AURORA — This is what makes sports sports — hopes and dreams caught up in a whipping wind on a cold Friday night.
The Ralston Valley kicker, a freshman, attempted a game-tying field goal as regulation expired.
“Hey, maybe a big gust of wind comes up and blows it in there,” said Ralston Valley coach Matt Loyd, whose Mustangs, shut out 17-0 in the first three quarters, had cut the Grandview lead to 17-14.
But Collin Root’s boot, a 55-yard attempt, landed on the goal line. The Grandview players rushed the field. And soon, there was Coach Loyd, cradling his crying son, Mustangs quarterback Colton, whose prep career was now over.
As for No. 4-seeded Grandview, which earlier this season ended Mullen’s 34-game win streak, this became its biggest win of 2011, the 17-14 quarterfinal win at Legacy Stadium. It took some guts and creativity.
After Dominic Vessa punched in the second Mustangs touchdown, John Schultz’s Wolves methodically marched down the field, gobbling up yards and clock. Grandview converted one fourth down deep in Ralston Valley territory, but not the second time with 2:19 left — a fourth-and-6 from the 6.
“We thought it was better to have them drive 94 yards then to have to kick off into the wind,” Schultz said.
Everyone in Aurora knew the Mustangs’ game plan — run and run and run. For the night, Ralston Valley attempted just four passes (for 2 total yards) while utilizing five featured running backs (366 total yards).
So here they were, the season on the line. Thanks in part to a 25-yard dash from Cory Witt (who finished with 153 yards on just 13 carries), the Mustangs marched toward midfield. But without a passing attack — and Grandview loading the secondary with a prevent-type defense — Coach Loyd knew that the Hail Mary would have to come in the form of a kick.
Grandview’s win was a team effort, everyone from kicker Eli Williams (three field goals) to Tanner Gentry (interception in the end zone) to the bruising running of Isaiah Jackson, who had 129 yards on 29 carries.
“We’ve played together since we were 5 years old,” Gentry said of Jackson. “He’s fast, plays hard and doesn’t want to go down.”
And so it seems, neither does Grandview.
Ralston Valley 0 0 0 14 — 14
Grandview 3 3 11 0 — 17
G — FG Williams 22. G — FG Williams 29. G — Sandoval 7 pass from Schlehuber (Schlehuber pass to Gentry). G — FG Williams 33. R — Witt 16 run (Root kick). R — Vessa 1 run (Root kick).
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
