After deciding to forfeit its game last week, the Summit High School football team returned to Climax Molybdenum Field on Friday night, Oct. 24, for its homecoming matchup against Conifer High School. 

Although it was not ideal to forfeit its matchup against Green Mountain, Summit charged onto the field healthier and eager to secure a homecoming night win against the 6-1 Conifer Lobos. 

Summit started the game by receiving the opening kickoff from Conifer. After a decent return from junior Cesar Lozano, junior quarterback Tyler Susic and the Tigers’ offense marched onto the field for their first drive of the game.

A strong carry from sophomore Nico Tancheff almost gave the team a first down, but Summit was stopped short of the yard to gain by the Conifer defense.

On Conifer’s first drive of the game, the team steadily marched down the field. With a mix of run and pass plays, the Lobos broke into the red zone. A fake pitch play resulted in a senior Mason Harrington punching the ball into the end zone for Conifer’s first touchdown of the game. 

Wanting to get some offensive momentum going, the Tigers started the fresh drive by airing the ball out on a screen play. Susic successfully found junior David Ortega for the short pass play, gaining four yards on the play. The Tigers then inched the ball closer to the line to gain on a run play, but were subsequently stuffed at the line of scrimmage.

Following a strong Summit punt, Conifer sophomore quarterback Charlie Ostrowski found senior Mason Harrington for a massive completion.The long pass set up a second Conifer touchdown, giving the team a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

Summit continued to struggle on offense. After getting close to getting a first down on its first two drives, a botched snap and a massive sack halted any offensive momentum.

Conifer soon regained possession of the ball and quickly picked through the Summit defense. This time, Graham Forsythe dashed his way to the end zone basically untouched.

After tirelessly working to get a first down, Summit moved the chains for the first time late in the first quarter. Susic specifically found sophomore Axel Knipp to bring the ball within a few yards of the sticks before keeping the ball himself for the first down.

The first down was the jump the Summit offense needed. Susic moved the chains again on another quarterback keeper, igniting the large homecoming crowd. A lengthy sack soon forced Summit to punt the ball down field, bringing the Conifer offense onto the field.

The offensive momentum Summit was able to garner awakened its defense. Lozano broke up a pass before senior captain Henry Eslich wrapped up Ostrowski for the sack.

A few plays later, Knipp intercepted a pass, giving Summit the ball on Conifer’s side of the 50-yard line. Summit brought the ball within the 15-yard line with a Lozano completion. The drive was subsequently marred though by major penalties, bringing the field goal unit onto the field.

Summit was able to get off a clean field goal attempt, but the ball fell short of the goalposts.

With temperatures just above freezing, the Summit defense forced Ostrowski to fumble the ball, giving the team possession around midfield.Summit was not able to move the ball down the field, leading to Eslich punting the ball away. 

Conifer had the ball for one snap before Lozano came up with the team’s third turnover by intercepting an Ostrowski pass.Susic threw an interception of his own on the very next play from the line of scrimmage. The turnover allowed Conifer to score on a 90-plus-yard passing touchdown to cap the half.

Conifer led 28-0 at halftime. 

Conifer took less than 30 seconds to score in the new half. Trying to extend the team’s lead, Ostrowski found senior Solomon Washer over the middle, leading to a sprint down the field. Washer broke past several Summit defenders to score Conifer’s fifth touchdown of the game.

Needing to put points on the board, Summit swiftly brought the ball over midfield. The drive was aided by a Conifer pass-interference penalty, but Summit was soon forced to bring out the punting unit.

Eslich kept the ball for a fake punt, but was not able to gain a first down.

Conifer took advantage of the Summit turnover on downs by scoring another passing touchdown. The score brought the Lobos over the 40-point threshold, leading to the clock continuously running.

Summit got dangerously close to scoring in the fourth quarter. Getting more comfortable standing in the pocket, Susic connected with junior Jagger Roberts along the sideline. A facemask penalty by Conifer brought Summit closer to the end zone, however, Susic threw an interception to senior Dillon Warner who ran it all the way to the barn for the pick-six touchdown. 

Summit finally got the touchdown it had been seeking all game. With the fourth quarter close to expiring, Susic found Lozano in the top right of the end zone for the passing touchdown. 

Conifer defeated Summit, 49-6.

Even though the team failed to win the game, head coach Paul Lopez and the team was pleased with how the team has improved over the last few weeks. 

“We came prepared,” Lozano said. “We were better in practice. I feel like that translated to the game. We will really prepare for the games these next two weeks. Stay locked in in practice and just give it our all.”

The Tigers will now prepare for an away game against Skyview High School on Friday, Oct. 31. The Tigers are scheduled to play its final home game of the season on Friday, Nov. 7, against Wheat Ridge.