2022 road ends for 'Stangs in Timnath
Mullen eliminated from playoffs by Fossil Ridge, which earned a 45-21 victory; team finished 5-6 and 'made some strides,' head coach says.
TIMNATH – The end isn’t always the climax everyone had in mind.
It certainly wasn’t for Mullen on a cold Friday night at the new facility for the Poudre School District – the Mustangs were drubbed 45-21 by host Fossil Ridge in the opening round of the Class 5A Colorado playoffs.
It ended Mullen’s season at 5-6, the No. 23-seeded Mustangs were denied the 600th victory in program history and they missed a chance to take on parochial-rival Regis Jesuit, who awaited the winner in the next round. Instead it will be the No. 10 Sabercats, who are 9-2 and moving on with their first big-school postseason triumph.
A familiar theme continued for the Mustangs, who were guilty of three lost fumbles – including on the opening drive -- compiling a rash of penalties and missed assignments.
“If we don’t turn the ball over,” head coach Jeremy Bennett said, “I think we’re OK.”
However, he added, “we absolutely made some strides (from the past season). We do things to cover for the guy next to us. We don’t want to do our job. It’s just kids trying to make a play for their team.”
The Mustangs never led and were hit for some big plays as the Sabercats had success through the air as well as running right at the Mustangs.
“We have to go back to the drawing board and for our coaches as well,” Bennett said. “We all have to be accountable.”
A.J. Guida scored Mullen’s first touchdown on a short rush and Oscar Maynez and Andrew Wehmeyer each caught short scoring tosses from Ben Krza.
All told, Mullen is 599-280-18. In the playoffs, the Mustangs are 64-26-1, including 8-2 in championship games.
FOSSIL RIDGE 45, MULLEN 21
Mullen 0 7 0 14 -- 21
Fossil Ridge 10 14 7 14 -- 45
Mullen scoring
Second Quarter
Mullen – A.J. Guida 2 run (Mitch Ringman kick), 1:19.
Fourth Quarter
Mullen – Oscar Maynez 8 pass from Ben Krza (Mitch Ringman kick), 7:02.
Mullen -- Aaron Wehmeyer 5 pass from Ben Krza (Mitch Ringman kick), U/A.
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