Class 2A State Semifinals Playoff Breakdown
Two upsets in the Quarterfinals sets up some interesting match-ups in the Semifinals and we will have to see if the trend of upsets continues into the Semifinals.
State Championship Coin Flip Scenarios
Bayfield hosts if they win regardless. If Resurrection Christian wins they will travel regardless. If Resurrection Christian wins then the winner between Eaton and La Junta will host.
#3 Bayfield at #15 Resurrection Christian on 11/18 @ 1:00pm
#1 Bayfield so far has lived up to the expectations blowing past their first two opponents. Last week Bayfield blasted Basalt 41 to 0. Bayfield was tied after the first quarter but then scored 21 in the second quarter and 20 in the third quarter to blow the game open. Bayfield defensively played outstanding holding Basalt to 164 yards of total offense. Bayfield held Basalt main weapon RB Noah Williams to just 32 yards rushing. Bayfield also forced 4 turnovers in the game and 5 sacks with Ryan Phelps picking up two more sacks moving his sack total to 17 sacks on the season and should break the 20-sack mark with two games left in the season. Leading Bayfield in tackles this week was senior Hunter Killough with 13 tackles and senior Cole Wood with 11 tackles and 3 TFL. Bayfield dominated on defense for the second straight week and have yet to give up any points in the playoffs and are on a four-game streak of giving up 0 points. Bayfield offensively had a very productive day with 0 turnovers on the day. Bayfield racked up 328 yards of total offense. Junior QB Hayden Farmer had a very effective day with 226 yards passing and 5 TDs and only had 3 incomplete passes on the day. Leading Bayfield in rushing was junior David Hawkins 53 yards rushing and 1 TD. Bayfield main target on the day was senior Dax Snooks 105 yards receiving and 3 TDs. Bayfield offensively will be tested by a very good Resurrection Christian defense.
#15 Resurrection Christian pulled of its second stunner of the year shocking #7 Faith Christian 28-25. Faith Christian was leading 25-22 in the fourth quarter and Resurrection Christian scored the final touchdown of the game to give themselves their second consecutive upset and now are looking for just two more wins and could capture their first 2A State Championship. This is Resurrection Christian first trip to the 2A state semifinals. Resurrection Christian has pulled these upsets by using their special teams and mainly punt blocks to set up short fields. Resurrection Christian did not post defensive stats but from what film I have watched they play a very physical style defense. Like I said special teams is the biggest thing for Resurrection Christian. Offensively Resurrection Christian did enough to win the game. Resurrection Christian had 169 yards passing and 88 yards rushing. Resurrection Christian started sophomore QB this week due to injuries to their starting QB but got a very good outing from Buck Coors 169 yards passing 2 TDs and 1 INT. I am not sure of the status of Resurrection Christian starting QB but could be a big factor going into this next game. Resurrection Christian rushing attack was led by junior Zane Zuhlke 42 yards rushing. Resurrection Christian will need a big effort on offense to help keep pace with Bayfield and I expect quite a few trick plays to happen in this game.
No one expected Resurrection Christian to win their first two games and that will once again be the issue in this game. Resurrection Christian will need to take advantage of all turnovers and will need a few key special teams plays as well. Blocked punts in both games have been the difference in the games and expect Resurrection Christian to look to that as well. Resurrection Christian must play a great defensive game as well to slow down Bayfield very good offense. Bayfield has taken care of business in both games so far but will be tested in all three phases of the game this week. Bayfield defense will be tested with some trick plays that Resurrection Christian runs and Bayfield offense will be tested by a very solid Resurrection Christian defense. The biggest test for Bayfield will be special teams. Bayfield must take care of business on special teams and force Resurrection Christian to march the length of the field. Bayfield defensively is the best team in 2A and must make Resurrection Christian march the length of the field. Bayfield is the favorite in the game and I am going with them in this game. Bayfield 31 Resurrection Christian 7
#4 La Junta at #8 Eaton on 11/18 @ 1:00pm
#4 La Junta keeps marching towards their title defense with a very impressive 21-14 victory over rival Classical Academy. La Junta is making its third straight appearance in the Semifinals and you must give credit to La Junta coach Clint Buderus. La Junta this past week was in a heck of a fight with Classic Academy and were tied at Half time 7-7 then both teams scored to end the third quarter tied at 14-14 and then it all came down to the wire with La Junta scoring the only touchdown in the fourth quarter to escape with a hard-fought win. La Junta waits to post the stats to their games so limits what I know about their team. What we do know is La Junta plays a physical style of defense and is always on the attack. Offensively La Junta runs a read option attack with Jon Nuschy leading La Junta offense at QB. Against Pagosa Springs Jon Nuschy had 179 yards rushing and Wyatt Buhr had 91 yards rushing as well. Jon Nuschy on the year broke 1000 yards rushing and have 23 total TDs on the season. For La Junta to be successful Nuschy and Buhr will have to have huge games both offensively and defensively.
#8 Eaton is another team that has shocked people. In the opening round they avenged a 20-point loss to Sterling and this week Eaton once again got some revenge from the regular season. Eaton played their best defensive game of the season holding Platte Valley to just 6 points (2 FGs). Eaton grabbed the 9 to 6 upset of #1 Platte Valley. Eaton defensively forced 1 turnover and 1 sack in the game but had 14 players register a tackle in just a great defensive effort. Eaton was led by Braeson Lewis with 10 tackles and 2.5 TFL and helping on defense was well was Trenton Kramer 7 tackles. I was very impressed with Eaton on defense stopping a team who had dominated most of the season. Eaton also had lost to Platte Valley during the regular season by 20+ points. Eaton defensively will need another huge performance and must be ready to stop the run. Eaton offensively did enough to win the game. Eaton was without starting QB Austin Coalson who suffered an injury against Sterling. Eaton turned into a more run oriented team and was able to run for 190 yards in the game. Leading Eaton in rushing was Travis Cunningham 95 yards rushing and Eaton lone touchdown. Ty Garnhart stepped in at QB and completed 1 pass for 30 yards and had 46 yards rushing. Eaton offensively controlled the clock with their rushing attack and will need to be big again for Eaton to pull off another upset.
La Junta playoff experience has been key for this team in the playoffs. La Junta has been very tough to score points against and they will need to hold Eaton to as little as possible. La Junta must stop the run and if they can should be able to stall Eaton offense. La Junta offense must be able to run the ball and must control the line of scrimmage. La Junta knows Eaton defense has helped them win their prior two games. Eaton has success against stopping QB dominated offenses and La Junta must get good production for Jon Nuschy. Eaton has stopped two top QBs in their past two games and once again will be tasked with another very good QB. Eaton defensively must play another great game. Eaton also must have success running the ball to help keep their defense fresh. This is going to be a very physical game and whoever has the most success running the ball will win the game. La Junta is the favorite in the game and I am picking La Junta to win. This will be a physical defensive game and I think La Junta can answer with some success. La Junta 21 Eaton 7.
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