"Tim Herrod of Colorado Pipers leads Regis Jesuit out of the tunnel before battling Mullen in the CHSAA 5A State Championship at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010. Mullen captured the championship, defeating Regis Jesuit 37-6."
"Regis Jesuit quarterback Luke Longfield (17) hands the ball off to running back Jordan Jungers (20) in the first quarter against Mullen during the CHSAA 5A State Championship at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010. Mullen captured the championship, defeating Regis Jesuit 37-6."
"Regis Jesuit wide receiver Casey Young (85) hauls in a 33-yard reception for a first down against Mullen defensive back Malik McKinney (21) in the third quarter during the CHSAA 5A State Championship at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010. Mullen captured the championship, defeating Regis Jesuit 37-6."
"Regis Jesuit linebacker (45) tackles Mullen running back Adonis Ameen-Moore (34) during the third quarter of the CHSAA 5A State Championship at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010. Ameen-More finished with 186 yards and two touchdowns en route helping Mullen capture their third straight championship, defeating Regis Jesuit 37-6."
"Regis Jesuit senior running back Andrew Faggelia (26) strides in for the lone Raider score on the day against Mullen during the fourth quarter of the CHSAA 5A State Championship at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010. Mullen captured the championship, defeating Regis Jesuit 37-6."
"Regis Jesuit head coach Mark Nolan leads both teams in a prayer following Mullen's 37-6 victory in the CHSAA 5A State Championship at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010."
Goliath was a bit too much for David this afternoon.
What seemed like a dream match-up between a pair of unbeaten, private school rivals ranked No. 1 and No. 2 was anything but.
On paper (read: in my head) the Raiders were a two touchdown underdog. That number easily doubled when I walked onto the field during pre-game warm-ups and finally saw Mullen for the first time this year.
Goliath may have been an understatement.
Carrying a 32-game winning streak and entering the game with a potential three peat on the line, the Mustangs used what appeared to be a 2-3 inch, 40-pound size difference at every position to their advantage. Regis can compare in skill, heart but size was the difference maker in my opinion.
As such, life as the team photographer for the losing squad made it a rough afternoon. Pictures that were plentiful in the previous 11 games that I had shot just weren't there today.
More importantly though, I felt for every one of those seniors. I've been where they have, losing potentially the last game you'll ever play in.
Losing in the championship only adds salt to the ever growing wound.
The first image above is my favorite from the afternoon. The unity, heart that head coach Mark Nolan speaks of is evident in that image to me. I might like it even better in black & white.
I'm going to miss everything that is high school football and can't wait to be back out there again next season with the boys of fall.
-JCE
