn returned a punt for a long touchdown run with less than four and a half minutes in the opening quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With under two minutes left to play in the first quarter, Northglenn scored a touchdown on a spectacular run for over 50 yards. On the kickoff immediately following the score, Thornton scored a touchdown on the return, which went for more than 90 yards with just over a minute and a half left to play in the first. Unfortunately for the Trojans, that would be their last score as the Norsemen would score six more times before the end of regulation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northglenn moves to 2-0 as they prepare for a tough Standley Lake team (2-1) in week four. Thornton falls to 1-2 but will be looking to bounce back against Widefield (2-0) next Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Top Northglenn Standouts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_631d835098576","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["324811"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cstrong data-rich-text-format-boundary=u0022trueu0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='324811' first='Brian' last='Dykstra']u003c/strongu003e (2023 WR) had an impressive showing in the game, scoring the first two touchdowns for the Norsemen in impeccable fashion. His vision while carrying the ball was outstanding, and his speed and athleticism proved to be a challenge to contain. Dykstra finished the game as the MVP for the Norsemen, a title he will undoubtedly earn again as the season progresses.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior quarterback <strong>Trevor Dean</strong> also had a solid game, scoring twice on the ground and once through the air on a short pass to <strong>Elvio Agagah</strong> (2024 DB/WR). Dean showcased solid skills as a runner, breaking multiple runs for large gains on almost every offensive drive for the Norsemen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dimitrius Perea</strong> (2024 RB/DB) was one of four Norsemen to reach the endzone as a rusher in the game. Perea also snagged an interception in the fourth quarter, solidifying him as a playmaker on both sides of the ball. Senior <strong>Sam McFadden</strong> (ATH) and sophomore <strong>Landen Lagrange</strong> (ATH) were responsible for the other two Northglenn touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the defensive side of the ball, <strong>Giovani Cardona </strong>(DE) was an absolute nightmare on the defensive front. He often found himself in the backfield, securing sacks and tackles for loss. Cardona's speed and athleticism helped him fly past blockers and flush the QB out of the pocket. If there were an MVP for each side of the ball, Cardona would be the frontrunner for the defensive side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Top Thornton Standouts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_631d83a098577","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["22763"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":442014,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Senior athlete u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='22763' first='Isacc' last='Gomez']u003c/strongu003e (WR/DB/ATH) showed why he is one of the top sleepers in his class, and it only took him less than ten minutes to do so. He scored both touchdowns for the Trojans with explosive acceleration and breakaway speed. Gomez put on a show on Friday night, proving that he belongs under the spotlight.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jose Paredes </strong>(2025 QB) is in his first season as the varsity starter, and he opened this game with a great deep ball to Gomez that was caught in stride and housed for a touchdown. He had a few awe-inspiring throws with accurate ball placement, which was extremely impressive given the wet weather conditions. Paredes is a talented QB with serious potential to become a sleeper as he progresses in his career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jeremy Powell </strong>(2023 RB/DT) brought a ton of physicality to the defensive and offensive. His size, speed, and quickness off the ball give him the versatility to line up as a defensive tackle or a linebacker. Powell is a player who brings a heightened level of intensity to the field on the both sides of the ball. <strong>David Williams</strong> (2024 RB/DL) stood out thanks to his size and skills as a power runner. He displayed impressive acceleration when he hit the hole, allowing him to explode through the line for quick gains.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px">Other players to know</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brock Buchar</strong> | Northglenn | 2023 LB<br><strong>Matthew Mikelson</strong> | Northglenn | 2023 DB<br><strong>Caleb Gutierrez </strong>| Thornton | 2023 WR/DB<br><strong>Davonte Henderson</strong> | Thornton | 2023 CB<br><strong>Aidan Sheehy</strong> | Northglenn | 2024 OL/DL<br><strong>Alex Garcia-Debaca</strong> | Thornton | 2024 OL/DL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->