Confident Pine Creek on road for semifinals

The black home jerseys may be absent, but the confidence of a 12-0 season and a berth in today's 4A state football semifinal is not missing for the Pine Creek Eagles football team.

The top seed Eagles play No. 5 Greeley West (11-1) at 2 p.m. today at Northridge High School in Greeley.

That the top seed must travel for a semifinal under Colorado High School Activities Association rules is fodder for a Web site's comment board. It weighs little on the players' minds.

"All we can do is prepare to the best of our abilities and see what the outcome is," said senior Chris Franquemont, a starting linebacker and backup fullback.

After the opening whistle, it will be strength against strength with a dominant Pine Creek defense, which gives up only 8.08 points and 153.5 yards per game, taking on a balanced Spartans offense led by quarterback Sean Blackmer (1,412 yards, 13 touchdowns) and tailback Steffen Bunting (1,817 yards, 17 touchdowns). Receiver Reed Miller is Blackmer's favorite target (46 catches, 623 yards).

"They're very balanced offensively with a real nice quarterback and running back," said Pine Creek coach Todd Miller.

The Pine Creek pass rush has been effective, led by a strong front seven anchored by lineman Ryan Lockwood and linebackers Connor Stevens, Kenny Klein, Matt Mechtly and Franquemont. The defense has 34 sacks, led by six by Mechtly, and 24 interceptions, led by Taylor Lopez's six.

"We take a lot of pride in our line," said junior lineman Greg Luebe. "Lots of teams have been bigger than us but coach has taught us how to handle them."

The Eagles are a physical, quick group and it shows with a stout run defense.

"We work hard every week and hit everyone in the mouth," Klein said. "Everyone swarms to the ball real well."

Greeley West's defense recorded four interceptions last week in a 22-8 road win over No. 4 Montrose. The Spartans allow only 11 points per game, including its 6-0 loss to 5A Legacy.

Pine Creek's offense relies on a running attack led by shifty junior quarterback Josh Chance (1,247 yards, 17 touchdowns) and Stevens (633 yards, 10 touchdowns), who is a punishing fullback. Tailback Vance Garman has 534 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. Zach Karr and Nick Markowski have combined for 752 yards and 10 rushing TDs.

"Their quarterback is a pretty special kid," Greeley West coach Mark Roggy told the Rocky Mountain News. "We just don't see that kind of offense very often, and they execute it so well."

The offense will be tested by a defensive front seven that will look a lot like their own team.

"Their linebackers run well and really hit," Miller said. "Their defensive line does a good job to allow them to run. Their strength is in middle of their defense.''