Semifinal Review: Pine Creek Eagles vs Cherry Creek Bruins

A look at the three best performances from this 5A semifinal mathup.   Review   Like many games this weekend, this was easily one of the marquee matchups of the semifinal round as the 5th ranked Pine Creek Eagles took on the number 1 ranked Cherry Creek Bruins. Early on in this game, it looked like it was going to turn into a barn-burner with both teams trading scores in the 1st quarter, with the Bruins holding a 13-7 lead heading into the 2nd quarter. For the next three quarters, however, it was all Cherry Creek as the Bruins took control of the game at the start of the 2nd quarter - carrying a decisive 27-7 lead at halftime. The 2nd half would be much more of the same, with the Bruins just pouring it on to hold a 41-7 lead heading into the 4th quarter. The Pine Creek offense was able to add some points in garbage-time, but it was too little-too late for the Eagles, as the Bruins would ultimately run away with the game, 41-21. Given the lopsided result of this game, it should come as no surprise that the three best performances in this game all came from the Cherry Creek side of the field, as no Pine Creek player really had a performance that superseded the performance of those on the Bruins' sideline. With that being said, however, these were the three players who I felt had the strongest night for Cherry Creek.   Players of the Game   [player_tooltip player_id='22757' first='Carlson' last='Tann'], Cherry Creek Bruins (RB)(Sr.)(17) – Tann was easily the most productive player on the ground for the Cherry Creek offense, creating big play after big play against the Pine Creek defense. The Eagles defense had no answers for Tann, as he accounted for 103 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown on just 7 carries (14.7 YPC), headlining a rushing attack that steamrolled the Pine Creek defense. Putting on the tape of Tann's performance against the Eagles defense, you can see Tann displays good vision and patience to identify the running lanes created by his offensive line and accelerate through them. One-cut runner that can quickly identify the running lanes and fly through them before the defense has an opportunity to fill their run fits. Maintains a low pad level at the point of contact, driving his legs to finish runs and gain extra yards. Also shows great lateral agility/athleticism to elude defenders in the open field, as well as the requisite explosiveness and foot speed to separate against second and third level defenders consistently pulling away from most. Balanced runner with good lower body strength that allows him to run through would-be arm tackles on runs in between the tackles. Home-run hitter as a RB that is a threat to score or create a chunk play for the Bruins offense on any given play. Tann is currently rated the number 3 RB and the number 35 player overall for the class of 2023, which is certainly a fair ranking given how productive he's been over his prep career. Tann will look to close out his career as a Bruin with another 5A state title next week.   [player_tooltip player_id='22761' first='Ismael' last='Cisse'], Cherry Creek Bruins (WR)(Sr.)(14) - Cisse was the ultimate receiving threat for the Bruins in their win over the Eagles, as the Pine Creek defense didn't have a single DB that could keep up with Cisse the entire game. Diving into Cisse's numbers from his day against the Eagles defense, Cisse registered a remarkable 123 yards receiving and 3 receiving touchdowns on just 4 receptions. Those are Randy Moss against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving in 1998 type of numbers. All jokes aside, diving into the tape of Cisse's performance against the Pine Creek defense, you can see that he has elite first step explosiveness and top-end foot speed, routinely showing the ability to take the top off of a defense. Excellent route runner that understands how to attack the opposing DBs leverage when their playing off coverage and how to beat DBs off the line lined up in press coverage. Shows incredible ability after the catch, consistently turning short and intermediate routes into bigger plays with his elusiveness in space - routinely presenting a challenge to tackle in 1-on-1 situations in the open field against almost any 2nd and 3rd level defender. A combination of a good frame (6'1, 185 lbs) and strong hands allows him to outmuscle smaller defenders on jump balls in the red zone and while working through traffic over the middle of the field on intermediate and short breaking routes. Big play waiting to happen at the receiver position, consistently showing the ability to turn any reception into a chunk play with the ball in his hands. Cisse is currently ranked the number 1 WR and the number 5 player overall for the class of 2023, with that ranking certainly being well-deserved. Much like the other players on this list, Cisse will look to close out his outstanding prep career with another 5A state title.   [player_tooltip player_id='62241' first='Blake' last='Purchase'], Cherry Creek Bruins (LB)(Sr.)(12) – As has been the case for almost every game in his prep career, Purchase was easily the best defensive player on the field. The blue-chip prospect and future Oregon Duck was an absolute force against the Pine Creek offense, accounting for 5 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, a sack, and a pass deflection. When you watch Purchase's performance against the Eagles offense on film, you can see he displays excellent awareness to identify different blocking schemes and quickly react. Good understanding of how to identify perimeter blockers, attack their outside shoulder, and shed the block to prevent the ball carrier from gaining the edge. Also displays elite explosiveness out of his stance to drive down-hill towards the ball carrier/blocker. Maintains a good, low pad level at the point-of-contact that allows him to generate great pop/strength when delivering a tackle. Also displays good hand technique at the point-of-contact to neutralize the blockers hands. All of these traits being displayed in pass rush scenarios, with the opposing tackles routinely being overwhelmed by his speed, explosiveness, size, and technique. Purchase continues to cement his status as the top player in the state on almost a weekly basis, with his day against Pine Creek being no different. Purchase will look to finish out his incredible career at Cherry Creek with another 5A state title before heading off to Eugene to dismantle offenses in the Pac-12.

A look at the three best performances from this 5A semifinal mathup.