GJHS football team plows their way through first playoff game

The GJHS football team finished 8-2 in the regular season, and now it’s making its way into the second round of the playoffs

Mason Strippel, Reporter • November 10, 2025

Lincoln McQuade

The GJHS defensive line tries to stop the Highlands Ranch High School offense. The Tigers prevailed with a final score of 48-32.

The Grand Junction High School football team had a roaring regular season and is advancing to the second round of the playoffs.

The No. 12 Tigers played their first-round playoff game on Nov. 7 against Highlands Ranch High School at Stocker Stadium. The Tigers won 48-32.

“All the credit goes to the kids and how they responded to the coaching in the preseason to the actual season. I am extremely proud of the players this season; they stepped up this season, even with ups and downs. It’s great going back-to-back in the 4A league; it’s very exciting. We treat every game the same, no matter what team we go against, which includes our next game,” said GJHS football coach Landon McKee.

The team advanced to the next round, where they will play an away game on Nov. 14 against the No. 5 Heritage High School Eagles football team. Heritage has a record of 7-3 in the regular season and is 4-1 in the 4A South Metro League.

The Tigers went 5-0 in the 4A I-25 League for the second year in a row, qualifying for the playoffs. The team’s final regular-season game was against Sand Creek High School in a 53-13 victory for the Tigers to make the playoffs.

“I think the team this year was quite different, but we all stepped up and played our roles. We all worked together for many months, and it’s showing in the games. I’m happy with the season, but we shouldn’t have lost the two games we needed,” said GJHS sophomore Andrew Neese.

Neese was responsible for five touchdowns against Highlands Ranch. GJHS senior player A.J. Schlachter provided two important interceptions in the fourth quarter as a safety.

If the Tigers beat Heritage, they will tie the 10-2 record from last season. GJHS has a record of 9-2 after beating Highlands.

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About the Contributors

Mason Strippel, Reporter

Mason Strippel is a junior. He is part of the Orange and Black Newspaper. He likes to play basketball, video games, and mountain hiking. He is also part of the TRIO Upward Bound program. He joined the Orange and Black Newspaper during his sophomore year.

Lincoln McQuade, Managing Editor

Lincoln McQuade is a GJHS senior and this year’s Managing Editor. This is his second year on the staff and his first as an editor. Lincoln enjoys playing the guitar and bass, and he is very excited to be a prominent editor this year.