Class 6-Man State Championship Playoff Breakdown
What a wild and crazy year the 6-man ranks have provided and, yet we end with my Preseason #1 and #2. What a great year of football in the 6-man ranks and this should be a good game.
#1 Stratton/Liberty vs #3 Peetz on 11/18 @ 1:00pm
For #1 Stratton/Liberty to get into the championship game a rematch with last year’s runner up stood in their way and also a rematch from earlier in the year. Stratton/Liberty rose up to the occasion and took care of business with a 46 to 14 victory over Cheyenne Wells. After the first quarter the game was 8 to 6 but 16 points in the second quarter and 14 points in the third quarter put Stratton/Liberty in the driver seat. Stratton/Liberty defensively played outstanding holding Cheyenne Wells to -6 yards rushing and 122 yards passing. Stratton/Liberty forced 5 turnovers in the game with Owen Clapper picking off two passes and Levi Shean picking up a fumble and had an interception return for a touchdown. Leading Peetz in tackles was also Levi Shean with 10 tackles and helping on defense was Phillip Pickard 9 tackles, 3 TFL, and 2 sacks. Stratton/Liberty was super impressive with their defense and for the second straight game slowed down Cheyenne Wells offense. Stratton/Liberty will need a huge defensive effort this week. Stratton/Liberty offensively threw everyone off this game. Stratton/Liberty through the year ran for 3465 yards and in the semifinals put a wrinkle in the game plan and threw effectively for 137 yards. Senior QB Phillip Pickard had a great game throwing the ball with 123 yards passing and 3 TDs and he also had 50 yards rushing and 2 TDs. Stratton/Liberty still ran the ball effectively racking up 178 yards and 2 TDs. Player of the year Jacob McCormick led all rushers with 92 yards rushing. Phillip Pickard main target in the passing attack was Jaret Lichty 82 yards and 1 TD. Stratton/Liberty showed they can throw the ball if needed and make their rushing attack that much harder to stop. Stratton/Liberty must continue to take care of the football and must be able to score points.
#3 Peetz moved into the championship game with a quick start against Kit Carson. At halftime Peetz took at 46 to 14 leads into half time and that was all they needed to cruise into the finals. The final score was 62 to 36 and Peetz must feel good after the quick start in the game. Defensively Peetz played outstanding forcing 5 turnovers in the game. Hunter White forced two of the turnovers with an INT and a fumble recovery which he took to the house. Also helping in the turnover department was Logan Sircy with a fumble recovery and an interception which he took to the house. Both defensive touchdowns really set the tone early in the game for Peetz. Leading Peetz in tackles was Hunter White with 14 tackles and Jake Curlee had 10 tackles. Defensively Peetz set the tone early in the game and proved too much for Kit Carson early. Peetz will need another big game on defense and will face a very dynamic offense. Peetz offensively came out strong as well posting 326 yards of total offense. Bryson long had a good day passing racking up 97 yards passing and 1 TD. Peetz total passing total was 138 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs. Peetz rushing attack was strong with 188 yards rushing. Leading all rushers was Hunter White 71 yards rushing. Leading Peetz in receiving was Helmuth Wenneker 71 yards receiving and 2 TDs. Peetz offensively will need a huge game again. Their balanced attack is key to keeping pace with Stratton/Liberty. Peetz will need Hunter White and Bryson Long to have solid games.
Stratton/Liberty and Peetz have both been challenged at least once in the playoffs. Peetz was challenged by rival Fleming 40 to 28 (League opponent) and Stratton/Liberty was challenged by rival Otis 40 to 32 (League opponent). In both games where they faced a non-league opponent they won big. Peetz will have their hand full of stopping a dynamic offense. Peetz has given up 66 more points than Stratton/Liberty but Peetz has played 1 more playoff team than Stratton/Liberty. Peetz defensively in their lone loss struggled stopping the run giving up 394 yards rushing which I am sure Stratton/Liberty will attack in that area. Peetz must be ready defensively for some new stuff from Stratton/Liberty. Peetz offensively must be able to move the ball effectively. Peetz also must avoid turnovers as well and make Stratton/Liberty offense drive the length of the field. Peetz must be able to score points if their defense struggles stopping the run. Stratton/Liberty has the advantage on defense over Peetz. Stratton/Liberty only gave up over 30 points twice the entire season, one of them was to Flagler and the other was to Otis in the playoffs. Stratton/Liberty defensively will be tested by Peetz. Peetz is balanced in their offensive attack and will keep Stratton/Liberty from loading the box to stop the run. Stratton/Liberty must do what they can to force Peetz to throw and take away the easy rushing yards. Stratton/Liberty offensively must take care of the football and must avoid a slow start. Stratton/Liberty must be effective in running the football. Last week Stratton/Liberty added a new wrinkle to their offense and will be interesting to see if they plan on doing that again this week. Stratton/Liberty must be ready for a shootout if their defense does struggle. Stratton/Liberty is the favorite in this game. Stratton/Liberty also has homefield advantage and I am sure it will be packed down at Liberty High School. It will be interesting to see which team can handle the hype and pressure early on and getting the nerves out will be very important. I am going with the favorite in the game, but it should be a good game. I am going Stratton/Liberty 35 Peetz 24.
MileHigh Prep Report 