ARVADA - Thomas Jefferson running back Devon Fitzgerald stands only 5-foot-5, but he certainly packed a punch Friday to lead the Spartans to a season-opening 34-0 victory against Green Mountain at the North Area Athletic Complex.

The quick tailback rushed for 195 yards on 19 carries and scored on runs of 2 and 55 yards. Meanwhile, his defensive teammates dominated any Green Mountain effort to move the football.

When it came to TJ's running game, the first half nearly was a one-man show, with Fitzgerald rushing for 103 yards on 12 carries. Isaac Moore scored the Spartans' first touchdown, on a 5-yard run with 3 minutes, 57 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

"We did get off to a slow start in the first half but made some fine adjustments at the half," Fitzgerald said. "I was just taking advantage of some big holes by the guys up front. In the second half, we had things together all the way around."

Green Mountain was stifled at every turn in the opening half and throughout the game. The Rams could not muster positive yardage in the first half and headed into the locker room with minus-12 yards on the ground.

They eventually finished with 224 yards of total offense, but 91 came on two plays.

The Thomas Jefferson defense was led, in part, by Ian Squire, who contributed a fumble recovery and an interception. The Spartans intercepted four passes and recovered two fumbles.

The defensive effort allowed Thomas Jefferson to strike quickly in the third quarter.

Brandon Lowe intercepted Green Mountain quarterback JoJo Baggett, and three plays later Fitzgerald scored on his 2- yard run. On the next TJ possession, he scampered for his 55- yarder.

Defensively, Thomas Jefferson continued to hold matters in check. Not until 9:24 remained in the fourth quarter did the Rams move into positive yardage on the ground.

A 32-yard run by Baggett in the fourth was negated by a Justin Tara interception and a subsequent 82-yard touchdown run by Nick Jackson.

Zach Nagy also scored for TJ, on a 44-yard interception return.

"Anyone could have a night like this with the work we put in on defense," Squire said of his all-around effort. "I was one of the lucky ones. We just stepped up in the second and got it going behind our little guy, Devon."

Thomas Jefferson......0	7	14	13	-	34
Green Mountain......0	0	0	0	-	0

Second quarter

TJ - Isaac Moore 5 run (Jorge Jacal kick).

Third quarter

TJ - Devon Fitzgerald 2 run (Jacal kick). TJ - Fitzgerald 55 run (Jacal kick).

Fourth quarter

TJ - Nick Jackson 82 run (pass failed). TJ - Zach Nagy 44 interception return (Jacal kick).

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing - TJ, Fitzgerald 19-195, Jackson 2-84, Michael Craig 2-28, Ryan Allen 4-18, Moore 2-5, Ian Squire 1-5, Cooper Hearne 1-2, Isaiah Mays 1-(minus 1), Courtney Ross 2-2, Michael Mandoff 3 (minus 4). GM, Dane Bollig 4-53, JoJo Baggett 9-28, Michael Jimmerson 6-10.

Passing - TJ, Mankoff 6-12-61-0. GM, Baggett 13-21-117-4.

Receiving - TJ, Billy Sprague 2-25, Brandon Lowe 2-15, Fitzgerald 1-10, Efrem Woldu 1-11. GM, Ryan McBurney 5-55, Eric Perloff 3-30, Ryan Garbarino 2-18, Ty Maruyama 2-8, Nagy 1-6.

Interceptions - TJ, Squire, Justin Tara, Lowe, Zach Nagy.

Fumble recoveries - TJ, Squire, Nasheed Robison.

stockers@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5275

Back to Top