Valor Christian celebrates its third consecutive title.
Photo by Paul DiSalvo
DENVER – The
Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) onslaught was as thorough as it was swift.
In what amounted to more of a coronation than a contest, the defending champions unleashed on Pine Creek in the second quarter en route to a 66-10 record-breaking victory in the Class 4A state football championship Saturday.
The small crowd at chilly and snowy Sports Authority Field at Mile High was treated to a quality first quarter before Valor Christian erupted for 31 points in the second. Two defensive touchdowns highlighted the outburst – a 24-yard pick-six by Duke recruit
Max McCaffrey and a 38-yard fumble return by
Cameron Gray.
Christian McCaffrey, Valor
Photo by Paul DiSalvo
Valor Christian (14-0) scored three times within a 2-minute, 26-second span to put away its third title in three years. Sandwiched between the defensive scores was a 33-yard pass to
Christian McCaffrey, who totaled 313 yards offensively. Valor Christian ran only 19 offensive plays in the first half but led 38-3 at intermission.
Max, one of 25 seniors on the Eagles' roster, and Christian McCaffrey, a sophomore, are the sons of former Denver Broncos standout Ed McCaffrey.
The 66 points scored by the Eagles were the most in a 4A state title game. Hinkley beat Grand Junction Central 62-42 in the 4A championship in 1997. The Eagles just missed on the overall 11-man record: Fort Collins scored 69 in the 1931 Unclassified division championship.
"We didn't really expect this," Christian McCaffrey said. "We just wanted to score a point on them because we knew they were an incredible football team. But we worked hard all week, and we executed. I think it paid off pretty well."
Max McCaffrey, Valor
Photo by Paul DiSalvo
Christian McCaffrey rushed for 187 yards on 16 carries, scoring on runs of 4 and 61 yards. He added four receptions for 126 yards, which included an 87-yard scoring reception.
Pine Creek (13-1), making its first championship game appearance, had not allowed a point in three playoff games, but Valor Christian needed only five plays on its opening possession to end that streak. The Eagles also extended one of their own, as they will take a 24-game win streak into next season when they will move up to Class 5A.
Valor Christian, which won the 3A title in 2009, punctuated its case to be considered Colorado's top team, regardless of classification. The Eagles beat four big-school teams this season and outscored the opposition 634-90. In the playoffs, the scoring margin was 218-17. They entered the week ranked No. 62 nationally by MaxPreps.
"I do (think we are the best team)," Christian McCaffrey said. "I would put us against anyone. These are my brothers. I wouldn't trade one player for any of these guys."
As for a fourth consecutive title next season, McCaffrey didn't want to look ahead. "I'm just trying to enjoy this one while it lasts. We don't really predict anything, we just come out and work hard and focus on us."
