First Round Football Thoughts (Class 2A thru 6-Man)
I have decided to do a new article for the playoffs and talk about the previous rounds and give some thoughts on the games. I am going to do 3 different categories. One-expected result, Two-biggest surprise, and three-most impressive win (Not an upset), I will do this for all four classes. If the game was not listed, then I felt did not meet the criteria.
Any playoff win is a big win for the Football Program regardless.
Class 2A
Expected Results
#1 Delta over #16 Alamosa 49 to 14
Delta took care of business against Alamosa. They are pushing to make a return trip to the State Championship. Delta did get off to a bit of a slow start against Alamosa. It was tied early in the 2nd quarter before Delta pushed it to a 28 to 7 lead at halftime.
#4 Berthoud over #13 Wellington 38 to 6
Berthoud jumped out quick on Wellington taking a 24 to 6 lead into halftime. Berthoud then put up two more scores in the 3rd Quarter to get us to the 38 to 6 final score. Berthoud played great defense which has been their calling card all season.
Most Impressive Win
#6 University over #11 Florence 40 to 15
This was a very tight game at halftime with Florence up 7 to 6. University was able to take the lead going into the third quarter 19 to 15 but this was still very close. University then had an explosion of points and put the game away. I am impressed with the fight of both teams but, University had a great 4th quarter where things matter the most.
#3 Rifle over #14 Brush 21 to 14
You know how the saying goes it is very tough to beat a team twice in the same season. Well, Rifle was able to hold on in this game and get their second win over a good Brush team. I knew this was going to be a very close game and it was. Rifle turned to their rushing attack to get this win and their defense made key plays to keep the lead.
#9 Classical Academy over #8 Basalt 40 to 19
On paper this was an upset, but I feel this was not an upset. Thru most of the year TCA was ranked ahead of Basalt. Basalt was young this season and this was key experience for this team heading into next year. TCA and Basalt had both ended the season on down notes. TCA came out hot in this game taking a 17-0 lead into halftime. TCA never looked back and got into the Quarterfinals.
Biggest Surprise
I think 2A has the most surprises of the first round. 4 total upsets by seed and I think 3 true upsets.
#15 Eaton over #2 Kent Denver 31 to 28
Let’s get things rolling with the biggest upset of the first round. Eaton is your 3-time defending state champions, and they will not go down without a fight which I mentioned in my 2A article. Eaton has the experience and proved to be the big difference in the game. Kent Denver started hot with a 21 to 10 lead in the first quarter, but Eaton stiffened up in the second half holding Kent Denver to just 7 points. Huge win for Eaton and they face another double-digit seed as they hope to reach the semifinals.
#10 Pagosa Springs over #7 La Junta 14 to 7
Speaking of the double-digit seed Eaton will face Pagosa Springs who pulled off a big upset on La Junta 14 to 7. This was a defensive slugfest with Pagosa Springs getting the only score in the second half. Pagosa avenged their 22 to 6 loss to La Junta from back in September.
#12 Moffat County over #5 Elizabeth
Two of these three upsets caught me by surprise. Eaton over Kent Denver surprised me, and I knew Pagosa could pull the upset especially with how close their first meeting was. Moffat County over Elizabth was a shocker. Elizabeth had just picked up a huge win over TCA, so I thought they had momentum. Moffat County played outstanding defense against the run and were able to secure the win.
Class 1A
Expected Result
#1 Limon over #16 Cedaredge 42 to 7
Limon cruised in this game having 42 points by the second quarter. Limon gained some valuable playoff experience for their young players.
#2 Holyoke over #15 Platte Canyon 42-0
This was a 15-0 game at halftime. Holyoke came out after halftime fired up and took the kickoff return for a TD. Holyoke was explosive after that score and took control of the game.
Most Impressive Win
#5 Buena Vista over #12 C.S Christian 27-21
I knew this was going to be a very close game and it lived up to the expectations. Buena Vista had a great first quarter establishing a 13-0 lead. C.S Christian fought back and going into the fourth quarter Buena Vista had a 20 to 13 lead. Buena Vista was able to get one last score in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Buena Vista had a great game from their defense forcing C.S Christian to be on dimensional and Buena Vista ground attack had a fantastic day.
#8 Banning Lewis over #9 Wiggins 21 to 2
Talk about a dominate defensive performance for Banning Lewis. Banning Lewis played exceptional against the run and was able to keep the Wiggins offense off the board. Banning Lewis will hope their defense can play that sound next week as they look to upset the #1 team in the state.
#3 Gunnison over #14 Yuma 28 to 14
Defense, Defense, and more Defense was they name of this game. Gunnison took a 7 to 0 lead into halftime. Gunnison did get things rolling offensively in the second half scoring 21 points to take a 28 to 0 lead into the fourth quarter. Gunnison will hope their defense can continue to play at that high standard the rest of the playoffs.
Biggest Surprise
#7 Wray over #10 Centauri 59 to 27
This game started out fast and furious with Wray jumping out to a 13 to 0 lead. Centauri struck back quick and very early in the 1st quarter the score was 19 to 13. Wray put together a very impressive next offensive drive pushing the score to 26 to 13 and they never looked back. Wray defensively put on a show holding Centauri offensively to minimal yards while the varsity was playing. Wray offensively also was explosive with QB Casey Midcap and RB Samuel Meisner showing how deadly they are. Also, shoutout to WR Aaron Tena who had a fantastic day at WR.
Other Games to Note
#6 Strasburg defeated #11 North Fork 21 to 0. This was a great win for Strasburg in what I expected to be a defensive game. Strasburg has key experience back and they will look for the upset in the Quarterfinals.
#4 Meeker defeated #13 Highland 20 to 7. Highland gave Meeker all they could handle in the first half before Meeker pulled way with defense and a ground attack that got rolling. Meeker will hope to fix any mistakes they had on offense to prepare for League opponent Buena Vista.
8-Man Football
Expected Result
#1 Mancos over #16 Fowler 52 to 0
Mancos came out and dominated on both side of the ball to open the 2023 Playoffs. Mancos had 46 points by halftime and were able to get key experience for some of the younger players.
#2 Simla over #15 Front Range Christian 42 to 0
Simla came out and took care of business against FRC. Simla had rolling clock by halftime as they also were able to get some younger players in the game. Simla had a big day on offense eclipsing the 400 yards of offense mark.
#3 Haxtun over #14 Calhan 50 to 0
Haxtun was able to kick off their 2023 playoff campaign the way they hoped. Haxtun put up 50 points in the first half enroute to a win. Haxtun was also able to get younger players in. Haxtun had over 300 yards of total offense.
#4 Lyons over #13 Akron 60 to 12
Lyons kicked off their 2023 playoff campaign with a solid win. Lyons took a 32 to 6 lead into halftime and never looked back getting running clock in the 3rd quarter. Lyons defensively played well against the run and were able to limit them when that starters were in.
Most Impressive Wins
#7 Merino over #10 McClave 16 to 12
What a game! Merino and McClave played great defensively. This game came down to a final drive by Merino to capture the lead. This was a very even game by two teams who left it all out on the field.
#6 Byers over #11 Sanford 28 to 16
This was a battle the whole game. Sanford took a early lead of 16 to 14 but Byers clamped down defensively and pitched the shutout in the remaining three quarters. Byers offensively got a pair of scores in the 2nd and 3rd quarter to put this game away. The main takeaway was Byers played great defensively.
#5 Dove Creek over #12 Vail Christian 54 to 34
Despite some injuries for Dove Creek, they were able to come away with a high scoring victory over Vail Christian. QB Colten Fury had a career day in this game and was needed as a key offensive weapon was hurt. Dove Creek defensively also had some key stops to allow them to pull away.
Biggest Surprise
#9 Sedgwick County over #8 West Grand 56 to 26
Many people do not call this an upset and I would probably agree. Sedgwick County was able to dominate in this game against West Grand. Sedgwick County had a game plan and were able to dominate in the game. Sedgwick County jumped out to a 36 to 6 lead in the opening quarter and never looked back pushing the lead to 48 to 12 at halftime. Sedgwick County will look for the upset next week.
6-Man Football
Expected Result
#1 Stratton over #16 Hanover 56 to 16
Stratton made quick work in this game jumping out to a big lead and getting their younger players into the game. Stratton has their focus on just one goal this season.
#2 Otis over #15 Primero 56 to 14
Otis was able to dominate the line of scrimmage and took a 50 to 0 lead into halftime. Otis used their defense to put pressure on Primero and took advantage of the short fields. Otis will be tested on the line of scrimmage next week.
#4 Idalia over #13 Eads 55 to 0
Idalia showed that last week’s result against Eads was not a mistake. Idalia made key stops defensively and got the offense rolling to push them to the big win.
Most Impressive Wins
#6 Cheyenne Wells over #11 La Veta 64 to 18
Cheyenne Wells may be playing some of the best football in 6-man. They came out hot against La Veta taking a 30 to 12 lead after the first quarter and pushing it to 52 to 18 at halftime. Cheyenne Wells is playing physical football and look for them to be a real threat the rest of the way.
#7 Branson/Kim over #10 Peetz 39 to 37
I picked this to be an upset and Branson/Kim responded by playing physical football and getting a key score in the third quarter. This was a fantastic game with Peetz snagging the early 15 to 12 lead in he first quarter. Branson/Kim won the second quarter but still trailed going into halftime 29 to 27. Branson/Kim then got the only score in the third quarter and that was all they needed to grab the 39 to 37 win.
#3 Granada over #14 Genoa-Hugo 39 to 38
Granada had a key injury but fought to the end as both teams left everything out on the field. Granada trailed going into the fourth quarter but had a furious comeback that saw them snag the lead late in the game. This was a great game but both teams fought to the end and made for a great game.
#5 Walsh over #12 Briggsdale 29 to 14
Walsh was able to play tough defense and get their first playoff win since 2014. Briggsdale took the early 14 to 6 lead in the first quarter before Walsh stiffened up on defense and locked things down. Walsh held Briggsdale scoreless the rest of the way and scored in every quarter to get the win.
Most Surprising Win
#8 Sierra Grande over #9 Arickaree 66 to 20
Sierra Grande had a great game plan and were able to get a playoff win at home against Arickaree. Sierra Grande were able to jump out to a quick start taking a 14 to 6 lead in the first quarter. Sierra Grande then had a great second quarter and took a 38 to 12 lead into halftime. Sierra Grande defensively also played physical against the run and were able to make key stops against Arickaree in the redzone.
MileHigh Prep Report 