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<\/p>\nCOLORADO SPRINGS — It\u2019s only Pine Creek football\u2019s second season in Class 5A, but the team is already playing like a powerhouse in the classification.<\/p>\n
After losing in the semifinals to Cherry Creek in Year 1 in 5A, Pine Creek\u2019s first game of 2023 indicates it\u2019s just getting going as a primary challenger to the four-time defending champion Bruins.<\/p>\n
In the Eagles-vs.-Eagles matchup on Friday, Pine Creek dispatched of Valor Christian, a state finalist three years running.<\/p>\n
Pine Creek, a former Class 4A powerhouse that won crowns in 2013, \u201914, \u201916 and \u201919, looked the part of a bona fide 5A title contender in all phases of the game in the 31-17 win. Junior quarterback Cameron Cooper and junior running back Jonathan Coar catalyzed the home team, which began the season with a victory by forfeit over Las Vegas (Nevada) in Week 1.<\/p>\n
\u201cTonight was a big statement for us,\u201d Coar said. \u201cWe\u2019re overlooked again this year and we know the odds are against us in a big way because it\u2019s just our second year in 5A. We feel like we needed this win to really solidify us in the early-season rankings.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Pine Creek struck first when Cooper found junior wideout Elijah Roy for a 38-yard TD pass to make it 7-0. The home team was knocking on the door of another TD a few minutes later, but the drive ended with an interception on a failed fake field goal.<\/p>\n
The home team added a field goal from do-everything tailback-cornerback-kicker Coar midway through the second quarter. He set up his 17-yard field goal with a 45-yard run.<\/p>\n
Valor Christian finally got on the board late in the second quarter, when Mason Walters drilled a 55-yard field goal. The junior, one of the top-rated kickers in the state, made the career-long conversion look easy.<\/p>\n
The visitors\u2019 defense got a stand to give its offense the ball back for a two-minute drill at the end of the half, but Asher Weiner\u2019s heave downfield on the final play was intercepted, and Pine Creek took a 10-7 advantage into the locker rooms.<\/p>\n
“We felt like we had really outplayed them, but we were only up by (a field goal) going into the half,” 19th-year Pine Creek head coach Todd Miller said. “That was worrisome… But they could not run the ball on us, and that was very encouraging.”<\/p>\n
Pine Creek reasserted itself in the second half, driving the field on the opening possession of the third quarter and capping it with Roy\u2019s 11-yard touchdown to take command of the game, 17-3.<\/p>\n
Valor Christian battled back on the ensuing drive, with Weiner\u2019s 17-yard TD pass to sophomore Cash Spence cutting the score to 17-10 with 5:14 left in the third.<\/p>\n
But Pine Creek had another response in them, and Cannon Budge\u2019s six-yard TD with 10:47 remaining in the fourth quarter put the home team in command. Valor Christian responded with another score via Garrett Dial\u2019s touchdown catch, making it 24-17.<\/p>\n
But the Pine Creek offense iced it from there, with Cooper\u2019s eight-yard TD run with 3:01 left the final blow to push PCHS over the 30-point mark.<\/p>\n
“They answered in the second half multiple times, and we answered right back,” Miller said.<\/p>\n
Pine Creek paid Valor Christian back for the Highland Ranch school\u2019s 24-7 win at Valor Stadium last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got to clean up the little things and we are going to be really dangerous,\u201d Coar said. \u201cWe knew this was going to be a tough game, but we passed the test.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pine Creek takes on Vista Ridge on Saturday in Week 3, while Valor Christian hosts Fairview next Friday night. Valor Christian, which lost 24-21 to Regis Jesuit in Week 1, is 0-2 for the first time since 2016, when it opened with losses to Saguaro (Arizona) and Mullen before going on to win the Class 5A title.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not panicking,” Valor Christian coach Bret McGatlin said. “We\u2019re going to be alright. We\u2019re learning with a lot of new kids on the field. Pine Creek is a better team than us right now. We\u2019ve got to just keep fighting and making some adjustments.\u201d<\/p>\n
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