Class 1A Quarterfinals State Playoff Breakdown
Round one is in the book and what a fun round it was. Class 1A also had a big upset in the first round with #11 Monte Vista upsetting #6 Clear Creek.
#1 Bennett at #9 Paonia on 11/11 @ 1:00pm
#1 Bennett opened their run with an impressive 48-0 victory over Highland. Bennett had the mercy rule going by the 3rd quarter and were in control of the game from the beginning. Bennett had their defense playing very well in this game holding Highland to 0 points and really limiting a run heavy offense. Bennett was led by Jesse Rodriquez 7 tackles and 1 sack and contributing was Elam Laing 7 tackles and 1 sack. In normal Bennett fashion they only attempted 1 pass for 47 yards and it was for a touchdown. Bennett ran for 331 yards and 10.3 yards per carry. Bennett was led by QB Rocky Lechman 130 yards and 2 TDs also contributing was Jesses Rodriquez 103 yards rushing and 2 TDs. Bennett took care of business in round one offensively and defensively and must be ready for a very tough quarterfinal matchup.
#9 Paonia was in a defensive battle in their opening round win. Paonia beat Peyton 13 to 0 and used a very stingy defense to seal the game. Paonia held a run heavy offense to just 63 yards rushing or about 1.6 yards per carry. Paonia was led on defense by Sackett Chesnik 9 tackles and Anthony Felice 8 tackles and 2 TFL. Paonia defense stepped up huge last week and will need a very similar effort this week. Offensively Paonia did just enough to secure the win. Paonia didn’t complete a pass but did have 163 yards rushing for 4.7 ypc. Leading the way for Paonia was Jaden Miller 73 yards rushing and Sackett Chesnik 68 yards rushing. Paonia must have their offense being very productive this week and will need a monster game from senior RB Jaden Miller.
Bennett was impressive on offense and on defense in the first round. Their defense will be tested again by a run heavy attack. Bennett will also be tested on offense. Paonia defense played great allowing only 63 yards of total offense. Bennett has yet to be slowed this year on offense and must have a big game again this week. Paonia must stop the run to have any success at all. They cannot allow over 8 yards a carry and be successful. Paonia offense must click to have a shot at the upset. I am going Bennett to win this game. Bennett 35 Paonia 17.
#4 Strasburg vs #5 Burlington on 11/11 @ 1:00pm
#4 Strasburg started their title defense with an impressive 35-6 victory over Wray. Strasburg defensively played outstanding stopping one of the top running backs in the state. Strasburg held Wray to just 120 yards rushing and held Cade Hillman to just 12 yards rushing. Strasburg defensively forced 3 turnovers and 2 sacks and scored 2 touchdowns from their defense. Trystan Graf and Collin Russell both had touchdown in the game. Strasburg was led on defense by Wyatt Warren 14 tackles and Jon Walters 11 tackles. Run defense was Strasburg key in game one and game two will be a nearly similar feat except Burlington can throw the ball a bit. Offensively Strasburg did not put up huge numbers passing for 58 yards passing and 190 yards rushing. Leading Strasburg in passing was Jacob Miller 58 yards passing and 2 TDs. Leading Strasburg rushing attack was Michael Spence 89 yards rushing. Strasburg scored 21 points on offense I the first round and are facing a team who offense has come alive as of late. Strasburg will need a big effort on both sides of the ball this week again.
#5 Burlington opened with a solid 41 to 0 victory over Platte Canyon. Burlington defensively did a good job of making Platte Canyon work for every yard. Burlington gave up 216 yards rushing but Platte Canyon had to run for 59 attempts to get that which is 3.7 yards per carry. Burlington was led on defense by Braxton Corman 14 tackles and Case Rieber 13 tackles. Burlington defense will be tested again this week by Strasburg and this time will have to stop both the run and pass. Burlington offense performed well in the game. Burlington had 362 yards of total offense and nearly every play was for over 9 yards. Burlington had 122 yards passing and 240 yards rushing. Leading Burlington passing attack was Braden Witzel 122 yards passing and 2 TDs. Burlington rushing attack was led by Kaden Meurisse 66 yards rushing. Burlington offensively has proven they can score with just about any team and now have an avenge their lowest scoring game of the season this week.
Strasburg and Burlington have already played this year and it was a victory for Strasburg 24-6. Since that game no team has held Burlington to under 28 points this year and that includes 2 playoff teams who are still playing this week. Burlington offensively must be productive and cannot turn the ball over. Burlington defensively must have a similar effort to the first time they played. Keeping Strasburg under 25 points will be a huge key for Burlington. Strasburg must see what Burlington has changed since their game. Strasburg will be tested on defense this week and must step up to win this game. Strasburg offensively will need a big game to pull off the victory. Strasburg will probably need over 28 points to win this game and I think this game could turn into a higher scoring affair. I am going with Strasburg in a high scoring game and I believe this game could go either way. Strasburg 35 Burlington 31.
#3 Centauri at #11 Monte Vista on 11/11 at 1:00pm
#3 Centauri struggled in round #1 with a tough Colorado Springs Christian team. Centauri used 14 points in the third quarter to pull ahead and win the game. Centauri defensively played outstanding holding CSCS to -7 yards rushing and 140 yards passing. The lone touchdown CSCS scored was on a trick play. Centauri did force 6 turnovers one of which was a pick 6 to help give Centauri the lead after halftime. Centauri will need their run defense to step up huge this week against a run heavy attack. Centauri didn’t post offensive stats but they love to run the ball and their QB is very effective in running this offense. Centauri must take care of the ball this week and cannot allow Monte Vista to stay in the game with turnovers.
#11 Monte Vista pulled the biggest upset in 1A off in the opening round. Monte Vista traveled to Idaho Springs and beat Clear Creek 39-34. Monte Vista defensively held one of the best passing attacks in the state to just 216 yards passing but did give up 170 yards rushing mainly to one player. Monte Vista defensively forced only 1 turnover but only had 1 pass interference call the whole day. The turnover was a huge one and was a turning point in the game. Monte Vista on defense was led by Jacob Chavez 11 tackles and Oscar Diaz 9 tackles. Monte Vista now will be changing their focus from pass defense to run defense and must be ready to fight in the trenches to win this game. Monte Vista offensively was very effective in controlling the clock and ran the ball very well. Monte Vista had 26 yards passing and 414 yards rushing. Monte Vista offense was powered by Jacob Chavez 176 yards rushing and 2 TDs and Tyler Vigil 65 yards rushing and 1 TD. Both running backs must have big games this week against Centauri and their offensive line must open holes for their running backs.
It’s always fun in the playoffs to get two teams who are huge rivals to play each other. Monte Vista and Centauri played each other in league and Centauri dominated the game 27-2. Monte Vista hurt themselves with huge turnovers and bad special teams play. Monte Vista was effective in slowing Centauri offense holding them to 151 yards rushing. Monte Vista defense must stop the run and force Nate Anderson to pass the ball. Monte Vista offensively also must get more production from their rushing attack which last time Centauri held them to just 169 yards rushing. Monte Vista must take care of the football this week to have a shot. Centauri dominated the last game with huge turnovers and great field position. Centauri will need a huge game from their defense and must stop the run. Centauri also must get more production from their rushing attack to help control the game. Centauri also must take care of the football. I am picking Centauri in this game but it will be much closer this time around. Centauri 21 Monte Vista 10.
#2 Meeker at #10 Limon on 11/11 at 1:00pm
#2 Meeker opened their playoff run with a bang blowing past Cornerstone Christian 50-0. Meeker dominated the game racking up 36 points in the first half and had mercy rule going in the third quarter. Meeker defensively once again played outstanding holding Cornerstone Christian to 88 total yards of offense. Meeker forced 3 turnovers in the game and had 6 sacks. Meeker was led on defense by Tannen Kennedy 8 tackles and Tevin Pelloni 7 tackles and 2 sacks. Meeker this week will be tested by a much tougher offense and must be ready for a very tough battle. Offensively Meeker had a really good day. Meeker had 144 yards passing and 189 yards rushing and 6 total TDs. Meeker passing attack was led by Logan Hughes 144 yards passing, 46 yards rushing and 4 total TDs. Meeker rushing attack was led by Doak Mantle 101 yards rushing and 1 TD. Meeker offense will be challenged by a very good defense and they must take care of the ball and be effective on offense.
#10 Limon pulled an upset according to seed over Crowley County 19-6. This was a very tight game the entire way and Limon struck first in the second quarter and scored 1 touchdown in the final 2 quarters to help secure the win. Limon forced Crowley County to throw the ball a lot more than they would like. Limon held Crowley County to 213 yards passing but only 38 yards rushing. Limon defensively played outstanding forcing 3 INTs. Limon did not input any stats for the game but they are a run first team. Limon defensively must play their best game of the year to pull the upset. Limon will be looking to slow down a very good offensive team. Limon on offense must take care of the ball and must run the ball effectively.
Meeker has been dominate on defense all year and will need a huge game from their defense again this week. Meeker offense must stay balanced in their attack and will help against this very good Limon defense. Meeker must take care of the ball and force Limon to throw the ball. Limon must establish the run early in the game and hit passes when needed. Limon needs their defense to play outstanding this week to pull this upset. I am going with Meeker to win this game due to their offense being more balanced than most teams and of course Meeker defense being one of the best in 1A. Meeker 31 Limon 14.
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