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 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 press conference at Sports Authority Field in advance of the 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 (3A and 2009 and 4A last season), and with 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 these playoffs, and have only been challenged once this season — a 20-16 win over Regis Jesuit in the second week of the season. (Though the flow of that game was interrupted by a lightning delay lasting more than an hour and a half.)
To reach the championship game, Valor outclassed a widely-respected Castle View squad for the second time this season, winning 54-7 after leading 47-0 at the half and 32-0 after the first quarter.
So, yes, even though Pine Creek’s third-seeded Eagles are also undefeated (13-0), its Valor Christian’s Eagles that come into the game as 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… We’ve got one game, and anything can happen.”
Led by 6-foot-7 quarterback Ryan Warner (14 TDs passing, 10 rushing), Pine Creek has a chance to pull off a stunner on Saturday.
“Our guys are up to the challenge. We’ve been waiting a long time. Our weight room has 45-pound plates, too, and we like to push those around. They do, too.”
Lakewood also playing underdog card vs. Columbine
Columbine coach Andy Lowry, speaking at a podium 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 podium 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 out of 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), which plays in Florida’s highest classification. For those counting at home, that means the Tigers (12-1) are 12-0 in Colorado.
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.'”
In fact, Lakewood has at least a state finalist.
Ryan Casey: 303-954-1983 or rcasey@denverpost.com
