In the 30-degree weather, loyal fans of Cherry Creek stood, with at least three layers of coats to keep out the invading cold, yelling at the top of their lungs to cheer the teams on. This is my story, a story of a disappointed Cherry Creek freshman who saw the hopes of a 5A state football championship vanish into thin air after ayear filled with fascinating stories of perseverance and dedication.

Cherry Creek High School, a college-sized campus dedicated to bringing excellence to its students have never been known for its rich history of domination in football, a sport usual won by schools like Mullen or Grandview. However, this year has been something special. With the arrival of a new starting quarterback in Junior Kain Colter and a brand new head coach in Mike Brookhart, the Bruins see light once again in a very competitive league. After finishing the season at an average 9-2 and ranking ninth in the state coming in to the state playoffs, Cherry Creek has a very long way if they ever wanted to win the championships. The Bruins did not backdown. They did not listen to the critics doubting their abilities. They ignored the nasty remarks made about them. The team had one goal, one dream, and one mission, the state title.

The first test of the team's will was the #1 ranked defending champs Grandview Wolves. They successfully passed that test with a 26-20 double overtime thrillerthat ended with a 36-yard scramble from the quarterback Kain Colter. The second challenge against the Columbine Rebels was equally as breathtaking as the Grandview game. After trailing behind for most of the game, the Bruins continued their fairy tale story by completing a 45-yard pass from Kain Colter to T.J. Shantz to set up a 35-yard field goal as time ticked away as Cherry Creek won 27-25.

This is the moment of truth for Cherry Creek, a game at Invesco Field that would determine the players' destiny forever. However, the Mullen Mustangs are hungry for a state championship after losing two chances for a state championship in the last three years. Sensing the need to cheer my own school on, I decided to attend this once in a couple of years chance to witness Cherry Creek be represented in the state championship game with a couple of my friends. Winning would not be easy, but Creek shall persevere, fight, and never back down. We all screamed, yelled, cheered, and booed. There was no friendly spirit anywhere on the field,only a fighting spirit and the urgency to win the crown. My philosophy is that to place in second means that one is a "loser" and my job is to do whatever I could to make Creek stay afloat. I shouted out to the field in the freezing temperatures along with almost all the fans on the field and moved up and down in the stands to keep the cold from seeping into my body. Every minute, every second, and every play I stood up to cheer for Creek. However, my voice was not heard as the sophomore running back from Mullen simply overpowered the seemingly powerless and feeble defensive line to break tackles after tackles marching towards the end zone. The Bruins did not falter at such a sight; they fought back, tried, but in the end failed. The defense of Mullen proved to be too much to handle as a total of three interceptions were thrown including two from Kain Colter and one from T.J. Shantz.

After the final interception was thrown with some forty seconds left in the game clock, the game was all but over. My friends and I sat in our seats for the first time since the game started, sad, disappointed, and shattered. Now it is time to look forward to the future, to a future brighter than the one this year.

Good luck next year Cherry Creek football team.