They began the season with four returning starters, just one on defense and zero at the skill positions. But here come the Mullen Mustangs – again – in another playoff run.
They’re not as flashy, fast or experienced, but the Mustangs made at least the semifinals for the fifth time in coach Dave Logan’s five years.
The Mustangs knocked off Legacy 22-6 on Friday night at Brother Bernard Kinneavy de La Salle Stadium in Colorado’s Class 5A quarterfinals.
It was Mullen’s 12th consecutive victory, and the No. 2-seeded Mustangs will host Douglas County next weekend in the semifinals. It’s a change from previous years, when coin flips decided host sites before the championship game at Invesco Field at Mile High. Douglas County is seeded sixth.
A year ago, the two programs met in the semifinals and Mullen won 41-38 in triple OT.
On Friday, the Mustangs fought through penalty trouble and a determined effort by the Lightning, who finished 9-3.
Big plays were few and far between, but the Mustangs handled consistent defense by the Lightning and used its running game, featuring freshman Adonis Ameen Moore, to move on.
“We knew that was a big, physical team,” Logan said. “Their quarterback’s an excellent player, they had good skill kids and they’re well-coached. So we knew it would be a knock-down, drag-it-out fight.”
A 44-yard field goal by Caleb Pavy and 9-yard TD pass from Tim Tancik to Ryan Hewitt made it 9-0 by halftime, then Moore’s two 3-yard touchdown runs capped Mullen drives.
“We hurt ourselves with penalties and had a couple of good drives that were stopped,” Logan said. “In high school football, you can’t do that.”
Nor could Legacy, which had its own woes, notably a half-dozen dropped passes, penalties and a failure to finish.
The Lightning missed a field goal at the end of its first drive and had only one more first down before the break.
Quarterback Luke Bublitz, who had success rushing on draws and scrambles, fumbled early in the third quarter and Ameen Moore scored seven plays later to make it 16-0.
Legacy responded on Bublitz’s 11-yard scoring pass to Vince Gallegos, but later squandered good field position, gave up a long punt return and never got it going.
“We definitely had the momentum a couple times and we just couldn’t capitalize on it,” Lightning coach Wayne Voorhees said. “It’s what we talked abut all week.”
Legacy 0 0 6 0 – 6
Mullen 0 9 7 6 – 22
M – FG Pavy 44. M – Hewitt 9 pass from Tancik (kick blocked). M – Ameen Moore 3 run (Pavy kick). L – Gallegos 11 pass from Bublitz (pass failed). M – Ameen Moore 3 run (kick failed).
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
