Class 2A Football Playoff Predictions & Preview
First, this is just my opinion. I would love to hear or see your thoughts on how the 2A bracket turns out. Second, Good Luck to all teams! I do not cheer against any teams.
Class 2A Playoff Predictions 1st Round Only
#1 Delta over #16 Alamosa
Delta will be heavily favored in this game. I believe this is the third straight year Alamosa and Delta have faced off with Delta going 2-0 against Alamosa. Delta will continue to lean on their very good defense. Delta has given up just 44 points on the season. Caleb Richman and Tucker Johnson lead the defense for Delta. Offensively Delta can put up points and attack in a balanced manner. Delta has QB Ty Reed leading the show and he has a combined 1600 yards of total offense. RB Jovanny Romero and Talan Hulet lead the rushing attack combined they have over 1200 yards rushing.
Alamosa is playing their best football winning 4 straight games including the key win over Florence to help get them into the playoffs. Alamosa defensively will look to slow down Delta offense and must be aggressive against the run. Landon Garcia & RJ Meis are the leaders on defense. Offensively Alamosa will look for their dual threat QB Dyson Woodward to have a big game. RB RJ Meis and WR Brant Jackson must also have huge games for Alamosa to pull the upset.
#8 Basalt over #9 Classical Academy
In my opinion the best game of the first round. Basalt has been a regular in the State Playoffs in Class 2A. Basalt will be tasked with stopping the run this week defensively. Basalt, after giving up over 28 points in back-to-back games has clamped down to end the season. Mav Dombrowski and Noah Johnston lead Basalt on defense. Offensively Basalt wants to run the ball effectively. Basalt must establish the running game to have success this week. RB Will Tarallo and RB William Daniel both are over 1000 yards rushing on the season. QB Noah Johnston is also key to opening up the running game and must have a solid game.
Classical Academy enters the playoffs on a two-game losing streak and will be looking to snap that streak. TCA offensively started the season on fire but in their final two games scored just 21 combined points. QB Andrew Brown has powered the offense with over 1000 yards passing. The rushing attack must get going this week and look for RB Riley Romine and RB Jackson Schipfer to get going this week. Defensively TCA must stop the run. TCA can advance by forcing Basalt to throw the ball. Gabriel Wright and Michael Wu are key to stopping the rushing attack of Basalt.
#4 Berthoud over #13 Wellington
Berthoud capped off their perfect regular season with the league title. Berthoud will be the heavy favorite in this game with plenty of playoff experience from last year coming back. Berthoud all season has been one of the top defensive teams in Class 2A giving up just 47 points on the year. Leading the Berthoud on defense is led by Aiden Mcgrath and Joey Finnegan. Offensively Berthoud has also been firing on all cylinders. RB Alex Larson is the main workhorse with over 1250 yards rushing. QB Darin Davidson has also made key improvements this season with 932 yards passing and 0 INTs. Berthoud will be tasked with stopping the run this week.
Wellington is in the second year of their program. They have taken huge strides already running the table and winning their league title. Wellington made the biggest improvements to their defense this season. Wellington has yet to give up over 21 points this season. This team is still very young as well so expect more improvement. Tyler Shaffer and Azuya Gracey lead the defense for Wellington. Offensively Wellington must be able to run the ball effectively to have success. Tanner Gray and Cash Altschwager both have over 900 yards rushing and combined 30 TDs. Wellington must have success running the ball but on defense must be able to stop the run against a big Berthoud team.
#5 Elizabeth over #12 Moffat County
Since 2019 both teams have been regulars in the playoffs. I believe this will be a very interesting game. Elizabeth is looking to make their first big run in the playoffs as they have fallen in the first round or Quarterfinals. Elizabeth offensively will look to power themselves with the rushing attack. RB Cooper Connelley and RB Cash Randle both have over 680 yards rushing on the season. QB Gavin Garcia is also key to opening the running game up. Defensively Elizabeth has been stout giving up just 80 points on the season. Elizabeth in their lone loss to Kent Denver gave up just 17 points which was the most of the season. Elizabeth this week must slow down the passing attack of Moffat County and prevent big plays.
Moffat County finished second in the western slope which most people were not expecting. Moffat County defense has been the key to their success. They have stepped up in big games and held opponents like giving up just 14 points to 3A Resurrection Christian or just 6 points to Basalt. Moffat County this week must be able to stop the multiple running threat of Basalt. Look for Zach Hedman and Kenny Frederickson to play big against the run. Offensively Moffat County loved to throw the ball around the yard with QB Evan Beaver racking up 1790 yards passing. WR Bryant Carlson and RBs Zach Hedman and Ian Hafey are also key to the Moffat County offense. Moffat County must be able to stop the run this week to pull the upset.
#2 Kent Denver over #15 Eaton
Kent Denver is having one of their best season since 2018 when they last made the playoffs. Kent Denver has surprised many teams this season by going undefeated and winning the Colorado League. Kent Denver calling card all season has been defense giving up just 42 points on the year including 7 to Elizabeth and 14 to Classical Academy. Kent Denver defensively is led by Tripp Skewes and Will Howard. Offensively Kent Denver started the season slow but woke up big breaking the 40-point mark in 6 games. QB Yianni Balafas leads the offense with 1704 yards passing. RB Wyatt Walker and WR Alex Padalino are also key to the Kent Denver offense. This week Kent Denver must be tough against both the run and pass. They must also play physical against the defending State Champions.
Eaton had a small retooling season this year going 6-3 but finishing second in their league. Eaton started the year going 0-2 but ran off 6 wins in 7 games. Eaton offensively has been balanced in their attack. QB Connor Davey leads the offense with 1130 yards passing. RB Deangelo Rosas is also key with 605 yards rushing on the season. Defensively Eaton has made key improvements as the season has gone on. Cooper Nider and Zack Maske are the leaders of the Eaton defense. Eaton must be able to slow the passing attack of Kent Denver. Eaton must also get the offense going if they want to pull the upset. I believe this is a very intriguing matchup between the newcomer to the playoffs and tons of experience for Eaton.
#7 La Junta over #10 Pagosa Springs
In my opinion the third-best game of the opening round. La Junta looked destined to be going undefeated and more than likely a top 5 seed. La Junta was then upset on the road by Florence and fell to the #7 seed and face an opponent they have faced this season. La Junta this season has been powered by their defense. La Junta has only given up over 20 points once this season. Dilan Ruiz and AJ Martinez are the leaders for La Junta. Offensively La Junta is led by the two headed attack of QB Rylan Schmidt and RB Ethan Leyba. Both are responsible for over 2200 yards of total offense. La Junta has faced Pagosa Springs already this season with La Junta grabbing the 22-7 win so expect a great game this time around. La Junta must be able to stop the run to have any success against Pagosa.
Pagosa Springs had a solid season going 6-3 win with all three losses coming against playoff teams. Pagosa Springs also has some solid wins over playoff teams and Pagosa is coming into the playoffs on a 4-game winning streak. Offensively Pagosa Springs likes to spread teams out but still likes to run the ball first. RB Gavin Lindahl is key to the Pirates offense. Lindahl has over 1200 yards rushing this season. QB Creede Dozier has also been a key component for the Pirate offense. Defensively Pagosa Springs has played well most of the season. Pagosa Springs has given up over 20 points twice this season. Pagosa Springs has held some very good offense to under 20 points including Delta and Alamosa. Harley Armijo and Connor Kelly are the leaders for the Pirate offense. If Pagosa Springs plans on pulling the upset, they must be able to stop the run this week.
#6 University over #11 Florence
In my opinion the second-best game of the opening round. This should be a great game with two physical teams. University went 7-2 this season and won the Patriot East League. University has been powered by their defense which has held all opponents besides three to under 20 points. Giovanni De Santiago and Gage Schminke are the leaders for the University defense. Offensively University has broken the 20-point mark in 7 of their 9 games this season. University is powered by QB Coel Croissant and RB Brevon Doss both has accounted for over 2000 yards of total offense this season. University to advance must stop the rushing attack of Florence.
Florence looked destined to be the #15 or #14 seed for a while then they pulled off their biggest win of the year defeating La Junta. Florence then jumped up to the #11 seed and will be looking for the upset. Florence offensively has been powered by their rushing attack. RB Luguse Nuss has been the lead back with over 800 yards rushing. QB Tanner Wrast also has emerged as the main QB for Florence. Defensively Florence has played tough this season. They were able to hold La Junta to 13 points and get a huge upset. Tanner Wrast and Gunner Busetti are the leaders for the Florence defense. Florence, to pull the upset, must control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
#3 Rifle over #14 Brush
Rifle went 8-1 this season and won the Western Slope League. Rifle lone loss on the season is to #1 Delta back in September and since that loss have won 6 straight games. Offensively Rifle has just 1 game where they were held under 20 points and that was against Delta. The other 8 games they have broken the 20-point mark. Offensively Rifle is led by QB Logan Gross who accounts for 2000 yards of total offense. RB Isaac Valencia and WR Sterling Cook have also been keys to the Rifle offense. Defensively Rifle has been tough and have only given up over 28 points once this season. Jesus Martinez and Kevin Arviso are leaders for the Rifle defense. Rifle and Brush have played each this season with Rifle getting the 28 to 14 win. Rifle will look to stop the run this week and play physical.
Brush went 6-3 this season and finished second in the Patriot East League. Brush has played physical all season, especially on defense. Brush defensively is led by Ritchie Bruno and Cole Curtis. Brush this week must slow down the Rifle offense which they did the last time holding them to 28 points. Offensively Brush wants to run the ball and must to find success. RB Ritchie Bruno is key to the Brush offense. Bruno has over 1100 yards of rushing. RB Tanner Ludgate and QB Eric Rico are also key factors to the Brush offense. Brush must control the line of scrimmage and establish their style of play. As mentioned, this should be a very physical game. I think it could turn into a defense struggle since they have already played each other.
Class 2A Entire Bracket Filled Out
Here is my entire bracket picked.
MileHigh Prep Report 