LAKEWOOD — Outside the Broncos’ locker room, offensive linemen are supposed to relish the chance to get recognized for their often-unrecognizable work.
Not Caleb Ramsey.
The Mullen senior lineman gave a smile and a “thanks, but no thanks” when asked to talk about the Mustangs’ dominant running game Saturday in their 42-7 victory over Chatfield.
Fortunately, the numbers said enough.
Using a variety of backs, the No. 2 Mustangs ran for 280 yards against a stout Chargers defense and scored 28 unanswered points in the second half at Jefferson County Stadium to advance to the Class 5A state quarterfinals.
“It started up front for us and I thought we did a good job in the second half,” said Mustangs coach Dave Logan, who guided Chatfield to the semi- finals in 2000 and to its only state title in football in 2001.
Junior Josh Ford ran for 141 yards and two touchdowns, freshman Adonis Ameen Moore rushed for 62 yards and two touchdowns and senior Jonathan Gaye had a 45-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. The Mustangs, who are looking for their fourth straight trip to the state final, improved to 11-0.
“We had a good pep talk at halftime and came out and kept running and wore them down,” Ford said.
Defensively, the Mustangs made enough adjustments to slow the No. 18 Chargers (7-4) and made a goal-line stand late in the fourth quarter.
“We had to make sure we played physical, first off,” Mustangs senior linebacker Cameron Friend said. “They’re like a juggernaut team and they like to run it up the sides and do the dives and isos, and they have a good running back … you have to stay low and wrap up.”
The Chargers, who had about 30 players sick early in the week because of a suspected norovirus, spoke afterward of pride in a strong season and for competing when some speculated they should have tried to postpone the game.
“We didn’t want that. They didn’t want anyone feeling sorry for them,” coach Bret McGatlin said. “We wanted to play football.”
After Mullen scored on its first drive, the Chargers answered with an 80-yard scoring drive – capped by a 11-yard run by sophomore quarterback Sam Stratton. The Mustangs made it 14-7 midway through the second quarter and didn’t pull away until early in the fourth. They play No. 10 Legacy (9-2) in the quarterfinals.
Mullen 7 7 7 21 – 42
Chatfield 7 0 0 0 – 7
M – Moore 5 run (Pavy kick). C – Stratton 11 run (Borrego kick). M – Ford 1 run (Pavy kick). M – Ford 5 run (Pavy kick). M – Moore 1 run (Pavy kick). M – Gaye 45 run (Pavy kick). M – Healy 56 fumble recovery (Pavy kick).
