The Grand Junction High School football team had a scary good Halloween after a stunning victory over Sand Creek High School.

This year, the GJHS football team has been performing exceptionally well, with an impressive record of 9 wins and 1 loss to win the I-25 Conference. In the regular season finale against Sand Creek on Thursday, Oct. 31, in Stocker Stadium, the Tigers triumphed with a score of 34 to 6 to guarantee a place in the Class 4A state playoffs.

“Our hard work has come to fruition this year. I’m very proud of the kids and what they’ve gone through to put us in this position,” fourth-year GJHS football coach Landon McKee said.

The Tigers had a combined record of 4-26 in McKee’s first three seasons. This season’s impressive turnaround marks the first time in five years that Grand Junction has achieved a playoff berth and it is the most wins in a season since 2011.

Many players had standout performances against Sand Creek. GJHS senior quarterback Will Applegate threw a touchdown pass to junior tight end Drew Marsh and ran for two more. Senior running back Noah Watkins added a TD run.

GJHS sophomore fullback Dusty Harris scored on a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter to complete the dominating victory over Sand Creek.

“Feels good, getting that winning record,” said Harris. “We trained hard for it. Had to carry a 4-by-4 above our heads before practice every day.”

Defensively, GHJS brothers sophomore Kolton Music and senior Austin Music each had an interception.

The 24-team Class 4A state playoff matchups will be announced Sunday. The top eight teams receive a first-round bye. The other 16 teams are paired up in first-round matchups starting Nov. 8-9.

The season has been exceptional for all three GJHS football teams. The junior varsity had an 7-1 record and the freshmen went unbeaten at 8-0.’

Editor’s Note: Woody Zehnder is a GJHS freshman enrolled in a Reporting class. He plans to join the Orange & Black staff next semester.