Ralston Valley did it with defense all season long. Why change now?
The No. 2 Mustangs returned a pair of turnovers for touchdowns and exploded for 28 points in the second quarter to drop No. 10 Eaglecrest 42-14 in Friday night’s Class 5A state quarterfinal at NAAC Stadium.
The win clinched Ralston Valley’s first state semifinal trip in five years, and sets up a rematch with Columbine (10-2) next Friday. The Mustangs (12-0) won the first meeting 24-23.
Zach Friedman returned a fumble 45 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring in the first quarter, and JJ Galbreath took an interception 47 yards to the end zone just before halftime as the Mustangs raced out to a 35-7 lead at the break and never looked back.
In between, RV quarterback Walker Brickle threw a pair of touchdown passes — 59 yards to Devin McNeary, and 25 yards to Galbreath — and Chase Wilson found the end zone from eight yards out. Wilson added one more rushing touchdown in the third quarter.
Class 4A: No. 6 Dakota Ridge 38, No. 14 Heritage 34. Ben Gultig threw a seven-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter as Dakota Ridge withstood a furious rally from Heritage to survive Friday night’s 4A quarterfinal at Littleton Public Schools Stadium.
Heritage (8-4) scored a pair of touchdowns to take a 34-31 lead late, including a 21-yard pass from Conner Cummiskey to Terrance Ferguson. But the Eagles (10-2) answered with one last scoring drive to clinch a spot in next week’s state semifinals.
Pomona-Regis postponed. The 5A quarterfinal between No. 5 Pomona (7-4) and No. 4 Regis Jesuit (11-0) at Lou Kellogg Stadium was postponed until noon Saturday due to inclement weather.
