Defending champ rolls Mustangs

In running into the final heavyweight of its regular-season schedule, Mullen revisited recent problems and trends Friday night that seem like recordings.

Mistakes, turnovers, injury problems, being outmanned up front and out-experienced overall again arose as the Mustangs were handled 48-20 by defending Class 5A state champion Pomona in the Metro West League. Playing in the final home regular-season game of 2018 at Brother Bernard Kinneavy Field at De La Salle Stadium, Mullen’s losing streak reached four games and dropped it to 3-5 overall, 0-3 in league.

The Mustangs have now gone against – and lost to -- four consecutive elite foes (Grandview, Columbine, Ralston Valley and the Panthers) who own an aggregate 27-5 record to date.

Four interceptions proved killer and magnified other current issues of injuries, starting multiple freshman and a lack of depth.

“We turned the ball over and when you turn it over, you don’t win football games,” head coach Vincent White said.

His guys did, however, make a move late in the first half that got them within 28-13 and could have been better had it not been for a pass-interference penalty that would have forced a punt and showed opportunity for good field position.

But the penalty kept the Pomona drive alive and the Panthers, now 6-2, 3-0, kept possession long enough to run out the clock. Plus, they scored on the first possession of the third quarter to re-establish order, much as they did in the first quarter, when they rang up touchdowns on three-of-four possessions and squeezed in an interception return for another TD in less than 6 minutes.

Three of Mullen’s four thrown interceptions led to Pomona scores.

However, in addition to showing legitimate effort throughout the game and doing what they could to turn around a month-long spin as well as narrowly missing on a couple of chances that could have kept it interesting, Mullen had its defense force regular doses of Pomona three-and-outs and was only hit for a couple of big plays.

Plus, the Mustangs welcomed back lineman Dante Silva, one of multiple 12th-graders who celebrated Senior Week and Night. And with league games in Weeks 9 and 10 against Arvada West and Lakewood, respectively (the two are a combined 8-8), there is still time to position themselves appropriately for a first-round postseason game.

“I mean, we just need to execute our game plan and everybody needs to stay focused and keep a positive attitude,” said Silva, who returned from a shoulder injury.

Mullen received nice production from multiple players, including two-way lineman Aidan Keanaaina and wide receiver-defensive back Isaac White, both juniors, as well as from senior linebacker Wilson Bialecki, who has seen his share of program ups and downs over his four years.

“We made a lot of mistakes tonight, but when you have so many injuries for the amount of kids we have … I think we’re just short-staffed,” Bialecki said. “And you can’t make mistakes against the defending state champions. I think we played five or six freshmen.

“It’s tough, but on the defensive side every guy gives their all and it’s fun. We had nine three-and-outs. I’m just out there having fun with my friends. And for the way we played, I think we have hope.”

 

Pomona – Billy Pospisil 68 pass from Riley Welch (Lily Thimsen kick), 6:07.

Mullen – Wind Henderson 71 pass from Kyle Remington (run failed), 5:50.

Pomona – Dominic Bettini 1 run (Thimsen kick), 3:42.

Pomona – Bettini 18 run (Thimsen kick), 2:59.

Pomona – D.J. Killion 61 pass from Welch (Thimsen kick), 0:15.4.

Mullen – Isaac White 8 pass from Dom DePizzol (Aiden Lehman kick), 4:46.

Pomona – Bettini 13 run (Thimsen kick), 9:20.

Pomona – Trent Padia 43 interception return (Thimsen kick), 8:13.

Mullen – Zaide Hoskins-Mitchell 17 pass from DePizzol (Lehman kick), 5:20.

Pomona – Ben Cruz 80 run (kick failed), 4:20.