When Chaparral intercepted Mullen quarterback Clint Brewster deep in its territory during Saturday afternoon’s second drive of the game, the Wolverines’ sideline and following in the stands whooped and hollered, as they seemed to sense the potential for something special.
However, Mullen, much as it has done to everyone else it has faced in 2006, simply let its considerable talent take over.
The Mustangs quickly gathered themselves and rolled the Wolverines 41-12 at Brother Bernard Kinneavy de La Salle Stadium in the Class 5A quarterfinals, another decisive decision for a speedy, savvy and senior-led group that improved to 12-0.
The Mustangs will play defending state champion Douglas County, a 12-10 victor over Mountain Vista on Friday night, next weekend in the semifinals in a meeting against the program that denied them a second consecutive 5A title.
Chaparral, which ended 8-4, had no answers and couldn’t do much about it.
“They’re more talented than we are,” Wolverines coach Ed Stevens said in capping a 33-year career, the past 10 with Chaparral.
On the Mustangs’ next offensive series, gifted wide receiver and returner Devin Aguilar opened his team’s scoring door and led a charge through it. The Washington-bound Aguilar, against single coverage, caught a 44-yard touchdown pass from Brewster for a 6-0 lead with less than a minute remaining in the opening quarter, then paced a second-quarter touchdown barrage that put it out of reach.
Aguilar returned a punt 71 yards for a touchdown on the quarter’s opening play before rushing touchdowns by Mike Goldy and Phil Morelli made it 27-0 at halftime.
Goldy added another touchdown on a 5-yard reception from Brewster, as did Aguilar, who made yet another nice catch on a 15-yard score.
“We turned it over on the first possession – didn’t get off to a great start, but hung in there,” Mustangs coach Dave Logan said. “Playoff football is not about a track meet; it’s hardnosed football and trying to win it.”
The Mustangs’ defense dutifully employed the concept – particularly linebacker Kyle Theret. Theret was in on a dozen tackles. Mullen also fared well up front and in the secondary.
“We kept our composure real well,” Morelli said after rushing for 210 yards. “Our defense played real and we were tough up front on both sides of the ball.”
Chaparral could only watch, then send Stevens off into retirement. The coach, who led Wheat Ridge – Logan’s alma mater – to two 4A championships in the 1990s, made sure everyone on the roster got in the game, then shared his final moments with the team in a spirited postgame goodbye.
“This was a good group of kids and I had a great time with them,” Stevens said. “It was a great ride.”
Chaparral 0 0 0 12 – 12
Mullen 6 21 14 0 – 41
M – Aguilar 44 pass from Brewster (kick blocked). M – Aguilar 71 punt return (Pavy kick). M – Goldy 22 run (Pavy kick). M – Morelli 5 run (Pavy kick). M – Goldy 5 pass from C. Brewster (Pavy kick). M – Aguilar 15 pass from C. Brewster (Pavy kick). C – Newton 19 pass from Kaelin (pass failed). C – Newton 4 pass from Kaelin (pass failed).
Neil H. Devlin can be reached at 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com.
