The ThunderRidge defense is downright nasty, and has the Blackhearts to prove it.
That’s the nickname defensive coordinator Joe White bestowed on the Grizzlies a few weeks ago, giving the senior- loaded unit a sinister identity a la the Nebraska Blackshirts.
“(White) wanted something to symbolize the way defense should be played – with a lot of intensity and a lot of passion to get to the ball,” standout senior linebacker James Tucker said. “You kind of got to be nasty to play defense.”
Winners of 21 consecutive games – a streak that stretches to Oct. 8, 2004 – the defending Class 4A champions have muzzled opponents this season with one of the toughest run defenses in recent memory.
The Grizzlies surrendered just 88.6 yards per game on the ground during the regular season. Ralston Valley’s Clayton Cammon is the only player to rush for more than 100 yards on the Blackhearts, although coach Joe Johnson is quick to point out Cammon picked up 78 yards in the fourth quarter against a mostly second-team defense.
“They have surprised me a little bit,” Johnson said.
ThunderRidge (12-0) will face another tough defense in Thompson Valley (10-2) on Saturday in the state semifinals at Shea Stadium in Highlands Ranch. Both teams are tenacious, but the Grizzlies’ size and speed put them at another level.
“They’re good because they’re pretty tenacious,” White said of the Blackhearts.
In last weekend’s 49-6 romp over Monarch, the Grizzlies held the run-happy Coyotes to 148 yards rushing. More important, ThunderRidge kept Monarch’s running backs (sans injured standout Wade Landow- ski) out of the end zone, allowing just a 33-yard touchdown pass.
The Grizzlies have allowed just 13 points in two playoff games, both touchdowns via the pass. During the regular season, the first-team Blackhearts gave up just 8.7 points a game against run-heavy opponents.
The only teams to have success against ThunderRidge are Golden, Wheat Ridge and Lakewood, which each scored at least 27 points taking to the skies exclusively.
“They didn’t seem to do anything fancy, because I don’t think they had to,” Mountain View coach Bart Mayes said of his team’s 54-7 playoff loss to the Grizzlies. “They are just real physical up front. They were able to get penetration on us and we just really struggled moving them off the ball.”
Led by Tucker – an understudy last year to all-state linebacker Max Willett – the Grizzlies can absorb the inside attack and are masters of stringing runners wide.
“It’s a tradition that we’ve had pretty good linebackers,” said Tucker, who didn’t play football until seventh grade after living for several years in Egypt with his family.
Tucker and junior heir apparent Steven Savage are allowed to roam free thanks to the physical play in and around the trenches by Brendan Nelson, Richie Cooper, Justin Curnow, Benny Lopez and two-way senior William Ard.
“We have a fierce desire to get to the football,” Cooper said. “Our goal is to have every single person running to the ball. When we watch on film, if we’re not all running, we get in trouble.”
Now that’s just nasty.
CLASS 4A SEMIFINALS
Ralston Valley (9-3) at Grand Junction (12-0)
The pictures hanging in the Grand Junction weight room have made sure the Tigers look ahead without overlooking anyone. Quietly speaking volumes, photos of Invesco Field at Mile High – the site of the Class 4A state championship game Dec. 3 – have presided over the Tigers.
It’s not presumption, just passion, because the Tigers certainly aren’t looking past Ralston Valley.
“We know dang well we got to be able to play good football to beat Ralston Valley,” Tigers coach Shawn Marsh said.
To beat the Mustangs the Tigers will have to withstand a double-wing offense that tries to wear down and knock out defenses. The Mustangs’ ball-control backfield is fast and physical and rolls with the 1-2-3 punch of Clayton Cammon, Derek Gonzalez and Blake Rice, an emerging stud at fullback.
The Mustangs aren’t overpowering up front, but quick and right at home on time-consuming drives.
The Tigers aren’t huge on defense, but fast, physical and experienced. The Tigers’ defense gave up more than 14 points for the first time this season in Saturday’s 41-25 win over Montrose.
Offensively, Grand Junction has been the model of efficiency. The Tigers ran just 21 plays in a 48-12 victory over Adams City on Nov. 12, torching the Eagles with five one-play scoring drives.
Behind shotgun quarterback Isaiah Quigley, the Tigers run the option to Kris Means, set up screens and go for the deep ball.
Ralston Valley plays fast and loose on defense, flying to the ball and blitzing often.
Thompson Valley (10-2) at ThunderRidge (12-0)
Valiant efforts always come at a cost.
For Thompson Valley, its gritty 18-15 quarterfinal victory over Pueblo South has the Eagles with one foot in the infirmary.
“They are a loaded group,” Eagles coach Clint Fick said of the defending champion Grizzlies. “They’re going to present our biggest challenge.”
The Eagles’ tendency to chip away at opponents will be put to the test against a stout Grizzlies run defense.
As they have against teams all season, the Grizzlies will try to make the Eagles one dimensional and force them into uncomfortable passing situations.
Offensively, ThunderRidge has everything. Fullback Nick Lind tore through Monarch in the quarterfinals, which made for a relatively quiet day from quarterback Kyle Black and running back Mike Coffey. Eric Moats remains a viable passing target despite the cast he wears to protect a broken wrist.
Thompson Valley’s defense is undersized but mirrors the Grizzlies with its tenacity. The Eagles have forced nearly 40 turnovers this season and will need a few of them Saturday to slow the Grizzlies.
Expect a gutsy performance from the Eagles’ defense, even if injuries and general wear and tear catch up with them.
