The Durango High School soccer team is one of eight teams remaining in the Colorado High School Activities Association’s 4A Boys Soccer Championships, and a trip to the semifinals is at stake Saturday when the Demons host Valor Christian.
The matchup features two teams that have had much different seasons. No. 7 Durango (16-1) has played like a runaway wrecking ball, mowing down nearly everyone in its path en route to a third-consecutive league title.
The Demons have outscored opponents by an astounding mark of 67-4 and are coming into the match on a 14-game winning streak after Austin Kelly’s dramatic extra-time goal led DHS to a 2-1 win Tuesday against No. 10 Skyview in the second round.
“The boys have had a heck of a season, and the closer we get to these final rounds, the more they believe,” Demons head coach Dalon Parker said.
“Even though we’ve had such a good year, it still feels like we have a nothing-to-lose attitude because we’re a team a lot of people still don’t know a lot about. Same thing with them; Valor Christian definitely has nothing to lose after what they just did.”
No. 15 Valor Christian (9-7-1) will make the long trip from Denver suburb Highlands Ranch after opening the postseason with a pair of 1-0 wins against Skyline and a huge upset win against No. 2 Lewis-Palmer in double overtime.
Unlike Durango, it’s been a rough road for the Eagles, who finished fifth in the 4A Jefferson County league.
They have given up one more goal than they have scored this season but come into the match playing their best soccer and will enter action on a four-game winning streak.
A pair of seniors leads the Eagles’ attack. Robert Lanz scored a team-high seven goals in 14 games played, and Buddy Nelson is right behind with six.
“They have a dangerous midfield line,” Parker said. “I feel like they play a really similar game to what we do. They might like to keep possession a bit more than we do, but there’s nothing we haven’t seen before. I expect they’ll feel the same about us, so it’ll be a matter of execution.”
Durango has been led by Elijah Fenton’s 11 goals, but its arsenal of weaponry is diverse. Max Wilson has nine goals, Connor Henry, Juan Tejada and Jack Beattie have racked up five and a few are right behind with four.
However, the Demons defense has been most impressive, as goalkeeper Trey Furnas and a dominant back line have posted 13 shutouts in 17 games.
“We’re rested, ready and 100 percent,” Parker said.
“The boys have been relaxed, and we’re not preparing for anything more than we have all season. We just want to come out and outplay the opponent like we have for much of this season.”
The winner of Saturday’s match will play either No. 6 Denver West or No. 3 The Classical Academy in the semifinals in Denver next week.
jfries@durangoherald.com
If you go
Who:
No. 15 Valor Christian at No. 7 Durango
What:
CHSAA Class 4A Boys Soccer Championships, quarterfinals
When:
11 a.m. Saturday
Where:
Durango High School Stadium
Twitter:
@The7thFreezer
