Mustangs set to Open Playoffs
RV senior Andrew Wingard breaks off a nice run in the Mustangs victory over Pomona in Week 8 of the regular season.
October 30, 2014
Top-seeded Ralston Valley (9-0), ranked No. 2 overall in the state, prepares for its first-round playoff game against No. 8 Grand Junction (4-5) this Friday at 4:00 p.m. at the NAAC.
This year marks the third time in school history that the Mustangs have been undefeated in the regular season, and the first time earning a top seed in CHSAA’s newly arranged, four-quadrant, playoff bracket.
The Mustangs are heading into the playoffs with the strongest defense in 5A, allowing only 12.2 points per game.
On offense, the Mustangs are led by Wyoming commit, running-back/defensive back Andrew Wingard, who is averaging 125 yards per game on the ground. Wingard has 1,131 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.
The RV offense is second in Class 5A, averaging 42.9 points per game, trailing only Fairview (9-0), who has averaged 44.3 points per game.
Grand Junction will come to town just barely snatching a spot in the playoffs with two wins late in the season. The Tigers have a strong defense and an offense that is dangerous in the passing game. Senior quarterback Michael Poland is the Tigers top offensive talent.
Both teams are eyeing the next round as Ralston Valley looks to continue the undefeated season and Grand Junction looks to keep its season alive as the underdog.
The two teams played each other last regular season in Grand Junction. The Mustangs won the game 66-45 as Wingard rushed for 121 yards on just 16 carries. Senior Dallin Jones led the RV defense with 20 tackles in the victory.
“It felt like a Pac-12 game,” Wingard said of last season’s high scoring affair. “What won that game for us was a few turnovers they had, and that our offense converted those turnovers into points.”
However, while RV returns a host of starters from last year’s squad, Grand Junction lost plenty.
While no defense has been able to stop the Mustangs offensive attack, the Tigers will certainly try.
“They will try to pack it in and stop the run,” Wingard said. “But If we can pound it down their throats and hit them with a few passes, we’ll be successful.”
