See Moments From Creek’s State Championship Four-Peat
Players jump into the stands following the Creek win, lifting four fingers to symbolize Creek’s four state championships in a row.
Carly Philpott and Alex Gribb
December 4, 2022
Creek’s football team won their fourth state championship in a row 24-17, becoming its 13th all-time, and Coach Dave Logan’s fifth at Creek. This is the only four-peat in 5A Colorado football history, however, Creek made a similar three-peat run from 1994 to 1996.
Emotions ran high during the game, according to senior running back Bubba Tann. “To be able to go out there and be down by four in the first half and keep the momentum up: we were all just really happy and excited that we were able to complete the journey,” he said over text interview.
Tann’s average of 111.3 yards per game carried into the championship, leading him to win MVP at the end of the game. In reference to the award, Tann said, “It just made me realize that I was a key part in the win we took. It felt really good to be able to contribute and overall get the W.”
Tann’s senior season was completed on a satisfactory win, sweetened by its three predecessors. “Being able to win one is hard let alone four in a row. Being able to do that is just really a dream come true,” he said.
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Team captains (from left) senior wide receiver Ismael Cisse (#14), senior outside linebacker Logan Brantley (#5), senior defensive lineman Blake Purchase (#12), and senior offensive lineman Hank Zilinskas (#58) line up opposite Valor’s captains for the coin toss. Creek won the toss and elected to kick off in the first half.
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Senior wide receiver Kyair Johnston (#3) and senior defensive lineman Chase Brackney (#91) run through cheer’s banner and onto the field before the game.
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Players listen to the national anthem, sung by Creek’s Meistersingers, before the game.
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Senior wide receiver Cooper Pollard (#7) is tackled by a Valor player.
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The team convenes after a play.
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Senior offensive lineman Hank Zilinskas (#58) reacts to a play.
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Senior running back Carlson Tann (#17) reacts to a touchdown scored by senior wide receiver Ismael Cisse, which put the team up 17-7.
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Valor and Creek face off on a Valor offensive drive.
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Outside linebacker coach Michael Luhring talks to players on the sidelines during the third quarter.
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Junior Traver Cox poses with body paint in the student section. Energy was high among fans during the game.
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Players on the sidelines watch as time ticks in the third quarter. Though Creek gained the lead early in the second half and maintained it for the rest of the game, the match remained competitive and Valor continued to put points on the board.
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The team huddles after a drive.
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Coaches look on in suspense during the game.
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Cheerleaders pose for a camera operator.
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Fans in the student section wave their phone flashlights to “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” by Steam.
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Junior defensive back Eliseo Martinez (#23) smiles as the game comes to an end.
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Senior outside linebacker Logan Brantley (#5) jumps in excitement after the game clock reaches zero.
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Senior tight end Maxwell Rodriguez (#4) and senior running back Steven Kim (#29) run toward the sidelines after the Creek win.
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Students pose for a camera operator.
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Teary-eyed sophmore outside linebacker Arthur Humphrey receives a hug after the game.
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A Creek player hugs a Valor player after the game.
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Coaches and players pose with the 5A State Championship Trophy.
The seventh photo in this slideshow won Honorable Mention Sports Reaction Photo and Caption from CSMA.