On September 22,  the varsity football traveled to Littleton Public Schools Stadium to take on Arapahoe High School in their fourth game of the season. The Golden Eagles came into the game looking to bounce back from a 51-34 loss to their rival, ThunderRidge High School.

On Vista’s opening drive, junior Noah Hicks rushed for a touchdown to give the Golden Eagles an early seven point lead. Vista managed to keep their lead by the end of the first half which concluded with Vista outcompeting the Warriors, 14-7.

Mountain Vista scored a field goal in the second half but the Warriors responded with two touchdowns, one of them near the end of fourth quarter, putting them ahead of the Golden Eagles, 21-17, with less than two minutes left in the game. Vista had one last chance to score a touchdown to give themselves a lead before the final whistle.

On Vista’s final drive, senior Caden Wetzel completed a pass to senior Tristan Smith for the go-ahead touchdown. “It’s never over until it’s over,” Smith said. “We [were] out there giving it our best and I had faith.”

Arapahoe could not score in the final seconds after Smith’s touchdown. Mountain Vista took home their second victory of the season, defeating the Warriors, 24-21. The Golden Eagles travel this Friday to play Regis Jesuit High School at 7:00 p.m.

Photos by Gabe Barnard, Madison Paul, and Michael Place