It was different, but it was still Cherry Creek-Mullen.
In one of the lower-scoring games in what is regarded as Colorado’s best series, Mullen didn’t outlast archrival Cherry Creek Friday night in Centennial League play until the final minutes in The Denver Post game of the week, 21-7 at Brother Bernard Kinneavy de La Salle Stadium.
The Mustangs, ranked No. 2 in The Denver Post/9News Class 5A poll, improved to 6-1 overall, 6-0 in league. It was Mullen’s 22nd consecutive league victory, and it’s nearing a sixth consecutive Centennial championship.
Cherry Creek (6-1, 4-1), 5A’s No. 5, dropped its first game under first-year head coach Mike Brookhart.
Mullen’s Josh Ford, who headed a productive rushing attack, carried seven times on the first series and capped it with a 2-yard touchdown run.
But that was all of the scoring until midway through the fourth quarter. Both defenses dominated in a physical game and the Mustangs, coach Dave Logan said, promptly “made enough mistakes in the red zone to last a season.”
An interception, fumble, botched field-goal attempt, missed assignment or one of several penalties kept Mullen from increasing its lead.
Meanwhile, Cherry Creek never took advantage. The Bruins had numerous chances to either tie it or take the lead, but their rushing game stalled, and Mullen defensive pressure made it a long game for quarterback Kain Colter, who was sacked six times. Plus, the Bruins punted seven times.
Mullen finally got some breathing room when Adonis Ameen Moore broke free on the right side for a 54-yard touchdown, then Leilon Willingham cruised to an 8-yard scoring run after the Mullen defense held.
Cherry Creek managed a 21-yard touchdown pass from Colter to Chuck Zeller with 1:06 to play, but it was too late.
“The defense played great, but we didn’t get anything going on offense,” Brookhart said. “But I think (the Mustangs) had something to do with it.”
Ford and Ameen Moore took turns on series and combined for 278 yards rushing, 154 for Ford.
“We got going early,” Ford said. “We’re a team. If (Ameen Moore) runs for 20 yards, I want 21. We compete and it’s all about the team.”
Logan, encouraged by his team’s recent play, lamented his team’s mistakes, but added: “We’ll take it.”
Cherry Creek gets Grandview, the defending 5A champion in the next round. The Mustangs will finish the regular season with Grandview in Week 9.
Cherry Creek 0 0 0 7 — 7
Mullen 7 0 0 14 — 21
M — Ford 2 run (Lane kick). M — Ameen Moore 54 run (Lane kick). M — Willingham 8 run (Lane kick). CC — Zeller 21 pass from Colter (Willenbrock kick).
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
