Mullen takes an unusual route to victory

Paul Willis, Special To The Rocky

Published September 1, 2007 at midnight

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Running an incorrect route turned out to be the best mistake Nolan Brewster could have made.

The Mullen senior might have been mixed up on the play call, but his miscue turned into the only touchdown in the second-ranked Mustangs' 13-0 win against Poudre in a Class 5A nonleague game at De La Salle Stadium.

"At first I was supposed to run a 3-yard out, but he grabbed me and said to run a bubble," said Brewster, referring to quarterback Jonny Miller. "I ran the 3-yard out, but it actually turned out to be a touchdown."

Miller hit a wide-open Brewster in the left flat, and Brewster did the rest. He knifed through the Poudre defense for a 48-yard score, breaking a scoreless tie midway through the second quarter.

Mullen added only two short field goals by Caleb Pavy the rest of the way, but that was plenty for a defense that engineered a shutout.

Brewster, the Mustangs' only returning starter on defense, also made his mark on that side of the ball with solid pass coverage and a few key tackles. Defensive backs Aaron Murray and Alex Logan each recorded an interception.

"We made some mistakes but for the most part we were where we needed to be," Brewster said. "We kept the goose egg, so overall it was a good game, but we have some things to work on."

Poudre had ample opportunity to take charge early. The Impalas drove inside the Mullen 20-yard line on each of their first two drives - including a trip to the Mustangs' 1-yard line on their second drive - but came away empty.

Poudre missed a field goal on its opening drive and Mullen's Murray picked off a pass at the goal line on the second drive.

"We had plenty of opportunities, we just didn't finish," Poudre quarterback Jason Haferman said. "I take some of the blame - most of it - because when it came time to make a big play, I didn't make it."

The unranked Impalas undoubtedly proved their worth despite allowing Mullen tailback Jonathan Gaye to rack up 103 yards on only 11 carries. The Mustangs also outgained Poudre 246-49 on the ground.

"I definitely saw that we came out and hung with the No. 2 team," Haferman said. "I want to see them again because I definitely think we'd definitely have a shot at them."

Second quarter

M - Nolan Brewster 48 pass from Jonny Miller (Caleb Pavy kick). M - Pavy 23 field goal.

Fourth quarter

M - Pavy 21 field goal.

INDIVIDUAL STATSTICS

Rushing - P, Josh Morton 17-46, Lincoln Walsh 4-10, Jordan Clay 2-2, Jason Haferman 1-(minus 11). M, Jonathan Gaye 11-103, Josh Ford 4-55, Adonis Ameen Moore 8-53, Donovan Ealy 2-22, Adrian Schenk 1-5, Miller 5-(minus 2).

Passing - P, Haferman 9-21-2-179, Jared Young 0-1-0-0. M, Miller 10-16-1-142, Timmy Tancik 1-4-0-8.

Receiving - P, Jefferson Clow 4-70, Ben Biggi 2-69, Morton 2-38, Tony Olmstead 1-2. M, Terrance Dent 3-42, Brewster 2-51, Ford 2-16, Brannon Belloni 1-34, Schenk 1-3, Ryan Heagle 1-3, Gaye 1-1.

Interceptions - P, Carter Janicki. M, Aaron Murray, Alex Logan.

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