DRONES

FROM PAGE 22

Since the program’s inception at WHS, interest has been through the roof, Robbie Ferguson said. Ferguson is the aerospace teacher and drone soccer coach at WHS.

“My students ask to come to practice. ey ask for extra practices all the time,” Ferguson said. “ ey really enjoy being a part of the team and everything that comes with it.” e Pumas didn’t waste any time.

Much of the program is graduating this year, Ferguson said, but fortunately the middle school interest is already signi cant, and continues to grow. Orchard Park Academy in Westminster is in its rst year of its drone soccer program.

He was the player of the game, no question about it. It was impressive.”

Palasz scored twice more in the fourth quarter to put the nishing touches on a ve-goal night.

In the game’s nal seven minutes, Valor’s Blake Ham scored two goals and Baden Brown added another, but the damage done by Vista in the third period was simply too much for the Eagles to overcome.

“We stayed composed. at’s what it’s all about,” Palaz, who is also set to play lacrosse at Sacred Heart, said of what it took for Vista to come back after Valor had seized all the early momentum. “We knew what we were capable of doing and we did it. We just had to play the ball that we know how to play and that we’ve been coached to play. We did and it worked out.” e future of drone soccer is bright, particularly along the Front Range. Experienced middle school students will be ready to step in and contribute right away at the high school level. e natural interest in the sport sparks a furious work ethic, and the results show it.

Long scored Vista’s lone goal in the rst quarter.

For Valor, Ham scored a team-high three goals, Brown had two, and Luke Alread, Christian Eframo and Rush LaSelle each tallied one. Star goalie Buck Cunningham recorded four saves while Kyle Green had one.

Orchard Park nished rst among middle school programs in nationals this past season, and nished fourth overall, beating even the WHS team. Recently, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis visited Orchard Park for a visit and lesson in aerospace acrobatics.

“I’m super proud of them. ey work really hard. ey work really well together, so that’s amazing. ey’ve just come a long way in the last couple weeks,” Ferguson said.

“ e interest level is just huge. Once you get them in, they’re hooked.”