Class 2A State Championship Breakdown
#6 Kent Denver at #1 La Junta Saturday 1:00pm
Kent Denver kept their state championship hopes alive surviving another very close game. Kent Denver faced off against Delta and pulled out a narrow 21 to 14 victory. Kent Denver scored 14 first half points and added a touchdown in the third to grab the win. Both teams had played in close matches and both teams played a very tough game. Kent Denver defensively played a great game and once again showed is defense can hold teams to under 20 points and that is how they have won their past couple games is getting one or two defensive stands. Kent Denver forced 3 turnovers and also had 5 sacks. Offensively Kent Denver racked up 345 total offensive yards. Kent Denver only passed for 89 yards but had 2 touchdowns and 0 INT’s. Kent Denver ran the ball very effectively rushing for 256 yards on 39 carries for 6.6 yards per carry and 1 touchdown. The turnover battle was the difference in the game and Kent Denver won that 0 to 3. Kent Denver must bring that sort of intensity to the game this week and hope their defense can post a similar showing again. Also Kent Denver will need their offense to put up more than 20 points as well.
La Junta escaped a very tight game against Bayfield. Bayfield was leading the entire game and entered the fourth quarter with a 13 to 0. La Junta then scored their first touchdown with 8 minutes left in the fourth but missed the extra point. Then La Junta scored once again with 2 minutes left but went for the two point conversion and then win. La Junta was successful on their two point conversion attempt and took the lead with 2 minutes left and were able to close out the game. Offensively La Junta has not input any stats. Defensively it was a slugfest for sure. La Junta was able to slow down Bayfield power rushing attempt and hold Bayfield to just 66 yards rushing. Bayfield was able to throw the ball with some success throwing for 164 yards 2 touchdowns and 1 INT. This was La Junta tightest game of the season and had to pull a comeback off to knock off the defending state champions. La Junta will need to get their offense back on track for this week’s game. Also La Junta will need their defense to come and play again. I still fully believe that the game between Bayfield and La Junta will be closer than the State Championship. Not to take anything away from Kent Denver but I believe that Bayfield and La Junta were the best two teams left in the tournament.
La Junta and Kent Denver have faced off against each other already this year. La Junta won the first meeting 35 to 6. But if this year’s playoffs tell us anything it has been somewhat of a revenge tour for teams in the playoffs. I don’t think that will be the case in this game. Kent Denver will need to play their best defensive game of the year. They cannot afford to give up over 21 points and expect to stay in this game. Kent Denver might need 21 points to win this game and they will need to avoid any and all turnovers. La Junta will need their offense to wake up earlier in the game and not go down by more than two scores. If La Junta jumps out quickly on offense they could quickly put this game out of reach. La Junta will need their defense to hold Kent Denver to under 14 points and they will be successful in this game. La Junta will be the favorite. I think La Junta is just too good on defense to allow Kent Denver offense to score a ton of points. Kent Denver has been successful because of their rushing attack. Bayfield had a much stronger rushing attack and only ran for 66 yards on Bayfield and I see that being a problem for Kent Denver. Kent Denver cannot be forced to pass a ton this game and be successful. The key for Kent Denver is rushing for over 200 yards if they do that they will pull the upset. I am going with La Junta to win this game by 14. I just think La Junta defense is the best in 2A and will prove successful against a good rushing attack.
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