The Boulder High Panthers gave their home crowd a night to remember, notching their first win of the season with a 27–22 victory over the Lakewood Tigers on Friday, October 3 at Recht Field. The Homecoming crowd packed the stands and had plenty to cheer for as Boulder jumped out to an early lead and held off a late Lakewood surge.

First Half Dominance

The Panthers came out strong, scoring 14 points in the first quarter and adding another touchdown before halftime to take a commanding 21–0 lead. Junior quarterback Ethan Toth was sharp, completing 15 of 21 passes for 258 yards and 2 touchdowns, keeping the offense moving efficiently through the air.

Senior Jack Neslage led the way offensively with 150 receiving yards and 2  touchdowns — Senior Benny Benny Hovermale and Junior Whit Young each added a rushing score, and sophomore Denver Malander chipped in with 29 receiving yards to keep the chains moving.

Lakewood's Push and Boulder's Response

After being shut out in the first half, Lakewood stormed back in the third quarter with 15 unanswered points, cutting Boulder's lead to just one possession. The Tigers continued to press, scoring again in the fourth to make things tense for the home crowd.

But Boulder's defense and special teams stepped up when it mattered most. Junior Jack Neslage intercepted two passes, helping stall Lakewood drives, while junior kicker Nathaniel Buus stayed perfect on extra points. In the final minutes, the Panthers sealed the win with one last touchdown drive to secure their first victory of the season.

Defensive Leaders

Alongside Neslage's pair of touchdowns and interceptions, the defensive front held firm late, keeping the Tigers from completing their comeback. The defensive line's pressure and tackling intensity helped Boulder finish strong.
 

Final Score

Boulder 27, Lakewood 22

The win gave the Panthers their long-awaited breakthrough moment of the season — and there was no better time for it than on Homecoming night in front of a roaring crowd at Recht Field.

Next Up: Boulder takes on Mountain Range on October 9th at 6:00 PM at Recht Field.

Check Out Game Photos