Class 1A Football Quarterfinal Prediction Breakdown
Playoff Football Time! A great first round and one upset in the first round. I think the quarterfinal round will be very good with all 4 games being competitive. Good Luck to all teams this week
#1 Limon over #8 North Fork
Limon cruised into the quarterfinals defeating Bennett 45-0 in the first round. Limon scored all 45 points in the first half and had a great second quarter scoring 37 points. Limon defensively pitched the shutout and forced 4 turnovers in the process. Offensively Limon racked up 333 yards of total offense. RB Jeremiah Leeper and RB Gabe Schubarth led the way offensively. Limon will now look to face another run heavy team in the Quarterfinals in North Fork.
North Fork moved into the quarterfinals with a 38-25 win over Wiggins. North Fork had a big day on offense and their defense mad key stops on Wiggins. North Fork defensively played stout against the run holding Wiggins to just 55 yards passing. North Fork also forced 3 turnovers, 2 sacks, and 8 TFL on defense. Offensively North Fork had a big day racking up 451 yards of total offense. QB Hunter Moreno had his biggest day of his career passing for 261 yards. Blaine Peebles also had a big day with 270 yards of total offense. North Fork now has its eyes on an upset of Limon
I am going with Limon over North Fork. These two teams have 2 common opponents. Limon defeated Meeker and Wiggins during the regular season. North Fork went 1-1 losing to Meeker but defeating Wiggins last week. North Fork will have to play their best defensive game of the season to slow down the rushing attack of Limon. North Fork offensively must also have an effective rushing attack. Limon will look to avoid the upset. Limon will turn to their stout defense to stop the run and look for their rushing attack to get going again this week. I am picking Limon over North Fork due to Limon stout defense and their power rushing attack. I do think this will be a close game as both teams feature talented defenses.
#5 Wray over #4 Florence
Florence moved into the quarterfinals with a 23 to 0 win over Monte Vista. Florence had just a 6-0 lead thru 3 quarters of play. Florence scored 17 points in the 4th quarter capped off with a pick 6 to push them ahead of Monte Vista. Defensively Florence played great holding the rushing attack of Monte Vista to just 17 yards. Florence also forced 3 INTs. Offensively Florence did find some rhythm in the 4th quarter, but they were limited in their attack. RB Lincoln Nix and RB Jacob Kennedy both had solid days running the ball. Florence now meets a all-familiar playoff opponent in Wray.
Wray advanced into the quarterfinals with a 34-9 win over Highland. Wray used a strong defensive effort in this game to push themselves to the win. Defensively Wray played good holding Highland to just 179 yards of total offense. Wray also forced 2 turnovers and 7.5 tackles for loss. Offensively Wray had a solid day racking up 365 yards of total offense. Wray was led by QB Casey Midcap along with RB Caeden Bauer. Wray now looks to hit the road to upset Florence in the Quarterfinals.
I am going with Wray over Florence. These two teams have one common opponent in Holyoke. Both teams were victorious with Wray winning 28-11 and Florence winning 36-15. These two teams have meet previously in the Playoffs and both teams match up well. Florence to win must keep their stout defense going and look for another big day on the ground for their rushing attack. Wray to pull the upset must get the rushing attack going and look for their QB to have a mistake free day. This game is my pick for game of the week and should be a great game. I am picking Wray over Florence because I think Wray offensively can move the ball and defensively keep Florence in check. This will be a good game and don’t expect much difference in score.
#2 Centauri over #10 Yuma
Centauri cruised into the quarterfinals with a 45-6 win over Peyton. Centauri made quick work of Peyton scoring 45 points in the first half and getting the mercy rule going. Centauri defensively pitched the shutout till the fourth quarter when Peyton final got on the board. Centauri forced 4 INTs and had two defensive touchdowns in the game. Offensively Centauri only needed 291 yards of total offense. QB Byron Shawcroft and RB Deven Brady had solid games. Centauri special teams also had a punt return for a TD. Centauri will not hit the road to face a physical Yuma team.
Yuma was able to pull the upset in the first round upsetting #7 Strasburg 35-20. Yuma took a 14-6 lead into halftime and were able to secure the win outscoring Strasburg 21-14 in the 4th quarter to secure the win. Defensively Yuma limited Strasburg to 271 yards of total offense. Yuma also forced 2 INTs and played tough against the run. Offensively Yuma got things going on the ground rushing for 293 yards. QB/RB Clay Robinson and RB Yahir Trejo both had solid days on the ground. Yuma will now look for another upset in the Quarterfinals when they host Centauri.
I am picking Centauri over Yuma. Centauri and Yuma have 2 common opponents this season in Wray and Strasburg. Centauri went 2-0 defeating both Wray and Strasburg. Yuma is 1-2 against those opponents losing to Wray but splitting with Strasburg on the season. Yuma to pull the upset must take care of the football and avoid big plays. Yuma offensively also must be able to run the football effectively. Centauri to avoid the upset must continue to play physical football. Centauri offensively must continue to have solid games from their QB and have a solid rushing attack. Defensively Centauri must stop the run. I am going with Centauri over Yuma because I think Centauri defense will have some success stopping the run. I do think this will also be a tough game and don’t expect more than a 21-point difference in this game.
#3 Buena Vista over #6 Meeker
Buena Vista rolled into the quarterfinals with a 42-14 win over Gunnison in the first round. Buena Vista jumped out to a 35-point lead heading into halftime and put things away in the third quarter scoring again. Buena Vista defensively played well in the first half pitching the shutout and did not give up a TD until the 3rd quarter when the mercy rule was going. Offensively Buena Vista had a big day racking up 351 yards of total offense. QB Haden Camp had a solid day and so did RB Jacob Phelps. Buena Vista will host Meeker in a rematch from earlier in the season.
Meeker moved into the quarterfinals with a hard fought 42 to 35 win over Holyoke in the first round. Meeker battled tough in this game and were trailing at one point 21-7. Meeker was able to push for the tie before halftime and it was all tied up 21 to 21 at halftime. The difference in the game was a lone 3rd quarter TD which gave Meeker the lead. Holyoke did battle back and tied the game up at 35. Meeker had the ball last and that proved to be the difference. Meeker now must quickly refocus and get ready for a revenge match with Buena Vista.
I am going with Buena Vista over Meeker. This will be a great game and when these two teams meet up in September the score was 17-14 with the difference being a FG. I don’t expect much difference other than Meeker being a bit more worn out from a hard fought first round game. Both teams feature great defenses and this is a game I am looking forward to.
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