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Steamboat Springs — Steamboat Springs High School senior Michael Savory can distinctly remember his learning curve and introduction to high school football.

As a junior on last year’s team, Savory had earned a starting linebacker position on a senior-laden team. It was all a blur at first — his assignments, who to watch and where to go. But as the season progressed, the game slowed, and Savory started to become an integral part.

Now, as a senior, Savory is trying to impart wisdom on an inexperienced team, as Steam­boat (0-1) prepares to meet Holy Family (0-0) at 3 p.m. today in Broomfield.

“Coaches told me things to do, but I wasn’t sure totally what it meant until I got into the game,” Savory said, recalling last year. “Really it’s learning to trust the coaches and seeing it on the field.”

That’s been the M.O. this week inside Steamboat’s locker room. Fresh off a 36-0 loss to Olathe in the opening game of the season, the Sailors insist there will be no residual effects from the loss.

“We know where we stand,” senior John Burrow said. “It was a reality check.”

It also should help that Steamboat gets back four seniors this week in Charles Wood, Randall Nelson, Brandon Clark and Drew Dummit.

But the week hasn’t necessarily been about getting players back or looking back to last week. Instead, the team focused on finding ways to define its philosophy. Steamboat coach Lonn Clementson said the vibe has been good all week, with the focus completely on this week’s game.

“We believe in what we do,” Clementson said. “Again, it’s the understanding of the philosophy we’re trying to get done. It starts up front. We’ve worked on the ability to get off the line of scrimmage and how important that is.”

That philosophy should help a team that struggled mightily on offense against Olathe.

The Sailors managed only 3 yards a carry last week and were 1 of 11 on third-down conversions. With Olathe keyed on the run, Steamboat didn’t do much better passing, completing just two passes for 14 yards.

“We have to understand we’re OK with 4 yards a play,” Clementson said. “Over the past couple of years, we may have gotten used to big-play capability on every play. We want to establish an identity where we’re going to play through the whistle. First downs lead to touchdowns, and stops lead to possession of the ball. Our kids haven’t panicked. They’ve worked hard.”

Holy Family is entering its first year in Class 3A. The team returns eight starters, including seven on defense. Although Clementson knew little about them, Holy Family has been a model of consistency, making the playoffs 10 years running.

“We need to do what we do,” Clementson said, “but just try to do it better.”

Statistics

Steamboat

First Downs: 11

Rushes-Yards: 45-137

Comp-Att-In: 2-7-1

Yards Passing: 14

Total Yards: 151

Punts-Avg.: 4-32

Fumbles-los: 2-1

Penalties-Yards: 6-65

Opponent

First Downs: 17

Rushes-Yards:42-275

Comp-Att-In: 6-9-0

Yards Passing: 95

Total Yards: 370

Punts-Avg.: 2-34

Fumbles-los:8-1

Penalties-Yards: 11-90

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Opponent 09-14-07-06—36

Steamboat 00-00-00-00—0

Rushing

Connor Landusky 10-44; Evan Hornstein 2-0; Michael Savory 6-9; John Burrow 1-(-5); Maury Mirante 12-49; Christian Ramirez 6-22; Dylan Preston 8-18.

Passing

S: Savory 1-6-1, 1 yard; Ramirez 1-1-0, 13 yards.

Receiving

S: Burrow 2-14.