Class 1A State Championship Breakdown
Upsets have occurred in every round in 1A and once again we had another upset this week. #1 Bennett was upset by #4 Strasburg and now Strasburg like La Junta will be defending their state title against the #3 seeded Centauri. (If anyone from Strasburg has pictures I would love to add some to the article. I couldn’t find any.)
#3 Centauri vs #4 Strasburg on 11/25 at 1:00pm
#3 Centauri hosted #10 Limon in their semifinals matchup. Centauri scored 20 points thru 3 quarters and took a 20-6 lead into the fourth quarter. Then Limon mounted a comeback scoring one touchdown late to make the score 20-12. Then the game came down to an onside kick and Centauri recovered and held on late to advance into the State Championship. Centauri played solid defense through the entire game. They gave up 249 yards of total offense to Limon. Centauri did force 2 turnovers in the game but also gave up 2 themselves. Centauri also had 5 sacks in the game. Centauri had good defensive play from Tristian Crowther and Bennie Chacon. Nate Anderson also played good defensively and came up with a huge interception late in the fourth quarter as well. There are no tackle stats for Centauri. Centauri is now facing a very balanced offense this week and must prepare to stop the run and force Strasburg to throw the ball. Offensively Centauri had a good day with 294 yards of total offense. Nate Anderson had a huge game last week and could be needed again this week to have a similar performance. Nate Anderson had 150 yards passing, 52 yards rushing and all three of Centauri touchdowns. Sam Anderson also had a very effective day for Centauri with 40 yards rushing but was a huge target for his brother with 81 yards receiving. Leading the running backs was Brandon Buhr with 32 yards rushing. Centauri must get bigger productions from their two-main running back as the combined for only 52 yards, but they were facing a very stout rushing defense from Limon. Centauri will probably need another big game from Nate Anderson this week. Centauri offensively must get more production from their running backs this week as Strasburg gave up over 300 yards rushing to Bennett.
#4 Strasburg kept their title defense hopes alive by pulling the upset over rival Bennett. Strasburg grabbed an early lead in the game and never gave it up. They held off a late rally from Bennett. Strasburg was leading 41 to 27 with 4 minutes to go when Bennett scored to make the score 41 to 34. Strasburg then snagged the onside kick and held on to the win avenging their early season loss to Bennett and now are looking to repeat as state champions. Strasburg defensively did enough to secure the victory. They gave up 454 yards of total offense to Bennett but used special teams and their own offense to secure the win. No stats were uploaded for Strasburg for this game. Defensively on the season Strasburg is led by a pair of juniors Wyatt Warren 60 tackles and Jon Walters 53 tackles. They also have 5 INTs from freshman Collin Russel and 5 sacks from senior Chad Wiebelhaus. Strasburg defensively must be able to stop the run this week. Strasburg cannot allow Centauri to run the ball with efficiency this week. Also, Strasburg must be ready for Centauri to throw the ball as they had good success against Limon defense. Offensively on the season though Strasburg is a run heavy offense with the ability to throw the football. Strasburg is led at the QB position by Jacob Miller 347 yards passing 5 TDs and 2 INTs. His stats may not jump off the page but since he has taken over at the QB position this offense has flourished. Jacob Miller also has 455 yards rushing and 7 TDs, so his presence is also felt when he runs the ball. Leading Strasburg in running and is the main cog of this offense is RB Hunter Bergstorm 1276 yards rushing and 22 TDs. He must have a big game this week for Strasburg to be effective especially against this very good defense. QB Jacob Miller must also be effective throwing the ball to help take pressure off the running attack. Strasburg must get production on offense this week. Their offense will be tested by a very good Centauri defense.
Strasburg will be looking to pull off one more upset this week to snag a repeat. Strasburg offense will be tested this week. Centauri has a very solid defense and Strasburg offense must find way to score points. Strasburg defense may need to come up with some big stops. If their offense does struggle Strasburg cannot allow Centauri to run wild like Bennett did. Strasburg defense must prevent big plays this week and Centauri has proven now that they can throw the ball and adds a new element for Strasburg to defend. Centauri defensively will be tested by Strasburg. In the playoffs only 1 team has kept Strasburg under 30 points and that was Burlington. Centauri defense must have a big day and really, they will be the deciding factor in this game. Strasburg has proven they can play both defensive style games with the 21-0 shutout over Burlington but also proved they can score with anyone like their last week game. Centauri defense must contain Strasburg and force them to grind out against this very physical defense. Centauri offense though must be ready to score points. Centauri offense has played solid but must get better production from their rushing attack. This will be a good game I don’t think it will be a shootout. Both teams are very unfamiliar with each other and this will be a grind it out style game. Most people would probably put Strasburg as the favorite especially after their upset win over Bennett. This game to me does not feel like there is a favorite as both teams are very good. I am going with Centauri in this game though. I feel Centauri defense will be the difference in this game and I don’t think either team with break 30. I am going Centauri 24 Strasburg 17.
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