Class 2A Football State Quarterfinal Preview
By Anthony Garcia
Eight teams remain in the Class 2A state football playoffs as the quarterfinals arrive Saturday. Elizabeth and Delta enter unbeaten, while Wellington and The Classical Academy aim to defend their high seeds. Eaton, Brush, Alamosa and Basalt will try to keep their postseason runs alive. Each matchup features a different test of rushing attacks, passing efficiency and defensive discipline.
#1 ELIZABETH (10-0) VS #8 ALAMOSA (7-3) – SATURDAY, 1 PM
Players to watch on both sidelines include Elizabeth running back Ryker Atkins (69.9 rushing yards per game), quarterback Joaquin Aviles (52.5 passing yards per game), receiver Cole Robinson (27.7 receiving yards per game), and defensive lineman Tyler Hanak (7.0 total sacks). Alamosa counters with dual-threat quarterback Evan Anderson (90.6 rushing and 153.8 passing yards per game), receiver Anthony Montoya (55.0 receiving yards per game), linebacker Mason Pintor (8.7 tackles per game), and defensive back Zane Bogner.
Elizabeth remained unbeaten with a 36-13 victory over Weld Central. The Cardinals have averaged 257.1 rushing yards per game and have allowed only 65 points through ten games. That defensive consistency, paired with an efficient ground game, has made Elizabeth the top seed in the bracket.
Ryker Atkins gives the Cardinals a rushing option, while Joaquin Aviles directs the offense and can connect with Cole Robinson when the passing game is needed. Tyler Hanak contributes pressure defensively. Elizabeth will aim to control the line of scrimmage and prevent Alamosa from generating big plays.
Alamosa advanced with a 31-22 victory over Forge Christian. The Mean Moose average 346.7 total yards per game and have used a mix of rushing and passing to move the football. They face a familiar opponent in Elizabeth, which defeated Alamosa 35-7 during the regular season.
Evan Anderson is central to the Alamosa offense as both a runner and passer, with Anthony Montoya providing a downfield target. Mason Pintor has been a leading tackler, while Zane Bogner contributes in the secondary. Alamosa must protect the ball and finish drives with touchdowns; Elizabeth will look to repeat its regular-season success by containing Anderson and maintaining control of possession.
#4 DELTA (10-0) VS #5 EATON (8-2) – SATURDAY, 1 PM
Players to watch on both sidelines include Delta running back Mack Lockhart (163.7 rushing yards per game), quarterback Cole Morlan (94.2 passing yards per game), receiver Alex Ryan (49.4 receiving yards per game), and defender Tony Maigatter (0.7 sacks per game). Eaton counters with running back Jackson Savona (124.3 rushing yards per game), quarterback Brayden Legler (155.7 passing yards per game), receiver Cooper Wiedeman (35.9 receiving yards per game), and defensive leader Ben Lawhead (9.8 tackles per game).
Delta advanced with a 28-6 win over University, keeping its undefeated season intact. The Panthers have averaged 306.9 rushing yards and 404.8 total yards per game, while their defense has surrendered just 74 points through ten games. The ability to build drives on the ground has made Delta a difficult team to slow.
Mack Lockhart sets the tone for the Panthers, and Cole Morlan can keep defenses honest through the air. Alex Ryan provides a receiving target, while Tony Maigatter helps create pressure defensively. Delta will want to establish its running game early and avoid allowing Eaton to dictate the tempo.
Eaton reached the quarterfinals with a 42-22 victory over Strasburg. The Reds average 367.6 total yards per game and have shown a more balanced offensive approach, with 209.7 rushing yards and 157.9 passing yards per contest. That balance could be especially important against a Delta defense that has limited opponents all season.
Jackson Savona gives Eaton a productive ground-game option, while Brayden Legler and Cooper Wiedeman help the Reds challenge defenses through the air. Ben Lawhead will be important in slowing Delta’s rushing attack. This matchup could be decided by third-down execution, turnovers and which team controls the line of scrimmage.
#3 WELLINGTON (9-1) VS #11 BASALT (8-3) – SATURDAY, 1 PM
Players to watch on both sidelines include Wellington running back Brayton Meglen (172.8 rushing yards per game), quarterback Eli Lavelle (70.4 passing yards per game), receiver Gavin Miller (51.0 receiving yards per game), and defender Teagen Greiman (9.3 tackles per game). Basalt counters with running back Jude Webb (132.3 rushing yards per game), quarterback Nate Donnelly (129.1 passing yards per game), receiver Sam Volf (43.4 receiving yards per game), and defensive leader Tripp Spung (9.0 tackles per game).
Wellington advanced with a commanding 54-0 win over Pagosa Springs. The Eagles have leaned on a powerful ground game that averages 329.2 rushing yards per contest, while their offense produces 397.7 total yards per game. Their ability to score early and control possession has been a major advantage.
Brayton Meglen leads the rushing attack, with Eli Lavelle directing the offense and Gavin Miller providing a receiving option. Teagen Greiman anchors an important part of the defensive effort. Wellington will look to create favorable down-and-distance situations and force Basalt to chase the game.
Basalt advanced with a 36-13 win over La Junta after opening the playoffs with a shutout of Florence. The Longhorns have averaged 353.3 total yards per game, including 223.9 on the ground. Their postseason success has shown that they can handle difficult matchups despite entering the bracket as the No. 11 seed.
Jude Webb gives Basalt a dependable rushing presence, while Nate Donnelly can make plays through the air to Sam Volf. Tripp Spung will be a key defender against Wellington’s running game. Basalt must limit explosive runs and finish its own drives; Wellington will want to build an early lead and keep control of the clock.
#2 THE CLASSICAL ACADEMY (9-1) VS #7 BRUSH (7-3) – SATURDAY, 1 PM
Players to watch on both sidelines include The Classical Academy running back Josiah Musilli (108.2 rushing yards per game), quarterback Wilson Grothe (143.4 passing yards per game), receiver Garrett Moore (47.2 receiving yards per game), and defensive contributor Nathaniel Thorne (7.0 tackles per game). Brush counters with running back Cassius Middlemist (127.4 rushing yards per game), quarterback Trent Garrett (41.6 passing yards per game), receiver Ben Herrera (16.8 receiving yards per game), and defender Jolani Thomas (0.5 sacks per game).
The Classical Academy survived a 24-21 battle against Coal Ridge to reach the quarterfinals. The Titans average 365.8 yards of offense per game, with 221.9 on the ground and 143.9 through the air. Their balanced attack has helped them remain one of the top contenders, but the narrow second-round result showed the importance of execution.
Josiah Musilli gives the Titans a physical rushing presence, while Wilson Grothe can find Garrett Moore in the passing game. Nathaniel Thorne, listed as a kicker and punter on the roster, also appears among the team’s tackle leaders in MaxPreps statistics. The Titans will need to protect the football and avoid letting Brush shorten the game.
Brush advanced with a 36-3 victory over Lamar, delivering one of the strongest defensive results of the second round. The Beetdiggers average 285.9 rushing yards per game and prefer to keep the ball on the ground. Their physical approach gives them a chance to control possession against a team that has more passing production.
Cassius Middlemist leads the Brush rushing attack, with Trent Garrett handling quarterback duties and Ben Herrera providing a receiving option. Jolani Thomas contributes defensively. These teams met in August, when The Classical Academy won 38-20. Brush will look to reverse that result by winning the rushing battle and keeping the Titans’ offense on the sideline.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Class 2A playoff field will be trimmed from eight teams to four following Saturday’s quarterfinal action. Each remaining team is just one victory away from the semifinals, but the matchups feature contrasting styles and programs that have already proven they can handle postseason pressure.
Elizabeth and Delta enter the weekend undefeated, while The Classical Academy and Wellington look to protect their high seeds. Eaton and Brush have the opportunity to knock off higher-seeded opponents, and Basalt will try to continue its postseason run after upsetting La Junta. Alamosa faces the challenge of earning a different result in its rematch with Elizabeth.
With productive rushing attacks, versatile quarterbacks, and defenses capable of changing games, the quarterfinals should provide plenty of excitement. Every possession becomes more important as the field narrows, and the teams that limit mistakes and execute in key situations will give themselves the best chance to advance.
The road to the Class 2A state championship continues this weekend.
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