Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Mullen tops Grandview 36-14

Scott Stocker, Rocky Mountain News

Published September 15, 2007 at midnight

Text size  

More RockyPreps

More stories »

Jonathan Gaye and his Mullen teammates got of to a slow start Friday, but the Mustangs certainly finished strong.

Gaye rushed for only 28-yards on seven carries in the first half in Mullen’s 36-14 Centennial League opener against Grandview. He only carried the ball five more times in the second half, but it was good enough to finish the night with 200 yards and three touchdowns.

Mullen, ranked No. 2 by the Rocky Mountain News improved to 3-0 overall with the win while Grandview dropped to 1-2.

While the Mullen offense might have gotten off to a slow start, the same can not be said for the defense. The Mustangs, led by defensive back Nolan Brewster, kept Grandviews leading rusher, Bo Bolen in check with only 74 yards on 17 carries.

On the other hand, Mullen did have a few problems with Grandview quarterback Rick Hitz. Hitz completed 17 passes for 225 yards, but the two Wolves touchdowns came on Hitz runs of 15 and 28 yards.

"We're inexperienced and at the beginning of the season we started off slow," said Gaye, who is coming off a season-ending injury from last year. "But every game we have been able to progress more. It’s just getting better and better. I’m not surprised we played as well as we did as we’ve got a lot of good people on this football team.

"I’m very proud of our defense, too," Gaye said. "I’m never surprised at what these guys can do. I feel pretty good about coming off the injury. I feel a lot better. I just wanted to come back and do the best I can."

Brewster, who has already committed to the University of Texas, is the lone returning starter on Mullen’s defense this season. But the young Mustangs are certainly responding to the tasks at hand.

Mullen struck quickly, scoring on the games third play from scrimmage on a 73-yard run by Ryan Heagle. Caleb Pavy tacked on the extra point and with 10:28 the Mustangs were up 7-0.

Grandview was able to pull even with 10:30 left in the second quarter on a 15-yard run by quarterback Rick Hitz. The 69-yard drive was aided by a 15-yard pass interference penalty, a 14-yard run by Davis Burl and a 14-yard pass reception by Tyler Dremen.

But Mullen answered Grandview’s score with 8:41 in the second quarter on a 2-yard run by Gaye. The score was set up on 48-yard pass from Mustang’s quarterback Jonny Miller to wide receiver Terrance Dent.

Mullen had two other opportunities to score in the second, but the Mustang’s kicker Caleb Pavy could not connect on field goal attempts of 34 and 45 yards. Both kicks were off to the left.

But a key, holding Bolen, who was the state’s leading rusher during the regular season last year, under 100 yards.

"Bolen is a great running back," said Brewster, who also had a pass interception. "We schemed him and we schemed him well and took him out of his game. But the No. 1 thing is that we came up and hit.

"Hitz really surprised us," Brewster said. "We came into this game thinking he was going to do just a lot of passing. But he’s a fine quarterback, scored on us twice and kind of caught us off guard."

Mullen, overcoming a 14-13 deficite, took the lead with 1:56 left in the third quarter on a 4-yard run by Josh Ford. On the Mustangs next possession, it only took one play as Gaye scooted for his 61-yard run with :22 seconds left in the third quarter for a 26-14 lead.

A Pavey 26-yard field goal, which made up for two previous misses, up the count to 29-14. Gaye then put the game completely out of reach with a 74-yard gallop with 5:09 left in the game.

or 303-954-5275



Grandview 0 7 7 0 - 14

Mullen 7 6 13 10 - 36

First quarter

M, Ryan Heagle 73 run (Caleb Pavy kick).

Second quarter

G, Rick Hitz 15 run (Charlie Johnson kick). M, Jonathan Gaye 2 run (kick blocked).

Third quarter

G, Hitz 28 run (Johnson kick). M, Josh Ford 4 run (run failed); Jonathan Gaye 61 run (Pavy kick).

Fourth quarter

M, Pavy 26 FG. M, Gaye 74 run (John Lane kick).

Rushing: G, Bo Bolen 17-74, Rich Hitz 13-33, Davis Burl 2-16, Matt Tucker 2-13, Heath Davis 1 -2. M, Jonathan Gaye 12-200, Ryan Heagle 3-77, Adonis Ameen Moore 9-40, Josh Ford 8-37, Nolan Brewster 1-11, Derron Harris 2-9.

Passing: G, Hitz 18-27-225-0-1. M, Jonny Miller 4-10-85-0-0. Timmy Tancik 2-4-8-0-0.

Receiving: G, Grant Miller 6-106, Bolen 3-46, Matt Tucker 2-27, Tyler Dreman 2-12, Shea Shepard 3-29, Heath Davis 2-5. M, Terrance Dent 2-56, Gavin Fisher 1-11, Ryan Heagle 1-17, Josh Ford 2-9.