“Your Name Here” just about sums up the evolution of Ralston Valley’s vaunted running game this season.
Through injuries both freak and routine, no less than nine different players have joined junior quarterback Cameron Wright in the backfield this season. Thanks to a talented core of seniors and the offensive line, the Mustangs have rushed their way back to the Class 4A state semifinals for the second straight season despite the revolving door that seems to change a little each week.
To everything, turn, turn, turn.
“Rather than put the load on one person’s shoulders, we’re trying to spread it around,” Mustangs coach Matt Loyd said. “That’s all I’m trying to do.”
The all-hands-on-deck committee first started to convene when starting fullback Blake Rice went down with a knee injury during the Mustangs’ 20-7 victory over Montbello in Week 3.
Since the fullback attack is Step One in Loyd’s ground game, junior Sam Bierbrauer was moved from running back to fill in for Rice. Just as Bierbrauer was developing into a formidable inside threat despite a certain lack of size, he sustained a concussion in the first quarter of Ralston Valley’s 8-7 victory over Wheat Ridge in Week 9.
Bierbrauer could be cleared to play soon, although Loyd doesn’t expect him to participate in Saturday’s rematch with the Farmers (11-1) at the North Area Athletic Complex.
Cue the third-stringer – sophomore Nick Grenfell. Grenfell’s first varsity start was in Ralston Valley’s first-round playoff victory over George Washington. His contributions have improved steadily, although senior linebacker Nick Snyder has been added into the mix.
Senior Jacob Perry has also factored in recently as well.
Rice tried to return in Week 10 as a long-snapper, but re-injured his knee after getting rolled up on in a pile and is done for the season.
With Bierbrauer’s move to fullback and eventually the sideline, the running back position has been turned over primarily to two defensive backs and a slot receiver.
Seniors T.J. Martinez and Nate Ormsby can get anywhere from three to nine carries while rotating on defense and senior Payton McLachlan has gone from catching Wright’s passes to carrying them.
“We go out there and coach asks us to do it and we just do it,” Ormsby said. “We want to win really bad because we think we have something special this year.”
Junior Josh Meneses was also getting carries while playing safety until he crushed a finger lifting weights during the week prior to the Mustangs’ 17-0 victory over Monarch last Friday.
Although touted as a true pocket quarterback at the beginning of the season, Wright has gotten things done lately with his feet and led the Mustangs in rushing in both playoff victories.
In addition to its bend-but-don’t-break defense, Ralston Valley’s only other constant this season has been the offensive line, led by standout seniors Derek Rowe, Kyle Lantzy and Matt McCrystal.
The Mustangs have hung their hats on their line play this season and will have to do so again against Wheat Ridge, which can boast nearly identical size and experience. Ralston Valley used nine different ball carriers to defeat Wheat Ridge on Oct. 26.
And if the revolving door spins one more time to the Mustangs’ benefit, they’ll be playing for their first football state title in school history.
CLASS 4A | SEMIFINALS
Wheat Ridge (11-1) vs. Ralston Valley (11-1)
One of the best games during the 4A regular season gets its sequel, although the supporting cast (i.e. the weather) should be better. Ralston Valley won the Oct. 26 Mountain Plains League slugfest 8-7 on a last-second touchdown pass and subsequent two-point conversion. The conditions were cold, wet and muddy, which kept both teams primarily running between the tackles. Wheat Ridge quarterback Dylan Orms (hand) is healthier than in the first meeting, although his ability to weave his way outside the pocket remains his most dangerous weapon. Power back Beau Stevens is coming off one of his best efforts against Fountain-Fort Carson, although his size won’t be such a factor against the big Mustangs. Junior lineman Joe Wheeler (elbow) probably won’t play, but standout Mike Field is healthy after missing the teams’ first encounter. “If there is anybody they wanted to play again, it was them,” Farmers coach Reid Kahl said of the matchup. Ralston Valley didn’t suffer any major injuries after last week’s bruising encounter with Monarch, but the backfield still remains a manageable mess. Quarterback Cameron Wright led the team in rushing last week but struggled throwing the ball. The defense has been a life saver of late as the offense has continued to turn the ball over. The game should go quickly and probably will be even more physical than in the first bruising encounter. If the weather holds, the passing game should be an added wrinkle for both teams. The quarterbacks can throw and are always likely to pull the ball down and run. Both defenses are fast and physical.
Loveland (9-3) vs. Greeley West (12-0)
To say Loveland didn’t want another shot at Northern League rival Greeley West is to put it mildly. The talk in the Ray Patterson Stadium press box last week was about how the Indians got the short end of two called fumbles when the Spartans won 13-6 on Oct. 20. In 29 seasons under coach John Poovey, Loveland’s system is intact and will be on display. The Indians have great size all over, are very tough and physical, and have been in every game this season. Fullback Daniel Freismuth tenderizes the middle and junior running back Jesse Lewis has the speed to break any play into a touchdown. “The fact that you know the team a little better and you have some history with them adds a little edge to it,” Poovey said. Greeley West’s Blake Morgan might have cemented himself as 4A player of the year after his four-touchdown performance last week against ThunderRidge. He’ll be the primary weapon again, although Chris Zacharko will get some carries and quarterback Rex Morgan has several worthy targets – including Blake. The defense has been the biggest surprise. With only one starter returning from last season, the Spartans have been unforgiving up front. Said Spartans coach Mark Roggy of the Indians: “You just have to line up and whip them, if you can.” The battle in the trenches will be the barometer for this encounter. Both will try to dominate, but neither will probably be successful for the entire game. There will be similar power backs while each teams’ running backs can fly in the open field. Greeley West’s passing game could be a mismatch. The Indians have struggled at times defending in the air, Poovey admits, but they’ve been getting better.
