ROARING FORK BROADCASTING COMPANY
Aspen High School football’s motto this year is “decisions.” Through their first game, living by that philosophy is a work in progress.
The Skiers won their home opener over Grand Valley on Friday night 28-8, but they certainly could have made it easier on themselves, especially in the early going. In the first half alone, Aspen had two pick-six interceptions called back due to penalties, a 30-yard rushing touchdown called back due to a penalty, and two turnovers in the offensive zone.
Aspen had an interception by senior Calvin Delaney that he carried nearly 50 yards brought back by a block in the back, and a 30-yard rushing touchdown by Dylan Mika was revoked due to hold before Delaney, at quarterback (trading snap duty with Carter Kuhlman throughout the game), found Landen Thurber sitting all alone just outside the end zone on a roughly 25 yard pass, finally giving Aspen a valid score.
The Skiers built on their lead when Mika got his first score of the game on the first play of the second quarter, going for a long 44-yard run, weaving through the Grand Valley secondary.
Aspen’s defense, which had been strong through the first quarter, gave a little after Mika’s score, as the Cardinals moved down the field for their first touchdown of the day. The defense started the day with three consecutive three-and-outs by the Cardinals.
Entering the second half, Aspen led 14-8 and looked to chase some of the demons from last season: Coach Eric McCready had previously told Aspen Daily News that the team led in seven of its games at halftime in 2024. They went 3-6 on the season.
On Friday night, they won the second half 14-0.
Thurber tacked on his second score about 10 minutes into the third quarter, taking a punt return around 60 yards to the house to bring the score to 22-8. However, on Grand Valley’s next possession he made an ill-advised call to try to surprise the punting team by grabbing the ball after it came to rest, fumbling it and giving the Cardinals a fresh set of downs inside their offensive 30 yard line. The Skiers defense stood tall and kept the Cardinals, a 1A team, from scoring.
Mika added some insurance with another long run, this one about 20 yards, pushing through some resistance and getting dragged down in the end zone, making the score 28-8.
When the two teams met in Parachute last year, Aspen won handily 48-24. It was the Skiers’ highest scoring game of the year, anchored by Henry Hurd’s five touchdowns on six receptions, going 181 yards, according to MaxPreps data.
Aspen gets the next two weeks off with Experiential Education and a bye week before their next game at Steamboat Springs on Sept. 13.
On Saturday, Basalt starts their season at home with a 1 p.m. kickoff against Arvada. Glenwood Springs is on the road at Elizabeth to start their year.