The surface at Brother Bernard Kinneavy de La Salle Stadium was so wet from Thursday’s snowstorm that Mullen officials elected to bring in a helicopter, land it on the field and attempt to blow away as much moisture as possible.
It didn’t work that well, as the natural-grass field was as slippery and muddy as a barnyard.
However, nothing could stick to the well-oiled Mullen machine that easily blew away Overland 49-19 on Friday night to clinch its fourth consecutive Centennial League title outright and a share of its fifth.
The Mustangs, ranked No. 1 in The Denver Post/9News Class 5A poll, improved to 9-0 overall, 7-0 in league. They have won 33 of their past 35 games in the league and were state runners-up in 2005.
“It was senior night and we have 32 seniors, and they’ve been a special group,” Mullen coach Dave Logan said. “It turned out real well.”
No doubt – the Mustangs scored early and often. In fact, it took them just 13 plays to put up four touchdowns.
Despite the slippery conditions, the Mullen offensive front performed well, particularly in protecting quarterback Clint Brewster. The senior, one of five Mustangs bound for Division I-A, had lots of time to operate and he took advantage of it.
He sandwiched two touchdown passes to tight end Steve Watson, the son of the former Broncos wide receiver headed to Michigan, around two to speedy wide receiver Devin Aguilar, who will attempt to play football and basketball next season at Washington.
Watson’s grabs covered 24 yards and 1 yard, and Aguilar’s were 21 and 58 yards.
With 1:51 to play in the first quarter, Mullen led 28-0.
“We had to do it,” Aguilar said. “It was just pretty good for our team. We had to work hard (for an undefeated regular season) and we didn’t want to lose here at home.”
The Mullen seniors lost one Centennial game at home in four years. The loss came in 2005 to Cherry Creek.
Mullen running back Phil Morelli, who will play next season at Colorado State, had more than 100 yards rushing by halftime and scored on runs of 11 and 51 yards.
The Mustangs never attained the 45-point differential that would have instituted a running clock (known as a mercy rule in high school), but Overland, ranked No. 7 in 5A, did not recover from the early deficit.
The Trailblazers (6-3) couldn’t stop Mullen on defense and their offense never got untracked.
In particular, their front lines were overmatched.
“It all starts there for us,” Logan said. “We play well when we have protection and when we stop people.”
Nolan Brewster added a fumble recovery for the Mustangs.
Both teams are assured of hosting first-round games in the new 32-team playoff bracket that will be announced Sunday.
The Mustangs should vie for the top seed with Fort Collins, which also entered Saturday’s play undefeated.
Overland 0 0 7 12 – 19
Mullen 28 7 14 0 – 49
M – Watson 24 pass from C. Brewster (Pavy kick). M – Aguilar 21 pass from C. Brewster (Pavy kick). M – Aguilar 58 pass from C. Brewster (Pavy kick). M – Watson 1 pass from C. Brewster (Pavy kick). M – Morelli 11 run (Pavy kick). M – Morelli 51 run (Pavy kick). O – Woehl 41 fumble return (Moran kick). M – Brooks 36 pass from Brog (Lane kick). O – Cooper 1 run (kick blocked). O – Campbell 5 run (kick blocked).
