There is nothing quite like the atmosphere of a homecoming football game — the roar of the crowd, the smell of grilled goods and, of course, the excitement of a spirited football game under the bright stadium lights.

The Summit High School football team’s homecoming game on Friday, Sept 22, brought all of these things and more as the team faced Wheat Ridge High School in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. 

Looking to push the team’s record to 3-2 overall, Summit dominated the Wheat Ridge Farmers the entire game on the way to a resounding, 32-14 win.

On Summit’s first offensive opportunity of the game, the team found itself backed up against the end zone, but was eventually able to gain some breathing room after several carries from senior Jackson Archambault. 

With some room to work with, Archambault broke down the field, juking out defenders along the way before being pulled down by his face mask inside the 10-yard line.

The long sprint ultimately concluded with a quick dash into the end zone by senior Ben Elam, giving the Tigers a 7-0 lead in the early parts of the first quarter.

Archambault continued to make plays on both sides of the field, tracking Wheat Ridge quarterback Issac McCune’s eyes and reeling in a huge interception later on.

With Archambault and junior Simeon Ryan continuing to serve as the team’s quarterbacks in the first half, Summit tried to put more points on the board, but was stopped by the Wheat Ridge defense after a few snaps. 

However, it was not long before the Tigers offense was back on the field to start the second quarter. 

A series of running plays from Archambault and Elam pulled the Tigers within inches of the end zone, but the team failed to punch the ball in for a touchdown. Instead, Summit turned the ball over on downs on fourth-and-1 from the 1 yard line.

While the offense petered out on the previous drive, the defense continued to produce, forcing Wheat Ridge to punt after three downs.

Late in the second half, the crowd began to grow restless for another Summit touchdown. The crowd’s thirst was eventually quenched by Archambault. His drive was capped by a huge pass and quarterback sneak, giving the Tigers their second touchdown of the game. 

The Tigers were not done scoring in the first half. After forcing the Farmers to punt again, Archambault and senior Emilio Jain connected for a massive completion which put the Tigers inside the 10 yard line.

The quick-moving drive ended with a short toss to Jain in the end zone to put Summit up 21-0 heading into halftime. 

The Summit offense was just as explosive and dangerous in the second half.

With senior Hank Chabot serving as quarterback, the team steadily drove down the field with Elam having several galloping runs.

The drive concluded with a successful field goal from Eslich to put the Tigers up 24-0. 

Wheat Ridge continued to search for a way to bring the ball much past midfield, but Jain, Archambault and junior Sean Mullaly were able to come up with huge stops and tackles.

Following an unproductive drive by Summit, McCune finally led the Farmers on a scoring drive which was spearheaded by a 27-yard touchdown pass and a successful 2-point conversion.

With one quarter left to play, Summit led 24-8.

Summit put the game away for good in the final quarter. Chabot and Elam both picked up first downs, before Elam crashed into the end zone for his second rushing touchdown of the night.

The Farmers tried to answer the call of the Tigers, but was only able to score a final passing touchdown to conclude the game.

Summit defeated Wheat Ridge, 32-14.

“Credit to the coaches really,” Archambault said of the win. “They do a lot to inspire the mentality and we just have to act on it. To show out and win like we did is definitely a great feeling and it sets the tone for what homecoming is going to be like for sure.”

Summit is now 3-2 on the season and will spend the next week preparing to take on Lincoln High School in Denver at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30.

“I think, for Lincoln, we are going to be fired up to go win on the road,” Archambault said. “We are 1-1 on the road right now so we have to get that above .500 for sure. The league schedule is a whole another monster so I think we just have to stay the course, trust the process and buy into the brothers around you.”

Summit will host its first 3A Western Slope league game of the season against Durango High School on Oct. 6.