![\"Legacy's](\"https:\/\/www.dailycamera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DCC-L-LEG5l.jpg?w=620\")
<\/p>\nWESTMINSTER \u2014 During Friday night\u2019s 52-22 win over Erie, Legacy senior quarterback Andrew Gardner became the Lightning\u2019s all-time leader in passing touchdowns, with 51, and the school\u2019s first quarterback to throw for more than 5,000 career yards.<\/p>\n
What he didn\u2019t pick up with his arm on what turned out to be a festive homecoming night at North Stadium, he made up for with his feet \u2014 throwing for four touchdowns and running for two more.<\/p>\n
When he needed a big play \u2014 like, really needed it \u2014 he turned to his trusty 6-foot-4 tight end, Joey Jewett.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s the best safety valve in the state,\u201d Legacy head coach Kyle Rider said of Jewett, who co-starred in the Lightning\u2019s offensive drubbing of the Tigers, finishing with six receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns. \u201cAndrew knows, we know, if we have a play that needs to be made, we can throw it up to Big 85.\u201d<\/p>\n
Big 85 is the newest tight end to join Colorado\u2019s Mismatch Society.<\/p>\n
The Air Force commit is too fast for linebackers and too big for defensive backs.<\/p>\n
Simply put, he\u2019s a problem.<\/p>\n
On three different occasions before halftime against the Tigers, the Lightning left its offense on the field on fourth down. Gardner ran for a 36-yard touchdown on fourth-and-6 on the opening drive. Jewett caught a 3-yard score on fourth-and-goal on the next drive, then hauled in a 6-yard pass on fourth-and-4 on the following drive.<\/p>\n
Legacy (4-2, 2-1 5A Front Range League) led 38-0 at halftime.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great to have him out there,\u201d Gardner said. \u201cHe\u2019s a big target. He catches everything I throw to him, so it\u2019s just great.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gardner himself is on the short list of 5A player of the year candidates. Though he\u2019s been a solid starter for the Lightning the past three seasons, many \u2014 including some Division I schools \u2014 are now seeing the kind of prospect he can be as he trusts his legs more.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt really clicked in for him in the Rocky Mountain game two weeks ago, when he started to be that dual-threat quarterback we all know he can be,\u201d Rider said of Gardner, who\u2019s thrown for 1,244 yards and 18 touchdowns and run for 330 yards and five scores through six games this fall.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he uses his legs,\u201d Rider said, \u201cit makes it hard on a defense to cover a guy that fast and who is already one of the top throwers in the state.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Legacy’s Jackson Kindsfather, center, celebrates a sack against Erie on Friday night. (Brent W. New\/BoCoPreps.com)<\/p>\n
![\"WESTMINSTER:](\"https:\/\/www.dailycamera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DCC-L-LEG41.jpg?w=620\")
<\/p>\n
WESTMINSTER: Legacy’s Calum McNeil runs the ball against Erie at North Stadium on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Photo by Brent W. New\/BoCoPreps.com)<\/p>\n
![\"WESTMINSTER:](\"https:\/\/www.dailycamera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DCC-L-ANDREWGARDNER.jpg?w=620\")
<\/p>\n
WESTMINSTER: Legacy quarterback Andrew Gardner throws the ball against Erie at North Stadium on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Photo by Brent W. New\/BoCoPreps.com)<\/p>\n
![\"WESTMINSTER:](\"https:\/\/www.dailycamera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DCC-L-JOEYjewett.jpg?w=620\")
<\/p>\n
WESTMINSTER: Legacy tight end Joey Jewett celebrates a TD against Erie at North Stadium on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Photo by Brent W. New\/BoCoPreps.com)<\/p>\n
Show Caption<\/p>\n
1 of 4<\/p>\n
Legacy’s Jackson Kindsfather, center, celebrates a sack against Erie on Friday night. (Brent W. New\/BoCoPreps.com)<\/p>\n