Class 2A Football Preview-Opening Round
By: Anthony Garcia
Playoff Football is upon us. The current snowstorm is hitting the southern and eastern part of Colorado hard and could impact times. Currently only 1, 2A game has been moved to Sunday. Class 2A has been one of the craziest seasons with upsets weekly and I think we are in for an exciting playoff run. Good Luck to all teams.
#1 Strasburg vs #16 Denver West, Saturday at 11am
Strasburg comes in at 8-1 and the #1 overall seed in the Class 2A Bracket. Strasburg is riding a 3-game winning streak into the playoffs with their last loss coming on 10/4 to Elizabeth and that was essentially the league title game. Strasburg played one of the tougher schedule in Class 2A facing 5 playoff teams going 4-1. Strasburg offensively is led by QB Brody Hopwood who is having a breakout year passing for 912 yards, 13 TDs, and just 3 INTs. RB Ayden Dodge also is having a great season with 1080 yards rushing and 10 rushing TDs. WR Cade Hemphill (19/320/6) is the leading receiver for Strasburg. Defensively Ethan Freeman is the leader with 90 tackles & 10 TFL. Cade Hemphill has 3 INTs; Ian Ross & Jorge Parra have 2.5 sacks.
Denver West comes in a 7-2 overall and was the final team into the Class 2A Playoffs. Denver West made the playoffs something they have not done in over 15+ years. Denver West started the season hot winning 5 straight games but ended the season going 2-2 with losses to TCA and D’Evelyn. Denver West faced just 1 playoff team during the regular season losing that game. Denver West offensively is led by QB Marcelo Ortiz who has 621 yards, 13 TDs, and 3 INTs. RB Freddy Lucero is also having a solid season with 417 yards rushing and 4 TDs. WR Robert Wittke (25/473/9) is the main passing target of the Cowboys offense. Defensively Aries Uong is the leader with 53 tackles and 18 TFL. Aries Uong also provides great QB pressures with 5 sacks and Robert Wittke benefits with the pressure with 9 INTs.
Series: These two teams did not meet during the MaxPreps Era.
#8 Delta vs #9 Wellington, Saturday at 1pm
Delta comes into the matchup at 7-2 overall and a second-place finish in the West League. Delta comes in riding a four-game winning streak with their last loss coming on 10/4 to Basalt 30 to 14. Delta played 3 playoff teams this season going 2-1 in those contests. Offensively QB Ty Reed leads the offense with 1155 yards passing, 13 TDs, and 4 INTs while also rushing for 445 yards and 14 rushing TDs. RB Nay Soe is having a big year rushing for 939 yards and 13 TDs. WR Landen Horn (28/343/4) is the top target for the Panther Offense. Defensively Rhett Miramontes leads the defense with 84 tackles and 3 TFL. Ty Reed & Deacon Shean each have 3 INTs while Ripp Lockhart has 11 TFL and 63 Tackles.
Wellington comes into the contest at 7-2 overall and a second-place finish in the North League. Wellington comes in riding a 4-game winning streak with their last loss coming on 10/4 to Berthoud 14 to 6. Wellington played 3 playoff teams going 1-2 in those contests. Wellington offensively is led by RB Cash Altschwager who has rushed for 1134 yards and 9 TDs. QB Tanner Gray is a solid #2 weapon with 491 passing yards, 4 TD, and 6 INTs while rushing for 430 yards and 9 rushing TDs. The third weapon rushing the ball is RB Cyle Kisner who rushed for 575 yards and 12 TDs. Defensively Tyler Shaffer leads the defense with 67 tackles and 4 TFL. Tanner Gray leads the pass rushing with 4 sacks while Seamus Pike has 4 INTs and 3 forced fumbles.
Series: These two teams did not meet during the MaxPreps Era.
#4 Elizabeth vs #13 Eaton, Saturday at 1pm
Elizabeth comes into the playoffs at 7-2 overall and are the East League Champions. Elizabeth has won 5 straight games with their last loss coming on 9/27 to Pagosa Springs. Elizabeth faced 3 playoffs teams during the regular season going 1-2 in those contests. Elizabeth is led by RB Tristan McCray who has rushed for 961 yards and 13 TDs. QB Joaquin Aviles and QB Griffin Widhalm have split time at QB this season. Defensively Wes Noe leads the defense with 98 tackles and 5 TFL and Caden Long is another big part of the defense with 14 TFL and 7 Sacks. Coalton Crowner is #2 in tackles with 57.
Eaton comes into the playoffs at 5-4 overall and finished in 3rd place in the tough North League. Eaton will be looking to shake off a loss as their last game was a 33 to 15 loss to Berthoud and Eaton is 1-2 in their final 3 games. Eaton faced 5 playoff teams during the regular season going 1-4 against those teams. QB Andrew Loyd leads the offense with 1025 yards passing, 11 TDs, and 3 INTs. RB Liam Whalen powers the rushing attack with 617 yards and 5 TDs while WR Max Blaskowski (24/461/6) is the top target for Eaton. Vinnie Juarez leads the Eaton defense with 79 tackles. Cooper Nider, Austin Bright, and Paxton Pettinger all have 4 sacks while Jackson Savona has 3 INTs on the season.
Series: These two teams have faced each other Once during the MaxPreps era with Eaton winning back in 2019.
#5 Lamar vs #12 Alamosa, Saturday at 1pm
Lamar comes into the playoffs at 8-1 overall and finished second place in the Southeast League. Lamar comes in riding a 3-game winning streak with their last loss coming on 10/11 against Woodland Park. Lamar faced 3 playoff teams this season going 2-1 in those games. Lamar is lead by QB Jacob Dunning 2118 yards passing, 29 TDs, and 4 INTs. Dunning is having a great first year as QB. RB Alex Aguilar leads the rushing attack with 446 yards and 4 TDs and WR Cael Buxton (56/947/12) is one of the top receivers in Class 2A. Diego Estrada and Adriel Gonzalez both lead the Lamar defense, and both have over 100 tackles on the season. Cael Buxton also contributes on defense with 3 INTs and 2 forced fumbles.
Alamosa comes into the contest with a 6-3 record and a second-place finish in the IML. Alamosa comes into the game on a two-game winning streak and their last loss was to Montezuma-Cortez on 10/18. Alamosa faced 5 playoffs teams during the regular season going 2-3 in those contests. QB Dyson Woodward leads the offense with 1057 yards passing, 1187 yards rushing, 8 passing TDs, 12 rushing TDs, and 10 INTs. RB Zane Zook is a solid offensive weapon with 839 yards rushing and 7 rushing TDs and WR Kevin Gonzales Jr. (20/509/3) is the top pass catcher for the Moose. Defensively Landon Garcia leads the Alamosa defense with 70 tackles. Zane Zook provides the QB pressures with 4.5 sacks and 12 TFL and Ryan Higareda & Tony Griego have 3 INTs each.
Series: These two teams have faced each other 12 times since 2010 with Lamar leading the series at 9-3.
#2 Basalt vs #15 The Academy, Saturday at 1pm
Basalt comes into the state playoffs with a perfect 9-0 record and winners of the West League. Basalt as mentioned is undefeated and have outscored opponents 331-82 on the season. Basalt has played two playoff teams this season, going 2-0 in those contests. RB Will Daniel (128/1011/14) and RB Will Tarallo (140/780/10) lead the offense for the longhorns. QB Karson Schneider is having a great season with 948 yards passing, 14 TDs, and 3 INTs and WR Taylor Hays (22/449/10) is the main target. Will Daniel leads the Basalt defense with 100 tackles on the season. Owens Lindt and Herberth Requeno lead the pass rush with 3 sacks each and Taylor Hays has 5 INTs on the season.
The Academy comes into the game at 6-3 overall and finished second in League 7. The Academy is riding a four-game winning streak, and their last loss was 10/4 against Sterling. The Academy faced 3 playoff teams this season, going 0-3 in those contests. The Academy is lead by QB Jase Farmer who has 726 yards passing, 585 yards rushing, 8 passing TDs, 12 rushing TDs, and 7 INTs. RB Jacob Arzberger has rushed for 958 yards and 12 rushing TDs and WR Andres Mendoza (19/297/4) is the top pass catcher for The Academy. Defensively Jacob Arzberger leads the defense with 58 tackles and 11 TFL. Lucas Goebel & Gavin Snortland each have 4 sacks on the season.
Series: These two teams have not faced each other during the MaxPreps era.
#7 Woodland Park vs #10 Sterling, Sunday at 1pm
Woodland Park comes into the playoffs with a 9-0 record and winners of the Southeast League Title. Woodland Park as mentioned is undefeated and have outscored opponents 328 to 78 during the regular season. Woodland Park faced two playoff teams during the regular season, going 2-0 in those games. Woodland Park offensively is led by QB Marquz Schoenberger who has 916 yards passing, 667 yards rushing, 15 passing TDs, 10 rushing TDs, and 0 INTs. RB Trey Reed is another solid offensive weapon with 668 yards rushing and 10 rushing TDs and WR Parker Shreeve (25/403/10) leads all pass catchers for the Panthers. Aidan Hood leads the Panther defense with 75 tackles and 7 TFL. Matteo Pizarro has 6 sacks and Nathan Summeril has 3 INTs.
Sterling enters the contest at 8-1 overall and is coming in with a 7-game winning streak. Sterling’s last loss was a 30-22 loss to Sterling on 9/5. Sterling faced three playoff teams going 2-1 in those contests. Sterling is lead by RB Carter Jaeger who has rushed for 1439 yards and 25 rushing TDs. QB Hunter Diamond is the #2 weapons for Sterling with 761 yards passing, 418 yards rushing, and 9 Total TDs and WR Kaden Maikowski (26/470/4) is the top pass catcher. Defensively Aidan Kiser leads the defense with 81 tackles while Braydon Evans provides QB pressure with 3 sacks. Sam Emmerson has benefited from the pressure with 8 INTs.
Series: These two teams have not faced each other during the MaxPreps era.
#6 Berthoud vs #11 Montezuma-Cortez, Saturday at 1pm
Berthoud comes into the opening round of the playoffs with a 7-2 record and winners of the North League. Berthoud is riding a two-game winning streak with their last loss coming to Resurrection Christian on 10/17. Berthoud faced 3 playoff teams during the regular season going 3-0 in those contests. Offensively QB Skyler Streicher is having a breakout year throwing for 2140 yards, 16 TDs, and 6 INTs. WR Jayden Michaelis (29/641/6) and WR Cade Anderson (43/635/4) also have breakout years and both have over 600 yards receiving. Defensively Ethan Hofmeister and Sam Smith lead the Spartans defense, and both have over 95 tackles on the season. Sam Smith also provides pass coverage with 3 INTs and Benjamin Schroeder has 14.5 TFL on the season.
Montezuma-Cortez comes into the playoffs at 7-2 overall and the Intermountain League Champions. Montezuma-Cortez won the league title last week defeating Bayfield 43-0. Montezuma-Cortez played 3 playoff teams during the regular season going 1-2 in those contests. RB Tay Wheat powers the offense rushing for 1603 yards and 23 rushing TDs. QB Colby Mcmillian is the #2 weapon with 627 yards passing, 419 yards rushing, 16 Total TDs and 3 INTs. The 3rd weapon is WR Parker Conrad (8/253/3) who also rushed for 408 yards and 4 TDs. Rusty Snyder leads the defense with 75 tackles. Wyatt Oliver also contributes on defense with 6 sacks and 11 TFL.
Series: These two teams have not faced each other during the MaxPreps era.
#3 Classical Academy vs #14 Pagosa Springs, Saturday at 1pm
Classical Academy comes into the playoffs undefeated at 9-0. TCA has been dominating during the regular season outscoring opponents 446 to 55. TCA faced 3 playoff teams during the regular season going 3-0 in those contests. QB Andrew Brown powers the offense with 1213 yards passing, 25 Total TDs, and 2 INTs. RB Jackson Schipfer provides the rushing attack with 566 yards and 12 rushing TDs and WR Alex Gould (14/159/3) is the top target for the Titans. Defensively Zack Hale leads the defense with 47 tackles and the interior pressure is proved by Braden Godoy who has 11 TFL. Andrew Richins leads the team in sacks with 4.5.
Pagosa Springs comes into the playoffs at 5-4 overall and finished 4th in the IML. Pagosa Springs ended the season on a rough note going 1-3 in their last four games. Pagosa Springs faced 5 playoff teams during the regular season going 3-2 in those games. RB Colton Lucero powers Pagosa Springs offensively rushing for 1827 yards and 27 TDs. QB Creede Dozier (610 yards/5/2) and WR Seth Zeigler (16/238/0) are a few other weapons for the Pirates. Defensively Colton Lucero also leads the defense with 66 Tackles and 5 TFL. Tommaso Nigro has 4.0 Sacks and Jaxten Schiel has 4 INTs for the Pirates.
Series: These two teams faced each other once during the MaxPreps era with Classical Academy winning that contest back in 2021.
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