Greenwood Village – On the surface, it appeared to be just another Friday night football game between Cherry Creek and Mullen.
But Coloradans know better, as the state’s most storied, significant and interesting rivalry in the modern era added another juicy chapter.
Aric Goodman’s 23-yard field goal with no time remaining lifted Cherry Creek to a 24-21 victory over defending state champion Mullen in Centennial League play at a crowded Stutler Bowl.
Both teams are 4-1 in league and tied for second place in the Centennial. But the Bruins (7-1 overall), ranked No. 5 in The Denver Post/9News 5A poll, dropped the No. 4 Mustangs (6-2) from a first-place tie with Grandview and came back to the top of the 5A mix after stumbling the week before against Overland.
Goodman’s field goal came after he had missed two 52-yarders in the first half and a 29-yarder as time expired. The Denver Post 2004 all-Colorado selectee was ruled to be roughed by the Mullen rush and was given another opportunity. He drilled it.
It capped a wild evening and a big turnaround for the Bruins, while a miffed Mullen bunch that repeatedly hurt itself with penalties left the field openly disgusted with the officiating.
“(The officials) don’t always see (roughing the kicker), but they got it that time,” Goodman said. “I got hit on the side of my leg … on the second one (that was good.)”
Mullen coach Dave Logan, also questioning pass-interference penalties against his defense, didn’t see it that way.
“I’ve got absolutely no comment on the officials,” he said. “You cannot play in the kicking game like we did. We gave up a (touchdown) and another long one, but on your question about the officials, my response would be absolutely no comment.”
Cherry Creek led 21-14 down the stretch, but Mullen tied it with 38 seconds remaining on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Clint Brewster to Devin Aguilar, his only catch of the game, and Caleb Pavy’s PAT kick. It appeared overtime was inevitable.
However, Karl Heimbrock returned a squibbed kickoff to the Cherry Creek 42-yard line. Kelsey Sokoloski’s pass on second down to James O’Brien brought the Bruins to the Mullen 24 with 21 seconds to play. The Bruins then worked on centering the ball for Goodman.
Earlier, Cherry Creek, which led most of the way, could have made it 21-6 at halftime, but Sokoloski was picked off by Chris Carney 1:12 before halftime. Brewster, mainly relying on the rushing of Phillip Morelli and Jarret Hullum, connected with Morelli on a 26-yard scoring pass and Morelli tied it at 14 with a two-point conversion run.
The Bruins had started the game on an 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Brian McCullis. Mullen crept within 7-6 on Brewster’s 1-yard scoring plunge and Cherry Creek made it 14-6 on Sokoloski’s 19-yard scoring pass to Darin McDonald.
Mullen 0 14 0 7 – 21
Cherry Creek 7 7 0 10 – 24
CC – McCullis 89 kickoff return (Goodman kick). M – C. Brewster 1 run (kick failed). CC – McDonald 19 pass from Sokoloski (Goodman kick). M – Morelli 26 pass from Brewster (Hullum run). CC – Henley 1 run (Goodman kick). M – Aguilar 17 pass from C. Brewster (Pavy kick). CC – FG Goodman 23.
