ARVADA — No Max Borghi, no problem.
Borghi, a Washington State commit who is widely considered the most electric playmaker in the state, did not play in the Panthers’ much-hyped Week 0 season opener Friday night against Mullen as he continues his rehabilitation from last season’s ACL tear.
Class 5A No. 3-ranked Pomona nevertheless cruised by the fourth-ranked Mustangs 52-22, sparked by four rushing touchdowns from junior Theorius Robison as well as a defense that cinched down after allowing two first-quarter touchdown drives.
Robison, a two-time state champion wrestler, was one of several offensive skill players who had big nights for Pomona at the the North Area Athletic Complex. Senior quarterback Ryan Marquez threw for three touchdowns and ran for another, while Colton Muller, Riley Govan and Billy Pospisil all had receiving scores.
“I’ve been grinding and waiting for this moment to come,” Robison said. “My line was blowing huge holes for me all night, and we were hungry to get a statement win like this.”
Mullen jumped out to an early lead thanks to rushing touchdowns from senior Alonzo Moon that made it 14-7 after one quarter. But the Panthers quickly asserted themselves in a game that didn’t have the competitive makings of last year’s regular-season showdown, also won by Pomona.
The Mustangs did not score again until late in the third quarter, as trench play and turnovers — senior corner Santos Maguina, senior free safety Kenny Maes and sophomore linebacker Kyle Moretti all recorded interceptions — swung in favor of the Panthers.
“Our defense finally relaxed. There were six, seven kids starting for the first time, and we were rotating in five other guys who were seeing their first varsity action,” Pomona coach Jay Madden said. “So there were about a dozen guys out there running around trying to adjust to the speed of the game, but when they finally did, they made a lot of big plays.”
Moon finished with three touchdowns for the Mustangs, who couldn’t regain their momentum following three consecutive three-and-outs in the second quarter.
The going doesn’t get easier for either team going forward. Pomona gets Borghi back for a road showdown at Fountain-Fort Carson next week, while Mullen plays at No. 2 Valor Christian.
“We get Max back next week, and we’re going to put him and Theorius in the backfield together and make the defense decide who to key on,” Madden said. “We can also put Max out at X (receiver) and throw screens to Theorius. It’s going to be a lot of fun, but everyone’s seen it now and they’ll be game-planning for it.”
Both teams are aiming for state championship runs, with Pomona having been there — and lost — the last two seasons, while the Mustangs made the quarterfinals last year.
Other notable Week 0 scores
Braden River (Fla.) 49, 4A No. 3 Chatfield 32 (Thursday): The Chargers kicked off the 2017 Colorado prep football season by holding their own against one of the Sunshine State’s gridiron powerhouses before falling short. Senior middle linebacker Cameron Lucas led Chatfield on defense, while senior running back Ben Frenette provided a spark on offense.
No. 9 Columbine 21, Ralston Valley 7: Junior quarterback Logan Dearment tossed two first-half touchdowns to senior playmaker Ted Mullin to help give the Rebels a two-touchdown lead at halftime, an advantage they didn’t relinquish against their longtime Jeffco foe as both defenses pitched shutouts in the second half.
No. 2 Valor Christian 30, Faith Lutheran (Nev.) 21: The Eagles faced a 21-14 deficit after two quarters but did now allow a point in the second half. Juniors Joshia Davis and Luke McCaffrey each had a pair of touchdown runs for the defending 5A champions.
