5A Semifinals Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final four teams remain in the race for a state title, meaning the 2022 season is nearing its end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both games will be played at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, with the winner of each earning their spot in the championship match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This article will preview both semifinal games and which players to watch during the contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong>#5 Pine Creek (10-2) at #1 Cherry Creek (10-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cherry Creek Bruins will be hosting the Pine Creek Eagles for a shot at a trip to the 5A state championship at Empower Field at Mile High, the home of the Denver Broncos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bruins are the three-time reigning state champions looking to four-peat this season. Their explosive rushing attack is powered by one of the more dynamic duos in the state, delivering one-two punches of lightning and thunder to every opponent they face behind an offensive line that makes a habit out of moving defenders at will. The freshman quarterback has earned his spot at the helm and has made the most of the opportunities to throw to some of the more talented receivers in the region. Cherry Creek's defense has remained the driving force for the Bruins, consistently showcasing the skills of multiple Division I commits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles have had an outstanding year, reaching the semifinals in their debut season in the 5A classification. Pine Creek has one of the more solid offensive fronts in the state, which has helped clear a path for a deep run in the postseason. Their balanced offensive attack consists of a dominant run game driven by a top junior running back and a dynamic passing scheme run by a young quarterback with a high ceiling. Defensively, the Eagles have a composed unit that finds success throughout each level. Their defenders in the box are ferocious, and their secondary is full of Aces, making it no surprise that Pine Creek has solidified itself as one of the top programs this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game will be the first time these teams will face each other since the Eagles joined the 5A classification, making this an exciting matchup. The Bruins are not only favored to win this game, but they are also favored to win the whole thing for the fourth year in a row. The key for Pine Creek will be for their defense to force takeaways and capitalize on the mistakes of Cherry Creek's offense, while their offense will need to take what Cherry Creek's defense gives them while not trying to force big plays.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Key Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Cherry Creek:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212239' first='Brady' last='Vodicka']</strong> | 2026 QB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='22757' first='Carlson' last='Tann']</strong> | 2023 RB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='259298' first='Jordan' last='Herron']</strong> | 2024 RB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='22761' first='Ismael' last='Cisse']</strong> | 2023 WR<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='62225' first='Kyair' last='Johnston']</strong> | 2023 WR<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='62241' first='Blake' last='Purchase']</strong> | 2023 EDGE<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='62213' first='Logan' last='Brantley']</strong> | 2023 SS/LB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='376559' first='Javion' last='Smith-Combs']</strong> | 2023 EDGE<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150256' first='Chase' last='Brackney']</strong> | 2023 DT<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='251220' first='Angelo' last='Petrides']</strong> | 2024 LB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232189' first='Aiden' last='Knapke']</strong> | 2025 FS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Pine Creek:</em>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152282' first='Cameron' last='Cooper']</strong> | 2025 QB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='251217' first='Mason' last='Miller']</strong> | 2024 RB/LB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='504195' first='Jonathan' last='Coar']</strong> | 2025 RB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='146075' first='Luke' last='Zimmerman']</strong> | 2024 ATH<br><strong>Jake Graver</strong> | 2023 WR<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404945' first='Elijah' last='Roy']</strong> | 2025 WR<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='306981' first='Jerry' last='Lydiatt']</strong> | 2023 TE/LB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='146050' first='Ramon' last='Pacheco']</strong> | 2024 DB/ATH<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='22783' first='Brett' last='Alvey']</strong> | 2023 LB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='146074' first='Leyton' last='Robinson']</strong> | 2023 DB/ATH<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='251280' first='Justis' last='Nicholson']</strong> | 2024 ATH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong>#3 Ralston Valley (10-2) at #2 Valor Christian (10-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Valor Christian Eagles will host the Ralston Valley Mustangs in a game that will be a rematch from the regular season when the Eagles pulled out a 27-23 win in a nail-biter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs came into the season as an overlooked team but quickly changed that perception by going toe-to-toe with four teams that were, at some point, ranked within the top five. Ralston Valley has consistently been one of the more well-rounded programs from top to bottom. More than a few Mustangs have had breakout seasons, which are testaments to the hard work and dedication the players and staff have put toward being successful.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles have found themselves in familiar territory after a season of proving naysayers wrong about the changes within the program. Outside of a hard-fought loss in overtime to Regis Jesuit in the season opener and a thrashing from Liberty (AZ), Valor Christian has been just as successful as expected. Their run-heavy scheme has allowed their massive offensive front to maul through would-be rushers and open lanes for the plethora of talented ball carriers among the ranks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On paper, there is not a clear-cut favorite to win this game. These two teams stack up evenly against one another, making this rematch the 5A game of the week. The last time Ralston Valley reached the semifinals was in 2019 before falling short to Columbine and missing out on the state final match. Valor Christian is coming off two consecutive years as the 5A state runner-up, so there is no doubt that they will be looking to reach the final for a third straight year and the hopes of emerging victorious this time.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Key Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Valor Christian:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='381192' first='Asher' last='Weiner']</strong> | 2024 QB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='143630' first='Gabe' last='Sawchuk']</strong> | 2024 RB/DB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='62247' first='Trey' last='Stott']</strong> | 2023 FS/ATH<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='146072' first='Jake' last='Krekeler']</strong> | 2024 WR/ATH<br><strong>Jake Dragoo</strong> | 2023 WR<br><strong>Roman Bradley</strong> | 2023 LB<br><strong>Gavin Bibik</strong> | 2023 FS<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='146073' first='Alexander' last='Jordan']</strong> | 2024 DE<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='189119' first='Brody' last='Bliek']</strong> | 2023 DT<br><strong>Rowdy Beers</strong> | 2023 DE/TE<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401303' first='Breck' last='Kolojay']</strong> | 2026 OT</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Ralston Valley:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Logan Madden</strong> | 2024 QB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150203' first='Diano' last='Benallo']</strong> | 2023 RB/DB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='447835' first='Josh' last='Rillos']</strong> | 2023 WR<br><strong>Jackson Hansen</strong> | 2024 WR/ATH<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150058' first='Brayden' last='Schatz']</strong> | 2023 WR/DB<br><strong>Laird Jones</strong> | 2024 OLB<br><strong>Eli Keith</strong> | 2023 LB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='247225' first='Jason' last='Thome']</strong> | 2023 S<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150157' first='Gunner' last='Schoepflin']</strong> | 2023 NG<br><strong>George Patterson</strong> | 2024 LB/TE<br><strong>Jack Moran</strong> | 2024 DE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->