MileHigh Prep Report

CLASS 1A FOOTBALL PREVIEW – QUARTERFINALS

By Anthony Garcia

The Class 1A state football playoffs move into the quarterfinal round this Saturday, with eight teams remaining in the chase for a state championship. The opening round featured a pair of close finishes, several convincing victories and one major upset as Rye knocked off North Fork. Four matchups now stand between the remaining contenders and a trip to the semifinals.

Meeker and Denver Christian advanced with impressive offensive performances, while Burlington, Centauri and Limon made strong statements of their own. Flatirons Academy survived a two-point battle with Monte Vista, and Colorado Springs Christian took down Platte Valley. Below is a look at the four quarterfinal contests, the opening-round performances and the matchups that could decide who moves on.

#1 MEEKER (9-1) VS #9 FLATIRONS ACADEMY (8-2) – SATURDAY, 1 PM

Players to watch on both sidelines include Meeker running back Said Rodriguez (77.1 rushing yards per game), quarterback Cade Mills (57.1 passing yards per game), receiver Lawson Anderson (33.7 receiving yards per game), and defensive leaders Wesley Thompson (7.2 tackles per game) and Liam Thomson. Flatirons Academy counters with Caleb Doughty (75.4 rushing and 79.3 passing yards per game), receiver Jack Joyner (44.8 receiving yards per game), running back Zeke Friedman and defenders Isaiah Figueroa (8.8 tackles per game) and Friedman. The Bison will need Doughty’s versatility and Joyner’s production to complement their ground game against the Cowboys.

Meeker entered the postseason as the No. 1 seed and backed up that position with a 53-15 win over Dayspring Christian Academy. The Cowboys built a 46-7 halftime lead and never allowed the Eagles to seriously threaten in the second half. Quarterback Cade Mills completed three of four passes for 77 yards, while Meeker continued to lean on the rushing attack that has powered its season.

Said Rodriguez has been one of Meeker’s top threats on the ground, and Mills gives the Cowboys an option to make plays through the air when opponents load the box. Lawson Anderson adds a receiving target, while Wesley Thompson and Liam Thomson have been important contributors on defense. Meeker’s ability to control the line of scrimmage and create manageable third downs will be critical against a Flatirons Academy team coming off an emotional victory.

Flatirons Academy advanced with a thrilling 44-42 victory at Monte Vista. The Bison led 22-14 at halftime and held on as the Pirates scored 14 points in the fourth quarter. Caleb Doughty completed eight of 11 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. Zeke Friedman added 135 rushing yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, giving Flatirons Academy a reliable ground-game presence in a contest that required production throughout all four quarters.

Doughty is a dual-threat option who can extend plays, while Friedman’s ability to pick up tough yards gives the Bison another way to move the chains. Jack Joyner provides a receiving target, and Isaiah Figueroa has been a defensive leader. Flatirons Academy must find a way to slow Meeker’s running game and avoid giving the Cowboys short fields. For Meeker, getting ahead early and forcing the Bison into predictable passing situations could make a major difference. This game has the potential to be decided by which team wins the rushing battle and limits explosive plays.

#2 DENVER CHRISTIAN (10-0) VS #10 COLORADO SPRINGS CHRISTIAN (9-1) – SATURDAY, 1 PM

Players to watch on both sidelines include Denver Christian running back Quinn Barkema (128.7 rushing yards and 5.4 tackles per game), quarterback Cole McCabe, receiver Mason Priebe and defensive contributor Tobin Delle Donne. Colorado Springs Christian counters with quarterback Fisher Tenpas (234.9 passing yards per game), receiver Silas Lambert (102.2 receiving yards per game) and running back Liam Smith (73.8 rushing yards per game). The Lions will need Tenpas and Lambert to connect consistently against an unbeaten Thunder squad.

Denver Christian kept its perfect season intact with a 57-27 win over Cedaredge in the opening round. The Thunder scored 16 points in the first quarter and added 22 in the third to create separation. Denver Christian produced 26 first downs and controlled possession for nearly 29 minutes. The victory continued a season in which the Thunder have been difficult to contain offensively.

Quinn Barkema has been the centerpiece of Denver Christian’s rushing attack, and quarterback Cole McCabe gives the Thunder a steady presence directing the offense. McCabe completed five of seven passes for 73 yards and a touchdown against Cedaredge. Mason Priebe has provided a receiving option, while Tobin Delle Donne and Barkema have contributed defensively. Denver Christian will want to establish the run and make Colorado Springs Christian defend long, sustained drives.

Colorado Springs Christian advanced with a 41-14 win over Platte Valley, knocking off a top-eight seed. The Lions have now won nine games and shown they can produce against a quality postseason opponent. Fisher Tenpas directs a productive passing attack, with Silas Lambert providing a dangerous receiving target and Liam Smith contributing on the ground. Their ability to stretch the field gives the Lions a different offensive approach from Denver Christian.

Tenpas and Lambert will need to connect on key downs, while Smith must help keep the Thunder defense honest. Denver Christian will lean on Barkema to set the tempo and McCabe to capitalize when the Lions commit to stopping the run. Colorado Springs Christian must limit long drives and create opportunities for its offense. For the Thunder, limiting explosive passes and protecting the football could make the difference. Red-zone execution and third-down stops may decide whether Denver Christian remains unbeaten or the Lions pull off another upset.

#4 BURLINGTON (9-1) VS #5 CENTAURI (8-2) – SATURDAY, 1 PM

Players to watch on both sidelines include Burlington running back Scout Humrich (186.6 rushing yards and 6.3 tackles per game), quarterback Weston Schaal, receiver Samuel Korber and defensive contributor Omar Loza. Centauri counters with Caden Ruggles (103.8 rushing yards and 13.3 tackles per game), quarterback Grayson Hunzeker (91.4 passing yards per game), receiver Dallyn King (34.1 receiving yards per game) and defensive lineman Aj Norton. Both teams have playmakers who can impact the game on either side of the ball.

Burlington made one of the strongest opening-round statements with a 49-8 victory over Platte Canyon. The Cougars have built their success around a powerful ground game and enter the quarterfinals averaging approximately 321 rushing yards and 374 total yards per contest, according to the current MaxPreps matchup comparison. That ability to control the football has made Burlington a difficult opponent throughout the season.

Scout Humrich has been the focal point of Burlington’s rushing attack, while Weston Schaal helps direct the offense and Samuel Korber gives the Cougars a receiving option. Omar Loza has contributed on the defensive front. Burlington’s ability to stay ahead of the chains and sustain drives will be important against a Centauri team that also enters the quarterfinals off a convincing win.

Centauri advanced with a 46-7 victory over Yuma. The Falcons have shown a more balanced offensive profile, averaging approximately 210 rushing yards and 102 passing yards per game in the matchup comparison. Caden Ruggles gives Centauri a physical rushing presence, while Grayson Hunzeker can attack through the air and Dallyn King offers a receiving target. Aj Norton is among the players who can help the Falcons challenge Burlington up front.

Ruggles and Hunzeker will need to keep Centauri’s offense balanced, with King helping create opportunities downfield. Burlington will look to use Humrich and its rushing attack to dictate the pace and keep the Falcons’ offense on the sideline. Centauri must make early-down stops and create favorable field position. For Burlington, avoiding negative plays and finishing drives will be critical. This matchup could come down to which team controls the line of scrimmage and limits turnovers.

#11 LIMON (8-2) VS #14 RYE (6-4) – SATURDAY, 1 PM

Players to watch on both sidelines include Limon running back Liam Yoder (94.1 rushing yards per game), quarterback Joe White (74.3 passing yards per game), receiver Camdyn Tacha (22.9 receiving yards per game) and defensive contributors Carlos Nunez (5.4 tackles per game) and Ben Carr. Rye counters with running back Jackson Bjorum (112.7 rushing yards per game), quarterback Brady Baumgartner (133.0 passing yards per game), receiver Wyatt Scheid (52.0 receiving yards per game) and linebacker Nathaniel Gray (8.1 tackles per game). Rye will need its passing attack to complement the ground game against Limon’s defense.

Limon advanced with a 28-0 shutout of Wiggins in the opening round. After a scoreless first quarter, the Badgers scored six points in the second and broke the game open with 22 in the third. The defense kept Wiggins off the scoreboard, while the offense found its rhythm after halftime. Parker Harris rushed for 81 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries in the win, according to MaxPreps.

Liam Yoder has been among Limon’s leading runners, while quarterback Joe White helps direct the offense and Camdyn Tacha provides a receiving option. Carlos Nunez and Ben Carr have been defensive contributors. The Badgers will look to establish their physical style early, control field position and prevent Rye from gaining confidence with big plays.

Rye advanced with a 20-19 upset of North Fork. The Thunderbolts led 20-13 entering the fourth quarter and held on after the Miners scored six points in the final period. Brady Baumgartner completed 13 of 21 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown, while Wyatt Scheid caught six passes for 130 yards and a score. C. Mittlestadt added 69 rushing yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.

Baumgartner and Scheid showed their connection against North Fork, while Jackson Bjorum gives Rye another way to move the football and Nathaniel Gray has been a defensive leader. Limon will try to control the line of scrimmage and limit possessions, while the Thunderbolts must protect Baumgartner and create explosive plays against a defense coming off a shutout. For Rye, staying close into the fourth quarter could create another upset opportunity. This game may be decided by third-down execution and which team wins the turnover battle.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Class 1A quarterfinals feature different styles of football, from the physical rushing attacks of Meeker, Burlington and Limon to the offensive versatility of Flatirons Academy, Centauri and Rye. Denver Christian brings an undefeated record into a challenging meeting with Colorado Springs Christian, which already has a postseason upset to its credit.

Only four teams will remain after Saturday. Winning the turnover battle, controlling field position and taking advantage of scoring opportunities will be especially important as the competition becomes tougher. Every team still playing has earned its spot, and each is now one victory away from the Class 1A semifinals.