Eaton advanced to the Class 2A football state title game after upsetting top-seeded Resurrection Christian 27-13 on Saturday.

Limon’s quest for a third straight Class 1A football title remains alive after the Badgers beat Wray 24-14 to advance to the championship game.

It was semifinal Saturday as all seven classes were in action. That means that each championship matchup has been set up ahead of next week’s Championship Weekend at CSU Pueblo.

Here is how the day played out.

Browse a database of state football championship games through history at this link.

[divider]

Class 5A

Bracket

• Matchup: Cherry Creek vs. Valor Christian
• Kickoff: 12/5, 6 p.m.

•••

(1) Cherry Creek 35, (4) Pomona 7

Cherry Creek scored on a Hail Mary as the first half ended to turn a one-score game to a 21-7 advantage, and the Bruins’ offense kept it up in the second half as they advanced to a third-straight title game.

Julian Hammond III threw two touchdowns, and star defensive back/offensive threat Myles Purchase had three touchdowns. Cherry Creek’s Gunnar Helm and Chase Penry each had receiving scores.

Cherry Creek, the defending champions, will be making its 19th appearance in a state title game, and third straight.

Find a photo gallery from the game here.

•••

(2) Valor Christian 45, (3) Legend 0

Already up 14-0 after the first quarter, Valor Christian exploded for 31 second-quarter points as the Eagles advanced to the program’s 10th state title game.

Valor score two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter, including one from Jordan Norwood, and then their special teams (blocked punt return from Mitchell Bigelow) and defense (Luke Meyer’s 17-yard fumble return) added two more scores early in the second.

Jackson Zimmermann added a receiving score, and Gabe Sawchuk scored on the ground.

Valor Christian is 8-1-0 in its previous trips to a championship game.

Find a photo gallery from the game here.

[divider]

Class 4A

Bracket

• Matchup: Loveland vs. Palmer Ridge
• Kickoff: 12/4, 6 p.m.

•••

(4) Loveland 20, (4) Dakota Ridge 14

Loveland scored all of its points in the first half, and its defense held firm to secure a second championship game appearance in three years.

Tyson Williams had a 12-yard rushing touchdown which opened the scoring in the first quarter. After Dakota Ridge took a 7-6 lead, Loveland’s Garrett Harstad scored from 3 yards out.

Then, in the second quarter, Zack Rakowsky broke off a 73-yard rushing score for Loveland.

Loveland moves on to make its 15th championship game appearance.

A complete recap of the game is available here.

Find a photo gallery from the game here.

•••

(2) Palmer Ridge 28, (6) Fountain-Fort Carson 12

Palmer Ridge is headed to a fourth-consecutive state championship game, but their first in 4A after winning three-straight 3A titles.

Luke McAllister threw three touchdown passes for the Bears, who led 14-6 at halftime, and then had a touchdown each in the third and fourth quarters.

Find a photo gallery from the game here.

[divider]

Class 3A

Bracket

• Matchup: Roosevelt vs. Durango
• Kickoff: 12/5, 2 p.m.

•••

(1) Roosevelt 49, (4) Pueblo South 19

A tight game through the first two quarters, Roosevelt’s Brig Hartson scored from 6 yards out in the final minute of the first half to put his team up 21-13.

Pueblo South’s Jace Bellah scored in the third quarter to cut it to 21-19, but Roosevelt close the game with 28 unanswered points.

This will be Roosevelt’s third championship game appearance, and first since 2015.

A complete recap of the game is available here.

Find a photo gallery from the game here.

•••

(3) Durango 34, (2) Holy Family 14

Durango built a 21-0 halftime lead, one it extended to 28-0 early in the third quarter as the Demons flexed their muscle in the win.

“The kids just executed our game plan perfectly,” Durango coach David Vogt told the Colorado Preps Scoreboard Show. “Our offense just really was rolling.”

Jordan Woolverton led the way for Durango with two rushing touchdowns, a passing score, and an interception on defense. Gage Mestas had two touchdowns: one receiving, and one rushing. Ben Finneseth also added a 40-yard rushing touchdown.

It is Durango’s first appearance in a championship game since 1988, and fourth overall. They are 0-3-1 all-time in title games.

“Every year, that’s our goal: To make it to the state championship,” Vogt said. “To accomplish that, it’s great for everybody who has ever been in the program. Everybody is so happy for the program, and the town is just elated, too.”

Find a photo gallery from the game here.

[divider]

Class 2A

Bracket

• Matchup: Eaton vs. Lamar
• Kickoff: 12/4, 2 p.m.

•••

(5) Eaton 27, (1) Resurrection Christian 13

This will be Eaton’s first appearance in a state championship game since 2003, and the program’s eighth overall. Eaton has won one championship before, in 2000.

“The look on the players’ faces, it’s classic. It just brings tears to your eyes. Excited for them, that their hard work is playing off. You just love to see that look on their faces,” Eaton coach Zac Lemon told the Scoreboard Show.

Eaton led 14-7 at the half, and pushed their lead to 27-7 in the fourth quarter.

“We knew it was going to be a battle in the trenches. It wasn’t easy, but our guys battled,” Lemon said. “We did a little ‘bend, but don’t break.’ Guys played selfless, and excellent.”

Find a photo gallery from the game here.

•••

(7) Lamar 7, (6) Delta 6

Lamar’s lone score came less than a minute into the second quarter, when Zane Rankin hit Blake Buxton for a 38-yard touchdown. A Luis DeLaTorre extra point immediately after ultimately proved to be the difference in this game.

“Zane put it right on him for the touchdown,” Lamar coach Jason Tice told the Scoreboard Show.

The lead held through halftime and into the third quarter when Delta’s Nathan Scharnhorst scored from 6 yards out with 8 minutes remaining in the quarter. The extra point attempt, though, was not good.

“Our defense stood tall,” Tice said. “The defense really did a nice job today.”

Lamar will head to a title game for the first time since 1963.

“We’ve got great kids. This senior class is remarkable. It’s one of the best senior classes I’ve ever been a part of,” Tice said. “These guys just go out there and they play for one another. As a coach, that’s all you can ask for.”

[divider]

Class 1A

Bracket

• Matchup: Limon vs. Strasburg
• Kickoff: 12/5, 10 a.m.

•••

(1) Limon 24, (4) Wray 14

The Badgers, two-time defending champions, are headed back to the title game.

Tied at halftime, Limon took a 14-7 lead with three minutes to play in the third following a long drive.

“Our kids did a really nice job,” Limon coach Mike O’Dwyer told the Scoreboard Show. “We had talked all week that this game was going to be 3 and 4 and 5 yards, and the team that can sustain that drive and not make mistakes and turn the ball over would win. I really thought our kids did a nice job. We ate up about 8 and a half minutes.”

The Badgers added a field goal early in the fourth to go ahead 17-7.

“To make it a two-score game, you felt a little bit more comfortable,” O’Dwyer said.

Wray cut the lead to 17-14 three minutes later, but Limon sealed the game with a touchdown pass with two minutes remaining.

“It was a great team effort on the defensive side,” O’Dwyer said.

Limon has the most championships of any program in the state, with 19. They have been to a title game 27 times before, also the most in the state.

Find a photo gallery of the game here.

•••

(2) Strasburg 27, (6) Centauri 14

For the fifth-straight year, Strasburg will head to the championship game. The squad has played Limon each of the past two seasons.

Down 14-0 in the first half, and 14-6 at halftime, Strasburg got a rushing touchdown and a two-point conversion midway through the third quarter to tie things at 14-14. Then, with five minutes to play in the fourth quarter, another rushing score gave Strasburg a 21-14 lead.

“When we got down 14-0, nothing was working for us offensively. Centauri came out and they were flying around the football,” Strasburg coach Brian Brown told the Scoreboard Show. “We told the boys, ‘We’re not used to this, but we got to keep our composure.’ Our boys, they never seem too worried about what the score is. They just know that if they keep doing the things they do best, good things will happen.”

They then sealed the game with a pick-6 with three minutes to play.

Strasburg will be making its seventh appearance in a championship game.

[divider]

8-man

Bracket

• Matchup: Sedgwick County vs. Sanford
• Kickoff: 12/3, 6 p.m.

•••

(1) Sedgwick County 46, (4) Dove Creek 6

The Cougars have advanced to their sixth-straight state title game, and are looking to become just the second program to ever win six consecutive championships. Only Limon has done it before, from 1963-68.

“I think later on down the road, we’ll be able to look back and realize what had happened. Right now, we’re just a one-day-at-a-time team, just like everybody else,” Sedgwick County coach Chris Michel told the Scoreboard Show.

Sedgwick County scored four times on the ground, once through the air, and also had a 64-yard punt return for a score. The Cougars led 40-6 at halftime.

“We do a really good job, when we get some momentum, of capitalizing on that,” Michel said.

•••

(2) Sanford 16, (6) Merino 14

This marks the first time in program history that Sanford will play for a state football championship.

“Beyond excited,” Sanford coach Joe Cary told the Scoreboard Show. “We’re extremely excited to be able to go and do this.”

Sanford trailed 14-8 at halftime in a physical game. They went ahead 16-14 in the fourth quarter on a speed-option play.

“The kids never dropped their heads,” Cary said. “Never once did they let the doubt creep in. They just fought and fought.”

[divider]

6-man

Bracket

• Matchup: Fleming vs. Stratton/Liberty
• Kickoff: 12/3, 2 p.m.

•••

(1) Fleming 52, (4) Granada 46

It was a shootout back-and-forth kind of game between the two teams that saw a number of lead changes.

Granada led 46-38 in the fourth quarter, but a long touchdown run cut it to 46-44 for Fleming. The Wildcats then took the lead for good on an 8-yard pass.

“It was a great game,” Fleming coach John King told the Scoreboard Show.

Fleming, the defending champion, will head back to the championship game for a second year in a row, and for the seventh time in program history.

“I’m sure it’s going to be one heck of a test for us again,” King said.

•••

(2) Stratton/Liberty 36, (3) Cheyenne Wells 15

It’ll be a fourth-straight title game appearance for the Knighted Eagles, and a rematch of last year’s title game, won by Fleming.

Against Cheyenne Wells, Stratton/Liberty trailed 15-14 at halftime. They closed with 22 unanswered points.

“I thought we just played harder, with more heart, and more urgency, in the second half,” Stratton/Liberty Toby Kechter told the Scoreboard Show. “The second half, we just ran right at them and we finally found some holes.”

This will be Stratton/Liberty’s 15th championship game in program history.

“We’re excited. You take away our best player Week 2, and our kids really stepped up,” Kechter said. “They played with a lot of heart and desire and want-to.”

The overwhelming majority of state football playoff games will be live-streamed this weekend.

The NFHS Network will be doing each of the broadcasts.

Find links to those broadcasts below.

[divider]

Scores + Info

• Live scoreboard
• Full scores & schedule

[divider]

Class 5A

• Bracket
• Game previews

Matchup	Day	Time
(1) Cherry Creek vs. (4) Pomona	Saturday	1 p.m.
(2) Valor Christian vs. (3) Legend	Saturday	1 p.m.

[divider]

Class 4A

• Bracket
• Game previews

Matchup	Day	Time
(1) Dakota Ridge vs. (4) Loveland	Saturday	1 p.m.
(2) Palmer Ridge vs. (6) Fountain-Fort Carson	Saturday	1 p.m.

[divider]

Class 3A

• Bracket
• Game previews

Matchup	Day	Time
(1) Roosevelt vs. (4) Pueblo South	Saturday	1 p.m.
(2) Holy Family vs. (3) Durango	Saturday	12 p.m.

[divider]

Class 2A

• Bracket
• Game previews

Matchup	Day	Time
(1) Resurrection Christian vs. (5) Eaton	Saturday	1 p.m.
(6) Delta vs. (7) Lamar	Saturday	1 p.m.

[divider]

Class 1A

• Bracket
• Game previews

Matchup	Day	Time
(1) Limon vs. (4) Wray	Saturday	1 p.m.
(2) Strasburg vs. (6) Centauri	Saturday	1 p.m.

[divider]

8-man

• Bracket
• Game previews

Matchup	Day	Time
(1) Sedgwick County vs. (4) Dove Creek	Saturday	1 p.m.
(2) Sanford vs. (6) Merino	Saturday	1 p.m.

[divider]

6-man

• Bracket
• Game previews

Matchup	Day	Time
(1) Fleming vs. (4) Granada	Saturday	1 p.m.
(2) Stratton/Liberty vs. (3) Cheyenne Wells	Saturday	1 p.m.

A look at the top individual statistical performances so far this football season.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced late Wednesday night that while state football championships are still permitted to be held in Pueblo, no spectators will be allowed.

The games will continue to be held at CSU Pueblo from Dec. 3-5, and will not be moved to other sites, due to variances approved by CDPHE.

The full release from the CDPHE:

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment tonight announced greater restrictions to the approval for the state’s high school football championship games. These additional restrictions come as Pueblo County continues to have widespread transmission of COVID-19. Experts at the Colorado School of Public Health estimate that 1 in 29 people in Pueblo and surrounding areas are contagious with the virus. Much of the county is restricted by stringent capacity limits, as dictated in Level Red of the state’s dial.

New modifications to Pueblo County’s approval, which was originally approved on November 4, will disallow spectators. Attendance will now be limited solely to football teams, athletic staff, cheerleaders, band members, broadcast staff, and other essential personnel.

“We appreciate the ongoing partnership with the Colorado High School Activities Association as we navigate these tough times,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director, CDPHE. “Early in the season, our organizations both agreed that additional safety measures like these might need to be taken, and now unfortunately we are there. These decisions aren’t made lightly, but they’re necessary.”

“Our administrators always advocate for the full high school experience and although disappointing, we support these tough decisions,” said CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green. “Season A football for 218 schools that competed this fall and approval of the culminating championships in these unprecedented and tumultuous times, would not have been possible without the support of CDPHE, state and county officials.”

CDPHE will continue to monitor the situation over the week. If conditions worsen, CDPHE may need to revisit the modified variance.

All championship games will be broadcast on the NFHS Network.

CDPHE executive director Jill Hunsaker Ryan sent the following letter on Wednesday to the Pueblo County Commissioners, and the county health department:

Dear Commissioners and Director Evetts:

Thank you for your continued partnership and diligence in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of widespread transmission taking place in Pueblo County and throughout the state, I find it necessary to modify your November 4, 2020 variance approval to Public Health Order 20-36 Safer at Home (PHO 20-28). The Nov. 4 variance as granted was to host state football championship games at the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl on the CSU Pueblo campus, from December 4-5, with modified capacity limits for fans in the stands.

As of November 22, 2020 at 5 p.m., Pueblo County entered COVID-19 Dial Level Red based on the county’s incidence rate and hospitalizations. This modified variance will allow the games to proceed, but with greater restrictions. Attendance at the 2020 Colorado High School Football championship will now be limited solely to football teams, athletic staff, cheerleaders, band members, broadcast staff, and other essential personnel as determined by CHSAA. CDPHE will continue to monitor the situation over the week. If conditions change, we may need to revisit the modified variance.

This decision is not made lightly. The culmination of playing in a championship game is an experience that young people may have only once in a lifetime. At the same time, we want to discourage travel to Pueblo County from around the state, which will necessitate lodging and other amenities. According to the Colorado School of Public Health, 1 in 29 residents of the south central area of Colorado, including Pueblo, are infected with the virus.

Thank you for your continuing efforts to ensure that Pueblo county residents are safe and healthy. Please let me know if I may be of assistance or answer any questions.

Sincerely,

Jill Hunsaker Ryan, MPH
Executive Director

ThunderRidge football beat Chaparral 41-21 in a regular season contest on Wednesday.

After a thrilling week of Colorado playoff football games, teams roll into semifinals this weekend. With upsets in nearly every big-school classification, intriguing matchups have been set as teams prepare to earn a chance to get to the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl in Pueblo to compete for state football championships.

Here is a look at the semifinal games for the big-school games this weekend.

[divider]

Class 5A

• 5A football playoff bracket
• Watch both games on the NFHS Network

• • •

(4) Pomona at (1) Cherry Creek

Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.

Breakdown: Two coaches very familiar with each other will face off once again as they each look to claim another state title. Dave Logan led Cherry Creek to the 5A crown last year and has a team loaded with talent once again in 2020.

Quarterback Julian Hammond has thrown for over 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns and he also has the experience of leading the Bruins (7-0) to a state title. Cherry Creek won their quarterfinal game over Regis Jesuit 29-6 thanks to big plays from James Walker and Myles Purchase.

Pomona fell behind early in its quarterfinal game against Eaglecrest but behind Ian Dexter’s 101 rushing yards and the team’s six total rushing touchdowns, the Panthers grabbed a 49-14 win to advance.

Cherry Creek beat Pomona 12-7 in last year’s semifinals and the Panthers certainly wouldn’t mind evening the score this weekend.

• • •

(3) Legend at (2) Valor Christian

Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.

Breakdown: Without Gavin Sawchuk, it seemed like Valor Christian’s game against Cherokee Trail was going to get a whole lot tougher. But Zach Wiley had other plans.

The backup ran for four first-half touchdowns to help the Eagles (6-0) to a 49-14 win over the Cougars. A few of those touchdowns were set up by brilliant completions from Sean McNair to Tyler Larson.

Valor is looking to get back to the state title game after getting beaten in the state quarterfinals a year ago.

Speaking of backup running backs, no one had a better weekend than Legend’s Bryce Vaz.

The junior broke out for 310 yards and six touchdowns as the Titans (7-0) beat Fairview 56-35 to advance to the state semifinals for the first time in the program’s history. Vaz spent his freshman year at Valor and is looking forward to displaying his ability against his former school.

[divider]

Class 4A

• 4A football playoff bracket
• Watch both games on the NFHS Network

• • •

(4) Loveland at (1) Dakota Ridge

Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.

Breakdown: Dakota Ridge wasn’t messing around when the postseason got underway as it scored 10 offensive touchdowns to beat Montrose 76-34 in the quarterfinals.

Ben Gultig ran for 101 yards and a touchdown and Noah Triplett accounted for three of the Eagles’ seven total rushing touchdowns on the day.

Loveland’s trip to the semifinals came thanks in part to a major boost on the defensive side of the ball.

Joe Killian’s pick-six was came at a crucial time and led the team to a 28-7 win over Broomfield, the 2019 4A runner-up. Zack Rakowsky had a banner day running the ball, amassing 183 yards and two touchdowns.

• • •

(2) Palmer Ridge at (6) Fountain-Fort Carson

Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.

Breakdown: Palmer Ridge is in search of its fourth straight state title and its first in 4A. The Bears (5-0) looked strong in their 32-7 win over Pine Creek in the quarterfinals.

Luke McAllister threw for 367 yards and five touchdowns, four of which landed in the hands of Marcellus Reed.

The Palmer Ridge passing attack will be countered by one of the best running backs in the state.

Q. Jones put his talent on a full display in the Trojans (6-1) 41-38 win over Ponderosa last week. Jones ran for 332 yards and three touchdowns in the win.

Palmer Ridge is on the road because of a rule in 4A through 6-man which allows teams with fewer postseason home games to host.

[divider]

Class 3A

• 3A football playoff bracket
• Watch both games on the NFHS Network

• • •

(4) Pueblo South at (1) Roosevelt

Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.

Breakdown: Roosevelt was nearly the victim of a major upset at the hands of Fort Morgan in the quarterfinals.

A last-second field goal from Brecken Sawyer gave the Roughriders (6-0) the win and moved them on to the semis. Cooper Walton was also crucial to the win as he punched in two rushing touchdowns.

Pueblo South advanced to the semifinals due to Mead forfeiting their game last week because of COVID-19 issues.

The Colts (5-0) have looked strong all year as George Longoria has rushed for 816 yards and 12 touchdowns in just four games. South beat Vista Ridge 35-28 in its most recent game.

• • •

(3) Durango at (2) Holy Family

Date and time: Nov. 28, 12 p.m.

Breakdown: Holy Family made a big statement in its playoff opening win against Evergreen. The Tigers (7-0) maintained a balanced offensive attack as Michael White threw for 242 yards and four touchdowns.

Oscar Sena caught five passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns and the team overall rushed for 133 yards and a pair of scores.

Durango’s banner season continued as the Demons beat Lutheran 47-6 in the 3A quarterfinals.

Jordan Woolverton threw for 154 yards and three touchdowns while Ben Finneseth ran for 130 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Highlands Ranch football beat Legacy 42-28 in a Week 7 contest.

Jeffco Preps With Pleuss is a monthly roundup of Jeffco prep highlights hosted by Dennis Pleuss, Jeffco Public Schools’ sports information director. Dakota Ridge (Class 4A Jeffco League champs) and Pomona (Class 5A Jeffco League champs) opened up the football postseason with impressive offensive performances. The victories moved the Eagles and Panthers into the state semifinals for the second straight season. Chatfield’s football team rallied in the second half to grab a season-ending victory over Green Mountain. Ralston Valley rolled to a win over rival Arvada West at the NAAC. We also give a look at the renovations made at Trailblazer Stadium.