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It might be the only fourth game of the season, but the Steamboat Springs High School football team already has to start thinking about the playoffs.

With the Western Slope League getting only three guaranteed playoff teams, a 7 p.m. game today against Eagle Valley at Gardner Field is full of playoff implications.

"If we lose this, there's a chance we don't make the playoffs," Steamboat senior lineman Keith Curry said. "We can't come out flat. We've got to come out strong and hit them because they come out faster and stronger than any team we've seen."

Eagle Valley doesn't have too many secrets. On offense, the team runs the double wing. And on defense, it has athletes all across the field.

While the Devils are 0-4 overall and 0-2 in league play, they remain as dangerous as ever. In all four games this year, Eagle Valley has played quality opponents. The team lost to Faith Christian and Olathe - top teams in Class 2A - and Western Slope League favorites Glenwood Springs and Palisade.

"Watching film, they're a very good football team," Steamboat coach Aaron Finch said. "They're better than any of the three teams we've played."

Finch said despite seeing the double wing for years, it still remains one of the most frustrating offenses to defend. Finch said it can seem like you're stopping it to 2- or 3-yard gains, but at some point, someone is going to break it open.

"It's tough to play against," Finch said. "You play hard and have one breakdown, then all of a sudden, a guy breaks one."

Adding to the game is the rivalry Steamboat (3-0, 2-0) and Eagle Valley have created. The past three years, the two teams have had games go right down to the fourth quarter. Last year, Steamboat won with less than 15 seconds to play when Austin Hinder hit Nigel Hammond on a 67-yard touchdown.

"The last three years, every game has been very, very close," Finch said. "The favored team usually hasn't ended up being victorious."

Still, Steamboat probably played its most complete game of the year last week at Montezuma-Cortez. The defense remained stout while the special teams and offense put up 60 points. Although Finch has been happy with the play of the defense - the Sailors have given up just 214 yards a game in their first three contests - he said he's still looking for more consistency on offense.

"Our offense is so interesting this year," said Finch, whose team scored from 87, 79, 33, 99, 15, 52, 5 and 10 yards out last week. "Consistent is still not a word I'd put on it. Ability to score from anywhere on the field is."

Finch said in a game like this, the team that makes the least amount of mistakes usually wins. The key might be a fast start for Steamboat. If the Sailors get ahead early, Eagle Valley's double wing offense won't be able to eat at the clock, he said.

"They're a very good football team that's primed to win," Finch said. "They haven't gotten breaks we've gotten. But hopefully that (first) win can wait another week."

- To reach Luke Graham, call 871-4229

or e-mail lgraham@steamboatpilot.com