CLASS 2A FOOTBALL PREVIEW – OPENING ROUND

The Class 2A football playoffs get underway this weekend with eight opening-round contests, two on Friday and six on Saturday. The winners will advance to next week’s second round, where the top eight seeds will be waiting after receiving first-round byes.

Elizabeth earned the top overall seed after completing an unbeaten regular season. The Classical Academy, defending state champion Wellington, and Delta round out the top four. Eaton, La Junta, Brush, and Alamosa also earned byes. The opening round features strong passing attacks, physical rushing teams, and several programs whose difficult regular-season schedules could make them dangerous opponents.

#16 WELD CENTRAL (6-3) VS #17 ASPEN (5-4) – SATURDAY 1PM

One of the most evenly seeded matchups in the opening round features Weld Central hosting Aspen. The Rebels earned the No. 16 seed after finishing 6-3 and winning the Crossroads League, while Aspen finished 5-4 after competing in the Western Slope League. With only one seed separating the two teams, this could be one of the most competitive contests of the weekend.

Weld Central enters the postseason having won six consecutive games, including a 63-0 victory over The Academy in its regular-season finale. The Rebels have been effective running the football, averaging 212.4 rushing yards and 326 yards of total offense per contest. Braden Schellenberg has been the leader of the rushing attack, averaging 117 yards per game. Quarterback Luke Witzel has thrown for 1,022 yards and eight touchdowns, while Andrew Dinges has been his favorite target, averaging 82.3 receiving yards per contest. Defensively, Cristiano Ontiveros leads the Rebels with 7.4 tackles per game, Bryen Stalcup has recorded 13.5 sacks, and Ryan Kinzie has four interceptions.

Aspen enters the postseason looking to snap a two-game losing streak after falling to Coal Ridge and Basalt in its final two regular-season contests. The Skiers have averaged 169.1 rushing yards and 119.4 passing yards per game, producing 288.6 total yards per contest. Tenn Wesner has been the leader of the Aspen offense, averaging 69.2 rushing yards and 110 passing yards per game. Malcolm Berg averages 72.6 receiving yards and has accounted for eight total touchdowns. Defensively, Samuel Henderson averages 12.3 tackles per game, Bode Lentz has four sacks, and Koston Tanner has contributed in the secondary.

Weld Central will look to establish its ground attack with Schellenberg and use its defensive pressure to create problems for Aspen. The Skiers must protect Wesner, generate explosive plays through Berg, and avoid falling into long-yardage situations against an aggressive Rebels defense.

The winner advances to face #1 Elizabeth (9-0) in the second round.

#9 FORGE CHRISTIAN (6-3) VS #24 ENGLEWOOD (4-5) – FRIDAY 7PM

Forge Christian earned the No. 9 seed after finishing 6-3 and will host Englewood, which enters at 4-5. The Fury have been productive on the ground, while the Pirates hope their own rushing attack and defensive playmakers can create a first-round upset.

Forge Christian averages 235.1 rushing yards and 335.7 total yards per game. Raleigh Cleveland leads the ground game at 93.8 yards per contest and has accounted for 19 total touchdowns. Quarterback Jack Widdifield has thrown for 830 yards and 11 touchdowns against just one interception. Brady Antolak adds 42.1 receiving yards per game and has made a major impact defensively, averaging 8.5 tackles while recording four interceptions and 3.5 sacks.

Englewood has averaged 190.7 rushing yards and 273.8 total yards per game. Michael Beulah has been the primary offensive threat, averaging 79.4 rushing yards and 33.3 receiving yards per contest. Raymond Enriquez has helped direct the passing attack, and Daniel Cullin gives the Pirates another option. Kalani Rafuls leads the defense at 12.7 tackles per game, while Jevan McMains averages one sack per contest and has also contributed 26 pancake blocks on offense.

Both teams want to establish the run, making line play and early-down success especially important. Forge Christian will try to wear down the Pirates with Cleveland, while Englewood needs Beulah to break off big gains and Rafuls and McMains to help limit the Fury’s possessions.

The winner advances to face #8 Alamosa (6-3) in the second round.

#13 UNIVERSITY (5-4) VS #20 DENVER WEST (4-5) – SATURDAY 1PM

University enters the postseason at 5-4 and will host Denver West, which finished 4-5. The Bulldogs won the regular-season meeting 30-0 on September 18, giving the Cowboys a clear benchmark for the improvement needed to reverse the result.

University snapped a four-game losing streak with a 42-9 win over Sterling in its regular-season finale. The Bulldogs average 183.6 rushing yards and 113.8 passing yards per game. Quarterback Henson Doss has thrown for 480 yards and seven touchdowns against one interception, while Max Davis has added 532 passing yards and five touchdowns. Preston Schiller averages 64.1 rushing yards per contest and ran for 121 yards and a touchdown against Sterling. Ethan Dennis, Kingztin Walterscheid, and Dominic Chacon have contributed as receivers. Defensively, Angel Orduna-Arciniega averages 5.7 tackles per game, while Anwar Al-Rashed has recorded eight sacks.

Denver West closed the regular season with a 35-6 win over D’Evelyn. Quarterback Marcelo Ortiz has thrown for 874 yards and 11 touchdowns and rushed for 120 yards in the finale. Abu Hussein averages 55.7 rushing yards per game, while Jesus Acevedo has been a leading receiver at 55 yards per contest. Jov Flores anchors the defense, averaging 7.2 tackles and 1.2 sacks per game.

University will try to establish Schiller and control the line of scrimmage, while Denver West needs Ortiz to make plays both as a runner and passer. The Cowboys will also need a much stronger defensive performance than in the first meeting, particularly against the Bulldogs’ multiple offensive contributors.

The winner advances to face #4 Delta (9-0) in the second round.

#12 STRASBURG (4-5) VS #21 FORT LUPTON (5-4) – FRIDAY 7PM

Strasburg enters the postseason with a 4-5 record, but the Indians have faced a difficult schedule in the Patriot League. They will host Fort Lupton, which finished 5-4 and earned the No. 21 seed. The Bluedevils have the better record, but Strasburg’s experience against a challenging league schedule could be important in this opening-round matchup.

Strasburg has relied on its passing game, averaging 226.7 yards through the air and 344.6 yards of total offense per contest. Quarterback Brody Hopwood has thrown for 1,923 yards and 22 touchdowns against six interceptions. Ayden Dodge has been his leading receiving threat, averaging more than 100 yards per game, while Reagan Rosier helps balance the offense with 52.8 rushing yards per contest. Rosier also leads the Indians defensively with 10.1 tackles per game, and Dalton Velasco has contributed pressure up front.

Fort Lupton counters with a more balanced offense, averaging 128 rushing yards and 131.7 passing yards per game. Quarterback Cade Rhoda has thrown for 1,053 yards and 18 touchdowns. Donte Lenox has been a dependable target, averaging 62.3 receiving yards per contest, while Dominick Martinez has led the ground attack with 63.3 yards per game. Martinez also anchors the defense at 9.4 tackles per game, with Aksel Lamontagne helping the pass rush.

The Bluedevils must find a way to pressure Hopwood and prevent Dodge from producing explosive plays. Strasburg will need to contain Martinez and keep Rhoda from finding rhythm in the passing game. If Fort Lupton can control possession, it could keep the game close deep into the second half.

The winner advances to face #5 Eaton (7-2) in the second round.

#15 COAL RIDGE (4-4) VS #18 RESURRECTION CHRISTIAN (2-7) – SATURDAY 2PM

Coal Ridge enters the postseason at 4-4 and will host Resurrection Christian, which finished 2-7 after one of the more demanding schedules among opening-round teams. The Cougars’ record may be misleading given their games against several of the classification’s top programs.

Coal Ridge won its final two regular-season games, beating Gunnison 41-14 and Aspen 21-10. The Titans average 216.3 rushing yards and 115.3 passing yards per contest. Quarterback Clayton Epp has thrown for 897 yards and 12 touchdowns against just one interception, while also averaging 108.8 rushing yards per game. Marcus Munoz averages 63.5 receiving yards per contest. Defensively, Aaron Chavez leads Coal Ridge with 9.3 tackles per game, while Jayden Emery helps pressure opposing quarterbacks.

Resurrection Christian has faced Elizabeth, The Classical Academy, Eaton, Brush, and Wellington. The Cougars average 99.9 rushing yards and 118.7 passing yards per contest. Quarterback Camden Davis averages 96 passing yards and 57.4 rushing yards per game. Carson Klein is a major receiving threat at 59.1 yards per contest and has scored eight total touchdowns. Klein also leads the defense with 9.4 tackles per game, while Cooper Fast has recorded two sacks. Cooper Silvers has thrown seven touchdowns without an interception in his recorded appearances.

Coal Ridge will try to ride Epp’s dual-threat ability and establish the run, while Resurrection Christian needs to limit explosive plays and capitalize on the experience gained against elite competition. The Cougars held Elizabeth to 17 points earlier this season and lost 24-12 to The Classical Academy, illustrating why the Titans cannot overlook them.

The winner advances to face #2 The Classical Academy (8-1) in the second round.

#10 LAMAR (6-3) VS #23 PROSPECT RIDGE ACADEMY (5-4) – SATURDAY 1PM

Lamar earned the No. 10 seed after finishing 6-3 and will host a 5-4 Prospect Ridge Academy squad. Both teams have shown the ability to throw the football, setting up an interesting matchup between two productive quarterbacks and defenses that will be challenged to limit big plays.

Lamar quarterback Jacob Dunning has thrown for 1,687 yards and 19 touchdowns against just two interceptions. Andrew Chairez has been one of his favorite targets, averaging 56.4 receiving yards per game, while Alex Aguilar adds 45.8 rushing yards per contest. Aguilar also averages eight tackles defensively, and Aiden Nieschburg has helped provide pressure along the front. The Thunder average 191.6 passing yards and 285.4 total yards per game.

Prospect Ridge Academy quarterback Jackson Stark has thrown for 1,483 yards and 19 touchdowns. Jason Ranjit averages 61.4 receiving yards per contest, Josh Ranjit has accounted for 11 total touchdowns, and Damien Medina contributes 44.3 rushing yards per game. Defensively, Chase Rice averages 9.2 tackles, Avery Stark has recorded three sacks, and Turner Oldach has intercepted seven passes.

The Miners’ ability to take the football away could be a major factor against a Lamar passing attack that has protected it well. The Thunder will look to get Dunning comfortable early, while Prospect Ridge Academy needs its secondary to create difficult throws and give Stark additional opportunities.

The winner advances to face #7 Brush (6-3) in the second round.

#14 BANNING LEWIS ACADEMY (6-3) VS #19 PAGOSA SPRINGS (4-4) – SATURDAY 1PM

Banning Lewis Academy enters the postseason with a 6-3 record and the No. 14 seed. The Stallions will host Pagosa Springs, which finished 4-4 and earned the No. 19 seed. The matchup features contrasting offensive styles, with Pagosa Springs preferring to control games on the ground.

Banning Lewis Academy closed the regular season with a 33-8 loss to Alamosa but has notable wins over La Junta, Florence, and Woodland Park. Quarterback Sam Early has thrown for 774 yards and 10 touchdowns and has also contributed as a runner. Calvin Harding provides a receiving option, while Early has made an impact defensively at 8.6 tackles per game. Jimmy Elledge has helped provide pressure along the defensive front, averaging 1.2 sacks per contest.

Pagosa Springs has averaged 291.9 rushing yards per game and just 18.6 passing yards, leaving little doubt about its preferred approach. Hudson Mazur has been a central part of the ground game, averaging 132.8 rushing yards per contest, while Kasen Limebrook provides another backfield option. Colby Ross has helped lead the defense at 8.6 tackles per game, and Caleb Ladegard has contributed pressure up front.

Pagosa Springs will try to shorten the game with long drives and keep the Stallions from finding an offensive rhythm. Banning Lewis Academy needs to win the line of scrimmage, slow Mazur, and force the Pirates into uncomfortable passing situations. Whichever team dictates the tempo will have a major advantage.

The winner advances to face #3 Wellington (8-1) in the second round.

#11 BASALT (6-3) VS #22 FLORENCE (3-6) – SATURDAY 1PM

Basalt enters the playoffs at 6-3 after another challenging Western Slope League schedule. The Longhorns will host Florence, which finished 3-6 but has been tested by quality opponents. The difference in records favors Basalt, though both teams have leaned on physical rushing attacks.

Basalt averages 214 rushing yards and 130.6 passing yards per game, producing 344.6 total yards per contest. Quarterback Nate Donnelly has thrown for 1,172 yards and 10 touchdowns and gives the Longhorns a way to stretch the field when defenses load the box. Basalt’s offensive balance makes it difficult to commit exclusively to stopping the run.

Florence has averaged 209.8 rushing yards and 277.1 total yards per game. Quarterback Ryan Robinson has thrown for 494 yards and four touchdowns. The Huskies will need Robinson to connect on timely throws when Basalt crowds the line of scrimmage, but their best opportunity may come from establishing a consistent running game and keeping the Longhorns’ offense off the field.

Basalt will try to dictate the pace with its balanced attack, while Florence needs to win first down and avoid obvious passing situations. Turnovers and field position could matter in a game featuring two teams comfortable running the football.

The winner advances to face #6 La Junta (8-1) in the second round.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Class 2A field will be trimmed from 24 teams to 16 after this weekend. Elizabeth, The Classical Academy, Wellington, Delta, Eaton, La Junta, Brush, and Alamosa await the winners. Several opening-round teams are playing their best football, while others hope a demanding regular-season schedule has prepared them for a postseason run. One loss ends the season, and every victory moves a team one step closer to a state championship.