AURORA — Diminutive tailback Ryan Tasker and a dominant defense carried Grandview to a 31-7 victory over Rangeview in a Class 5A playoff game Friday night at Aurora Public Schools Stadium.
Tasker, who missed half the season with various injuries, amassed 147 yards on 22 carries and scored two touchdowns. The 5-foot-6, 160-pound junior set up two scores with a pair of 38-yard runs.
The Wolves’ defense also won the line of scrimmage, limiting Range-view to 104 total yards, including minus-2 yards rushing in the second half.
“It came down to the line of scrimmage on both sides, and they beat us up up front,” said Rangeview coach Dave Gonzales, whose team finished with a 6-4 record. “It’s a tough loss for us.”
Grandview, which began 3-0, ended a two-game losing skid. The Wolves (6-4), who lost last week to No. 1 Mullen 21-0, advance to play Fairview next week.
“We didn’t have the usual Grandview season of 10-1 or that kind of thing,” Tasker said. “We were 5-4, had some tough losses. But after losing to Mullen, we (thought of ourselves as being) 0-0 and beginning a new season. We get to five wins, we’ve got the gold ball. We’re one step to five.”
Grandview led 14-7 at halftime and went ahead by two touchdowns when Tasker spearheaded and capped a 76-yard drive on the opening second- half possession with a 1-yard run.
On the Wolves’ ensuing drive, Tasker produced a 38-yard run to set up Luke Tomlinson’s 24-yard field goal. Then, on Grandview’s next possession, Tasker’s 38-yard run set up Zack Nelson’s 2-yard QB plunge that made it 31-7.
Tasker entered the game with just 300 yards on 88 carries and two TDs.
“I owe all my thanks to my offensive line and getting healthy,” Tasker said.
The Wolves struck first on Nate Smock’s block punt on Rangeview’s first possession. Smock recovered the ball in the end zone, giving the Wolves a 7-0 lead.
Rangeview tied it 7-7 after linebacker Enrique Gonzalez recovered a fumble on Grandview’s 10-yard line. Two plays later, Jonathan Mathews scored from the 6.
The Wolves took the lead for good in the second quarter on Tasker’s 5-yard TD run.
“That’s a tough, physical football team that Rangeview has, but I thought we wore them out a little bit in the second half,” Grandview coach John Schultz said. “We were able to run the ball. It’s been a few weeks since we were able to do that.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
