Class 2A Football Preview-Quarterfinals
We look at all 4 matchups in the First Round of the Class 2A State Playoffs. One game will kick off Friday with the rest going on Saturday. The road to Pueblo Continues! We will do games in Bracket order and good luck to all 16 teams.
#1 Strasburg (10-0) at #9 Eaton (7-3), Saturday at 1pm
How they got here…Strasburg would start their playoff journey with a 21 to 17 win over Basalt. The #1 vs #16 was not a true #1 vs #16 game and it showed. Basalt would jump out early on Strasburg and hold a 17 to 7 lead going into halftime. Strasburg defensively shut Basalt out the entire second half and completed their comeback with a 14-point 4th Quarter. Eaton would kick off their Playoff run with a 27 to 13 win over La Junta. Eaton played aggressive defense in the game and it showed giving up just 1 TD. Eaton would take a 20 to 10 lead into halftime and score just one more time to secure the victory.
Last Week…Strasburg leaned on their passing attack to secure the victory. Strasburg had 282 yards of total offense with 240 coming from the passing attack. QB Brody Hopwood would have a great game passing for 240 yards, 1 INT, and 3 passing TDs. WR Ayden Dodge was the top target catching 6 passes for 87 yards and 1 TD. RB Cade Hemphill also contributed offensively rushing for 77 yards and catching 2 passes for 50 yards and 1 TD. Defensively Strasburg did give up some yards but shutout Basalt in the second half. Strasburg was led in tackles by Ethan Freeman (13 tackles), Cameron Manahan (10 tackles), and Juan Fernandez (7 tackles & 2 TFL).
Eaton once again leaned on their rushing attack to secure the win. Eaton had 352 yards of total offense with 267 yards coming from the rushing attack. RB Jackson Savona had another career day rushing 19 times for 255 yards and 3 TDs. QB Brayden Legler also contributed offensively passing for 85 yards and 1 TD. WR Max Blaskowski was the top target catching 3 passes for 70 yards and 1 TD. Defensively Eaton limited La Junta to just 201 yards of total offense. Eaton was led in tackles by Cameron Southard (8 tackles), Ben Lawhead (7 tackles), and Vinnie Juarez (7 tackles).
Series history… Eaton leads the series 4-2 over Strasburg. These two teams last meet in 2013 with Eaton getting the 32 to 7 win.
#4 Elizabeth (8-2) vs #5 Brush (10-0), Saturday at 1pm
How they got here…Elizabeth started their playoff run with a 44 to 38 win over Pagosa Springs. This was a shootout that came down to the fourth quarter. Elizabeth held a 22 to 20 lead at halftime and the scoring kept coming with Pagosa Springs taking a 32 to 29 lead into the fourth Quarter. Elizabeth would then win the fourth quarter 15 to 6 and secure the victory. Brush kicked off their playoff journey with a 28 to 7 win over Delta. This was a defensive battle with all 28 of the 35 points scored in the second quarter. Brush would add a TD in the 4th quarter to get our score to the final tally.
Last Week…Elizabeth would run 55 total plays with 50 coming from the rushing attack and leading the way with 283 yards on the ground and a total of 367 yards of offense. QB Griffin Widhalm would have a huge day offensively passing for 84 yards while rushing for 119 yards and 1 TD. RB Tristan McCray would get the bulk of the carries offensively rushing for 22 times for 80 yards and 3 TDs and RB Andrew Martinez would pitch in with 10 carries for 53 yards and 2 TDs. Defensively Elizabeth would struggle to stop the run giving up over 300 yards but made a key stop at the end of the game. The Cardinals were led on defense by Talyn Douglas (8 tackles), Coalten Crowner (7 tackles), and Calvin Moore (7 tackles).
Brush offensively had a great day racking up over 300 yards of total offense with the rushing attack totaling 317 yards and 3 rushing TDs. RB Ritchie Bruno had 29 carries in the game totaling 166 yards and 2 rushing TDs to lead the Brush rushing attack. RB Cassius Middlemist also contributed to the rushing attack with 11 carries for 76 yards. QB Eric Rico also competed a TD pass to Konrad Castrup. Defensively Brush limited Delta to just 124 yards of total offense. Brush was led in tackles by Ritchie Bruno (9 tackles & 3 TFL), Dylan Krob (8 tackles & 1 TFL), and Austin Ley (5 tackles).
Series history… Brush and Elizabeth have not faced each other since 2004.
#2 Wellington (10-0) vs #7 Resurrection Christian (7-3), Friday at 7pm
How they got here…Wellington kicked off their Playoff Run with a 48-0 win over Alamosa. Wellington had an excellent game plan and got things started quickly, scoring 14 points in the first quarter and got the clock running with a 28-point second quarter. Resurrection Christian started their playoff run with a 49 to 0 win over Denver West.
Last Week…Wellington had a huge day rushing the day, running 44 offensive plays with 43 coming from the rushing attack. Wellington offensively had an explosive day rushing for 358 yards and 6 TDs. RB Brayton Meglen was the top RB rushing 6 times for 143 yards and 1 TD. RB Eli Lavelle (6 carries for 66 yards, 1 TD) and QB Tanner Gray (9 carries for 51 yards, 3 TD) also contributed to the rushing attack. Defensively it was a masterclass by Wellington holding Alamosa to just 76 yards of total offense. Wellington was led in tackles by Ethan Thurnes (6 tackles), Teagen Greiman (6 tackles), and Ezra Batjargal (6 tackles).
Resurrection Christian had a big day offensively racking up 366 yards of total offense. A balanced offensive attack helped the Cougars get the win. QB Jackson Lucas lead the passing attack with 111 yards and 2 TDs. WR Jaxson Pszanka was the top target catching 3 passes for 63 yards and 2 TDs while also passing for 86 yards and 1 TD. RB Britton Walston led the rushing attack with 74 yards and 1 TD while also catching 2 passes for 95 yards and 1 TD. Defensively Resurrection Christian forced 5 turnovers in the game, 3 INTs and 2 Fumbles. Louie Owen added to the scoring with a defensive TD. Resurrection Christian was led in tackles by Ethan Carter (8 tackles) and Josh Stockton (4 tackles).
Series history…Wellington leads the series 2-0 over Resurrection Christian. These two teams faced each other this season with Wellington securing the 21 to 16 win over Resurrection Christian.
#3 Classical Academy (10-0) vs #6 Kent Denver (8-2), Saturday at 1pm
How they got here…Classical Academy got their playoff journey started with a 56 to 14 win over Florence. TCA started quickly against Florence, scoring 14 points in the 1st quarter and adding another 21 in the second quarter. TCA would add another 14 in the 3rd Quarter on the way to the victory. Kent Denver started their playoff run with a 48 to 14 win over Lamar. Kent Denver got the offense rolling early, scoring 34 points in the first half and another 14 points in the second half on the way to the victory.
Last Week…Classical Academy had a massive day offensively racking up 578 yards of total offense. The offensive attack was balanced in the win with both the rushing and passing attack racking up over 285 yards and 7 total TDs. QB Jackson Smetana led the passing attack with 290 yards and 2 TDs. WR Zach Mediavilla was the top target catching 6 passes for 154 yards and 2 TDs. RB Jackson Schipfer powered the rushing attack rushing 20 times for 161 yards and 2 TDs and RB Braden Godoy also pitched in with 51 yards and 3 TDs. Defensively TCA limited the offensive attack for Florence. TCA was led in tackles by Hayden Gustafson (9 tackles), Josiah Musilli (7 tackles), and Ben Graversen (6 tackles).
Kent Denver has no input any stats from the game. Kent Denver defensively did limit the Lamar offense to 236 yards. Kent Denver also forced 5 turnovers in the game, 3 INTs and 2 Fumbles.
Series history… Kent Denver leads the series 4-2 over Classical Academy. The last contest between these two teams was 2023 with Kent Denver winning 36 to 14.
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