The Falcons flew on to the field, running through a sign that claimed they had half the enrollment and twice the pride. But Friday night on Marson Field it was the Hillmen who had twice the size, strength and athleticism. Placer defensive lineman Stone Sander had two sacks, an interceptions and a pass defensed, Isaiah Pineiro took one of his two interceptions to the house, and the Hillmen improved to 9-0 going into next Friday's Pioneer Valley League championship against Center (8-1, 4-0) with a 24-7 win at Colfax. “I got challenged this week,” said the two-way playing Sander. “I didn’t play real well last week. I wanted to come out and show what I could do.” The Hillmen defense put on a show in the first half, forcing five interceptions and three three-and-outs. Behind Pineiro’s pick-six, a 43-yard Dominic Granieri field goal and a 36-yard Peter Denham-to-Todd Valliere strike, Placer took a 17-0 lead into the break — and the game’s outcome was never in doubt. The margin of victory should have been much greater for Placer (9-0, 4-0), but the Hillmen coughed up the ball twice deep in Falcon territory and missed two field goals. “We beat ourselves in the red zone,” said Sander, who also plays tight end. Colfax (4-5, 1-3) quarterback Michael Wilson (17 of 39 for 252 yards) threw five first-half interceptions and got no help whatsoever from his team’s ground game. “Anytime you turn the ball over five times in a game it’s difficult to win,” Falcons coach Tony Martello said. “Our defense played phenomenal, giving the fact that we did throw five picks. It put us in a hole. It made the game difficult.” Said Wilson: “We made a lot of mistakes. I think if we did the right things and could take care of the ball a little better we might have made it a little closer.” Sophomore Tim Rawlins, who put the ball on the ground late, led the Falcons ground game with 42 yards on 10 carries. Colfax’s biggest run of the night came on a fake punt run for 20 yards by Christopher Harshman in the first half. But Wilson ended up throwing the ball into Pineiro’s hands later in the drive. Colfax’s lone score came on a 40-yard pass from Wilson to Tanner Kane. Colfax receivers Chas Reisinger, Kyle Bryant and Harshman did a good job of getting separation but the Falcons had a handful of drops. Isaac Brahce carried the Hillmen offense on his back, rushing for 172 yards on 12 carries, including a 34-yard double reverse for a touchdown. He also had an interception, along with Casey Yunk, who saw more playing time with Jalen Lewis (collarbone) sidelined. Michael Robinson, returning from a knee injury, added 69 yards on 14 carries, including some crucial chain-moving first downs for the Hillmen. Late in the second quarter right before Denham’s lone TD of the game, a shirtless man ran on to the field and picked up the football. He appeared to be under the influence of who-knows-what. He didn’t hold on to the rock for long, though, as Troy-Minton Sander, a former Hillmen football player, rushed the field and took him down with a bone-crunching hit. The shirtless man, who was arrested and appeared to be sagging his pants a little too much, fumbled the football on impact. “Hit of the year,” Placer’s Eddie Vanderdoes said. Reach Matthew Kimel at matthewk@goldcountrymedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @matthewkimel