Pine Creek, which hasn’t surrendered a point in the playoffs so far, is widely viewed as an underdog to powerhouse Valor Christian in Saturday’s Class 4A championship game. And Pine Creek coach Todd Miller said Wednesday he is acutely aware of the perception.
“Not a lot of people expect us to show up,” Miller said at a news conference at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in advance of the Class 4A and 5A title games. “But David grabbed a stone and hit Goliath. That’s what we’re going to try to do.”
Valor Christian enters the game with a 23-game winning streak, as a two-time defending champion and with a roster full of Division I prospects.
The unbeaten Eagles (13-0) went wire to wire as the No. 1 team in the Denver Post media poll, are the No. 1 seed in the playoffs and have been challenged only once this season — in a 20-16 victory over Regis Jesuit in the second week.
To reach the championship game, Valor outclassed a widely respected Castle View team 54-7 after leading 47-0 at the half.
So, yes, even though Pine Creek’s third-seeded Eagles are also undefeated (13-0), Valor Christian is the favorite.
“We respect the heck out of them,” Miller said, “but we don’t fear them. And there’s no reason for them to fear us.”
Led by 6-foot-7 quarterback Ryan Warner (14 TDs passing, 10 rushing), Pine Creek has a chance to pull off a stunner.
“Big guys,” big 5A game
Columbine coach Andy Lowry, speaking to the media in advance of Saturday’s 5A title game, turned to Lakewood coach Mark Robinson, a longtime friend, and jokingly asked him where he was “keeping all the big guys.”
Upon taking his turn at the lectern minutes later, a wry smile came across Robinson’s face. He turned to Lowry, then pointed into the audience at a group of players wearing Lakewood jerseys.
“My offensive line’s sitting right over here,” Robinson said.
Such is life for Lakewood, seemingly underrated all season long. No one expected much from the Tigers, a No. 10 seed in the 5A bracket. They weren’t given much chance against No. 2 Grand Junction in the quarterfinals — and certainly weren’t expected to topple No. 3 Pomona in last week’s semis.
“I know people have underestimated us,” Robinson said.
But Robinson’s team won 12 consecutive games this season after a season-opening loss to East River (Orlando, Fla.), which plays in Florida’s highest classification.
Robinson said after the game in Florida, “even with a loss — we came off, ‘We’re going to have a pretty darn good football team when we get back to the state of Colorado.’ “
Indeed. Lakewood is, at the very least, a state finalist.
Ryan Casey: 303-954-1983 or rcasey@denverpost.com
Saturday’s championship games
At Sports Authority Field at Mile High
CLASS 5A
(10) Lakewood (12-1) vs. (1) Columbine (13-0), 2:30 p.m.
CLASS 4A
(3) Pine Creek (13-0) vs. (1) Valor Christian (13-0), 11 a.m.
At Legacy Stadium (Cherokee Trail)
CLASS 3A
(5) Windsor (12-1) vs. (3) Silver Creek (12-1), 2:30 p.m.
CLASS 2A
(4) Bayfield (12-0) vs. (2) Florence (12-1), 11 a.m.
