The Durango High School soccer team hit the road Tuesday afternoon, with much fan fare, and the GPS coordinates will lead the Demons to EchoPark Stadium in Parker for the semifinals of the Colorado High School Activities Association’s Class 4A State Soccer Playoffs.
DHS is one of the final four teams for the first time in school history. The No. 7 Demons (17-1) will meet No. 3 The Classical Academy (16-2), with the winner facing the victor between No. 9 Battle Mountain (16-2) and No. 12 Pueblo West (14-4).
The Demons are coming off an emotional, late win in the quarterfinals against No. 15 Valor Christian. The 2-1 win was marred with controversy as the Eagles thought Durango forward Max Wilson was offsides, but the video evidence proved that the goal was good and the call was correct.
The win stretched the Demons’ winning streak to 15, and one more will earn them the right to play for the state championship.
“It’s been amazing to be a part of this in my senior year,” Durango senior Luke Stetler said after the quarterfinal win. “Last year was fun because I got to play with my brother and we had a good season, but this is really special and we’re not done yet.”
It has certainly been a special season for Durango, which dominated the 5A/4A Southwestern League en route to a third-consecutive league title. The Demons own a ridiculous goal differential margin of 69-5 and have racked up 15 shutouts in 18 games. They’ll have to be sharp if they want to beat The Classical Academy, which has had a season on par with DHS.
The Titans are also riding the wave of a 15-game winning streak. With 109 goals scored this year, they have the offensive firepower to test the Demons’ back line like it hasn’t been tested all season. Senior Titus Grant leads the team with 27 goals, and fellow senior Jaden Borja isn’t far behind with 25. The duo leads an attack that saw five players with more than 10 goals, while Elijah Fenton’s 11 were tops for Durango.
However, none of the numbers matter at this point, as two teams that have had dream seasons will get 80 minutes to keep that season going.
“No matter what, I’m so proud of how far these guys have come,” Durango head coach Dalon Parker said. “It’s just been a special season and the students and the fans have been so great. If we win one more, we want to bring a huge bus full of them to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park next weekend.”
The Demons and Eagles will play the first of two semifinal matchups at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The championship game is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City.
jfries@durangoherald.com
