Castle Rock – “It’s about time,” a relieved and happy Douglas County coach Jeff Ketron said.
Such is relief when your team hasn’t defeated a district rival in four years.
Douglas County finally downed Ponderosa 35-14 on Friday night to stay within a half-game of National League- leading Arapahoe.
The victory for the Huskies, their first over the Mustangs since 2001, pushed them to 5-1, 2-0 in the league. Ranked No. 10 in The Denver Post/9News Class 5A poll, the Huskies are 5-1 for the first time since 2002.
Their much-coveted victory over Ponderosa (3-3, 1-2) at Douglas County Stadium was propelled by 305 yards rushing and four touchdowns by senior running back Andy Muns, who entered as 5A’s second-leading rusher.
His totals are 1,205 and 15 touchdowns.
“I’m so proud of Andy, how he’s grown as a person and football player,” Ketron said.
Muns, a diminutive 5-feet-8, 189 pounds, accounted for most of the Huskies’ offense and scoring, and was game against a Ponderosa defense that entered the game knowing he was going to get the carries.
“It feels great,” Muns said. “My offensive line is the best in the state.”
By halftime, Muns had three touchdowns and 205 yards as Douglas County built a 21-7 lead. Included was an 80-yard run early in the second quarter in which he appeared to be stopped for a harmless 5-yard gain by a host of Mustangs tacklers.
However, Muns somehow emerged from the pack and outraced the pursuit.
Douglas County threatened to blow out the Mustangs, who sputtered on offense and were handled at the point of attack on defense, but it had problems protecting the ball.
Consecutive fumbles and a missed field goal created some anxious moments as Ponderosa climbed within 28-14 and got the ball back on the Douglas County 23.
But a key sack by Matt Zoeteway and Nick Hernon led to a missed field-goal attempt by the Mustangs, then Muns sealed it with his fourth touchdown, a 4-yarder, two series later.
Ponderosa had opened the scoring on a 2-yard plunge by Anthony Trevino late in the first quarter, but Muns answered with his first score, a 27-yarder through traffic.
Steve Fendry and Eric Lawson, who both have orally committed to the University of Colorado, had big games up front on both sides of the ball for the Huskies.
Rossetti led the modest Mustangs’ attack with 56 yards rushing.
“It’s about building a program,” Ketron said.
Douglas County next gets Hinkley, then has a showdown Oct. 22 at Arapahoe.
Ponderosa 7 0 0 7 – 14
Douglas County 7 14 7 7 – 35
P – Trevino 2 run (Patrick kick). DC – Muns 27 run (Reynolds kick). DC – Muns 80 run (Reynolds kick). DC – Muns 1 run (Reynolds kick). DC – Reddy 40 interception return (Reynolds kick). P – Rossetti 6 run (Patrick kick). DC – Muns 3 run (Giepel kick).
