Class 2A Football Semifinal Preview

Picture by Danielle Bynum (Delta vs Classical Academy)

Class 2A Football Semifinal Preview

By: Anthony Garcia

We are down to the final four teams in Class 2A. Both games look to be phenomenal matchups and should make for a great weekend of Football. Both games in Class 2A will be on Saturday. Good Luck to all four teams as they push to make a bid for the State Championship.

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#1 Delta vs #12 Moffat County, Saturday at 1pm

Delta enters as the top seeded team in the Class 2A State Playoff Bracket. Delta comes into the Semifinals following an exciting 16 to 14 win over #9 Classical Academy. This was a phenomenal game and came down to defense. Delta and TCA were tied at 14 when a great Delta punt pinned TCA on the 2-yard line. Delta then made the play of the game when inside pressure from RIPP Lockhart and edge pressure from Tucker Johnson forced a tackle for a loss and the game winning safety. Delta thru the game was powered by their defense who forced 1 turnover and a sack in the game. Delta also had four players break 10 tackles in the game they were: Talan Hulet, Caleb Richman, Tucker Johnson, and Ripp Lockhart. Offensively Delta did have a few turnovers but were able to find success. Delta had 321 yards of total offense in the game but 4 turnovers in the game. RB Talan Hulet led all rushers with 127 yards. QB Ty Reed led the offense with 84 yards passing, 62 yards rushing, and 2 Total TDs.

Moffat County enters as the #12 seeded team in the Class 2A State Playoff Bracket. Moffat County is coming off back-to-back upsets and their latest victim was #4 Berthoud who they defeated 14 to 13. Moffat County struck quick taking a 14 to 7 lead after the first quarter. We would not see another score from Moffat County, but their defense came to play holding Berthoud to just 6 points in the remaining 3 Quarters. Moffat County offensively had a solid day racking up 345 yards of total offense but did have 2 turnovers in the game. QB Evan Beaver continued his stellar play this season passing for 164 yards and 2 passing TDs. The rushing attack was led by RB Ian Hafey who rushed for 121 yards and 1 rushing TD. Defensively Moffat County had a great game plan holding Berthoud to just 13 points in the game. Moffat County forced 2 turnovers in the game a pair of Fumble Recovery’s by Hudson Jones. Moffat County also had 3 players with over 9 tackles in the game Caleb Squires, Kenny Frederickson, and Evan Beaver.

These two teams have not meet each other in the playoffs just once since 2012. These two teams have 2 common opponents. Delta went 2-0 defeating Bayfield 49-0 and Rifle 28-7. Moffat County went 1-1 defeating Bayfield 42-33 and falling to Rifle 42-20. Delta was your runner up last season falling in the State Championship to Eaton. Delta is on a solid run making the playoffs every year but one since 2012. Moffat County made the playoffs last season falling in the first round to The Classical Academy 38 to 21. Moffat County has made the playoffs every year since 2019.

#3 Rifle vs #15 Eaton, Saturday at 1pm

Rifle enters the matchup as the #3 seeded team in the Class 2A State Playoff Bracket. Rifle moved into the Semifinals with a 35 to 28 win over #6 University. This was a phenomenal matchup living up to the hype with Rifle grabbing the shootout win over University. Rifle offensively had a solid day racking up 336 yards of total offense. The rushing attack led the way with 287 yards. QB Logan Gross led the way offensively with 49 yards passing, 223 yards rushing, and 3 rushing TDs. RB Isaac Valencia is also a big cog in the offense and look for him to have a big game this week. Defensively Rifle made enough stops to grab the 7-point win. Rifle forced 1 turnover in the game an INT by Isaac Valencia. Rifle had 3 players break the 8 tackle mark with Ryland Lane, Isaac Valencia, and Jesus Martinez all breaking that mark.

Eaton enters as the #15 seeded team in the Class 2A State Playoff Bracket. Eaton moved into the Semifinals with a 17 to 14 win over #10 Pagosa Springs. Eaton continues their hopes of the Four-peat and again pulled out back-to-back 3-point wins. Eaton was trailing in the 4^th Quarter 14 to 10, and they got a late passing TD to get the 3-point win. Offensively Eaton was limited to just 118 yards of total offense, but special teams made some key plays. QB Connor Davey led all offensive players with 97 yards passing and 1 passing TD. RB DeAngelo Rosas was limited in the game but will be key if Eaton plans on a third consecutive upset. The big special teams play came from freshman Austin Bright who took a kickoff return for a TD. Defensively Eaton played outstanding keeping their team in the game and limiting Pagosa Springs to just 14 points. Eaton did not force any turnovers in the game but once again had a big special teams play with a blocked punt and a sack by Andrew Loyd. Eaton had four players break the 10-tackle mark in: Aiden Adams, Cooper Nider, Cal Sidwell, and Andrew Loyd.

These two teams have meet each other in the playoffs just once since 2014 with Rifle defeating Eaton in 2018. These two teams have 1 common opponents. Rifle went 1-0 defeating University 35 to 28. Eaton went 0-1 falling to University 20 to 6. Rifle made the playoffs last season reaching the Quarterfinals before falling to Montezuma-Cortez. Rifle since dropping to Class 2A in 2018 has made the playoffs every year but one. Eaton is your Three Time Defending State Champions. Eaton has been on an impressive run making the playoffs every season since 2014.