Mustangs turn out the lights on Knights

RV to host state semifinal match up against Cherry Creek

RV senior Collin Root hauled in two TDs in the Mustangs 71-29 victory over Fairview in the Class 5A state quarterfinals.

Photo courtesy of chsaanow.com

RV senior Collin Root hauled in two TDs in the Mustangs 71-29 victory over Fairview in the Class 5A state quarterfinals.

Joel Chapman, Staff Writer

Ralston Valley steamrolled its way over Fairview (11-1) and straight into the 5A state semifinals. Ralston Valley, led by University of Wyoming commit, senior Andrew Wingard, powered the Mustangs past undefeated Fairview with six touchdowns.

When the game kicked off, it looked like it was going to be a down-to-the-wire tough battle for both teams, as Fairview quarterback Johnny Feauto and company drove down and took it to the house 1:28 into the game to take a quick lead.

Wingard wasn’t going to have any of that, as on the ensuing kickoff he took it 95 yards to even it back out at 7-7.

That was how the first half went, back and forth, each team slugging it out and taking it into the endzone, but the Knights had two costly turnovers in the half that the Mustangs cashed in on and made the Knights pay for their mistakes.

As the half ended, Fairview took the ball down and closed the lead to 35-29 when the teams ran into the locker room at halftime.

And that was the last time Fairview would find the endzone this season.

Fairview kicked off the second half and went with an onside kick, which Ralston Valley quickly covered up at their own 45 yard line. The Mustangs drove down the field, but ultimately fumbled and Fairview recovered the ball.

Just as quickly, Feauto, the top-rated quarterback in the state this year threw a ball that was snagged out of the air by Ralston Valley senior Logan Wiemers after it was tipped by a Fairview wide receiver. RV never once looked back after that.

The Mustangs outscored the Knights 36-0 in the 2nd half, and the Knights lost the game for themselves as they had five turnovers on the night, and Ralston Valley smacked Feauto down for sacks continuously.

Ralston Valley senior Collin Root had two touchdowns on the night through the air, made maybe one of the biggest plays of the game when he slammed Feauto down inside the endzone for a 16 yard loss, and a safety.

The outcome of the game truly was determined by turnovers, and the Mustangs won that aspect of the game as they cashed in on all five of the Fairview turnovers, and only had one themselves which they got back a play later.

Ralston Valley (12-0), back in the semifinals for the first time in two seasons, will take on Cherry Creek (9-3) who is on a five-game winning streak, and last night they took down Regis Jesuit 49-21.

These two teams have never played one another in the regular season, but have scrimmaged over the past three years.

Ralston Valley will be the host for Cherry Creek, the game will be next Friday or Saturday at the NAAC.