Season ends despite tremendous effort

• By: Brandon Derrera Rider Wrap-up Staff

The Roughrider football team’s last football game and 2009 season came to a heartbreaking end last Friday night as they were edged by the undefeated Mountain View Mountain View Mountain Lions 28-27. The loss eliminated the Riders from playoff contention and ended their season with a 5-5 record.

RHS outplayed the league’s top team in nearly every facet, but several big plays by the Lions allowed them to stay in the game and eventually win it. After falling behind 11-0 early in the game, the Riders came storming back to take a 14-11 lead. However, a trick play to end the first half resulted in a touchdown and an 18-11 advantage for the Lions.

In the second half, RHS continued to dominate and built a 27-18 advantage with 9 minutes left, only to see MVHS score on a field goal with 6 minutes left and then get the game-winning touchdown with under a minute to go.

The Riders were coming off three big victories against the Northridge Grizzlies as they beat them 18-12. The Northridge Grizzlies took the opening kickoff scored on a touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead. However, the Riders’ defense buckled down from there, and junior Brandyn Hernandez returned two interceptions for touchdowns to give RHS the lead before a late touchdown sealed the victory.

Senior Jeff Kielian ate up yardage in the fourth quarter to keep the clock running and the Riders in possession on his way to another 150-plus night of rushing. Roosevelt Rough Riders faced another must-win situation night when they played host to the Fort Lupton Bluedevils. The Riders took a win and bettering their chances for playoff hope as they beat the Bluedevils 33-6.

The Riders went to Fort Morgan last Saturday to play a game that was cancelled on Friday night. The Riders and the mustangs had to put their playoff hopes on the line.

RHS took an early lead and fought off the tough Mustangs for a 21-12 victory. Kielian led the offense again with an impressive 250 yards rushing on 35 carries. The win kept the Riders alive in the playoff hunt, while ending the playoff hopes of Fort Morgan at the same time.