Kory Tachha scored an early touchdown to lead Limon to a 28-0 win over Strasburg to claim the Class 1A state football championship.
Tag: Limon
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Tacha powers Limon over Strasburg to claim third straight 1A football title
PUEBLO — Not even a bum ankle was going to stop Kory Tacah on Limon’s first drive of the day. The senior running back and 2019 Class 1A player of the year broke for a 77-yard score, running somewhat gingerly at the end.
No matter. It put the Badgers up early and they never looked back, getting a 28-0 win over Strasburg to claim the 1A football championship for the third year in a row and a state-record 20th time overall.
All three championship wins came over the Indians and Tacha has shined in each one of those games.
He kept his annual tradition going by breaking for that first score and running for 109 yards in the first half alone, even with pain shooting through his ankle.
“I haven’t run that far in over a month,” Tacha said. “It took some work and (my ankle) held up so it was good.”
The Badgers (7-0 overall) controlled the ball with a heavy dose its standard ground game. Jeremiah Leeper and Trey Hines were also factors to help the champs rush for 254 yards in the first two quarters. Hines broke for a 28-yard rushing touchdown on his first carry of the game.
More photos from the game. (PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com) The Limon defense was every bit as impressive, holding the Indians (8-1) scoreless and allowing just 80 yards of total offense in the first half.
“I thought we did a great job with our scheme,” Limon coach Mike O’Dwyer said. “We did a great job putting our defensive backs in position, but in order for that to work you have to stop the run. Our front seven guys were tremendous.”
Leeper added a four-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter to push the lead to 21-0. And he was helped out on the defensive side. Each time Strasburg got into scoring range, the defense made big plays to end any scoring hopes.
On top of Hines’ spectacular day under center, he hauled in a pair of interceptions with the goal of maintaining the shutout.
“The minute we scored early in the first quarter we were playing it like a 0-0 game,” Hines said. “There’s no let up. You always have to think that you have to play as hard as you can and put it all out there.”
Tacha finished the day with 149 rushing yards and a touchdown to claim Most Outstanding Player honors.
Indians quarterback Collin Russell did his best to make something happen for his offense, but getting stopped on a crucial 4th and 1 late in the third quarter demonstrated how unyielding hte Limon defense was all day.
“I wish we could’ve gotten more pressure on that quarterback,” O’Dwyer said. “That kid’s a great athlete so you have to hand it to him.”
This is now the fourth time in the program’s history that Limon has claimed three consecutive championships. The Badgers last accomplished this feat from 2003-05. While three titles has turned into a semi-regular occurrence, it’ll take a long time for 20 overall championships to be matched by any other program.
And in the year 2020 when nothing has been a certainty, a 20th state title is something that O’Dwyer will always remember.
“I never put that together; 20 in 2020,” O’Dwyer said. “I don’t know how to write that script. I didn’t know how to write the script for last year when it was our 100th year and we lost to two teams, Holyoke and Strasburg, and had to beat them in the playoffs. And now this year, it was just a crazy year.”
Like a seasoned championship veteran, O’Dwyer did his best to avoid the traditional water bucket bath before letting his boys have their fun. In his 19 years as coach, he’s had plenty of them. He’s learned that each one comes with the joy of claiming a championship but no matter how many times it happens, they still have a way of feeling special all on their own.
More photos from the game. (PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com) 
More photos from the game. (PaulDiSalvoPhotography.com) -
1A football championship preview: No. 1 Limon and No. 2 Strasburg set for Round 3
(CHSAANow.com) In what must be feeling like a holiday tradition, Mike O’Dwyer and Brian Brown are set to have their respective football teams battle each other for a state championship once again.
The tumultuous and even sometimes bizarre 2020 football season has presented many unusual circumstances for several teams across the state. The one thing that’s not unusual heading into the weekend is that Limon and Strasburg will play in the last game of the year with the Class 1A football title on the line.
In the previous two meetings, the Badgers (6-0 overall) have been the last team standing and the result has been increasing their state record number of team football titles to 19. And while they’re looking to recreate that same feeling of the last two years, Strasburg (8-0) is hoping the third time can be the charm in getting a different result.
“I hope we beat them,” Brown said during the state championship press conference on Tuesday. “It’s always a challenge to play Limon. They’re so well-coached and the thing we notice about the Limon football team is how disciplined they are. They’re always in the right place at the right time.”
In their four regular season games, the Badgers barely had their backs against the wall. The same could be said for their quarterfinal game against Holyoke, a game they won 41-15. They’re doing all this win an experienced group of players, a group that includes last year’s 1A Player of the Year, Kory Tacha. In 2018, Tacha scored both Limon touchdowns in the 13-7 win and last year he scored twice in the first half to lead Limon to back-to-back crowns.
(Paul Soriano) “Kory is one of those players that doesn’t come around very often,” O’Dwyer said. “I’ve been very blessed and very fortunate to have the players that I have.”
Brown can say the same for his Strasburg team. He boasts a senior-heavy group that is just itching for a chance to raise a championship trophy.
Trystan Graf averages 108 rushing yards per game for Strasburg and quarterback Collin Russell has added balance to the team by throwing 13 touchdown passes and running for an additional 11.
Perhaps an advantage for Strasburg heading into this year’s championship game is that the two teams didn’t have their standard regular season clash. Rather than trying to figure out how to beat the Badgers twice, Brown is simply coming up with a plan that will help his boys beat them once.
“When you face a team as much as we face Limon, you kind of know what we each do,” Brown said. “Right now, with what’s happened in previous years and with COVID, going into a championship game on a neutral field is going to be an exciting place to play.”
Strasburg claimed 1A championships in 2016 and 2017 before and is now playing in its fifth straight title game. The 1A football championship is the first leg of a triple-header of championship contests on Saturday. The game is scheduled to kick at 10 a.m.
(David Harvey/ImageProPhotography.com) -
Photos: Limon punches return trip to 1A football title game with win over Wray
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.
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Football: The championship matchups are set in all classifications
(Barry Smith) 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.
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Class 5A
- Matchup: Cherry Creek vs. Valor Christian
- Kickoff: 12/5, 6 p.m.
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(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.
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(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.
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Class 4A
- Matchup: Loveland vs. Palmer Ridge
- Kickoff: 12/4, 6 p.m.
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(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.
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(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.
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Class 3A
- Matchup: Roosevelt vs. Durango
- Kickoff: 12/5, 2 p.m.
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(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.
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(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.
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Class 2A
- Matchup: Eaton vs. Lamar
- Kickoff: 12/4, 2 p.m.
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(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.
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(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.”
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Class 1A
- Matchup: Limon vs. Strasburg
- Kickoff: 12/5, 10 a.m.
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(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.
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(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.
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8-man
- Matchup: Sedgwick County vs. Sanford
- Kickoff: 12/3, 6 p.m.
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(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.
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(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.”
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6-man
- Matchup: Fleming vs. Stratton/Liberty
- Kickoff: 12/3, 2 p.m.
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(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.
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(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.”
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Football playoff preview: Class 2A, 1A, 8-man and 6-man semifinals
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com) After a thrilling week of Colorado playoff football games, teams roll into semifinals this weekend. With upsets in nearly every small-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 small-school games this weekend.
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Class 2A
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(1) Resurrection Christian at (5) Eaton
(David Johnson/davidjohnsonphotography.org) Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: After five games of not surrendering a point, Resurrection Christian finally allowed a couple of touchdowns to their opponent. The Cougars (6-0) still got a 40-14 win over Moffat County to move on to the 1A semifinals where they’ll travel to Eaton.
Will Schrotenboer threw for 281 yards and four touchdowns last weekend and the Cougars still rushed for 177 yards as a team presenting a very dangerous and balanced offense.
Eaton traveled to Pagosa Springs and got a big 41-7 win over the Pirates to earn the right to host its semifinal game. In order to keep that dangerous Rez offense off the field, Eaton (5-2) will have to lean on its rushing attack. That’s how the team grabbed its upset win over the Pirates.
Ethan Florez rushed for 121 yards and three scores while Scott Grable added 84 yards and another rushing touchdown.
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(7) Lamar at (6) Delta
(Paul Shepardson) Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: With both teams coming off big upset wins last weekend, the second 2A semifinal brings about an intriguing matchup. Lamar’s shifty quarterback Zane Rankin has shown he has the athleticism to lead his team to something like a win over the defending 2A champs. He rushed for 117 and a touchdown as Lamar (6-1) knocked off Sterling 14-6.
Jesus Reyes led Lamar with 123 rushing yards. Rankin threw a total of one pass in the course of the game and it fell incomplete.
Without Nolan Bynum, Delta was able to travel to Platte Valley and get a 38-6 win over the Broncos. Timothy Horn rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the effort. The Panthers (5-1) advanced to the 2A title game a year ago but ultimately lost to Sterling.
A win over Lamar would give them another shot to claim that elusive state championship.
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Class 1A
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(4) Wray at (1) Limon
(Paul Soriano) Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: Limon’s quest for a third straight state title is alive after a big 41-15 win over Holyoke in the 1A quarterfinals. Trey Hines completed four of his five passing attempts for 89 yards and a touchdown. The Badgers (5-0) were very balanced on the ground as four players rushed for at least 40 yards.
Kory Tacha and Jeremiah Leeper each ran for 63 yards and a touchdown. Tacha caught Hines’ touchdown pass.
Wray trailed 7-0 after the first quarter last weekend, but a 24-point second quarter sparked the Eagles (6-1) to a 38-13 win over Hotchkiss.
Tyler Collins was outstanding running the ball as he amassed 203 yards and scored four touchdowns. He’ll try to counter Limon’s ground game on Saturday.
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(2) Strasburg at (6) Centauri
(Barry Smith) Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: Second-seeded Strasburg received quite the fight from No. 7 Meeker in the 1A quarterfinals. Strasburg (7-0) came out victorious and we have to refocus their efforts on a Centauri team that upset a solid Florence squad.
Trystan Graf led the ground effort for Strasburg by rushing for 94 yards and two touchdowns. The team totaled five rushing touchdowns in the win over Meeker.
While Florence had two standout backs in Owen Busetti and Jacob Kennedy, Mason Claunch was more than up to the task of carrying the offensive load for the Falcons (7-0). Centauri came away with the 20-17 lead which now earns them a home game in the 1A semifinals.
The Falcons have outscored their opponents 368-32 this year and can certainly claim their second upset win in a row this weekend.
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8-man
8-man football playoff bracket
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(4) Dove Creek at (1) Sedgwick County
Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: Sedgwick County liked right at home in its playoff opener. The Cougars (7-0) have not lost a playoff game since Nov. 1, 2014 and are playing like they intend to keep that streak going into 2021.
The Cougars have won consecutive games, the most in the state. They, of course, are seeking a sixth-straight state title — something done only once before, by Limon, from 1963-68.
Dove Creek got off a strong star in its playoff opener against Rangely and rode it to a 30-12 win to advance to the semifinals. In order to take down Sedgwick County the Bulldogs (5-1) will have to lean on the combined rushing attack of Chorbin Cressler and Gage Bailey.
The duo each rushed for at least 120 yards and a touchdown in the win over Rangely and will try to carry that momentum into the semifinals.
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(2) Sanford at (6) Merino
Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: Sanford (6-0) opened the playoffs with a 36-28 win over Mancos, a game that was probably a bit closer than it had hoped for. The 28 points for Mancos was the most points Sanford has given up all year so the defense will look to clamp down as it hits the road this week.
Merino pulled off the stunner of the week when it knocked off Fowler, last year’s state runner-up. The 22-6 win over the Grizzlies was the lone upset in the 8-man bracket and adjust the home game slate as the Rams (6-1) will play host to Sanford on Saturday.
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6-man
6-man football playoff bracket
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(4) Granada at (1) Fleming
Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.
This game will be live on the NFHS Network
Breakdown: Following a big 58-14 win over Kit Carson, the defending 6-man champions are back into the state semifinals. Kade Comstock completed just three passes for 88 yards, but two of them went for touchdowns. Chris Goss and Charles Hobbs each went for over 100 rushing yards and they both scored two touchdowns for the Wildcats.
It was a much better game than what the tandem did against Granada in the final regular season. They combined for 166 rushing yards, although they did each score two touchdowns in the 49-44 win.
Granada had a bit more trouble with Eads than Fleming did with Kit Carson. The Bobcats got the 44-35 win thanks in big part to a 22-point second quarter. They’ll get another crack at Fleming after having one of the best overall performances against the defending champions.
Dominic Coleman threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns while John Hainer ran for a blistering 219 yards and four scores.
• • •
(3) Cheyenne Wells at (2) Stratton/Liberty
Date and time: Nov. 28, 1 p.m.
Breakdown: Stratton/Liberty returns to the semifinals following a comfortable 59-38 win over Briggsdale. Sophomore Alex Cruz ran for 108 yards and a touchdown while catching three passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.
He’ll be key for the Knighted Eagles (5-0) if they plan on returning to the 6-man state title game.
Cheyenne Wells took full advantage of playing at home, getting a 43-22 win over Prairie in the quarterfinals. The Tigers (6-0) are a run-heavy team that will rely on Evan Worely who has averaged over nine yards per carry for the bulk of the year.
They’re also averaging 53 points per game making them one of the top offensive units left on the bracket.
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Photos: Massive second quarter powers No. 1 Limon football over No. 8 Holyoke
Top-seeded Limon scored 26 points in the second quarter on its way to a 41-15 win over No. 8 Holyoke in the Class 1A football playoffs.
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Football postseason preview: 2A, 1A, 8-man and 6-man first round games
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com) 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:
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Class 2A
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(8) Moffat County at (1) Resurrection Christian
(Photo: Jeremy Whitlock) Date and time: Nov. 21, 1 p.m.
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.
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Class 1A
• • •
(8) Holyoke at (1) Limon
(Courtesy of Limon HS) Date and time: Nov. 21, 1 p.m.
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.
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8-man
8-man football playoff bracket
• • •
(8) Crowley County at (1) Sedgwick County
Date and time: Nov. 21, 1 p.m.
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.
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(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.
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6-man
6-man football playoff bracket
• • •
(8) Kit Carson at (1) Fleming
Date and time: Nov. 21, 1 p.m.
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.
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Final football coaches poll released prior to playoff seeding
(Lance Wendt/wendt5280.com) The final football coaches poll of the 2020 fall season is here.
The rankings, voted upon by coaches, are the official polls of the Association. This poll factors into postseason seeding.
Complete rankings for all classes are below.
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CHSAANow.com Football Polls
Voted upon by coaches around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. These rankings will factor into postseason seeding. More information is available here.
Class 5A RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW 1 Cherry Creek (18) 6-0 189 1 W 2 Valor Christian (1) 5-0 169 2 Bye 3 Pomona 6-0 149 3 W 4 Legend 6-0 119 6 W 5 Fairview 6-0 88 7 W 6 Eaglecrest 4-1 83 4 L 7 Columbine 4-1 76 5 L 8 Regis Jesuit 5-1 67 8 W 9 Cherokee Trail 4-2 53 9 W 10 Ralston Valley 4-2 29 10 W Others receiving votes: Grandview 15, Legacy 5, Castle View 3. Dropped out None. Class 4A RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW 1 Dakota Ridge (13) 6-0 171 1 W 2 Ponderosa 6-0 142 3 W 3 Palmer Ridge (4) 4-0 138 2 Bye 4 Loveland (1) 6-0 126 5 W 5 Broomfield 5-0 110 4 Bye 6 Fountain-Fort Carson 5-1 75 8 W 7 Skyline 5-1 56 6 L 8 Brighton 5-1 44 – W 9 Pine Creek 2-2 43 7 L 10 Montrose 4-2 37 10 W Others receiving votes: Windsor 16, Fruita Monument 12, Rampart 11, Vista Ridge 5, Longmont 1. Dropped out Windsor (9). Class 3A RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW 1 Roosevelt (7) 5-0 122 1 W 2 Holy Family (3) 6-0 118 2 W 3 Durango (3) 5-0 108 3 W 4 Pueblo South 4-0 96 5 W 5 Mead (1) 5-1 93 4 W 6 Lutheran 4-1 70 6 Bye 7 Fort Morgan 4-1 42 8 W 8 Palisade 4-2 34 9 W 9 Evergreen 4-2 33 – W 10 Canon City 3-2 19 10 L Others receiving votes: Conifer 16, Discovery Canyon 8, Pueblo County 7, Pueblo East 4. Dropped out Conifer (7). Class 2A RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW 1 Resurrection Christian (10) 5-0 136 1 Bye 2 Sterling (3) 5-0 125 2 Bye 3 Pagosa Springs (1) 5-0 106 3 Bye 4 Platte Valley 5-1 97 5 W 5 Lamar 5-1 70 6 W 6 Eaton 4-2 69 4 L 7 Delta 4-1 63 8 Bye 8 Moffat County 4-1 55 7 W 9 University 3-2 29 9 W 10 Valley 3-3 8 10 L Others receiving votes: D’Evelyn 4, La Junta 4, Severance 2, Berthoud 1, Englewood 1. Dropped out None. Class 1A RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW 1 Limon (12) 4-0 144 1 Bye 2 Strasburg (1) 6-0 122 2 W 3 Florence 5-0 105 3 W T4 Centauri (1) 6-0 91 4 W T4 Hotchkiss (1) 6-0 91 6 W T4 Wray 5-1 91 5 W 7 Meeker 5-1 65 7 W 8 Holyoke 5-1 53 8 W 9 Colorado Springs Christian 3-1 31 9 Bye 10 Highland 4-2 19 10 W Others receiving votes: Peyton 5, Yuma 5, Monte Vista 2, Gunnison 1. Dropped out None. 8-man RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW 1 Sedgwick County (19) 6-0 190 1 W 2 Fowler 6-0 155 2 W 3 Sanford 5-0 150 3 Bye 4 Rangely 6-0 110 4 W 5 Merino 5-1 103 5 W 6 Dove Creek 4-1 83 6 Bye T7 Crowley County 3-1 59 7 Bye T7 Simla 5-1 59 9 W 9 Mancos 3-1 53 8 Bye 10 Swink 5-1 47 10 W Others receiving votes: Holly 18, Elbert 6, Dayspring Christian Academy 3, Gilpin County 3, Pikes Peak Christian 3, Vail Christian 2, Calhan 1. Dropped out None. 6-man RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW 1 Fleming (12) 5-0 165 1 W 2 Stratton/Liberty (4) 4-0 152 2 Bye 3 Cheyenne Wells (1) 5-0 136 3 Bye 4 Granada 5-1 122 4 L 5 Prairie 5-1 96 5 W 6 Eads 3-2 75 7 Bye 7 Briggsdale 3-1 66 8 W 8 Kit Carson 3-1 30 – W 9 Genoa-Hugo 4-2 27 – W 10 Cheraw 4-2 26 6 L Others receiving votes: Sierra Grande 12, North Park 11, Mountain Valley 5, Hi-Plains 3, Idalia 3, Manzanola 3, Branson/Kim 2, Peetz 1. Dropped out North Park (9), Mountain Valley (10). -
Football rankings: The polls add seven new teams
Seven new teams have joined the football rankings this week: Cherokee Trail (5A), Conifer (3A), Valley (2A), Simla (8-man), Swink (8-man), North Park (6-man), and Mountain Valley (6-man).
The rankings, voted upon by coaches, are the official polls of the Association. Polls are released each Monday.
These are the final polls of the regular season. The next poll will come ahead of the seeding meeting.
Complete rankings for all classes are below.
[divider]
CHSAANow.com Football Polls
Voted upon by coaches around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. These rankings will factor into postseason seeding. More information is available here.
Class 5A RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW 1 Cherry Creek (16) 5-0 169 1 W 2 Valor Christian (1) 5-0 151 2 W 3 Pomona 5-0 130 4 W 4 Eaglecrest 4-0 99 5 Bye 5 Columbine 4-0 96 3 Bye 6 Legend 5-0 90 7 W 7 Fairview 5-0 81 6 W 8 Regis Jesuit 4-1 44 10 W 9 Cherokee Trail 3-2 31 – W 10 Ralston Valley 3-2 26 8 L Others receiving votes: Grandview 8, Castle View 4, Legacy 4, Highlands Ranch 2. Dropped out Grandview (9). Class 4A RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW 1 Dakota Ridge (15) 5-0 210 1 W 2 Palmer Ridge (8) 4-0 172 2 Bye 3 Ponderosa 5-0 163 4 W 4 Broomfield 5-0 147 6 W 5 Loveland (1) 5-0 138 7 W 6 Skyline (1) 5-0 101 8 W 7 Pine Creek 2-1 78 3 L 8 Fountain-Fort Carson 4-1 61 5 L 9 Windsor 4-1 31 9 L 10 Montrose 3-2 26 10 L Others receiving votes: Rampart 25, Pueblo West 22, Brighton 17, Vista Ridge 6, Fruita Monument 4, Erie 3, Longmont 3, Chatfield 2, Monarch 1. Dropped out None. Class 3A RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW 1 Roosevelt (8) 4-0 147 1 Bye 2 Holy Family (4) 5-0 129 6 W 3 Durango (3) 4-0 123 3 W 4 Mead (1) 4-1 114 4 W 5 Pueblo South 3-0 109 5 W 6 Lutheran 4-1 74 2 L 7 Conifer 4-1 49 – W 8 Fort Morgan 3-1 43 8 Bye 9 Palisade 3-2 31 7 L 10 Canon City 3-1 22 10 L Others receiving votes: Evergreen 21, Green Mountain 7, Pueblo County 6, Pueblo East 3, Eagle Valley 2. Dropped out Green Mountain (9). Class 2A RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW 1 Resurrection Christian (15) 5-0 177 1 W 2 Sterling (2) 5-0 153 3 W 3 Pagosa Springs (1) 5-0 139 4 W 4 Eaton 4-1 107 5 W 5 Platte Valley 4-1 105 6 W 6 Lamar 4-1 88 7 W 7 Moffat County 3-1 84 10 W 8 Delta 4-1 76 2 L 9 University 2-2 31 9 Bye 10 Valley 3-2 13 – W Others receiving votes: La Junta 10, D’Evelyn 2, Severance 2, Alamosa 1, Berthoud 1, Woodland Park 1. Dropped out Severance (8). Class 1A RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW 1 Limon (15) 4-0 165 1 Bye 2 Strasburg (1) 5-0 136 2 W 3 Florence 4-0 119 3 Bye 4 Centauri 5-0 108 5 W 5 Wray 4-1 107 4 L 6 Hotchkiss (1) 5-0 91 6 W 7 Meeker 4-1 65 7 W 8 Holyoke 4-1 57 8 Bye 9 Colorado Springs Christian 3-1 36 9 Bye 10 Highland 3-2 22 10 W Others receiving votes: Wiggins 8, Peyton 7, Yuma 6, Gunnison 4, Monte Vista 4. Dropped out None. 8-man RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW 1 Sedgwick County (22) 5-0 229 1 W 2 Fowler (1) 5-0 197 2 W 3 Sanford 5-0 167 4 W 4 Rangely 5-0 132 6 W 5 Merino 4-1 118 3 L 6 Dove Creek 4-1 101 9 W 7 Crowley County 3-1 90 7 L 8 Mancos 4-1 70 5 L 9 Simla 4-1 50 – W 10 Swink 4-1 37 – W Others receiving votes: Holly 24, West Grand 13, Dayspring Christian Academy 10, Calhan 9, Elbert 4, Haxtun 4, Gilpin County 3, Vail Christian 2, Pikes Peak Christian 1. Dropped out Holly (8), West Grand (10). 6-man RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW 1 Fleming (14) 4-0 185 1 Bye 2 Stratton/Liberty (4) 4-0 169 2 Bye 3 Cheyenne Wells 5-0 144 3 W 4 Granada (1) 5-0 126 4 W 5 Prairie 4-1 106 5 W 6 Cheraw 4-1 88 7 W 7 Eads 3-2 84 6 L 8 Briggsdale 2-1 54 8 Bye 9 North Park 3-2 27 – W 10 Mountain Valley 3-0 21 – W Others receiving votes: Kit Carson 18, Genoa-Hugo 10, Sierra Grande 6, Idalia 5, Hi-Plains 1, Weldon Valley 1. Dropped out Kit Carson (9), Hi-Plains (10).