After falling to Conifer High School, 49-6, on homecoming, the Summit High School football team returned to the gridiron on Halloween night, Friday, Oct. 31, for an away game against Skyview High School of Thornton.

Last season Summit got the better of its 3A West Metro opponent defeating the team in Breckenridge, 28-7. Knowing that the team was once again capable of beating the Skyview Wolverines, Summit charged onto the field ready to put up a fight. 

Following several empty possessions to begin the game, Summit was the first team to get on the scoreboard. With junior Tyler Susic lining up under center for the team, Summit steadily grew closer to the end zone before the quarterback connected with sophomore Axel Knipp for a huge pass.

The completion put Summit on the doorstep of the goal, allowing Susic to roll back and find sophomore Jagger Roberts for the passing touchdown. Summit went on to miss the extra-point attempt, giving Summit an early 6-0 lead. 

After only being able to score six points in its last three games, the early touchdown energized the team and provided momentum heading into the second quarter of play. 

The Summit defense prevented the 3-5 Skyview Wolverines from scoring a touchdown of its own for much of the first half, but eventually the team was able to score with close to eight minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Rolling out to his right, senior quarterback Carlos Carillo aired a ball out to Nathanyel Fernandez in the top right of the end zone. The ball was lofted just out of the reach of Summit sophomore Nico Tancheff, allowing Fernandez to reel the ball in for the passing touchdown. A successful point-after attempt gave Skyview a 7-6 lead.

Wanting to go into halftime with an advantage, Summit rolled the dice late in the second quarter with a lengthy go-route down the field. Displaying his ability to throw the ball deep down the field, Susic found Roberts for a huge, 50-yard pass. 

The completion brought Summit to Skyview’s own three-yard line, setting up another scoring opportunity with close to three minutes remaining in the second quarter. Senior Henry Eslich then lined up in the back field, received the snap and barreled into the end zone for the rushing touchdown.

The Tigers quickly lined up for the 2-point conversion and ran the same play, successfully reaching the end zone again.

Although Summit was rolling high from the big offensive plays, Skyview took advantage of playing in front of a home crowd and ended the half by tying the game at 14-14. This time, Carillo found Fernandez for a 51-yard touchdown. 

The second half saw way less scoring than the first. Skyview began the third quarter by bringing the ball over midfield and threatening the Summit end zone.

Skyview tried to air it out from inside the 10-yard line, but Summit senior Raul Rios intercepted the pass in the end zone. With the ball back in its possession, Summit put together a lengthy drive, but was not able to score points. 

The two teams continued to exchange possession for the vast majority of the half. With close to four minutes remaining in regulation, Skyview retained possession of the ball, setting the team up for one final shot at a game-winning drive. 

Needing a big offensive play, Carillo found junior Jaizeah Polnau over the middle for a pass. Polnau broke away from several Summit defenders and sprinted towards the end zone, but was tripped up by Roberts on the three-yard line.

Skyview tried to push the ball into the end zone, but was stopped by the Summit defense. Facing fourth down with three seconds remaining, Skyview elected to line up for an 18-yard field goal. Senior Jorge Sandoval hammered the kick through the uprights as time expired, giving Skyview the 17-14 win. 

The last-second loss drops Summit’s record to 1-8 overall and 0-4 in league play. Summit will now prepare for its regular season finale at home on Friday, Nov. 7, against Wheat Ridge High School. The Wheat Ridge Farmers are 1-8 on the season and 1-3 in league play. 

The game is scheduled to kickoff at 7 p.m.