HIGHLANDS RANCH - The Summit High School football team couldn't sustain its hot start against Rock Canyon Friday, which means the Tigers are likely to be left out of the 3A state playoffs.

"We controlled our destiny," SHS coach Dylan Hollingsworth said a day after the 14-7 loss at Shea Stadium in Highlands Ranch. "After losing to D'Evelyn, we knew we had to win out, then won four in a row. It's not like we played poorly - we just didn't take advantage of all our opportunities."

Rock Canyon (6-3, 5-1 in league play), clinched the 3A Central Metro crown with the victory, while Summit fell to 6-3 and 3-2 in the league.

The Tigers, who kicked off against the Jaguars, scored on their opening drive after quarterback Landon Greve found Josh Kroening on a hitch pass that led to a 45-yard touchdown.

Kroening broke several tackles during his run and gave his team a lead that lasted throughout the first half.

The hosts nearly evened the score just before intermission, but Summit shut down a scoring opportunity inside the 10-yard line.

The Tigers carried their momentum into the third quarter with a six-minute opening drive, but it ended with a missed field goal by Greve.

The versatile junior made up for it on Rock Canyon's ensuing play by intercepting a pass on the goal line to maintain the Tigers' lead. The guests fumbled soon after, but then made another impressive stop inside their opponent's 10-yard line.

"Our defense played well enough for us to win," Hollingsworth said. "But our offense didn't step up."

Rock Canyon finally lit up its side of the scoreboard with 9 minutes remaining in the game thanks to a 38-yard touchdown reception by Keith Link on fourth down and six.

The Tigers were subsequently pinned in front of their end zone and had to punt after three downs.

Link capped of the Jaguars' ensuing 60-yard drive with his second TD with less than 5 minutes remaining in the game.

Greve, who finished 3-for-17 passing, was intercepted on Summit's final drive.

"We usually find weaknesses in the opposing defense, but we struggled to do that (on Friday)," Hollingsworth said. "There were too many dropped balls and incomplete passes."

The Tigers rushed for 115 yards and gained only 57 yards in the air.

Talon Roggasch led Summit with 82 rushing yards on 17 carries.

Summit, which is now tied with Mountain Range for third in the 3A Central League, has a very remote chance of capturing a wild-card bid into the playoffs. It would take, at the least, a victory over Castle View (2-6, 1-3 in league) next weekend coupled with a Prairie View (1-7, 1-3) upset of D'Evelyn (7-2, 4-1).

The Sabercats will host the Tigers Saturday at 11 a.m.



Adam Boffey can be contacted at (970) 668-4634, or at aboffey@summitdaily.com.