Class 1A First Round State Playoff Breakdown
The bracket is set and your final 16 teams are now fighting for a state championship. Your League Champions are: Bennett (Foothills League), Burlington (North Central League), Strasburg (Northern League), Centauri (Southern Peaks League), Crowley County (Santa Fe League), Peyton (Tri-Peaks League), Meeker (Western Slope League). As we know the league champions received the automatic home game. 1 other team also received home game and that is Clear Creek. I will run a breakdown on each game. I will post my predictions in a separate post. Also last week I predicted the final 16 teams to get into the playoffs.
#1 Bennett vs #16 Highland on 11/3 @ 7:00pm
#1 Bennett comes into the playoffs as the #1 team in the State in the RPI and #1 team in my Power Rankings. They are a perfect 9-0 and won the Foothills league. They played against 5 playoff teams going 5-0 against them. Bennett is one of the top teams in 1A in terms of defense. They are only giving up 14.7 ppg and held 3 teams under 10 points. Offensively they are scoring 47.7 ppg and are run heavy offense. Bennett has 1389 yards passing and 2050 yards rushing. Bennett is led by senior QB Rocky Lechman 1552 yards rushing 23 TDs & 403 yards passing 4 TDs. Bennett also gets good contribution from Jr RB Mason Wakeham 903 yards rushing and 9 TDs. The strength of Bennett has been their offense and a very good rushing attack. No teams has been able to slow Bennett down this year. Bennett biggest weakness is their defense can relax at time and give up big plays or let teams keep scoring.
#16 Highland comes into the playoffs as the #16 team. They finished second in the Northen league which qualified three teams into the playoffs. Overall Highland is 6-3 and 4-1 in league. Highland went 2-3 against playoff teams the lost to Meeker (40-0)m Wray (35-26), & Strasburg (42-0). Their wins were against Peyton (13-7) & Cornerstone Christian (22-7). Defensively they are in the middle of the pack giving up 21.3 ppg. Their defense held 2 teams to under 10 points this year. Defensively they are led by Jr Devin Hines 70 total tackles and Jr Koby Anderson 67 total tackles. Offensively Highland is a run first team that is averaging 28.2 ppg. They are throwing for 648 yards passing and rushing for 2006 yards. Offensively they are led junior QB Logan Stewart 648 yards passing 5 TDs & 4 INTs. Leading Highland in rushing is senior RB Troy Allmon 881 yards rushing 11 TDs. The biggest strength of Highland is their rushing attack. They help control the game with their rushing attack. Highland biggest weakness is their defense against top playoff. They only held 1 of the 4 playoff teams to under 20 points and that was Cornerstone Christian
Bennett is the favorite in this game. Bennett comes into the game with one of the most explosive offenses in all of 1A. Bennett must play good run defense and let their offense control the speed of the game. Highland will have to play their best defensive game of the season but will still also must be able to score points. I am going with Bennett to win 35-7.
#8 Peyton vs #9 Paonia on 11/4 @ 1:00pm
#8 Peyton comes into the playoffs as your Ti-Peaks League Champion. Peyton went a perfect 5-0 in league and finished 8-1 overall. Peyton played 2 playoff teams this year going 1-1 against them. They beat Colorado Springs Christian 27-3 and lost to Highland (13-7). Peyton defensively is giving up 5.6 ppg but did play a relatively easy schedule but still very impressive on defense. Peyton held 7 teams to under 10 points. Defensively Peyton is led by junior Nate Mclarty 100 total tackles and senior Mitchell Swartz 14.5 sacks & 83 total tackles. On Offense Peyton is a run first offense but can throw the ball a bit and they are averaging 36.4 ppg. On offense Peyton is rushing for 2043 yards and passing for 745 yards. Peyton is led on offense by junior QB Trevor Walker 690 yards passing 12 TDs and 6 INTs. Leading the rushing attack is senior RB Tyler Noffsinger 610 yards rushing and 9 TDs. Peyton biggest strength this year has been their defense which only allowed one team over 20 points and that was a double overtime game against Buena Vista. Peyton biggest weakness is their lack of quality opponents they played this year. Peyton only played 2 playoff team and 2 teams with winning records.
#9 Paonia comes into the playoffs just missing the other home game and finishing second in the Western Slope. They went 4-1 in league and 7-2 overall. Paonia played 2 playoff teams this year going 0-2 against them. Their two losses were to Centauri (20-13) and Meeker (31-14). Paonia did play 2 other teams that just missed the played going 2-0 against them. Paonia on defense is giving up 10.8 ppg. Defensively they are led by senior Cyrus Malek-Madani 71 total tackles and senior Clay Campbell 61 total tackles. On offense Paonia is a run heavy offense with 2159 yards rushing and 480 yards passing. Paonia is averaging 34.3 ppg and are led by senior QB Caden Meilner 480 yards passing 3 TDs and 4 INTs. Leading the rushing attack is senior RB Jaden Miller 1336 yards rushing & 19vTDs. Paonia biggest strength is their power running attack and defense. Jaden Miller is a very good running back and he must be slowed down. Paonia biggest weakness is their reliance on Jaden Miller. If Miller is slowed down Paonia QB and back up RB must step up and combine only have 833 yards of total offense.
This in my eyes is the second best game in 1A. Peyton fought tooth and nail to secure the league championship in the Tri-Peaks. They now must face a traditional power in the first round and a team that plays very good defense. Peyton will be tested both offensively and defensively. Paonia just missed a home game and now are facing one of the best defenses in 1A. Paonia must establish the run and get Miller going strong. Paonia is the lower seed but the favorite in this game. I am going with Paonia to win 21-3.
#4 Strasburg vs #13 Wray on 11/4 @ 1:00pm
#4 Strasburg is your defending State Champion and once again won the Northern league going perfect in league and posting an 8-1 overall record. Strasburg played 5 playoff teams going 4-1 against them. Strasburg lone loss was to Bennett 37-14. Their 4 wins were over Burlington, Limon, Highland, and Cornerstone Christian. Strasburg will have a very good shot to defender their title and that is due to their defense. Strasburg on defense is only giving up 12.2 ppg. They held 5 teams to under 10 points. Defensively Strasburg is led by junior Wyatt Warren 39 total tackles and junior Jon Walters 38 total tackles. Offensively Strasburg is averaging 37.9 ppg. Strasburg on offense is led by senior QB Carson Spence 383 yards passing. Strasburg main weapon is senior RB Hunter Bergstorm 1045 yards rushing and 20 TDs. Strasburg biggest strength is their defense and very good running attack. Strasburg biggest weakness is their passing attack is nearly non-existent and must be able to complete passes in the playoffs.
#13 Wray enters the playoffs going 6-3 and finishing third in the North Central League going 3-2. Wray played 4 playoff teams going 1-4 against them. They beat Highland (35-26) and lost to Cornerstone Christian (17-6), Limon (13-0), and Burlington (36-20). Wray defensively has struggled at times this year. They are giving up 18.9 ppg but finished the year holding back to back teams under 10 points. Pagosa Springs is led on defense by junior Cade Hillman 77 total tackles and senior Jayce Reser 49 total tackles. Offensively Wray is a run heavy offense that is averaging 22.3 ppg. Offensively Wray has thrown for 314 yards and ran for 2600 yards. Wray is led by junior RB Cade Hillman 1401 yards rushing and 16 TDs and helping is sophmore RB Emmanual Huerta 555 yards rushing and 7 TDs. Wray biggest strength is rushing attack which helps control the clock and wear down defenses. Wray biggest weakness is their reliance on their rushing attack. If a team slows down their rushing attack Wray may not be able to throw the ball effectively.
Strasburg enters this game with a lot of playoff experience and playing a team with little playoff experience. Strasburg on defense must be able to stop the run. Their defense will be tested by a very good rushing attack. Strasburg offense also must be ready to be tested as Wray did hold Limon to just 13 points. Wray must establish the line of scrimmage and must run the ball effective and must get over 6 yards a carry to be in this game. Wray defense also must step up and slow down Strasburg offense. I am going with Strasburg to win 31-10.
#5 Burlington vs #12 Platte Canyon on 11/4 @ 1:00pm
#5 Burlington comes into the playoffs as your North Central League Champions. They went at 7-2 overall and 5-0 in the tough North Central League. Burlington played 4 playoff teams going 2-2 against them. Burlington lost to Strasburg (24-6) and Bennett (50-38). Burlington wins are over Limon (29-28) & Wray (36-20). Burlington defensively is middle of the pack giving up 19.6 ppg and have held 3 teams under 10 points. Burlington defensively is led by Braden Witzel 69 total tackles, 13.5 TFL, and Case Rieber 65 total tackles. Offensively Burlington is one of the more balanced offenses and are averaging 35.8 ppg. Burlington’s offense is passing for 862 yards and rushing for 2285 yards. Burlington offensively is led by junior QB Braden Witzel 846 yards passing, 11 TDs, and 6 INTs and leading the rushing attack is junior Kaden Meurisse 850 yards rushing and 10 TDs. Burlington biggest strength is their offense. Burlington has proven that they can move the ball on top teams and their offense production has improved every week. The biggest weakness for Burlington can be their defense. At times their defense play amazing but they have a tendency to give up a lot of points.
#12 Platte Canyon enters the playoffs finishing third in the Foothills League. Platte Canyon went 6-2 overall and 3-2 in league. Platte Canyon played 2 playoff teams this year going 0-2 losing to Bennett (46-0) & Clear Creek (62-42). Defensively Platte Canyon is near the bottom of playoff teams giving up 21.1 ppg and are one of the few playoff teams to give up over 50 points. Offensively Platte Canyon is averaging 23.6 ppg. Platte Canyon is a run heavy offense. Platte Canyon is passing for 313 yards and rushing for 1972 yards. Platte Canyon is led on offense by senior RB Trevor Sander 922 yards and 16 Tds also contributing is senior RB Colton Carson 553 yards rushing and 2 TDs. Platte Canyon biggest strength is their offenses ability to control the clock. Platte Canyon biggest weakness is their lack of quality schedule and being heavily reliant on their rushing attack.
Burlington is the favorite in this game. Their offense has proven that they can score on some of the better defense. Also their defense can make clutch stops. Burlington must control the line of scrimmage and if they do will come out with a win. Platte Canyon must establish the run. If Platte Canyon can run the ball they will be in this game. I am going with Burlington to win 35-14.
#3 Centauri vs #14 Colorado Springs Christian on 11/4 @ 1:00pm
#3 Centauri come into the playoffs as your Southern Peaks League Champion. Centauri is perfect on the season going 9-0 overall and 5-0 in league. They played 3 playoff teams going perfect against them. Centauri has the best defense in 1A only giving up 4.3 ppg and have held 6 opponents to under 10 points. Centauri didn’t give up over 20 points in any of their games and 2 teams broke 10 points. Centauri has posted back to back shutouts as well. Defensively Centauri is led by junior Bennie Chacon 102 total tackles, 11 TFL, and 7 sacks and also helping is sophomore Adam Chacon 76 total tackles. Offensively Centauri is averaging 30.7 ppg. Centauri is a run first offense but can throw the ball. Centauri has 622 yards passing and 1697 yards rushing. Centauri passing attack is led by senior QB Nate Anderson 559 yards passing 11 TDS & 5 INTs. Centauri rushing attack is led by sophomore RB Taj Cornum 643 yards rushing and 10 TDs. Centauri biggest strength is their defense which is playing outstanding and only giving up 4.3 ppg. Centauri biggest weakness is not being the most explosive offense but with the defense they have they just need to control the clock.
#14 Colorado Springs Christian or CSCS enters the playoffs finishing 2nd in the Tri-Peaks League going 3-2 in league and 6-3 overall. CSCS played 2 playoff teams going 0-2. They lost to Crowley County (21-7), & Peyton (27-3). Defensively CSCS is giving up 10.7 ppg and but in their two losses gave up over 20 points in both. CSCS held 5 teams to under 10 points and only let 2 teams break 20 points La Junta and Kent Denver. CSCS defense is led by sophmore Peyton Brones 81 tackles and senior Austin Gaylor 76 tackles. CSCS offensively is a run heavy team averaging 25.4 ppg. CSCS has 1709 yards rushing and 339 yards passing. CSCS passing attack is led by senior Jordan Greager 346 yards passing 5 TDs and 5 INTs. CSCS rushing attack is led by senior RB Gabe Danzik 880 yards rushing and 9 TDs. CSCS biggest strength is their rushing attack and their defense. Their defense is also their biggest weakness. If their defense cannot slow opponents down then CSCS has lost those game.
Cenaturi offense will be tested by a CSCS. Centauri must establish the line of scrimmage on offense and control the clock. Centauri on defense must also control the line of scrimmage and make CSCS throw the ball. Centauri has played a lot of run heavy offense and usually play great against them. CSCS must figure a way to run the ball. They have not played this good of a defense and must be able to run the ball. I am going with Centauri to win 31-0.
#6 Clear Creek vs #11 Monte Vista on 11/4 @ 1:00pm
#6 Clear Creek enter the playoffs finishing second in the Foothills League. Clear Creek went 8-1 overall and 4-1 in league but only faced 2 playoff teams in Bennett and Platte Canyon going 1-1 against them. Clear Creek on defense is giving up 26.3 ppg and are giving up the most points of all playoff teams. Clear Creek held 2 opponents to under 10 points. Clear Creek on defense is led by senior George Gotham 103 tackles and Christian Lemishko 102 tackles. Clear Creek offensively has been very impressive averaging 45.1 ppg and were only held under 40 points twice this year. Clear Creek offensively is a pass heavy team and have 2750 passing yards and 840 yards rushing. Clear Creek passing attack is led by senior Ty Judge 2750 yards passing, 35 TDs, and 8 INTs. Clear Creek other big weapon is senior RB/WR Noah Sarria 472 yards rushing and 972 yards receiving & 13 TDs. Clear Creek biggest strength is their passing attack which is the only one to have over 2000 yards passing in 1A. Clear Creek biggest weakness is their lack their defense. They have a tendency to just outscore opponents with their offense. If their offense is slowed though they do struggle and Bennett showed that holding them to just 36 points.
#11 Monte Vista enters the playoffs finishing 2nd in the Southern Peaks League. Monte Vista went 6-3 overall and 4-1 in league. Monte Vista played 3 playoff teams this year going 0-3 against them. They lost to Meeker, Pagosa Springs, and Centauri. Defensively Monte Vista is giving up 14.4 ppg and have held 4 opponents to under 10 points. Monte Vista defensively is led by senior Jared Atencio 88 total tackles and senior Oscar Diaz 67 total tackles. Offensively Monte Vista is averaging 23.5 ppg and are a run heavy offense. Monte Vista has 289 yards passing and 1927 yards rushing. Monte Vista rushing attack is led by senior RB Jacob Chavez 1172 yards rushing and 16 TDs. He is the main cog in Monte Vista offense and must have a productive day if Monte Vista wants to pull the upset. Monte Vista biggest strength rushing attack and their defense. Monte Vista has played a few pass teams but this will really test their defense. Monte Vista biggest weakness is the reliance on one player for their offense. Monte Vista will need to be able to score points against Clear Creek and will need more than one player to contribute.
In my eyes this is the best game in the first round in 1A. Both teams attack you differently on offense. Clear Creek will look to outscore opponents and use their passing attack to win games. Clear Creek defense will need to be able to stop the run and if they can’t could slow down their offense a bit. Monte Vista must run the ball effectively 5 yards a carry. Monte Vista also must do what it can to slow down Clear Creek passing attack. Getting pressure on the QB will be the biggest need. Clear Creek is the favorite in this game. But I am going with the upset here I have Monte Vista winning 38-31.
#7 Crowley County vs #10 Limon on 11/4 @ 1:00pm
#7 Crowley County enters the playoffs as the Santa Fe Champion going a perfect 5-0 in league and 8-1 overall. Crowley County played two playoffs team going 1-1 against them. Crowley County lone loss was to Limon (27-0). Crowley County win was against Colorado Springs Christian 26-7. Crowley County defensively is one of the better defenses giving up 9.6 ppg. They also played a relatively weak schedule. Crowley County held 6 team to under 10. Crowley County defensively is led by Chris Meyer 67 tackles and Lane Walter 62 tackles. Crowley County offensively is averaging 35.7 ppg. Crowley County is a run first offense but can throw the ball when needed. Crowley County has 903 yards passing and 1943 yards rushing. Offensively Crowley County is led by senior QB Bradley Clabey 903 yards passing, 17 TDs, and 4 INTs. Crowley County rushing attack is led by Cannan Geringer 917 yards rushing and 9 TDs. Crowley County biggest strength is their defense which is only giving up 9.6 ppg. Only one team broke 20 points on them and that was Limon. Crowley County biggest weakness is their lack of quality opponents.
#10 Limon enters the playoffs finishing second in the North Central league. They went 7-2 overall and 4-1 in league. Limon played 4 playoff team going 2-2 against them. Limon lost to Strasburg (14-12) and Burlington (29-28). Limon beat Crowley County (27-0) and Wray (13-0). Limon defensively is giving up just 6.1 ppg. The only team to break 20 on Limon was Burlington and they lost that game. Limon held 6 teams to under 10 points and at one point this season posted 4 shutouts in a row. Limon defensively is led by Hauk Hubbard 44 tackles and 7 TFL also contributing is Braden Sandersfield 41 tackles. Limon offensively is a run first team averaging 31.8 ppg. Limon has thrown for 735 yards and passed for 2021 yards. Limon is led on offense by junior QB Cannan Bennett 684 yards passing, 9 TDs, and 4 INTs. Leading Limon rushing attack is junior Hauk Hubbard 817 yards rushing and 10 TDs. Limon biggest strength is their defense. They are only giving up 6.1 ppg and have held some explosive offenses to way under their averages. Limon biggest weakness not closing on the close game. Limon lost 2 games this year by a combined 3 points. They lost to Strasburg missing on the point conversion and Burlington scored 15 points in the 4th quarter to come back and beat Limon.
This is the third best game in 1A in my eyes. Limon and Crowley County have already played each other and this is a rivalry game as well. Limon beat Crowley County 27-0. Crowley County struggled to get anything going on offense and must establish the run to be successful. Limon must be able to control the line of scrimmage and make Crowley County throw the ball. Limon also must be able to close out the game and not let Crowley County back in. I am going with Limon to win 21-7.
#2 Meeker vs #15 Cornerstone Christian on 11/3 @ 7:00pm
#2 Meeker enters the playoffs as the #2 seed and as the Western Slope League Champion. Meeker is perfect on the year and going 9-0 and 5-0 in league. Meeker played 3 playoff teams this year going perfect against them. Meeker has one of the better defense in 1A as well giving up just 7.7 ppg. Meeker has held 7 opponents to under 10 points and until their final two games had yet to give up over 10 points in a game. Meeker is led on defense by Tannen Kennedy 98 tackles and Tevin Pelloni 79 tackles. Meeker offensively is the most balanced team in 1A and are averaging 36.1 ppg. Meeker has 1614 yards passing and 1768 yards rushing. Leading Meeker on offense is senior QB Logan Hughes 1577 yards passing, 14 TDs and 3 INTs. Leading Meeker in rushing is senior Doak Mantle 734 yards rushing and 12 TDs. Meeker biggest strength is their very solid defense and their dynamic offensive attack. Meeker biggest weakness is they only played 3 playoff teams this year. It was a down year for the Western Slope but Meeker has plenty of playoff experience from last year.
#15 Cornerstone Christian is the biggest surprise team this year. Last year Cornerstone Christian went 3-6 and this year flipped the script and went 6-3. Cornerstone Christian finished third int the Foothills league. Cornerstone Christian played 4 playoff teams going 1-3 against them. Cornerstone Christian beat Wray (17-6) and lost to Bennett, Highland, and Strasburg. Cornerstone Christian defensively is middle of the pack giving up 19.8 ppg. They held 5 teams under 10 points but also have 2 teams break the 50 point mark on them. Cornerstone Christian is led on defense by Harrison Francisco 60 tackles and Ethan Carlson 54 tackles. Offensively Cornerstone Christian is a run first team with the ability to throw the ball they are averaging 25.3 ppg. Cornerstone Christian has 880 yards passing and 1771 yards rushing. Cornerstone Christian is led on offense by junior QB Zach Dube 705 yards passing 7 TDs, and 8 INTs. Cornerstone Christian rushing attack is led by senior Brayden Kelch 1053 yards rushing and 16 TDs. Cornerstone Christian biggest strength is their rushing attack which is led by Brayden Keclh. Cornerstone Christian biggest weakness is their defense against top offenses. In 2 of their 3 losses they gave up 58 and 66 and right off the bat their are playing a top offense.
Meeker is the favorite in this game. They have a dynamic offense than can score points and also a defense that has slowed down plenty of teams this year. Meeker also has plenty of playoff experience from last year. Meeker must stop the run on defense and offensively been dynamic in their attack. Cornerstone Christian will need to play their best defense of the year and also must be able to run the ball. I am going with Meeker in this game 35-7.
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