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No. 1 Rifle Not Overlooking No. 16 Erie

by Claire Brandon

Story Created: Nov 9, 2012 at 12:11 AM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 9, 2012 at 12:11 AM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.--No. 1 Rifle is set to host No. 16 Erie in the first round of Class 3A playoffs Saturday at 1 p.m., but head coach Damon Wells knows it's important for the team to stay humble.

Wells was a part of the Rifle coaching staff in 2002 when the top-seeded Bears were upset in the opening round.

"Part of the thing we love about the playoffs is anything can happen," he said. "It used to be, when we said that, it meant only good things can happen. I think what 2002 taught us is good and bad can happen. We know that anything is possible in the playoffs because it's going to come down to one four-quarter game, and there is no forgiveness."

The Bears finished undefeated in the regular season for the second-straight year and have stayed in the top spot all season.

Leading the way is senior running back Ryan Moeller, who is third in the state with over 2,200 yards on the ground and 31 touchdowns.

"Humble and hungry," Moeller said. "That's a big point in our program. If everything that our coaches do stays the same, then everything will be okay."

Rifle is the only undefeated team in Class 3A and is outscoring its opponents 433-35, but the team isn't overlooking Erie.

"We've seen some film," senior quarterback Adam Rice said. "They're a good team. They deserve to be in the playoffs. They have some good kids, they have some athletic kids, and they're big and physical. If we overlook them, they'll beat us."

The Tigers are 7-3 on the year and 3-2 in league play.

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