After-Action Report: #2 Ralston Valley at #3 Regis Jesuit
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The after-action reports will correlate with the games I have attended each week and provide a brief recap of the game and the players who stood out from each team. The first night of week four night is officially in…
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Continue ReadingThe after-action reports will correlate with the games I have attended each week and provide a brief recap of the game and the players who stood out from each team.
The first night of week four night is officially in the books, and it is time to look back at one of the games of the week. This article will examine Thursday’s game between #2 Ralston Valley and #3 Regis Jesuit.
#2 Ralston Valley at #3 Regis Jesuit | Thursday, September 15, 2022
Final Score 29-28 Ralston Valley
The matchup between the Ralston Valley Mustangs and the Regis Jesuit Raiders was expected to be exciting, and it did not disappoint in the slightest. The game started with the makings of a shootout before shifting to having the appearance of becoming a possible blowout but ended with a comeback made for the ages.
Ralston Valley put the first points on the board with a deep pass connection between Logan Madden (2024 QB) and Josh Rillos (2023 WR), giving the Mustangs the lead early in the first quarter. Regis Jesuit responded by driving down the field and punching in a one-yard touchdown run by Exander Carroll Exander Carroll 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB Regis Jesuit | 2023 State CO (2023 QB/ATH), putting the Raiders on the board and tying the game at seven points halfway through the first quarter.
The Mustangs kicked a field goal and took a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter. Both offenses were kept out of the end zone for the remainder of the quarter due to superior defensive stands by each team. Just as the Mustangs were mounting a promising drive that put them in the red zone late into the half, D’Andre Barnes D’Andre Barnes WR Regis Jesuit | 2023 State CO (2023 WR/FS) intercepted Madden’s pass with 19 seconds left in the second quarter.
Midway through the third quarter, Carroll hit Barnes for an 80-yard catch-and-run touchdown, giving the Raiders their first lead of the game. After forcing a Ralston Valley punt that pinned Regis Jesuit on the two-yard line, the Raiders put together a dominant drive and scored on a run by Jaden Thermidor (2024 RB/LB) that capped off a 98-yard series with 26 seconds left in the third. The Raiders were able to score once more from a QB sneak by Carroll and extend the lead to 28-10 with 9:16 left in the game, giving the impression of possibly running away with the match.
Ralston Valley responded with a touchdown connection between Madden and Brayden Schatz Brayden Schatz ATH Ralston Valley | 2023 State CO (2023 WR/CB), bringing the score to 28-16 with just over eight minutes left in the game. The Mustang defense was able to dig in and overpower the Raiders, giving Madden and company the ball, resulting in another touchdown pass from Madden to Jackson Hansen (2024 WR/CB) with 3:42 left on the clock. Down five points, Ralston Valley’s defense was able to force another turnover-on-downs and give the offense one final opportunity to score, and score they did.
After finding themselves in a fourth-and-goal situation, a pass interference call against the defense gave the Mustangs a new set of downs right on the goal line. Madden punched in a one-yard run for a score that put the Mustangs back on top. After a failed two-point conversion, Ralston Valley led Regis Jesuit 29-28 with 1:29 left in the game. The Raiders took the field with one final opportunity for the offense to try and retake the lead and leave victorious, but the Mustangs’ defense stood tall and forced a four-and-out that sealed the deal for Ralston Valley’s 29-28 comeback win over Regis Jesuit.
Ralston Valley moves to 3-1 on the season and will take on sixth-ranked Valor Christian next Friday. Regis Jesuit falls to 2-2 as they prepare for another Thursday night match-up against Cherry Creek, the number one-ranked team and reigning state champions.
Top Ralston Valley standouts
Josh Rillos
Josh Rillos
Rillos dominated the Raiders’ pass defense, especially when matched up one-on-one against the strong safety. It became commonplace to see number 21 running behind the secondary on almost every pass play, especially when lined up in the slot. Rillos made multiple highlight-worthy catches, including one that put the Mustangs on the goal line that set up the final score late in the fourth quarter. He even blocked a punt in the third quarter. After four games of consistently being one of the best players on the field, there is no doubt that Rillos is a sleeper prospect who will be a steal for whichever program ends up lucky enough to land him as a recruit.
Logan Madden
Logan Madden
Madden was on fire last night, especially during the fourth-quarter comeback, where he threw two touchdowns and ran for one in under eight minutes of play. His ability to read the field and go through his progressions was awe-inspiring. He showed off the levels of his arm strength and accuracy by adjusting his throws accordingly and putting the ball in spots that allowed his receivers to make plays. Madden’s junior year is paving a solid road for his recruiting journey, making him a must-know 2024 prospect.
Schoepflin is an integral part of the Ralston Valley defensive front, and his performance during last night’s game proved that interior pressure is a must for championship-caliber teams. Schoepflin was rarely not around the ball on run plays, and he had multiple appearances in the backfield while applying pressure against the pass.
Highlights
Other Mustangs to know
Diano Benallo
Diano
Benallo
5'9" | 165 lbs | RB
Ralston Valley | 2023
State
CO
| 2023 RB/DB
Jason Thome
Jason
Thome
6'0" | 180 lbs | DB
Ralston Valley | 2023
State
CO
| 2023 DB
Jack Moran | 2024 DE
Top Regis Jesuit standouts
Barnes was one of the more exciting two-way players on the field last night. His speed was noticed early as he consistently got past the cornerbacks within the first five steps of his route. His interception in the end zone to end the first half, followed by his big 80-yard touchdown reception midway through the third quarter, was just a glimpse at what the talented athlete can accomplish. Barnes currently holds offers from Nevada, Bowling Green, Wyoming, and Air Force.
Jaden Thermidor
Jaden Thermidor
Thermidor was perhaps the most dynamic rusher of the night because of his size, power, explosiveness, and overall speed. His strength makes him a problematic ball carrier to bring down, and his versatile athleticism gives him the ability to be a dangerous receiving threat in the passing game. Thermidor is a newcomer to the radar worthy of collecting more time underneath the spotlight.
Nate Lewis
Nate Lewis
Lewis is a member of a punishing linebacker core with box-controlling physicality. His ability to diagnose the offense allowed him to play a significant role in containing Ralston Valley’s run attack. He also managed to tip a pass that stopped a potential touchdown by quickly dropping into his zone and keeping his head on a swivel. Lewis was one of a few dominant linebackers that gave the Raiders the ability to control the ground game.
Other Raiders to know
Hayden Moore
Hayden
Moore
6'4" | 195 lbs | LB
Regis Jesuit | 2023
State
CO
| 2023 LB
Adin Chase | 2023 RB
Dan Arnese | 2023 LT/DE