Football: Fairview's Zach Lewis shines in rout over rival Boulder
Oct. 1—Tom McCartney's pass 'til you drop offense at Fairview has looked much more balanced this season. Rowan Risner by air, a multi-headed rushing attack headlined by a big offensive line and bruiser Zach Lewis — it's more harmonious through six weeks this fall than any stretch in recent memory.
Friday night at Christian Recht Field, McCartney's guys didn't dial up a pass until the second quarter against next-door neighbor Boulder. McCartney said it was due to the rain and wind that howled through the stadium. Still somewhat strange to see (at least in the context of the team's air raid mentality in recent years), but no doubt effective.
The Knights went up 13-0 before Risner's first throw, and they eventually beat the Panthers for a 14th straight time, 42-0. Their offensive breakdown finished like this: 187 passing yards to 281 on the ground.
Afterward, McCartney wouldn't say his offensive philosophy has changed. Multiple factors have led to the recent uptick in the ground game, he said, listing out the reasons — one of which being star senior Lewis.
"Zach, his college future is linebacker, but for us he's an every-down player at running back because he knows our offense the best," McCartney said. "His pass protection is outstanding, his running is outstanding, his running routes are outstanding. We just love him."
Lewis, who features as the team's sought-after Division-I caliber linebacker, led the way for the Knights (5-1, 1-0 Class 5A League 3), totaling 113 yards and four straight scores on the ground.
Unlike the festive atmosphere in the stands, the senior's 6-foot-1, 220-pound frame towered over the Panthers on the field like an imminent horror movie scare. The payoff was usually him bowling over defenders, showing a kind of strength not often seen in the high school game.
In an opening half he dominated, Lewis followed a 2-yard touchdown run from Ben Holly with TDs of 5, 6 and 26 to make it 28-0. The longest of the four scoring drives went 3 minutes, 20 seconds.
He continued after the break, sealing a drive highlighted by a 36-yard streak from Risner to Holly that was hauled in despite tight coverage. His 5-yard score was his sixth TD in the past two games.
Star receiver Jordan Rechel kicked off the running clock with 3:56 left in the third, taking a screen 51 yards for the score.
"It's most of the guys' favorite game of the year," Lewis smiled afterward. He'd proven it, too.
Boulder's struggles on the field continued since its opening week 16-10 win over Centaurus.
The Panthers (1-5, 0-1) are still searching for traction under first-year coach Casey Geiger, the guy they believe can give the program some much-needed consistency going forward. But the current stretch has been tough.
Friday, their offense was inconsistent but showed some bright spots late, with a hookup between Jaden Seligman and Charlie Goetz leading a fourth-quarter drive inside the 30 before going backward. It ended as Daniel Gerlach's 50-yard field goal attempt hit the upright.
Their defense hung tough, too, especially in the second half. Defensive back Waylon Lowery had a nice stretch in the third, when he took Lewis behind the line on a fourth down near midfield, then came up with the perfectly timed pass breakup over the center on the next drive.
Building a winning culture takes time.
"The message is the same as when we started," Geiger said. "The three core values, it's all about character, commitment and grit. We're trying to make these young men better on and off the field. The focus has to be on both. Every day we have to get a little bit better in everything we do."
Boulder will look to end its five-game losing streak at home against Fossil Ridge Thursday.
Fairview, going for its fourth straight win, is at Poudre Thursday.
