*Reposting some of my clips from life as a sports reporter as I find them. These are exactly as they appeared in print/online minus photos.
Printed in the Rocky Mountain News – November 13, 1994
By Tiffany Trott
Special to the Rocky Mountain News
Sixth-ranked Arvada West took quick control of its Class 5A first round playoff game against Manual Saturday afternoon, scoring 22 points in the first quarter and coasting to a 43-7 victory at All City Stadium.
But Arvada West coach Dave Logan was less than happy with his team’s play.
“We were so sloppy in the first half it was as if we were sleepwalking,” Logan said. “I look at this win as we played well enough to win, but we will have to play much, much better to have any kind of chance next week (against No. 1 Boulder).”
Arvada West’s standout running back Kevin McDougal scored three touchdowns for the Wildcats and rushed for 167 yards on 17 carries.
McDougal got Arvada West on the board with a 2-yard run with 7:41 left in the first period and a 39-yard dash with just under 3 minutes left in the period. Quarterback Jason Pacheco completed a pass to Jason Siggs for the two-point conversion.
Sigg fell on a blocked punt in the end zone to put Arvada West up 22-0 at the end of the first period.
McDougal completed his scoring 7 seconds into the second period.
Manual, which last season had a 0-10 record, surprised many people with its 7-3 record and spot in the playoffs.
“First thing I want to do is congratulate (Manual coach) Nate Howard because I don’t think you ever take an 0-10 team and turn them around and have them believe they can win. That’s a credit to Nate,” Logan said. “They played hard, and we knew they would play hard.”
Howard said the only thing his team had to be sorry about was the loss. “We’re not just happy to have made the playoffs. We are excited to have completed a successful season.”
Manual’s only score came off a 26-yard punt return by defensive back Damon McNeal in the second period.