Fairview High School’s football team delivered a commanding performance in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs, defeating the Arapahoe Warriors 78-28 on November 14, 2025, at Recht Field. This victory not only secures the Knights a place in the next round but also showcases their offensive prowess and defensive strength against a formidable opponent.
The game began with a closely contested first quarter, which saw Arapahoe take a narrow lead at 21-15. However, the momentum shifted dramatically as Fairview’s junior quarterback Ki Ellison and senior wide receiver Sabi Ruttgers took control. Ellison demonstrated his versatility, passing for 311 yards and rushing for an additional 115 yards, while Ruttgers amassed 244 yards and scored five touchdowns.
“I always knew I was good, but this honestly proved it to myself and honestly the state too,” Ruttgers stated after the game. “Everyone was told it’d be a real close game, and we came out here and mercy-ruled them. It’s insane. I mean, we might have the best receiving core in the state.”
Ruttgers was not alone in his efforts. Senior Toray Davis contributed three touchdowns, while Asher Allen and Ryan Rutherford each added one more to the tally, further solidifying Fairview’s offensive dominance.
Arapahoe managed to recover a fumble early in the game, which contributed to their initial lead. However, Fairview quickly responded with a blocked punt that led to a 16-yard touchdown pass to Davis. Ellison’s interception of Arapahoe’s quarterback further extended Fairview’s lead to 36-21 by halftime.
“I knew my moment was coming. I was excited,” said Ellison about his defensive play. “I was just ready. I knew the quarterback liked to stare it down, and he stared it down coming over the middle, so I just jumped the route.”
In addition to Ellison’s interception, Davis capped off a strong defensive showing with another interception deep in Fairview’s territory, preventing any late first-half scoring by Arapahoe. The Knights’ defense, though challenged at times, managed to deliver key stops when necessary, showcasing the balance of their game.
Fairview’s head coach Tom McCartney praised Arapahoe’s capabilities, acknowledging that the Warriors, coming from the competitive Cherry Creek League, were a worthy opponent. “There’s such a hunger for victory, and you really want to play the best teams,” McCartney remarked. “So when No. 8 plays No. 9, it’s a top-10 matchup. That’s really where the hunger comes from. Let’s show everybody when we play great teams what we can do.”
With this impressive victory, the Knights now prepare for their upcoming matchup against the top-seeded Cherry Creek team at Stutler Bowl. As the playoffs advance, Fairview’s strong performance suggests they are a team to watch, regardless of their regular-season schedule.
As the Knights celebrate this significant win, their commitment to improvement and competitive spirit positions them as strong contenders in the ongoing playoff series.
