Week 7 Review: Ralston Valley Mustangs vs Columbine Rebels
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A look at the three best performances from this ranked 5A matchup. Review This game was, arguably, the most anticipated matchup of the weekend with the number 2 ranked Ralston Valley Mustangs traveling to take on the 5th ranked Columbine…
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Continue ReadingA look at the three best performances from this ranked 5A matchup.
Review
This game was, arguably, the most anticipated matchup of the weekend with the number 2 ranked Ralston Valley Mustangs traveling to take on the 5th ranked Columbine Rebels. For fans of defensive minded contests that lean on the run game, this matchup certainly lived up to the hype, with both teams playing sound defensively and gaining next to nothing through the air offensively. Despite the lack of aerial firepower for either offense, this game was still a tight contest from start to finish, with four different lead changes throughout out the game and both teams trading points. Unfortunately for the Rebels, the Mustangs did just enough to earn the win, as they were able to score the go-ahead touchdown with under a minute left to snatch the 16-13 victory. This game certainly lived up to it’s billing as a ranked, 5A contest and there were a number of great performances for both teams. With that being said, however, here were the three players who I felt had the best night.
Players of the Game
Jackson Hansen, Ralston Valley Mustangs (WR/DB)(Jr.)(2) – Hansen has been an important piece to the Mustangs’ success this season and his performance against the Rebels was no different. Hansen’s numbers might not jump off the page, but he played important roles for Ralston Valley both offensively and defensively. Against the Rebels, Hansen accounted for 76 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown on 6 receptions (9.0 YPR), with his catches coming when the Mustang offense needed them the most. Despite not accounting for any numbers on the defensive side, the importance of him to the defense can’t be understated. For the sake of this piece, we’ll focus on what Hansen shows on tape for the defensive side. When you watch Hansen’s defensive film, you can see he displays a tenacious nature to attack and high point the ball in the air despite his size. Smart DB that always seem to be in a position to make a play on the ball. Even when being matched up against larger receivers, Hansen doesn’t shy away from physicality at the line or down the field with the receiver. Exceptional athleticism and foot speed prevents him from getting beat on deep balls by faster receivers. Rangy defender with great lateral agility to move with quicker receivers on sharper breaking routes. Hansen is currently unranked on most recruiting boards and his smaller stature (5’10, 150 lbs) could explain why. Regardless, he is still an unbelievably talented player that will be a key piece to the Ralston Valley program through this year and next.
Marquane Taylor Marquane Taylor 5'6" | 165 lbs | RB Columbine | 2023 State CO , Columbine Rebels (RB)(Sr.)(6) – Taylor almost single-handily carried the Rebels to victory against the Mustangs with his performance on the ground, as everything offensively for the Rebels ran through him with his numbers in the box score reflecting that as well. Looking at those numbers from Taylor’s performance, he accounted for 142 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown on 27 carries (5.3 YPC), which certainly dwarfed the offensive production of every other player for the Rebels. When you watch the tape from Taylor’s performance against the Mustangs defense, you can see that he displays outstanding overall athleticism, which allows him to be pound-for-pound (5’6, 170 lbs) the most physically gifted player on the field. Exceptionally elusive runner with outstanding balance and lateral agility that makes him a threat to turn any run into chunk yardage if given enough space. Displays good vision when working to daylight, routinely setting up 2nd and 3rd level defenders to be blocked by his teammates on both inside runs between the tackles and on carries that he bounces to the edge. Explosive runner that can hit top speed quickly if given enough space. Shows elite top-end foot speed, consistently being able to pull away from almost any 2nd or 3rd level defender. Plays with good physicality when running between the tackles, often being asked to carry the ball in short-yardage and goal line situations. While Taylor isn’t currently ranked on any recruiting boards, he absolutely should be. He has more than enough talent to play collegiately at a high level.
Diano Benallo Diano Benallo 5'9" | 165 lbs | RB Ralston Valley | 2023 State CO , Ralston Valley Mustangs (RB/DB)(Sr.)(29) – Benallo was arguably the biggest piece of the Mustangs 16-13 win over the Rebels on either side of the ball. While Benallo’s numbers don’t jump off the screen, he made the biggest plays in the biggest moments for the Mustangs, including scoring what would be the game-winning touchdown with under a minute left to give the Mustangs the win. Diving into his stats, Benallo accounted for 73 yards rushing and the go-ahead rushing touchdown on 15 carries (4.9 YPC) as well 28 yards receiving on the offensive side, while also registering 6 tackles on the defensive side. For the sake of this piece, we’ll just focus on his offensive film. Turning on the tape of Benallo’s night against the Columbine defense, Benallo displays great top end foot speed, consistently pulling away from slower 2nd and 3rd level defenders. Very elusive runner in the open field that can find daylight quickly and is extremely difficult for defenders asked to make a tackle in 1-on-1 situations. Displays good lateral agility and balance on carries in between the tackles and on runs to the boundary, which is what anchors his elusive running style. Tough ball carrier that consistently finishes runs well driving his legs through contact with the defender. Shows good ability as a receiver out of the back field, often creating a matchup problem with LBs and other 2nd level defenders that are asked to cover him in man-to-man. Benallo isn’t currently receiving a ton of recruiting interest, but he’ll certainly be a key piece to the Ralston Valley Mustangs success this season.