Football Recap: Golden Starts Season with Victory Against Rifle + How To Watch

Golden took care of business in their home opener on Friday. They came out on top against the Rifle Bears by a score of 30-20.

Thatcher Matthews

Passing Yards

08/22/25 vs Rifle	202
11/16/24 @ Pueblo West	181
11/09/24 @ Riverdale Ridge	92
11/01/24 vs Highlands Ranch	200
10/25/24 @ Dakota Ridge	177
+ 6 more games

Golden's win was the result of several impressive offensive performances. One of the most notable came from Thatcher Matthews, who threw for 202 yards and three touchdowns on only 18 passes. That's the most passing yards Matthews has posted since back in September of 2024. Golden's leading receiver Ethan Bonafede was Matthews' top target yet again, picking up 69 receiving yards and one TD, while also punching in one score on the ground.

Golden didn't let much get past them through the air: they limited Rifle to a completion percentage of just 48%. That dominant aerial defense primarily came from four players: Skyler Roybal, Gage Pieper, Ben Wheeler, and Liam Leffert, who each logged one passes deflected. Golden wasn't nearly as limited: they posted one of 66.7%.

Golden didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Wheeler and Pieper. Golden got some further help from Vincent Novello: he made 15 total tackles (2.0 for loss).

Golden will get to enjoy the win for a while: their next game is against Brighton at 7:00 p.m. on the 5th. As for Rifle, they have already played their next game, a 34-7 defeat against Grand Junction on the 29th.