5A football playoffs: Rocky Mountain has proved it belongs

Rocky Mountain has proved it belongs

By Scott Stocker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 12, 2008 at 10:35 p.m.

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Photo by Rich Abrahamson / The (Fort Collins) Coloradoan

Rocky Mountain quarterback Bryan Peters has thrown for 2,264 yards, 30 touchdowns and one interception this season. He also has rushed for 920 yards and 10 touchdowns.

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Preseason rankings? They didn't mean a thing as far as the Rocky Mountain football team was concerned.

The Lobos were not included among the top 10 in the preseason Class 5A football rankings by the Rocky, but they are one of the final eight teams alive in the big-school bracket. Rocky Mountain (11-0) has moved to No. 2 in the rankings behind defending state champion Grandview (11-0).

The Lobos, coached by Mark Brook, cruised in their playoff opener, beating Hinkley before ousting Cherokee Trail in the second round.

A stiff challenge awaits Friday when Rocky Mountain hosts perennial contender Mullen (9-2) at 7 p.m. at French Field.

"Mullen is well-tested in the playoffs and they are physical on both sides of the football," Brook said. "We will have our hands full. I know it's an old cliche, but field position and turnovers will be keys."

Rocky Mountain and Mullen can move the football with their high-powered offenses and both play solid defense.

Rocky Mountain quarterback Bryan Peters has been more than a pleasant surprise this season, throwing for 2,264 yards and 30 touchdowns while rushing for 920 yards and 10 scores. He has thrown only one interception.

The top targets on a talented receiving corps have been 2007 All-Colorado wide receiver Jake Stewart (42 receptions, 788 yards, 12 touchdowns) and J.T. Leidholt (34, 518, eight).

"We had question marks at the beginning of the season," Brook said. "But the guys have grabbed the bull by the horns and embraced the team concept. We are not one-dimensional. Bryan has stepped up and then some after being a backup last season. But all the kids have made great progress."

Defensive end Matt Musgrave has been a stalwart, as have linebacker Evan Wortman and cornerbacks Jake DeLatorre and Tyler Parry. Jeff Benedict, Rene Haro-Sypes and Dante Conti have excelled on the line.

Mullen is diverse, too. The running game revolves around Josh Ford (949 rushing yards) and Adonis Ameen-Moore (907). And the passing attack, with Tim Tancik (852 passing yards) in charge and receivers such as Ryan Hewitt (27 receptions, 388 yards), Rayshon Williams (27, 342) and Brennan Belloni (25, 381), can't be overlooked.

And neither will Mullen coach Dave Logan be overlooking a rock-solid Rocky Mountain outfit.

"They are really explosive on offense, with a ton of big-play capabilities," Logan said. "We have to tackle well and be disciplined on defense. Peters is one of the better quarterbacks I've seen in a long time. He can throw and run. Combine those qualities and you have a special player."

Peters and the Rocky Mountain offense will have to contend with Mullen defensive ends Nduka Onyeali (14 sacks, 12 tackles for losses) and Sammy Wood and linebackers Leilon Willingham and Conor Healy.

In the semifinals, the Mullen-Rocky Mountain victor will play the winner between Douglas County (8-3) and Poudre (9-2).

Douglas County coach Jeff Ketron, who has led the Huskies into the playoffs a fourth consecutive year and who won the title in 2005, sums up the field well.

"There are no more pretenders when you get to the final eight. These teams are all good," Ketron said. "That's the bottom line. I do think, though, it's unfortunate that teams from the same leagues, like Creek and Grandview, Pomona and Columbine, still have to meet this early. But, that's the way it works."

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