Class 1A Quarterfinals Breakdown
#1 Buena Vista 10-0 vs #8 Wiggins 8-2 (Sat 1:00pm)
The Class 1A playoff started with a bang. There were at least 2 upsets according to seeds and one of the two upsets might have been the biggest in the lower classifications.
Buena Vista was not one of the teams to be upset and started their playoff run by rolling through Centauri 48 to 6. They were able to move the ball at will on the ground rushing for 354 yards on 28 carries. They only threw the ball 9 times for 23 yards. On defense Buena Vista forced 3 turnovers and once again for the second straight week held a team to only 6 points.
Wiggins faced off against a very tough Rye team in the first round. Wiggins was able to get by them winning 28 to 10. They attacked Rye both on the ground and through the air. They threw for 137 yards on 8 of 17 and rushed for 259 yards on 31 carries. On defense Wiggins was able to hold the Rye offense to only 172 yards rushing which was the key factor of the game. Wiggins has now gained some momentum and won three straight games.
These two teams have one common opponent. They both played Rye and both beat Rye. Buena Vista beat Rye 54 to 6 and Wiggins beat Buena Vista 28 to 10. For Wiggins to pull the upset they are going to need a few things. They will need their offense to be able to control the pace of the game and keep Buena Vista offense off the field. They will also need their defense to step up and stop the run again this week. Buena Vista just need to continue what they have done all year which is play great defense and control the pace of the game with their offense. I have Buena Vista as the clear favorite and have them winning by 31 points.
#5 Crowley County 9-1 at #13 Limon 8-2 (Sat 1:00pm)
Crowley County was able to get their playoff run started by holding off upset minded Cedaredge 26 to 0. Crowley County on offense struggled to get the passing game going only going 1 for 9 for 3 yards. The lack of a passing game was picked up by a stellar rushing attack rushing for 325 yards on 52 carries. They were also able to make up for 3 INTS thrown as well because their defense had 4 INTS and 2 fumble recoveries. Crowley County is on a 7 game winning streak and hope to keep that going against a league rival.
Limon pulled what I think is the biggest upset of the first round in terms of the lower classifications (2A thru 6-Man). They were able to control the line of scrimmage on both the offense and defensive side of the ball. Of the 14 points scored by Monte Vista only 7 were offensive the other 7 was a punt return for a touchdown. Limon might have been the only team all year to rush for over 200 yards on Monte Vista. Limon ran for 248 on 64 carries and had no passing yards against Monte Vista except a Pass interference call that set up the touchdown and go ahead two point conversion. Limon rebounded nicely and get a second chance at beating Crowley County.
These two teams already played and it was a close one. Crowley County beat Limon 21 to 14 and I think this time around you could see a similar score. For Limon to pull back to back upsets they will once again lean on their defense to stop the run. Limon must also be able to run the ball effectively and control the pace of the game. For Crowley County to move into the semifinals they must stop the run. Monte Vista struggled slowing down Limon rushing attack and it cost them valuable time in the fourth quarter. Crowley County has a great rushing defense and an offense that can also set a good pace in the game. I have Crowley County as the favorite once again and have them winning by 14 points.
#3 Paonia 9-1 vs #6 Burlington 9-1 (Sat 1:00pm)
Paonia started their title defense by blowing out Ellicott 49 to 6. They controlled the game with a dominate rushing attack. They ran for 393 yards on 37 carries and had an effective passing attack going 6 for 10 for 106 yards. On defense they had 1 INT but for the past 3 of 4 weeks limited a team to 7 points or less. Paonia has a long way to go still to defend their title but got off to a good start and grab some early momentum.
Burlington was able to hold off a tough Colorado Spring Christian team 21 to 9. Burlington on offense were limited but had enough to win the game. They ran for 180 yards on 33 carries and were limited through the air going 5 of 9 for 37 yards. Things don’t get any easier on their offense when they face Paonia this week. On defense Burlington had a very tough task stopping the pass happy offense of Colorado Springs Christian. They keep their offense in check by getting 7 sacks and forcing 3 INTS. Burlington is on a 6 game winning streak and will need the momentum to pull an upset.
These two teams had one common opponent in Ellicott and both teams won. Burlington beat Ellicott 20 to 14 and Paonia won 49 to 6. For Burlington to pull the upset they will need to shutdown Paonia rushing attack. They cannot allow Paonia to run free or they will need their offense to step up against a great defense. Burlington must be able to run the ball effectively to keep Paonia offense off the field. Paonia must be able to run the ball like they have all season and make Burlington throw the ball. If they force Burlington to start throwing the ball they will have a huge advantage. I have Paonia as the favorite and have them winning by 21.
#2 Resurrection Christian 10-0 at #10 Meeker 7-3 (Sat 1:00pm)
The final game of the quarterfinals is one of the more interesting matchups. Meeker is not a true 10 seed and honestly they could have been a 6 seed remember they only lost 34 to 30 to Paonia.
Resurrection Christian got their playoff run started by blanking Peyton 52 to 0. Their offense attacked Peyton through the air and on the ground. They threw the ball effectively going 6 of 12 for 109 yards and rushing for 230 yards on 35 carries. This is the fifth shutout they have had this season and ninth straight game with under 7 points allowed.
Meeker pulled the upset off last week beating Platte Canyon 32 to 20. I didn’t think it was an upset but still tough to play on the road in the first round and grab a win. Meeker on offense was dominate rushing the ball running for 315 yards on 41 carries. On defense they forced 2 fumbles and were able to hold Platte Canyon to only 198 yards rushing but they did give up 164 yards passing to a team that does not throw the ball particularly well.
These two teams both played Platte Canyon and both won the game. For Meeker to pull the upset for the second straight week they must have their defense step up once again. Resurrection Christian can attack Meeker defense both through the air and on the ground so they cannot key on one specific part of their team. Meeker must control the flow of the game by running the ball effective. Resurrection Christian has the one of the best defense in 1A and have a tough task this weekend. Meeker on offense run the ball very effective and this will test Resurrection Christian tough defense. Resurrection Christian also needs their offense to keep Meeker off the field and not commit costly turnovers. I have Resurrection Christian as the favorite but only have them winning by 14 points.
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