Inches, at the end of a tough,
hard fought game that is all that separated #1 ranked Ralston Valley from what
may be the state’s best 2-2 team, Dakota Ridge. In a Thursday night Mountain Plains
League matchup, Ralston Valley converted a last second field goal that hit the
uprights and went in, to defeat Dakota Ridge 15-14.
In the first quarter, both teams
were able to get seven points on the board. Dakota Ridge was the first to hit pay
dirt scoring on a thirteen yard run.
Ralston Valley soon countered with an eight yard Nick Grenfell run.
In the second quarter, Ralston
Valley got the only score as quarterback Cameron Wright hooked up with favorite
target Brandon Ribble for a thirty-seven yard touchdown. Dakota Ridge was unable to counter,
making the score at half 14-7 Mustangs.
Early in the second half, Dakota
Ridge took the lead after a sixty-yard drive. After running in the score, the Eagles
converted the two-point conversion making it 15-14. The remainder of the game belonged to
the defenses of both teams as no points would be scored until late in the
fourth. Later in the third, the
teams exchanged turnover and Ralston Valley snagged two interceptions to halt
Dakota Ridge scoring threats.
The defensive dominance by both
squads continued into the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Late in the game
Ralston Valley was able to get the ball moving. Converting multiple fourth down plays,
the Mustangs got the ball deep into Eagle territory but with downs and time
running low, Ralston Valley opted for an eighteen yard field goal try. On the kick, the ball hit the upright
and as they crowd watched,
the ball fell over the goal post for three points. With the field goal, Ralston Valley
secured their 17-15 win and #1 ranking.
Bottom Line:
Sometimes #1 teams need to be
lucky rather than good. For
whatever reason, the football gods smiled on the Mustangs tonight and the final
field goal dropped in. With that
said, the Mustang defense held a good Dakota Ridge offense in check and helped
secure the win. Both Cody Schafer
and Colby Allen of Ralston Valley had big second half interceptions to stop
Dakota Ridge scoring drives. As
stated above, Dakota Ridge may be the best 2-2 squad in Colorado. Their losses are at the hands of a good
5A Overland team and 4A #1 Ralston Valley.
Things will not get easier for the Eagles as they take on a hot Golden
team and perennial power ThunderRidge over the next two weeks. Speaking of ThunderRidge, the Grizzlies
will be the next foe Ralston Valley.
Game Ball:
In a game where yards came tough
having a go to guy was very important.
Ralston Valley quarterback Cameron Wright found receiver Brandon Ribble,
his 6-4 200 pound security blanket, eight times on the evening for 147 yards and
a score.