Pueblo East fell down by a touchdown last week in a Class 3A football semifinal, twice. And that was nothing. The Eagles were used to playing catch-up to start the season, having lost as many games as they had won through six games.
But even that was only a blip of a setback. Pueblo East has waited 55 years for its shot at a Colorado football title, which it will get Saturday when the Eagles host three-time state champion Rifle at 1 p.m. at Dutch Clark Stadium.
Pueblo East (10-3), for the first time since the school welcomed its first student in 1959, has the opportunity to bring home a football championship trophy. Its opponent, Rifle (12-1), is the Western Slope league champion.
Pueblo East’s rise to 3A’s final game came after early losses to Pueblo South, Discovery Canyon and Pueblo West.
At 3-3, the Eagles found their path behind a two-headed rushing attack of junior quarterback Daniel Martin (a transfer from Trinidad who rushed for 1,217 yards) and sophomore running back Bryson Torres (1,219). East rattled off seven victories in a row.
“It all begins with the guys up front,” East coach David Ramirez said. “It’s not just the offensive line, it’s the fullbacks too. They play tough, physical football.”
Martin threw for 1,870 yards, giving East an added dimension and something else for defenses to worry about.
“If we have to pass 100 percent of the time, we will. If we have to run 100 percent of the time, we will,” Ramirez said. “I don’t think we’re pigeonholed into one type of football.”
Rifle, too, found its stride after an early loss — 18-10 to Palisade, the only common opponent between the finalists. East beat Palisade 28-14. And like East, the Bears have a balanced attack, with five backs rushing for more than 400 yards, led by senior Brock Clark (1,364) and sophomore Blaine Vance (769).
“We never think in terms of who we want to have the football,” Rifle coach Damon Wells said. “On a given look, given down, we don’t particularly care who does the work.”
While East goes for its first football title, Rifle is chasing its fourth. The Bears won the 3A title in 2004, the Class AA title in 1973 and tied Louisville in the Class A championship to share the title in 1961.
“We’re a town team,” Wells said. “We represent a community. We love that fact. We represent a blue-collar attitude and a scholarly work ethic.”
When Rifle runs
In the “snow game” two weeks ago, in ankle-deep powder during a quarterfinal against Roosevelt, the Bears won by doing what they do — executing a disciplined rushing attack that spreads carries between bruisers Brock Clark and Blaine Vance. Edge: Rifle
When Pueblo East runs
The Eagles, though, have their own balanced ground game. With Daniel Martin under center and Bryson Torres in the backfield, East can go in multiple directions with speed and power. Edge: Pueblo East
When Rifle passes
Bears quarterback Layton Stutsman did a fine job keeping his interceptions down (three) while putting up solid numbers in TDs (14) and yards (1,045). But Pueblo East had eight defenders combine for 24 interceptions this season. Edge: Pueblo East
When Pueblo East passes
Martin can sling it for the Eagles (1,870 yards), but his 12 TDs went against nine INTs. East might try to use the pass to set up the run, in which Martin excels, but if the game comes down to turnovers, East will need to limit them. Edge: Rifle
Special teams
The third units each accounted for at least one victory this season. And they very much matter — Rifle’s lone loss, to Palisade, came after a protracted field-position battle. The return game — and avoiding clipping and holding calls — may prove crucial. Edge: Even.
Team statistics
| Rifle (12-1) | Pueblo East (10-3) | |
| Total offense | 4,959 | 4,869 |
| Rush offense | 3,878 | 2,919 |
| Pass offense | 1,081 | 1,950 |
| Total TDs | 70 | 54 |
| Points/game | 40.7 | 33.0 |
| Opp. pts./game | 8.5 | 14.5 |
| Int./yards | 16-255 | 24-112 |
| Fumble rec. | 14 | 9 |
| State titles | 3 | 0 |
Individual leaders
RIFLE
Rushing — Brock Clark 156 carries, 1,364 yards, 21 TDs; Blaine Vance 117-769-3; Ty Leyba 46-534-9; Brooks Pressler 50-444-5; Layton Stutsman 79-422-9.
Passing — Layton Stutsman 52-of-104, 1,045 yards, 14 TDs, 3 INTs.
Receiving — Tyler Bosshardt 30 catches for 516 yards, 7 TDs; Brock Clark 13-308-6; Ty Leyba 4-124-1.
Tackles — Austin Shepherd 120; Brock Clark 82; Alex Gould 77; Cody Rice 62; David Fugita 56; Austin Boone 52.
Sacks — Alex Gould 4; Takoda Chaney 4.
PUEBLO EAST
Rushing — Bryson Torres 258 carries, 1,219 yards, 17 TDs; Daniel Martin 201-1,217-14; Sonny Arellano 44-248-4.
Passing — Daniel Martin 112-of-221, 1,870 yards, 12 TDs, 9 INTs.
Receiving — Kevin Ribarich 61 catches for 1,233 yards, 8 TDs; Bryson Torres 25-338-3; Bruno DeRose 15-249-1.
Tackles — Bruno DeRose 142; Hunter Major 94; Sonny Arellano 77; Manuel Arellano 65; Damon Sabbagh 51; Jacob Robles 51.
Sacks — Lalo Diaz-Alvarez 4; Josh Tellez 4.
