The following information shows the designated home team for potential playoff football matchups to be completed by Saturday, Nov. 28.
In all classes except for 5A, the team with the fewer number of home games will host in the semifinals. If both teams have the same number of home games, the higher seed will host.
In 5A, the higher seed will host regardless of number of home games.
[divider]
Semifinal home games
Key: Home games – Fewest home playoff games; Higher seed – The highest seeded team.
The state football playoffs are underway this week. Each bracket consists of eight teams with quarterfinals taking place this week before semifinals are played next week, ahead of the state championship games, all of which will be played at Colorado State University Pueblo.
With four games in all seven classifications, here is a breakdown of this week’s big-school matchups:
Breakdown: There has been no slowing down for Cherry Creek (6-0) since the Bruins claimed the 5A title last December. They haven’t been shy about putting up points and have only surrendered 28 total points all year. Quarterback Julian Hammond has thrown for 1,027 yards and 17 touchdowns while James Walker II has rushed for 566 yards and four touchdowns.
Regis Jesuit (5-1) has put together some impressive wins this season but fell to Legend, the only playoff team on its schedule. The Raiders have been paced all year by senior running back David Dody. Through the course of the season, he has rushed for 514 yards and nine touchdowns.
• • •
(5) Eaglecrest at (4) Pomona
(Lance Wendt/CHSAANow.com)
Date and time: Nov. 20, 5 p.m.
Breakdown: As has been tradition in recent years, Pomona (6-0) has taken care of business this season. The Panthers won a key battle with Columbine to end the regular season and officially punch their ticket to the postseason. A big reason for that is Jack Pospisil. The senior has rushed for 593 yards and 10 touchdowns this year.
A Week 1 shootout made a lot of people pay attention to Eaglecrest’s (4-1) offensive potential. The Raptors got solid games from JP Luketu (547 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns) and anything can happen when quarterback Khalil Howard finds wide receiver Ty Robinson.
• • •
(7) Cherokee Trail at (2) Valor Christian
(Kevin McNearny)
Date and time: Nov. 19, 6 p.m.
Breakdown: Under first-year head coach Donnie Yantis, Valor Christian (5-0) is looking to return to the state title game for the first time in two years. To get there, they’ll rely on Gavin Sawchuk, who has rushed for 993 yards and 16 touchdowns.
After dropping the first two games of the year, Cherokee Trail (4-2) battled its way into the 5A field. Quarterback Jayden Lavigne has been a big reason for those four straight wins as he’s totaled 1,287 passing yards and 13 touchdowns.
• • •
(6) Fairview at (3) Legend
(Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)
Date and time: Nov. 21, 2:30 p.m.
Breakdown: In the first four games of the season, Legend surrendered just seven total points to its opponents. The Titans are looking strong heading into the postseason thanks in large part to the running game of Connor Eise (798 yards, eight touchdowns) and the complementary passing attack of Kalen Shoemaker (890 yards, 14 touchdowns).
After finding its footing through the first two games of the year, Fairview found its rhythm offensively. The Knights scored at least 42 points in each of their last four games of the year. Liam O’Brien threw for a staggering 310 yards per game and 18 total scores to just one interception.
Breakdown: Dakota Ridge (6-0) meant business from the second the first whistle blew to start the season. The Eagles outscored their first three opponents 155-26 and haven’t looked back since. Ben Gultig is completing 69 percent of his passes and has totaled 920 yards and 14 touchdowns.
A tough schedule put Montrose (4-2) right on the bubble, but they’ll have a chance to pull off a major shocker on Saturday. The team showed it can play with the best in 4A after leading Palmer Ridge at halftime of their game back on Oct. 30.
• • •
(5) Broomfield at (4) Loveland
(Brad Cochi)
Date and time: Nov. 20, 6:30 p.m.
Breakdown: A hard fought victory over Skyline last week kept Loveland (6-0) undefeated on the year and more importantly, battle tested heading into the postseason. Zack Rakowsky leads Loveland with 860 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.
After getting to last year’s state title game, Broomfield (5-0) has every intention of making a return trip. Sophomore Cole Lacrue has shown poise at the quarterback position while throwing for 841 yards and nine touchdowns. As a team, the Eagles have forced a staggering 16 takeaways.
• • •
(7) Pine Creek at (2) Palmer Ridge
(Chris Fehrm/Chris Fehrm Photography)
Date and time: Nov. 21, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: Arguably the most anticipated matchup of the week sees two teams who both claimed state titles last year. Palmer Ridge (4-0) won the 3A title while Pine Creek enters the postseason as the defending 4A champ. Luke McAllister has paced the Bears offensively with 1,070 passing yards and 16 touchdowns.
Playing a full 5A schedule should make Pine Creek (2-2) battle tested heading into the tournament. Beau Freyler and Zion Hill have rushed for a combined 555 yards and four touchdowns this year.
• • •
(6) Fountain-Fort Carson at (3) Ponderosa
(PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com)
Date and time: Nov. 21, 10:30 a.m.
Breakdown: A strong showing in the regular season saw Ponderosa (6-0) go undefeated. That included a thrilling last-minute win over Montrose on Nov. 6. Quarterback Jack Hanenburg has shown strong leadership all year as well as solid play. He has thrown for 1,078 yards and 11 touchdowns this year.
Fountain-Fort Carson (5-1) got rare regular season retribution to end the year by knocking off Rampart, the very team that handed FFC its lone loss of the season just a week earlier. Q. Jones is in the conversation for 4A player of the year as he averages over 232 rushing yards per game and has scored 16 rushing touchdowns this season.
Breakdown: Since beating Mead 21-20 in overtime on Oct. 16, Roosevelt (5-0) has been the clear No. 1 in the 3A field. Brig Hartson is the catalyst of the team’s offense as he’s thrown for 838 yards and 13 touchdowns while also rushing for 204 yards and two scores.
With just one loss in the regular season, Fort Morgan (4-1) is looking to pull off a major upset in the quarterfinals. Briggs Wheatley has thrown for 563 yards and rushed for 417 and will need to pace the Mustangs in their bid to shake up the 3A field.
• • •
(5) Mead at (4) Pueblo South
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
Date and time: N/A
Breakdown: COVID-19 concerns prompted Mead (5-2) to withdraw from the game. Pueblo South (5-0) wins via forfeit and advances to the semifinals.
• • •
(7) Evergreen at (2) Holy Family
(Lance Wendt/wendt5280.com)
Date and time: Nov. 20, 6 p.m.
Breakdown: If there is one thing Holy Family (6-0) likes to do, it’s score points. The Tigers cross the 30-point mark in all but one of their games this season. Michael White and Trevin Johnson give the offense a bit of balance as White has thrown for 903 yards while Johnson has rushed for 786.
Losses to Palisade and Durango got Evergreen (4-2) off to a 2-2 start, but the Cougars finished strong to earn a postseason berth. They’ll have to rely on Noah Martens (871 rushing yards, three touchdowns) to control the time of possession and keep Holy Family off the field.
• • •
(6) Lutheran at (3) Durango
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
Date and time: Nov. 21, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: An undefeated regular season has given Durango (5-0) confidence that it can claim its first state football title since 1954. Jordan Woolverton has a cool command of the Demons offense, throwing for 629 yards and six touchdowns while adding five rushing touchdowns.
The lone loss of the year for Lutheran (4-1) came in the regular season finale against Holy Family. The Lions are hoping that a steady passing attack from Clayton Jacobs (1,082 yards, 13 touchdowns) will be too much for Durango to hang with.
The state football playoffs are underway this week. Each bracket consists of eight teams with quarterfinals taking place this week before semifinals are played next week, ahead of the state championship games, all of which will be played at Colorado State University Pueblo.
With four games in all seven classifications, here is a breakdown of this week’s small-school matchups:
Breakdown: Scoring on Resurrection Christian (5-0) this year has been tougher than difficult. It’s been impossible. The Cougars have allowed zero points all season and scored at least 32 in each game. Will Schrotenboer has been solid under center, tossing 11 touchdown passes this year.
Despite stumbling in its season opener, Moffat County (4-1) has played solid football and rattled off four straight wins to end the regular season. Caleb Frink is responsible for 753 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns.
• • •
(5) Eaton at (4) Pagosa Springs
(@PagosaAthletics/Twitter)
Date and time: Nov. 21, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: A traditionally strong slate of 2A opponents didn’t stop Pagosa Springs (5-0) from ending the regular season undefeated. Dylan Tressler averaged over 200 rushing yards per game to end with a total of 1,052. Grant Aucoin led the team with eight rushing touchdowns.
Eaton (4-2) suffered a couple of losses, but both were to 2A playoff teams. The team showed a diverse rushing attack as three players have rushed for over 400 yards and scored at least six touchdowns each.
• • •
(7) Lamar at (2) Sterling
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
Date and time: Nov. 21, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: Sterling (5-0) begins its state championship defense after an undefeated regular season. The Tigers have been tough on defense, totaling 13 turnovers in their five games.
Lamar (5-1) had high expectations coming into the 2020 season and making the playoffs was a big part of that. Zane Rankin leads a balanced offense where he has thrown for 1,178 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for 417 yards and six scores.
• • •
(6) Delta at (3) Platte Valley
(Barry Smith)
Date and time: Nov. 21, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: Platte Valley (5-1) missed out on the 2020 state title game after getting there back in 2019. The Broncos have looked strong this year with their only loss coming at the hands of Sterling. Kade McDaniel has thrown for 890 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing for 600 yards and eight touchdowns.
Delta (4-1) was last year’s runner-up, but the Panthers lost star quarterback Nolan Bynum three weeks ago. Nathan Scharnhorst, previously a receiver, has completed 14 of 23 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns in the past two games, while also rushing for three scores. Timothy Horn (436 yards rushing, two touchdowns) is also a focal point of the offense.
Breakdown: Same story, different year for the Badgers (4-0), who are looking for a third straight title. Kory Tacha and Jeremiah Leeper have been a force for Limon, combining for 1,006 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.
Holyoke (5-1) will head into the game with some revenge on its mind. The Dragons lost to Limon 15-7 in last year’s semifinals. Miles Sprague ended the season rushing for 10 touchdowns and throwing for four more.
• • •
(5) Hotchkiss at (4) Wray
(Photo: Matt Hall)
Date and time: Nov. 21, 12 p.m.
Breakdown: There was a lot of diversity on the schedule this year for Wray (5-1). The Eagles beat Niwot but lost to Platte Valley. They also went undefeated against the 1A teams they played. Tyler Collins threw for over 1,000 yards and nearly added 1,000 rushing yards to his offensive effort this season.
Hotchkiss (6-0) put together a list of impressive wins en route to ending the regular season undefeated. The Bulldogs average over 300 rushing yards per game as a team and Mordecai White carries the bulk of that load, averaging 102.8 yards per game. He has also scored 10 rushing touchdowns this year.
• • •
(7) Meeker at (2) Strasburg
(Austin Hogan-McCool)
Date and time: Nov. 20, 7 p.m.
Breakdown: Perhaps no one was better defensively as a team than Strasburg (6-0). Through six games, Strasburg allowed a total of zero points. The team wasn’t bad offensively either as Cam Russell threw 13 touchdown passes through the course of the season.
A lot of lopsided wins defined Meeker’s (5-1) season. The Cowboys’ lone loss was a 14-8 nailbiter against Hotchkiss. Jeremy Woodward and Kelton Turner each ran for over 500 yards and scored at least seven rushing touchdowns apiece.
• • •
(6) Centauri at (3) Florence
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
Date and time: Nov. 21, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: With a ground heavy attack, Florence (5-0) looks like it could make some noise in the 1A field. Owen Busetti and Jacob Kennedy have combined for over 800 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.
Centauri (6-0) ran the table in the regular season and shouldn’t be counted out of any game until the buzzer sounds. Mason Claunch has rushed for 870 yards and a staggering 21 touchdowns.
Breakdown: Sedgwick County (6-0) begins its hunt for a sixth straight state title. The Cougars have been sound on both sides of the ball, outscoring their opponents 296-50 this year.
Crowley County (3-1) started the season off with three big wins before running into Flower the last game of the regular season. Senior Adam Schultz has averaged 205 rushing yards per game this year and has scored nine touchdowns.
• • •
(5) Rangely at (4) Dove Creek
Date and time: Nov. 21, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: A promising run through the regular season has made Dove Creek (4-1) a team that shouldn’t be ignored. Gage Bailey leads the Bulldogs in rushing yards (716) while Gauge Thompson leads them in rushing touchdowns (8).
Rangely (6-0) also looked impressive this year, giving up no more than 12 points in any game. Zane Varner’s 920 total rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns have been a big reason for the Panthers success on offense.
• • •
(7) Mancos at (2) Sanford
Date and time: Nov. 21, 1:30 p.m.
Breakdown: Of the five games on Sanford’s (5-0) schedule this year, only Dove Creek made the playoffs. Still, Sanford won the game 36-12, giving every indication it is ready for a state title run.
Mancos (3-1) also played Dove Creek earlier this year, but the 18-14 loss to the Bulldogs was the lone game in which the Bluejays didn’t score 50 points. Chase Moore has carried the ball 72 times for 791 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.
• • •
(6) Merino at (3) Fowler
Date and time: Nov. 21, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: After reaching the state title game in 2019, Fowler (6-0) is anxious to make another run. Both Damian Romero and Jackson Bates have rushed for at least 400 yards and five touchdowns each.
Each of Merino’s (5-1) wins this season came by at least two scores. The Rams played their regular season finale on Nov. 6 and lost to Sedgwick County 32-0.
Breakdown: Fleming (5-0) has been a wrecking ball for most of the season. The team had surrendered fewer than 20 points each game this season, at least until they had to grind out a 49-44 win over Granada last week. Chris Goss, Charles Hobbs and Nolan Japp have combined for 17 rushing touchdowns this year.
Kit Carson (3-1) rebounded from its lone loss of the season on Oct. 24 with a 40-20 win over Hi-Plains last Friday. Kit Carson was the No. 1 seed in last year’s tournament, but fell to Fleming 68-52 in the semifinals.
• • •
(5) Eads at (4) Granada
Date and time: Nov. 21, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: Despite closing the regular season with a loss to Fleming, Granada (5-1) had a strong 2020 campaign. Dominic Coleman finished the year throwing for 1,137 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Although Eads (3-2) suffered a couple of losses in the regular season, they came against two of 6-man’s top three teams. Damien Barnes leads the Eagles with 801 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.
• • •
(7) Briggsdale at (2) Stratton/Liberty
Date and time: Nov. 21, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: By the time Stratton/Liberty (4-0) takes the field on Saturday, it will have been nearly a month since it saw action on the field. In the first three games of the season, the Knighted Eagles scored at least 62 points and gave up an average of just over 15.
Briggsdale (3-1) has looked solid all year and its only loss of the year was by three points to Prairie. Malik Carlson has been a threat in passing, rushing and receiving and totaled 671 yards of total offense in just three games.
• • •
(6) Prairie at (3) Cheyenne Wells
Date and time: Nov. 20, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: On paper, Cheyenne Wells (5-0) looks like the biggest challenger to Fleming. The Tigers scored at least 42 points each game and surrendered no more than 38 in a single contest.
Prairie (5-1) has put together a solid resumé this season with its only loss coming to Fleming. Andy Long threw for an average of 178.2 yards per game and also threw 19 touchdown passes.
