Rocky Mountain gets boost on ground to upset Horizon

John Rosa, Special To The Rocky

Published October 6, 2007 at midnight

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WESTMINSTER - With two of the better quarterbacks in the Front Range League under center, many thought Friday night's contest between Rocky Mountain and 10th-ranked Horizon would be decided through the air.

But it was the legs of senior Brett Wagner and a big defensive stand by the Lobos in the waning moments that lifted Rocky Mountain to a 26-20 upset of the Hawks at Adams 12 North Stadium.

Wagner rushed for a game- high 128 yards as the Lobos (4-2 overall, 2-1 league) kept themselves in the race for the league title.

"We definitely needed this game after losing to Legacy (on Sept. 14)," Wagner said. "In my mind, this definitely gets us back in the running."

Rocky Mountain was in control after building a 26-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the Lobos suffered through some tense moments late as Horizon (4-2, 2-2) tried to pound its way back on top.

The Hawks have one of the better deep passing attacks in the league but attempted only three passes in the second half. Instead, they relied on their ground game to get back in it.

Horizon put together an 80- yard, 15-play drive, capped by quarterback Stephen Castiglione's 1-yard run, to cut the deficit to 26-20 with 5:32 left to play.

The Hawks defense forced a three-and-out, and then a short punt set up Horizon at the Rocky Mountain 43-yard line with 3:33 remaining.

Horizon advanced to the 19 but turned over the ball on downs when Castiglione was stopped on fourth-and-5.

"We feel kind of fortunate to get away with a win because (Horizon's) a good team," Rocky Mountain coach Mark Brook said. "We have some things to work on, but this gives us some momentum heading into next week."

Rocky Mountain took a 23-14 lead into the half, turning two Horizon turnovers into 10 points.

The Hawks botched a punt on the first possession of the game, leading to a 19-yard Jacob de la Torre field goal.

Rocky Mountain opened a 17- 7 lead when linebacker Matthew Musgrave scooped up a fumbled Horizon pitch and rumbled 28 yards for a score on the third play of the second quarter.

"We didn't give up, and that's a sign of a new Horizon team," Hawks coach Frank Ybarra said. "People have said Horizon folds its tents when adversity hits. We didn't fold our tents, and we're going to bounce back next week."

Rocky Mountain......10	13	3	0	-	26
Horizon......7	7	0	6	-	20

First quarter

RM - Jacob de la Torre 19 field goal. H - Stephen Castiglione 1 run (Jared Cardenas kick). RM - Brett Wagner 2 run (de la Torre kick).

Second quarter

RM - Matthew Musgrave 28 fumble return (de la Torre kick). H - Kyle Haire 1 run (Cardenas kick). RM - Jacob Stewart 10 pass from Alex Kelly (kick failed).

Third quarter

RM - de la Torre 30 field goal.

Fourth quarter

H - Castiglione 1 run (kick blocked).

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing - RM, Wagner 19-128, Kelly 7-18, Michael Seidel 1-5, Stewart 1-4. H, Trey Pratt 17-98, Castiglione 15-41, Dillon Carlson 9-29, Haire 4-16.

Passing - RM, Kelly 10-15-0-74. H, Castiglione 8- 17-1-113.

Receiving - RM, Stewart 5-36, Michael Liss 3-21, Max Musgrave 1-19, J.T. Leidolt 1-(minus 2). H, Jared Cardenas 6-93, Josh Bredl 1-17, Pratt 1-3.

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