Class 1A Quarterfinals Breakdown
#1 Meeker at #9 Platte Canyon
Platte Canyon opened their playoff campaign in a very explosive way. They used a 26 point second half to open up a tightly contested game against Monte Vista. At Half time the score was 20 to 7 and seemed like the game would be tightly contested the rest of the way. The second half was all Platte Canyon and it ended up being a rout and Platte Canyon was victorious 46 to 7. Platte Canyon had a great day running the ball. They ran for 331 yards and 7 touchdowns. Their rushing attack was led by Trevor Sander and Bradly Wright. Sander ran for 147 yards and 4 touchdowns and Wright ran for 127 yards and 1 touchdown. They also had a very good day limiting Monte Vista to only 7 point. Platte Canyon now must refocus and be ready for a very tough matchup against Meeker.
Meeker was dominate in their opening round game. They blew past Ellicott 43 to 6 and had a good day offensively and defensively. Defensively they were great holding Ellicott to 146 total yards of offense. They also forced 2 turnovers. Offensively they were very good as well. Meeker racked up 467 of total offense. They threw for 169 yards and 2 touchdowns and ran for 298 yards and 4 touchdowns. Their rushing attack was led my Doak Mantle who ran for 157 yards and 2 touchdowns. Meeker will now have a very interesting test on their hands against a power running football team.
These teams have one common opponent and that is Monte Vista. Meeker beat Monte Vista 45 to 9 and Platte Canyon beat Monte Vista 46 to 7. The biggest difference between these teams was Meeker was in complete control of the game since the beginning and the result was never in doubt. Platte Canyon on the other hand was only winning by 1 after the first quarter and used a huge second half to pull away. Platte Canyon will be tested defensively this week. They are facing a Meeker offense that is very quick and love to spread your team out. Meeker must be ready defensively for Platte Canyon to run the ball near 50 times in a game. I think Meeker will be up to the challenge in this game. I am going with Meeker to win by 21 using their very good defense to slow down Platte Canyon.
#5 Peyton at #4 Bennett
Peyton was in a tight one against Limon to open up the playoffs. Peyton at half time was losing to Limon 7 to 3 and the game was looking very similar to the Monte Vista game from last year. Peyton then surged in the second half scoring 13 points and getting their defense going to pull off a 16 to 7 victory. Defensively Peyton was great slowing down one of the better rushing attack in 1A. Peyton held Limon to just 113 yards rushing and 151 total yards. Offensively Peyton ran for 230 yards and threw for 65 yards. They did just enough on offense to help them win this game. Their passing attack scored their only two touchdowns and that was their saving grace in the game. They will need that style of defense this week against Bennett and also must improve on their rushing attack to finish drives.
Bennett made quick work of Highland in the first round scoring 28 points in the first half and mercy ruling them in the third quarter. Bennett won the game 49 to 0 and I am sure ran the ball very effectively in their win. They have not posted stats but I am guessing they ran for over 300 yards. Bennett might struggle next week against a very good Peyton Defense.
Bennett and Peyton have 2 common opponents. They both played Ellicott and Highland. Peyton beat Highland 24 to 22 and Ellicott 16 to 6. Bennett beat Highland 49 to 0 and Ellicott 66 to 20. Ellicott on offense is an explosive team and will run the ball at you continuously. They average near 400 yards rushing per game and use a very good defense to get their team the ball back. Peyton is also a run first but they win games by grinding them out. They are not a high scoring team but use their defense to win them games. They will have a tough time using that strategy this week. Peyton will have to score over 30 points to win this game. Bennett has only been held under 28 points twice all year. 15 against Burlington and 22 against Platte Canyon. Peyton will have to look very carefully at those game films to see how to stop Bennett offense. Bennett must look to keep improving their defense every game. Bennett has won some close game and this game will test offense. Peyton has a great defense but I think in this game their offense will let them down. I am going with Bennett here. I think Bennett offense is just good enough to help them win this game. I also think that Peyton will not be able to score enough either. I am going with Bennett to win by 17.
#6 Burlington at #3 Paonia
Burlington got their playoffs started exactly as planned. They flew past Center scoring 32 points in the first half and getting the mercy rule going by the third quarter. They shutdown Center offense who is on their third string quarter back. They were very effective stopping the run and now must refocus for this week game. Offensively Burlington was effective both throwing and passing. Burlington threw for 139 yards on 6 of 8 attempts for 4 touchdowns and 1 INT. They knew Center biggest weakness all year was their pass coverage and took advantage of that. Burlington ran for 226 yards and 3 touchdowns as well. They were led by Justis Marshall who had 7 attempts for 110 yards. Burlington now has to refocus and bring some good defensive intensity to their game against Paonia.
Paonia made quick work of the defending state champion. They scored 35 points in the first half and got the mercy rule going in the third quarter. Paonia had a very effective defensive plan and executed it to stop Buena Vista rushing attack. Offensively Paonia ran the ball at will and threw effectively as well. They threw the ball for 169 yards and 2 touchdowns. Rushing the ball they were great rushing for 332 yards and 53 carries for an average of 6.3 yards per carry. They also had 5 touchdowns and were very effective. Their rushing attack was a team effort as no one had over 100 yards. Paonia now will be tested on both sides of the ball and this will be a very good game.
Both Burlington and Paonia both played Center and were both effective. Burlington beat Center 47-0 and Paonia won 49-7. I don’t expect to see a high scoring game this week. If you like high scoring games and tons of big plays don’t come to this game. This will be a defensive struggle and it will come down to who is better in the trenches. Burlington has proven this year they can stop a high powered offense in both Limon and Bennett. They are the only team all year to hold Bennett to under 20 points and under 300 yards rushing. Burlington will need that this week to pull the upset. Paonia on the other hand has given up some points against good teams but also proven they can stop teams as well. They held Meeker to just 12 points. Paonia will need another repeat performance this week. I wouldn’t be surprised in the final score to the game was 14 to 13. The biggest deciding factor in the game may be Paonia passing attack. If Paonia can throw for over 150 yards this week they will win. I am going with Paonia because they do have a better passing attack. I am going with Paonia to win by 3.
#2 Strasburg at #10 Cedaredge
Cedaredge came to play last week against a very good rushing attack and pulled off a great 24 to 7 upset of Crowley County. Cedaredge was not on top of its game on the offensive side of the ball but did enough passing to help them win this game. They threw for 175 yards on 7 of 9 attempts. They only ran for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns. Cedaredge won this game because of their defense and had 7 sacks in the game and slowed down a very good rushing attack. This week they must have their offense going as they are playing one of the best teams in 2A offensively. Cedaredge also must bring their defense to play again this week or could be in trouble.
Strasburg made quick work of Grand Valley and won 54 to 0. Strasburg was never in doubt in this game and made quick work of Grand Valley. Strasburg offensively was dominate. They threw for 196 yards 3 touchdowns and ran for 271 yards and 5 touchdowns. Strasburg was led by their QB Conner Martin who had a total of 224 yards and 4 touchdowns. Strasburg once again has only been challenged by one team and that is Bennett and I don’t see them being stopped again this week.
These teams have 1 common opponent and that is Grand Valley. Cedaredge beat Grand Valley 39 to 0 and Strasburg won 54 to 0. Strasburg is the big time favorite this week as well. Cedaredge struggled against Meeker a few weeks ago and see that happening again this week. Strasburg is a very dominate force and could see them putting up big numbers again this week. This week I just don’t think Strasburg gets tested either. I am going with Strasburg to win by 35. I just don’t see Cedaredge being able to keep up offensively especially if their defense can’t stop Strasburg.
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