It didn’t take long for reality to set in for Mullen defensive back Josh Dorsey.
Dorsey had knocked down a two-point conversion attempt in the end zone with 4:23 remaining Friday night to preserve a wild 18-17 Class 5A Centennial League victory over Grandview.
Dorsey got his fair share of congratulations afterward but was soon reminded by his father, Rod, that he had more important things to think about – like studying.
Aw, Dad.
Dorsey’s textbook stop on Alex Mann’s pass attempt and a clutch 28-yard touchdown run by Mustangs quarterback Clint Brewster in the fourth quarter helped the defending champions overcome three red-zone turnovers at Brother Bernard Kinneavy de La Salle Stadium.
Brewster completed 14 passes for 225 yards to lead the Mustangs (7-2, 5-1), ranked No. 5 in The Denver Post/9News poll.
But the junior’s biggest play was his touchdown scramble with 9:25 left on fourth-and-1.
Brewster faked a handoff to Jarrett Hullum, reversed direction around the right side and sprinted to the corner of the end zone.
“We didn’t even tell (Hullum) we were going to keep that,” Brewster said. “Coach (Dave) Logan told me privately just to keep it. It was a great play call.”
For Grandview (7-2, 5-1, ranked No. 8), its gutsiest play backfired.
Quarterback Jared Schlehuber’s 2-yard touchdown run made it 18-17, and the Wolves went for the lead on a fake kick. Mann jumped up from his holder’s position and floated a ball into the end zone that Dorsey swatted away.
“I just rolled out and I saw three guys coming out,” Dorsey said. “I picked up the first one I saw, and that’s the one he threw it to.”
A week removed from a 24-21 loss to Cherry Creek, the Mustangs are back in line for the Centennial’s top playoff seed with a victory next week over struggling Smoky Hill.
“After we lost the way we did against Creek (24-21 on a field goal with no time remaining after the Mustangs were flagged for roughing the kicker), we were really deflated,” Logan said. “To these kids’ credit, they found a way to rejuvenate. Grandview is a real good team. I’m thrilled to death to get out of here with a win.”
Schlehuber completed 22 passes for 196 yards for the Wolves.
Both teams struggled to run the ball and relied on a mixed passing game to move the ball.
Grandview’s defense was especially bullish, sacking Brewster for a safety in the first quarter and coming up with four turnovers.
Mullen trailed 8-3 at halftime after a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Sam Sewell but took the lead midway through the third quarter on Devon Aguilar’s 5-yard touchdown catch.
The Wolves tied it 11-11 on Jake Veryser’s 24-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter before the Mustangs went up for good on Brewster’s touchdown run.
Grandview 2 6 0 9 – 17
Mullen 0 3 8 7 – 16
G – Safety, Brewster tackled in end zone. M – FG Pavy 27. G – Sewell 3 pass from Schlehuber (pass failed). M – Aguilar 5 pass from Brewster (Woulf pass from Brewster). G – FG Veryser 24. M – Brewster 28 run (Pavy kick). G – Schlehuber 2 run (pass failed).
