Class 1A State Semifinals Playoff Breakdown
The Quarterfinals had one massive upset like 2A. #10 Limon upset #2 Meeker and sent ripples across 1A.
#1 Bennett vs #4 Strasburg on 11/18 at 1:00pm
#1 Bennett moved into the semifinals with an 35-23 win over Paonia. Bennett was not able to completely put Paonia away and Paonia fought till the end. Bennett was held to under 40 points for the first time since September 9th when they played Strasburg. Bennett defensively held Paonia to 202 yards rushing and limited Paonia main weapon Jaden Miller to just 108 yards. Bennett forced 1 turnover and had 1 sack. Bennett was led on defense by Trever Miller 9 tackles and Rocky Lechman 8 tackles. Bennett was challenged on defense by a good rushing attack but held up and Bennett will be tested once again by a good Strasburg team. Bennett offensively ran wild racking up 416 yards of rushing and had 1 completion for 18 yards. Bennett did struggle taking care of the ball and had 2 fumbles on the day. Bennett was led on offense this week by Jesse Rodriquez 198 yards rushing and 3 TDs, this is the biggest output for Rodriquez this year and look to be regaining form since suffering an early season injury. Rocky Lechman also had a good day with 77 yards rushing and 1 completion for 18 yards and 1 TD. The big surprise player in rushing for Bennett last week was Mason Wakeham 123 yards rushing and 1 TD. Bennett offensively was held to their lowest total points by Strasburg and they will be tested again this week by Strasburg
#4 Strasburg was in a defensive struggle against Burlington. Strasburg and Burlington were tied 0 to 0 at half and Strasburg scored 21 points in the 3rd and 4th quarter to secure a hard-fought victory. Strasburg was the only team all year to shutout Burlington and twice held them to their lowest point total on the season. Strasburg defensively was very impressive holding a dynamic Burlington offense to just 142 yards of total offense. Strasburg forced 3 turnovers and had 2 sacks in the game. Strasburg was led on defense Wyatt Warren 7 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries. Also helping on defense was Hunter Bergstorm 4 tackles and 2 sacks. Defensively this was a great game plan by Strasburg and will need a huge defensive game this week if they plan on repeating as State Champions. Offensively Strasburg played well breaking 300 yards of total offense. Strasburg had 64 yards passing and 288 yards rushing. Strasburg offensively was led by Hunter Bergstorm 178 yards rushing and 2 TDs. Strasburg passing attack was led by Jacob Miller 64 yards passing and 1 TD. Strasburg must do a better job of taking care of the football with 2 turnovers in the game.
Strasburg is looking to keep defending their state championship and got one step closer holding off a very dynamic offensive team in Burlington. Strasburg defensively must have an ever-better game this week against Bennett. They must keep Bennett to under 300 yards rushing to win this game. Strasburg also must keep their offense clicking at a high caliber. Bennett must be able to run the football again this week but must take care of the football as well. Bennett defensively must stop the run and force Strasburg to through the football. This is a huge rivalry game in the semifinals and should be a great football game! These two teams have played each other this year and it was a 37-14 victory for Bennett. I am expecting a much closer game this week. I am going with Bennett 28 Strasburg 14.
#3 Centauri vs #10 Limon on 11/18 @ 1:00pm
#3 Centauri took care of rival Monte Vista last weekend and dominated the game 35-7. Neither team posted stats for the game. I do know Centauri forced 3 turnovers in the game and dominated the entire way. Centauri defensively has been impressive, but this week will be tested by a very good Limon team. Centauri offensively must be productive and must also take care of the football. Brandon Buhr and Taj Cornum must have big games this week against Centauri and must run the ball effectively and must take care of the football. QB Nate Anderson also must avoid any interceptions and will be a big part in this game. Defensively Bennie Chacon and Jackson Price must have big games and must rack up the tackles. Centauri will be tested on both sides of the ball by a team coming off a huge upset in the quarterfinals.
#10 Limon pulled the second biggest upset in the state last weekend. Limon upset #2 Meeker 18-14 and did a good job of limiting one of the more dynamic offenses. Limon defensively held Meeker to 205 yards of total offense. Limon defensively impressed me in this game. No team could keep Meeker under 25 points and they did that. This week Limon will be facing a very physical Centauri team and Limon will need their defense to stop the run to be successful. Limon offensively did enough in the game to win. Their 11 3rd quarter points proved to be the difference in the game. Limon offensively will be tested by a very good Centauri defense. Limon must establish the run which will be tough against this team. Limon does get good production from QB Cannan Bennett who has added a new dimension to Limon offense. Hauk Hubbard also must have an effective day running the ball. Limon must physically be ready for a tough game.
Limon must be ready to battle in the trenches this week. They are facing a physical style of defense and will test their offensive line. Limon defensively must play like they did last week and limit Centauri rushing attack. Centauri defensively must win the battle at the line of scrimmage and force Limon to throw the football. Centauri offensively must get good production from their QB to take the pressure off their running attack. This will be a very physical battle and expect a very low scoring game. I am going with Centauri as the favorite in this game. I am picking Centauri in this game due to their physical defense, but this will be a very good game. Most of the year I had Limon as a Top 5 team and this will be a battle. I have Centauri 21 Limon 14.
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