Class 1A State Playoffs Breakdown
#1 Buena Vista 9-0 vs #16 Centauri 5-4 (Friday 7:00pm)
The 1A playoffs are upon us and there are plenty of good matchups. Buena Vista comes into the playoffs seeking their first 1A title since moving down from 2A. Almost every year they have been unseated in the state championship by a Western Slope team. This year’s Buena Vista team is the #1 team and have a great offense averaging 50.1 ppg and only giving up 9.1 ppg. Their offense is led by a great rushing attack averaging 311.4 ypg, their passing attack does not have big numbers due to the amount of blowouts they have but they can throw the ball if needed. Buena Vista closest game was against Alamosa and that was 21 points. They scored over 42 points in every game besides the first one. They also have 4 games where they only gave up 7 points or less.
Centauri opened the season going 1-3 in the non-league schedule but played against Buena Vista and Paonia. Once Centauri got into league play they were able to start winning some games running off 4 straight before losing to Monte Vista last week. On offense Centauri has been searching for an identity only averaging 20.4 ppg and rushing for 71.2 ypg and passing for 45.8 ppg. Their defense has been what has won them games in league. They have two close wins against Center and John Mall and if it was not for their defense would have lost those games as well. Centauri must stop the run if they are going to want any chance at pulling the upset. If Centauri play as good as they did against Monte Vista last week they can keep it interesting.
The key to this game will be defense. Centauri is use to not scoring a lot of points but they need their defense to keep the games close. No team this year has had an answer for Buena Vista and that is because they cannot keep up with their offense. I have Buena Vista as a 31 point favorite.
#8 Wiggins 7-2 vs #9 Rye 6-3 (Sat 1:00pm)
In Class 1A I see 5 matchups that are going to be good games and this is one of the five. Wiggins had a good season this year building off what they did last year. They played 3 playoff teams and went 1-2 against them but their one victory was over #5 Crowley County. Wiggins offense is led by their rushing attack averaging 262.8 ypg but they can throw the ball effectively throwing for 118.6 ypg. Their offense averages 38.4 ppg and their defense gives up 13.1 ppg. Their defense has held 5 teams to under 7 points. In their two losses they gave up over 21 points so limiting Rye’s offense might be a key.
Rye started the season with a nice key victory over Meeker and that is what jumped started their season. On offense this year they have averaged 34.3 ppg and their offense is led by their rushing attack averaging 256.2 ypg and their passing game keeps teams honest throwing for 93.9 ypg. On defense they are giving up 18 ppg and that averaged has shot up the past three week after giving up over 21 points for three straight weeks.
This might be the best game of the first round. Both teams can score points both of their averages are over 30 points. They also played against 2 common opponents both of them played Rocky Ford and Crowley County. Both beat Rocky Ford by 28+ points and Rye lost to Crowley County by 1 and Wiggins beat Crowley County by 7. The two keys are defense and running the football. Both teams look to have solid defenses and each have a loss were they gave up over 35 points. I think this game will be won by which team can run the ball effectively. Rye has one of the best running backs in the state in Trey Zupancic but in their two losses he was held under 100 yards. Wiggins counters with three different running that have over 500 yards which could be the difference. I am giving the edge to Wiggins by 3 points.
#4 Monte Vista 8-1 vs #13 Limon 7-2 (Sat 1:00pm)
This is game 2 of 5 of great matchups in 1A. Monte Vista comes into this game on a nice 8 game winning streak. They played 3 playoff teams and went 2-1 against them their only loss was a 21 to 7 loss to Paonia. Monte Vista offense is averaging 28.8 ppg and they are led by their rushing attack averaging 240.9 ypg and have only thrown for 48.3 ypg. Their defense has been the most impressive their year only giving up 8.8 ppg and posting 5 games giving up 9 points or less.
Limon started the season great winning five straight games including victory’s over playoff teams Burlington and Peyton before they were upset by Colorado Springs Christian then two weeks later getting beat by Crowley County. Their offense is led by a powerful rushing attack averaging 289.0 ypg and their passing game is none exist only getting 27.2 ypg. On defense Limon has only given up 10.8 ppg. Like Monte Vista Limon has 5 games where they gave up 9 points or less.
I feel like this is going to be a great game and can’t wait to watch it on Saturday. They have a common opponent in John Mall. Both teams beat John Mall, Monte Vista beat John Mall 27-8 and Limon beat them 12-0. These two teams are nearly identical in every way except Monte Vista can pass the ball a little better than Limon. Monte Vista has 3 games with passing yards over 75 and Limon has 1 games and that was against Rocky Ford. The key to this game is simple who can control the line of scrimmage. Whatever teams defense can stop the run first will have the key advantage in the game. I am giving Monte Vista a slight 10 point advantage.
#5 Crowley County 8-1 vs #12 Cedaredge 7-2 (Sat 1:00pm)
This is game 3 of 5 of great matchups in 1A. Crowley County comes into this game with a 6 game winning streak and another league title in hand. They played against 4 playoff teams this year going 3-1 their lone loss was to #8 Wiggins. Crowley County on offense is led by a good rushing attack they average 265.9 ypg and they also can keep you honest passing for 112.7 ypg. Their offense is averaging 35.6 ppg. On defense they are also very good only giving up 10.1 ppg. Since their lone loss this year this team has been on fire only giving up 14 points once and the rest were held under 8 points.
Cedaredge started the season on a six game winning streak before losing 2 of their last 3 games. Cedaredge only played 2 playoff teams this year and lost both of them and their losses where not close. Losing to Meeker 38 to 12 and to Paonia 48 to 7. They will need to figure out a way to bounce back and that could come on the offensive side of the ball. Throughout the season they were averaging 195.8 rushing ypg and passing for 113 ypg. In their losses they couldn’t get their rushing game going and that is what cost them.
These teams do not have a common opponent. The keys to this game will be offense. Crowley County and Cedaredge both want to run and control the game. Whichever team can run a more effective offense will win this game. I have Crowley County as the favorite due to their tougher schedule. I have them winning by 17 points.
#3 Paonia 8-1 vs #14 Ellicott 6-3 (Sat 1:00pm)
Paonia is once against your defending state champion and are starting their title defense with a game against Ellicott. Paonia on offense are averaging 41.8 ppg and are led by a strong rushing attack averaging 308.9 ypg and their passing attack is enough to keep you from stacking the box averaging 82.6 ypg. Paonia is led by senior Taylor Walters who is averaging 170.0 rushing ypg. Paonia one loss was to #1 Bayfield (2A) they were only challenged twice all year and that was to Meeker and Monte Vista.
Ellicott finished in third place in the Tri Peaks and grab a wildcard berth. On offense they are averaging 36.2 ppg and come at your both on the ground and through the air. They average 185.0 rushing ypg and 176.7 passing ypg. Their passing attack could be a key if they want to pull the upset. Ellicott played against 5 playoff teams this year. They beat Colorado Springs Christian and Peyton but lost to Burlington, Rye, and Buena Vista. Ellicott is battle tested and could give Paonia fits if their offense clicks.
These teams also do not have a common opponent but are both battle tested coming into the game. The key to this game is defense. Paonia has been stout on defense all year and will look to continue that in the playoffs. Ellicott at times have been dominate on defense but in their losses they gave up over 20 points. If they are going to pull the upset they must play great defense. I have Paonia as a 28 point favorite.
#6 Burlington 8-1 vs #11 Colorado Springs Christian 6-3 (Sat 1:00pm)
This is game 4 of 5 of matchups to watch for and this is going to be a tricky one to figure out. Burlington is coming into this game with a 5 game winning streak and played against 3 playoff teams. They went 2-1 against playoff teams their one loss was to Limon and they have an OT game in their pocket as well beating Wiggins 27-20. On offense Burlington is averaging 25 ppg and are led by a balanced offence passing for 116.8 ypg and 114.3 rushing ypg. Their defense has been key for them giving up 10.3 ppg.
Colorado Springs Christian season has been up and down. At one point they lost 3 of four games but then ended the season on a four game winning streak including a 38 to 14 blowout on Limon. On offense Colorado Springs Christian loves to throw the ball averaging 200.6 ypg and can also run the ball with 172.7 ypg. On defense they are giving up 15 ppg and will need their defense to step up if they are going to pull the upset.
These two teams have two common opponents. They each played Limon and Ellicott. Colorado Springs Christian beat Limon 38 to 14 but lost to Ellicott 40 to 24 and Burlington beat Ellicott 20 to 14 and lost to Limon 26 to 0. So this does not give us a clear picture of the upcoming game. The keys to this game are offense and which team can control the line of scrimmage. On the offensive side it will be key to which team can run the ball efficiently. I don’t think either teams wants to get into a pass heavy offense. I do think that if Burlington can shut down Colorado Springs Christian run they will grab the victory. Burlington is a very slight favorite and will need to be careful in this game I am giving them a 7 point edge.
#7 Platte Canyon 7-1 vs #10 Meeker 6-3 (Sat 1:00pm)
Here is the final matchup of five games and this is going to be a fun game to watch. Platte Canyon once again finished second to Resurrection Christian but do have a key victory on Wiggins 36 to 20. On offense Platte Canyon averages 39.5 ppg and attack teams with their rushing attack. They are averaging 332.4 ypg and don’t really pass the ball only getting 48.8 passing ypg. On defense they are only giving up 10.1 ppg but also played in a very weak league.
Meeker finished the season on a three game winning streak including a 38 to 12 blowout of Cedaredge. Meeker offense is led by their rushing attack averaging 255 ypg but can throw the ball averaging 130.7 ypg. Their defense is giving up 15 ppg and have been solid as of late.
These two teams do not have a common opponent but this figures to be one of the better games in the first round. Each team has a workhorse running back Meeker is led by TJ Shelton 162.9 ypg and Platte Canyon is led by Hank Bode 161.3 ypg. The key for this game is simple whichever team control the line of scrimmage will win this game. Meeker can throw the ball but would rather pound away with the rushing attack. Platte Canyon has proven if they cannot run the ball they are in trouble and need to be able to move the ball. I am going with Meeker in the upset beating Platte Canyon by 10.
#2 Resurrection Christian 9-0 vs #15 Peyton 6-3 (Sat 1:00pm)
The final matchup of the first round is Resurrection Christian vs Peyton. Resurrection Christian has flown through their schedule posting a perfect record. The only knock I see on their schedule is they only played two playoff teams but they did beat #3 Platte Valley 2A. Resurrection Christian has been nearly spotless on defense posting 5 shutouts this year and the most they gave up was 13 points. On offense they are scoring 48.4 ppg and attack you both on the ground and through the air. They are averaging 199.2 rushing ypg and 129.9 passing ypg.
Peyton is the surprise team this year to make the playoffs. They locked up their playoff berth when they upset Rye 21 to 20 and then made sure they were not upset by beat Salida 63 to 20. Peyton is led by their rushing attack averaging 229.0 ypg but can keep you honest throwing for 103.3 ypg. For Peyton to pull the upset they will need to lean on their defense. If they can hold Resurrection Christian to under 24 points they will have a chance at the upset.
The keys to this game will be defense. Like I said above if Peyton can hold Resurrection Christian to under 24 points they can pull the upset but they are going to also have a hard time scoring as Resurrection Christian has one of the best defenses in 1A. I have Resurrection Christian as a 35 point favorite.
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