BROOMFIELD — For 12 weeks, Dan Geubelle treated opposing defenses like paper. He was the paper shredder.
On Saturday, the Broomfield senior running back rarely had a chance to show off his signature burst against Valor Christian.
With the exception of one drive, Geubelle was stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey as No. 5 Valor Christian, powered by three touchdown passes from Brock Berglund and strong defense, beat the top-seeded Eagles 28-10 in the Class 4A semifinals at Elizabeth Kennedy Stadium.
“Coach told us to stay flat and gang-tackle, and that’s what we did,” said Valor Christian defensive tackle Javaughn Johnson. “I don’t think they were used to everybody gang-tackling him.”
Geubelle entered with an extraordinary average of 10.7 yards per carry, but he was held to 69 yards on 18 carries. That doesn’t even tell the whole story. Geubelle managed only 20 yards on his first 14 attempts before breaking free for a 40-yarder, his only double-digit carry.
“They’re really fast, a lot faster than the teams we’ve seen earlier in the year,” said Broomfield quarterback Aric Kaiser, who scored his team’s lone touchdown.
“Our linemen tried really hard. We just couldn’t block them enough.”
Meanwhile, Valor Christian (10-3) provided Berglund with plenty of time as he picked apart the Broomfield defense for 219 yards and touchdown passes to Preston Knight, George Talanoa and Cole Anderson.
Berglund twice made time of his own time after appearing to be sacked on third down.
He scrambled in Michael Vick-type fashion and kept drives alive with long passes of 25 yards to tight end Blake Froistad and 36 yards to Stephen Miller.
“Those were huge momentum swings,” Talanoa said. “He’s a playmaker back there.”
Speaking of playmakers, Valor Christian is delighted to have Talanoa back as its regular fullback.
The Colorado State-bound Talanoa suffered a fibula injury in the season opener and has been eased back into action.
He added a 3-yard touchdown run to go with his touchdown catch, which came on a quick screen play. It marked one of the few times Berglund didn’t have to deftly dissect the Broomfield (11-2) defense.
“When the play breaks down a little bit, I just try to get outside the pocket and make a few plays,” Berglund said. “I have receivers that always get open and a line that does a great job.”
Brent Vieselmeyer’s third-year squad advanced to its second title game — Valor won the Class 3A title last season — and will take on Wheat Ridge next Saturday at Invesco Field at Mile High.
Valor Christian 7 7 7 7 — 28
Broomfield 0 3 7 0 — 10VC — Knight 12 pass from Berglund (Yancey kick). B — FG Underberg 29. VC — Talanoa 8 pass from Berglund (Yancey kick). VC — Talanoa 3 run (Yancey kick). B — Kaiser 17 run (Underberg kick). VC — Anderson 7 pass from Berglund (Yancey kick).
