LAKEWOOD — Yes, Colorado, Columbine’s defense appears to be real … as in very.
The Rebels forced another opponent into the category of offensively challenged Thursday night. They downed Ralston Valley, a 2014 state semifinalist, 21-7 at Jefferson County Stadium in The Denver Post’s game of the week.
Ranked No. 5 in The Associated Press Class 5A media poll, the Rebels improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the 5A Jeffco League.
No. 7 Ralston Valley is 3-1 and 1-1.
Before the Mustangs’ Ethan Vowles found Carson Hunt for a 60-yard touchdown pass with 2:36 to play that was nearly picked off or knocked down, Columbine had forced the Mustangs into four punts, giving it over on downs three times, running out of time at the half and losing a fumble on a bad pitch.
“They’re playing with an attitude,” Rebels coach Andy Lowry said. “(The Mustangs) are good and a physical football team, and we wanted to be the more physical team tonight.”
They were.
“It starts in practice,” senior linebacker Brevin Fields said. “We’re giving 100 percent all of the time and playing for each other.”
They also can play some offense. Junior back Mikey Griebel ran 20 times for 142 yards, including a 59-yarder for a touchdown. He also opened the game with a 53-yard scoring reception, a simple button hook in which he outraced the Mustangs’ pursuit. Tim Mullin added a 3-yard TD run.
Through four games, Columbine has allowed only 14 points (and scored 119) — the Mustangs’ 60-yarder and a touchdown surrendered by the Rebels’ substitutes in the fourth quarter on the road at Fountain-Fort Carson in Week 1.
As for Ralston Valley, it had won 14 regular-season games in succession as well as 10 league games, including two in the old North Metro in 2013. The previous loss for the Mustangs during the regular season was to Pomona, 42-30 in 2013.
Ralston Valley 0 00 7—7 Columbine 7 0 14 0—21
C — Griebel 53 pass from Lowry (Hartman kick). C — Mullin 3 run (kick blocked). C — Griebel 59 run (Lowry run). RV — Hunt 60 pass from Vowles (D’ascoll kick).
Neil H. Devlin: ndevlin@denverpost.com or twitter: @neildevlin
