Jacqueline Hart,  Gilpin County.   Gilpin High School’s varsity football team hosted their last game of the season on Friday night, October 26, 2018. The evening began with the Senior Recognition Ceremony, a ceremony to commend graduating students and their parents.

Senior football players appreciated included; Chance Griffin-Williams, Daniel Jule, Angel Gomez and Jessie Alexander. Alexander was also acknowledged as Defensive Most Valuable Player, three games in a row. Senior cheerleader Anna Yocum, the one and only senior cheerleader, was recognized as well.

The game against the West Grand Mustangs commenced immediately after the ceremony. The Mustangs scored a touchdown and extra point in the first minute of the game. Gilpin struggled to respond with points, and the Mustangs were ahead 40 to 0 at the half.

The Eagles refused to go down without a fight and came out of the locker room with some fire in their blood! Steven King ran the ball in to the end zone in the first minutes of the third quarter, for a glorious touchdown.

Gilpin seemed to get some of their groove back as a result. Jessie Alexander scored a touchdown a few minutes later. The Eagles opted for a two-point conversion attempt. Jamie Alexander scored on the conversion, bringing the score to Mustangs 48, Eagles 14. The game was called at the end of the third quarter.

Some big thanks go out from the community to the Gilpin Eagles players, cheerleaders, coaches, parents and fans for all your hard work. It was a great inaugural season for the new field.

See you next year!

(Originally published in the November 1, 2018, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)