LONGMONT — At a chilly practice at Everly-Montgomery Field on Monday morning, senior Longmont defensive back Ethan Hitchcock yelled out plays as the defense ran through its schemes.
It makes sense for Hitchcock to serve as the defense’s quarterback. The Trojans’ secondary — nicknamed “The Swarm” for its focus on running to the ball — has been the backbone of Longmont’s defense all season.
“I think our DBs have maybe been one of the best, if not the best group, we’ve ever had in terms of coverage,” Trojans coach Doug Johnson said.
No. 7 seed Longmont (10-3) has shut down passing games all season. The Trojans have 17 interceptions, led by junior Cooper Rothe, who leads all Class 4A players with nine.
“We don’t even think about them as defensive backs,” senior linebacker Logan Green said. “They’re just wide receivers on defense. They’re just trying to get that ball as much as wide receivers are.”
Last Saturday, defensive backs Barrett Ingvaldsen and Ryan Rulon each picked off a pass thrown by Broomfield quarterback Logan McCormick to help the Trojans in a 21-14 semifinal victory.
The defense will be facing its toughest test of the season Saturday. Top-seeded Pine Creek (13-0), which won the state title last year, has the highest-scoring offense in Class 4A, averaging 40.3 points.
“We go into the game thinking we can beat any team,” Rothe said. “To be the best, you have to beat the best.”
This is Longmont’s second trip this season at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. At the beginning of the season, the football team was featured on the “Today” show for the community service the players performed during the summer.
“We said the first trip was a gift, the second trip we have to earn,” Johnson said.
Green added: “Our coaches, they were looking at that field and judging what type of plays would be best for that field. We knew we were going to make a run for the state championship, so we wanted to come back there.”
Longmont has won five state football titles, but it has been 23 years since the Trojans have brought home a championship.
Joe Nguyen: jnguyen@denverpost.com or
When the Trojans run
Pine Creek’s defense has been tough against the run during the playoffs, holding its opponents (Falcon, Ponderosa and Windsor) to 100-plus yards less than their season averages. Edge: Eagles
When the Eagles run
Longmont will have its hands full trying to stop Pine Creek’s potent ground game. Running behind the Eagles’ stout offensive line, senior Josh Odom has put up some of the best numbers in the classification, rushing for 1,955 yards and 33 touchdowns. Quarterback Tommy Lazarro has totaled 241 yards and five TDs in the past two games. Edge: Eagles
When the Trojans pass
Longmont quarterback Clint Sigg has had big performances the past two games, completing 65 percent of his passes for 487 yards and four touchdowns. But he’ll have his work cut out for him throwing against arguably the state’s best defensive back in Avery Anderson. Junior safety JoJo Domann has seven interceptions. Edge: Eagles
When the Eagles pass
Longmont coach Doug Johnson said his secondary is the best he’s ever coached. Juniors Cooper Rothe and Ryan Rulon have combined for 14 of the team’s 17 picks. Lazarro has been solid for Pine Creek but has only had to throw more than 15 passes in three games. Edge: Even
Special teams
Neither Longmont nor Pine Creek has attempted many field goals this year, combining to connect on 10 for the season. Longmont’s Eli Sullivan and Pine Creek’s Anderson have both returned kicks for touchdowns. Edge: Even
Team statistics
| Longmont (10-3) | Pine Creek (13-0) | |
| Total offense | 4,232 | 5,299 |
| Rush offense | 2,466 | 3,565 |
| Pass offense | 1,766 | 1,734 |
| Total TDs | 51 | 75 |
| Points/game | 28.4 | 40.4 |
| Opp. pts./game | 17.8 | 9.5 |
| Int./yards | 17-63 | 17-235 |
| Fumble rec. | 8 | 11 |
| State titles | 5 | 1 |
Individual leaders
LONGMONT
Rushing — Conlon Berger 145 carries, 1,137 yards, 13 TDs; Ethan Gabrielle 75-559-4; Clint Sigg 143-350-7; Eli Sullivan 57-222-4.
Passing — Clint Sigg 118-of-212, 1,695 yards, 16 TDs, 7 INTs.
Receiving — Eli Sullivan 45 catches for 622 yards, 4 TDs; Conlon Berger 21-394-4; Trevor Cook 8-227-5; Filippo Swartz 14-199-3.
Tackles — Logan Goodner 125; Logan Green 99; David Spiedel 80; Ethan Hitchcock 67; Barrett Ingvaldsen 67; Cooper Rothe 55; Fafa Ramos-Vega 54.
Sacks — Nathan DeWitte 8; Logan Goodner 8.
PINE CREEK
Rushing — Josh Odom 236 carries, 1,955 yards, 33 TDs; Tommy Lazarro 101-836-13; Brock Domann 19-237-1; Avery Anderson 23-201-1; JoJo Domann 16-158-1.
Passing — Tommy Lazarro 93-of-164, 1,438 yards, 13 TDs, 3 INTs.
Receiving — JoJo Domann 42 catches for 732 yards, 9 TDs; Jared Savage 25-342-3; Avery Anderson 15-316-1; Joseph Celestino 11-143-2.
Tackles — Nathan Leithead 99; Kacin Nowlin 78; Jack Wibbels 75; JoJo Domann 61; Seung Han 59; Hayden Parea 55; Avery Anderson 52.
Sacks — Jack Wibbels 11.5; Hayden Parea 3.
